issues with Technical PDF docs (equations; matrice...)

tristouille · 01-27-2010, 04:24 AM

Guys,
Despite the fact that "Calibre" is a great tool to convert data for my ebook (Kindle), It fails (like many other tools) to perform proper conversion of scientific PDF documents.
For example, if you take a PDF document from computergraphics world made of equations; matrices etc. : the equations and other complex notations are just screwed-up.
I am not so surprised because it seems like this is a known issue : I never found any decent converted that could do the job properly. Even Amazon Kindle converter (through email) fails...

A naive approach from Calibre would be to read the PDF document; locate the complex notations (equations etc.); convert them to simple pictures and integrate these pictures within the document to replace the unsuccessful conversion...

Another possible workaround : find the PDF tool online that does perform this job of converting complex equations and matrices to simple images; then use the modified PDF document with "Calibre"...

Any clue ? Any advice on which PDF tool to use so I could bake the PDf docs to become "Calibre" friendly ?
Thanks

PS: Yes, PDF docs are Kindle-compatible... but I prefer other ebook formats so that the kindle can do search; provide the dictionary on words; change the font size etc.

WillAdams · 01-27-2010, 08:52 AM

Get the original files and work from them.

There's a reason why math is ``penalty copy''.

Hevea or latex2html will make the small bitmap images which you are wanting (given a TeX source).

Failing that, run the images through a system which will convert them to TeX code such as Infty's equation recognition system or the Freehand Formula Entry System:

http://research.cs.queensu.ca/drl//ffes/

William

01-27-2010, 04:24 AM	#1
tristouille Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: KindleDX	issues with Technical PDF docs (equations; matrice...) Guys, Despite the fact that "Calibre" is a great tool to convert data for my ebook (Kindle), It fails (like many other tools) to perform proper conversion of scientific PDF documents. For example, if you take a PDF document from computergraphics world made of equations; matrices etc. : the equations and other complex notations are just screwed-up. I am not so surprised because it seems like this is a known issue : I never found any decent converted that could do the job properly. Even Amazon Kindle converter (through email) fails... A naive approach from Calibre would be to read the PDF document; locate the complex notations (equations etc.); convert them to simple pictures and integrate these pictures within the document to replace the unsuccessful conversion... Another possible workaround : find the PDF tool online that does perform this job of converting complex equations and matrices to simple images; then use the modified PDF document with "Calibre"... Any clue ? Any advice on which PDF tool to use so I could bake the PDf docs to become "Calibre" friendly ? Thanks PS: Yes, PDF docs are Kindle-compatible... but I prefer other ebook formats so that the kindle can do search; provide the dictionary on words; change the font size etc.

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01-27-2010, 08:52 AM	#2
WillAdams Wizard Posts: 1,260 Karma: 3439432 Join Date: Feb 2008 Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (300ppi), Samsung Galaxy Book 12	Get the original files and work from them. There's a reason why math is ``penalty copy''. Hevea or latex2html will make the small bitmap images which you are wanting (given a TeX source). Failing that, run the images through a system which will convert them to TeX code such as Infty's equation recognition system or the Freehand Formula Entry System: http://research.cs.queensu.ca/drl//ffes/ William

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