pdf to bmp

[g.cox]

Have 400 pages scanned at their original size (315mm x 235mm). I need to export them as image files (bmp), edit them and reconvert to pdf. When I export them PDF-XChange seems to add margins, and I can't find a way of having no margins. I have a workaround but I would be interested to know why I can't export the file in its exact size.

[John - Tracker Supp]

Without seeing a small sample of the original file its hard to offer any firm guidance - except to say that PDF-Tools would be a better application for this process as it 'extracts' the original from the file - rather than reconverts the page to an image.

[g.cox]

Thanks for the prompt answer John. I hope you are still online!
I'm dealing with a scanned opera vocal score. That is: my original files, as far as the computer is concerned, are the pdfs that I made at the copy-shop.
So PDF Tools (which I just bought on your recommendation!) is certainly useful for transforming all pdfs to bmps at once rather than individually (and back again). So as far as time saving is concerned, it has paid for itself.
I still however have the problem that the pdf (315mm x 235mm) is transformed to a bmp file (277,5mm x 372,1). At some point I was given the possibility of specifying the size of the bmp (I think) but I don't know how I got there, and I haven't been able to repeat the process.
One annoying thing: some of my pages I scanned upside down, assuming it would be easy to turn and save them inpdf format. But I turn and save, and next time I open the file it is still the wrong way round. Am I doing something wrong?
I've attached one of the pages, so you can see if you can extract a bmp in the same size as the pdf itself!

[g.cox]

One other thing: having transformed the pdf to a bmp, PDFtools says that there is no program specified to deal with this file. But Paint is officially the standardprogram for opening bmps in my system. Why isn't PDFTools recognising this?
Cheers,
Graham

[Nico - Tracker Supp]

Hi g.cox,

Thank you for your post.
Regarding your questions:

• I still however have the problem that the pdf (315mm x 235mm) is transformed to a bmp file (277,5mm x 372,1)

• PDF-Tools will convert the image stored within the file which size is given in pixels, and not mm. If you want to include the extracted image in another document, you can adjust the image resolution to fit the size of the target page.

  One annoying thing: some of my pages I scanned upside down, assuming it would be easy to turn and save them inpdf format

• You need to rotate the target PDF pages first by using PDF-XChange Viewer and then with PDF-Tools' option: "Extract Images from PDF", you need to check this other option: "Re-build the Data/Images stored within the file so that the saved file data matches that which is viewed on screen (i.e. Rotated files re-saved Images to match the Rotation Angle displayed in the PDF file).

  PDFtools says that there is no program specified to deal with this file

• Please could you provide further details about what you are trying to do? For example, what option of PDF-Tools are you using? What is the objective?
• Also, are you sure you are using a valid bmp file?

Thanks.

Sincerely,

[g.cox]

OK: Here is what I am trying to do:
I have 400 individual pages of an opera vocal score each saved as a pdf file.
I want to convert each pdf file to a bmp file which I can then edit in Paint - removing some music and replacing some bars with new music imported from my music notation software, remove the original publisher identification, change some text, etc. then reconvert the bmp to a pdf file. At the end of the process, collect all individual pdfs into a new file. (Although I assume I would also be able to make a multi-page pdf from the individual bmp files)
Using the "extract images from file" tool, PDFTools successfully converts the complete pdf to a bmp. However, I have the "view each document after creation" box ticked, and see a "view" button. After the conversion process is completed, I get the "there is no program specified to carry out this operation" and the view button is inactive. In my Windows 7 system I have Paint as the program to open bmp files specified. I can overcome this problem by using Windows explorer to open the file, but it would have been nice to save a few mouseclicks. When I click on the bmp file created by PDF Tools it opens in Paint, without any further discussion.... But apart from the batch processing possibility, I see no advantage in using PDF Tools over the simple PDF-XChange Viewer, which, has an export to image function. Or am I missing something??

[Nico - Tracker Supp]

Hi g.cox,

Thank you for your post.
In summary what you want to accomplish is the following:
1. Convert each opera vocal score PDF file to a BMP file.
2. Edit each BMP file with MS Paint
3. Reconvert each BMP file to a separate PDF file
4. Collect all the individual PDF files into a new master PDF file
5. Convert the master PDF file to a BMP file

According to the previous post, before you proceed with step 1, please go to those score files that are inverted and use the PDF-XChange Viewer's "Document->Rotate Pages" menu to rotate pages 180 degrees.
At step 1, then use PDF-Tools option: "Extract Images from PDF" to convert each score to BMP format and remember to check option: "Re-build the Data/Images stored within the file so that the saved file data matches that which is viewed on screen".
For steps 3 and 4, you can either convert each BMP file to a separate PDF file and then use PDF-Tools "Simple PDF Page Extraction" option to extract every single PDF file and compose the master PDF file; or you can use the "New PDF Document From Images" to avoid step 3 and assembly the master PDF file from all the images directly.
Step 5 is just a repetition of step 1.

Regarding the option "view each document after creation", I have Windows Photo Viewer as my default program to open BMP files and it opens it immediately after conversion. Please check what is your default program for files with .bmp extension from here: "Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Default Programs\Set Associations" (Windows 7).

Regarding whether to use PDF-Tools or PDF-XChange Viewer for extracting images from PDF files is up to you. Batch processing is one of the biggest assets that PDF-Tools has and these suggestions are only one way to do the job at hand, the program gives you the flexibility to do a lot more.
If you have any questions please feel free to come back.
Thanks.

Sincerely,

[g.cox]

Thanks Nico! As I said a number of times, I have MS Paint set as default program to open bmp and pdftools does not recognise this. But given that I have in the meantime converted all my pdf files to bmps and saved a LOT of time with batch processing, I have no immediate problems. Perhaps you might try setting MS Paint as your default bmp program to see if you can replicate my problem.
Best wishes from Berlin!

[Nico - Tracker Supp]

Hi g.cox,

Thank you for your post.
I was able to reproduce the issue and created a bug fix request with ticket number #1709.
The workaround I can offer is to open the file from Windows Explorer.
As soon we get a solution we will let you know so that you can download the latest build with the fix.
If you have any questions or you want to communicate with us regarding this problem please feel free to send us an email to support@pdf-xchange.com
Thanks.

Sincerely,