Can't find OCR output file?

[mark@greenbergcm.com]

I'm assuming that OCR is active with the free version since the command is not grayed out and initiating same does seem to indicate process.

However, upon completion there is no notice of an output file nor an output file location.

If the OCR is actually working, how does one retrieve the OCR file?

Mark

[Stefan - PDF-XChange]

Hi Mark,

The result of the OCR is an invisible text layer inside the document that you've just OCRed, so that you can now select this layer with the text selection tool and copy and paste it to another program.

Best,
Stefan

[mark@greenbergcm.com]

Ah, so that's why when closing the doc you're prompted to save--I suspect save maintains the copyable text whereas not saving leaves the text an image.

Did you ever consider putting a watermark (or some indicator) on the top OCR indicating for those not intimately involved with the software that that's what the user has?

Thanks,

Mark

[Stefan - PDF-XChange]

Hi Mark,

Yes - if you discard the changes - the OCRed layer will notbe saved - otherwise it becomes permanent part of the file - and anyone after that would be able to select text from it - even if they are using a viewing application that doesn't have an OCR tool.

As for a form of notification what the OCR Does inside the Viewer - I can't make any promises, but the current tool is free - and was intended to provide this very basic functionality only. Everywhere we mention OCR (in the manuals, or in KB articles on the subject, etc) - we do state that the result of the OCR process is an invisible text layer in the existing document.
The OCR in the Editor will also be significantly improved and with a lot more options - so one of those might be to export the OCR result to an external file.

Best,
Stefan

[Walter-Tracker Supp]

I think I should weigh in here for a moment since I think I am more familiar with the current OCR (which is now a plugin for the editor).

There is a general settings dialog for OCR, accessed by Edit-Preferences (scroll down to the bottom to OCR). You can choose the output type - either a new searchable layer in the existing document, or a new PDF.

What you are seeing in the version you have is a barebones OCR option that does the job but doesn't have a few of the UI tweaks we've added. The newest version of the plugin, which is simply awaiting release with the next build / release, also prompts you when you select "Run" to set your output type and OCR options (you can either ignore it and click "run" to use your saved settings, or temporarily select new ones for the OCR job), much like the old viewer. Functionality here is much more familiar.

Just an aside: for now, if you select pages (e.g. in thumbnail view) OCR will OCR those pages, otherwise if there is no page selection it'll OCR the whole document. The finished version I referred to has a page selection (All, current, selection, range) in the run dialog, so you'll see that shortly.

Hope this helps.

-Walter