convert scans (images) of pages of a book to text ?

[RemiD]

hi,

i have found a scan of the pages of an old book (pdf) on the web but i can't select the text (it is not protected, i have checked), it seems like scan images in a pdf...

any idea how i can convert these images to (selectable) text ?

thanks

[Matty]

You will need software that does optical character recognition.

It does exist, I've used free software at work.

But you will likely have to correct a lot of it.

[Amon]

http://www.free-online-ocr.com/

[RemiD]

ok, i was aware of "ocr", will take a look. i was wondering if there was another solution... thanks

[Derron]

You could even translate via your "translate" app if you have a android phone with google-apps. Open the picture there and get the text translated (and selectable). Might be of interest too.


bye
Ron

[RemiD]

@Derron>>thanks, i will take a look

[RemiD]

so... OCR kinda works, but only if the background of the page is white with uniform lighting and no imperfections... but in my case this does not help. 
anyway, it was interesting to try it.

[Derron]

Did you try google translate? I used it for signs in Czech on a camping place - random dusk time picture. And it translated well. Used it on menu cards ... worked well. Might work better than traditional OCR.


bye
Ron