Document file sizes

[k4kyv]

I recently scanned some handwritten and typed text documents but had a difficult time getting the file sizes small enough to fit inside the limits for e-mail attachments.

I first tried scanning directly to pdf format, but each page size was on the order of 20 MB.  Then I scanned to jpg format, and each page was about 3 MB.  Later I clicked on one of the pdf files that had been rejected as too large, and properties menu now says it is only 173 KB.  I tried printing the same page in jpg format to PrimoPDF converter, and the resulting pdf file was 61.4 MB!  I tried it in bmp format, and that one was tens of MB as well.

Yet, I have some 30-page pdf files downloaded off other websites, that are slightly under 3 MB total, and they include highlightable text, photos and line graphics.  A couple of the jpg documents I put on this board as attachments (the antenna paradox drawings) were hand-drawn graphic jpg's @ approximately 55 and 70 KB.

It would seem that pdf would be the best format if I wanted to post a large number of pages on the web, but I don't understand the difference between a 30 MB/page document and a 3 MB/30-page document, or how to control file size.

I ended up sending the attachments by jpg in a series of separate e-mails, because I could get more pages of those per message within the size limit than any other format, even though they ended up a little fuzzier than the pdf's and bmp's.

I'm still not terribly far beyond "How do I build a Dipole?" appliance operator status when it comes to computers and need help on this.

[KF1Z]

For the typed text, try using OCR. Optical Character Recognition.
I think a lot of scanner software comes with it these days, but should be able to find some as freeware too.
That will reduce the file size dramatically.

For handwritten pages, the software sees that as an 8 1/2 by 11 inch photo, and will be very large file.
You need to change it to a black and white, not greyscale,  (1 bit per pixel), and crop every bit of white page you can, and that will help reduce the size of the file.


That be my suggestion, perhaps others have a better way.

[Ott]

Morning Don...

Had good result sending large files with "You Send It"...

http://www.yousendit.com/

[Steve - WB3HUZ]

Read up on files types. JPEGs are compressed so they will be smaller. But the JPEG compression algorithm is designed for photos, not line drawings. So using JPEG on drawings or handwritten stuff can fuzz it up. BMPs are generally uncompressed, so stay away from them.

To achieve minimal size, some work in a graphics editor will likely be required. Use histograms and level controls to clean up the image. Convert it to a gray scale image (not needed if you scanned it in gray scale). A nicely cleaned up scan can be kept under a Meg, in many cases only in the low 100 kB range by using GIF compression. No fuzziness will occur with GIF. PNG is another similar option with better color fidelity, if that is needed.

A decent over view with links for further reading at the link below.

http://www.wfu.edu/~matthews/misc/graphics/formats/formats.html

[WQ9E]

Don,

I use Primo at home but I am at the office now where I have Adobe professional.  In Primo, you can choose from 4 or 5 generic output quality settings and the lowest is screen print which will give you small files.  The largest is something like pre-press or production ready which will result in very large file sizes.  I believe you have to run Primo itself but you may be able to activate this choice from the printer box in the various applications.

The other big impact is the resolution setting on your scanner software.  For most scans, 300 dpi is plenty and often 150 dpi is sufficient and will result in much smaller file sizes.

When I get home I will take a look at Primo if you still need assistance.

Rodger WQ9E

[Pete, WA2CWA]

If you have a choice, output type of scan should be black and white bitmap with output resolution generally no more then 200 to 300 dpi depending on the sheet. If you up the resolution, you'll wind up also scanning the background which will greatly increase your file size. If your output is jpeg, use only grayscale output. Don't choose any output that has the word color in it. Output resolution should be no more then 150 dpi. I did three scans below. One in gif at 150, one gif at 300, and one in jpeg grayscale 150 dpi.

[flintstone mop]

Hi Don
Most scanners and software will turn it into a nice space saving PDF ADOBE.

Fred

[Pete, WA2CWA]

Hi Don
Most scanners and software will turn it into a nice space saving PDF ADOBE.

Fred

It depends on the "convert to PDF" program. My "convert to PDF" program allows me about nine different choices depending on what type of resolution I want in the PDF and whether I want it in color or convert all color to black and white. File size reduction generally happens only when you save the PDF to a very low resolution or conversion of original color pages to black and white.