Introduction
Handling PDF files can sometimes present unique challenges, particularly when dealing with files that use specific embedded fonts. A recent issue brought to light concerns the ability of the pdf2TextBufferW function within the PDF2TXT DLL to process such PDFs. This article explores the problem and the proposed solutions, offering insight into how custom development can address these challenges.
The Problem
A customer reported that the pdf2TextBufferW function in the PDF2TXT DLL could not process a PDF file containing specific embedded fonts. This limitation affects the conversion of PDFs to text files, particularly when these PDFs are designed with non-standard or unique fonts that the current DLL implementation cannot handle effectively.
Proposed Solutions
Solution 1: Using VeryPDF OCR to Any Converter
To address this issue, the customer was advised to use the "VeryPDF OCR to Any Converter Command Line" tool. Here’s how to handle the problem using this tool:
- Download the Tool: First, obtain the converter from the following links:
- Convert the PDF: Execute the following command lines to convert the PDF:
- Solution 1: Convert PDF to a text-based PDF file with layout, then extract text:
ocr2any.exe -ocr2 -ocrmode 2 D:\Downloads\pdf_embedded_font.pdf D:\Downloads\pdf_embedded_font-out.pdf
ocr2any.exe -layout D:\Downloads\pdf_embedded_font-out.pdf D:\Downloads\pdf_embedded_font-out.txt - Solution 2: Convert PDF directly to a text file without layout:
ocr2any.exe -ocr2 D:\Downloads\pdf_embedded_font.pdf D:\Downloads\pdf_embedded_font-out.txt
- Solution 1: Convert PDF to a text-based PDF file with layout, then extract text:
The VeryPDF tool effectively converts PDFs with embedded fonts by first processing them into a text-based PDF and then extracting the text.
Solution 2: Custom Development for PDF2TXT DLL
Acknowledging the need for a cleaner solution, a custom-built version of the PDF2TXT DLL was proposed. This custom DLL would include enhanced functionality to handle PDFs with embedded fonts more directly. The updated version of PDF2TXT.DLL would:
- Initial Extraction Attempt: Use the standard method to extract text from the PDF.
- Fallback to OCR: If the initial method fails, the DLL would utilize Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to extract text from the PDF file, ensuring compatibility with both text-based and scanned PDFs with embedded fonts.
Conclusion
While the VeryPDF OCR to Any Converter provides a functional workaround for extracting text from PDFs with embedded fonts, a custom solution incorporating OCR functionality into the PDF2TXT DLL offers a more integrated approach. This custom DLL would allow for a more seamless and efficient extraction process, improving overall workflow and reducing reliance on external tools.
For those interested in pursuing this custom solution, further details and quotes can be provided upon request. The aim is to enhance the PDF2TXT DLL’s capabilities, ensuring it meets the needs of users dealing with a wide range of PDF formats.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if you're interested in the custom development option.
For further assistance or to request a quote for the custom PDF2TXT DLL, please contact us.
Best regards,
VeryPDF