Purchased Service Manual want to convert to PDF

[TXDroneRacer]

I'm guessing that I am not the only one that has attempted this.
I successfully scanned all of the pages from my 2023 FX 1800 manual except for the 8 appendix sheets.

I scan and archive everything now. I don't like keeping paper. Plus it makes finding documents so much easier.

Anyways, any tips for scanning the appendix sheets? ... Too large for my scanner <-- 8.5x11
Can I scan the large pages to PDFs at a copy center?

[Mr. GP1800]

I'm guessing that I am not the only one that has attempted this.
I successfully scanned all of the pages from my 2023 FX 1800 manual except for the 8 appendix sheets.

I scan and archive everything now. I don't like keeping paper. Plus it makes finding documents so much easier.

Anyways, any tips for scanning the appendix sheets? ... Too large for my scanner <-- 8.5x11
Can I scan the large pages to PDFs at a copy center?

I just recently ordered the paper copy. I haven’t gotten it yet.

That’s awesome that you scanned it already. I like to have a PDF as well as the paper copy. I like the paper copy for when Im actually working on the machine. But I also have a 40 inch TV in the garage and it’s nice to be able to put some things up on the bigger screen while working as well.

I think K447 has scanned the larger sheets before. Im sure he will chime in

[Hozzie]

I'm guessing that I am not the only one that has attempted this.
I successfully scanned all of the pages from my 2023 FX 1800 manual except for the 8 appendix sheets.

I scan and archive everything now. I don't like keeping paper. Plus it makes finding documents so much easier.

Anyways, any tips for scanning the appendix sheets? ... Too large for my scanner <-- 8.5x11
Can I scan the large pages to PDFs at a copy center?

First question, did you OCR it or just created images in PDF format? If you just created PDF's or any other kind of jpg, gif, png, etc, then you are not going to get the result you are looking for. You can't search text on an image even if it is saved in PDF format.

You would first need to save everything as an OCR that converts the scanned image to text. You will then lose all of the images most likely.

It's probably still worth it to have the digital copy, but you are going to spend a heck of a lot of time trying to achieve what I think you think you are going to achieve with less than desirable results.

There is a free program called PDFSam where you can merge all of the pdf's together, but that is the easy part of this whole process. As to scanning larger pages, yes any of the office stores should be able to do it, or you can get just a larger format scanner for about $350. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MZXE0OV/

[K447]

When I have scanned such things, I typically scan the pages at 600 DPI B&W. The software that works with my Fujitsu scanner does automatic OCR of the pages. The resulting PDF document is text searchable and does show the actual scanned images of the pages. So diagrams and such appear correctly on the pages along with the text, which is now text selectable and can be copied.

Sometimes the B&W scan mode creates artifacts with photos or whatever in which case I scan in grayscale at 600 DPI.

My normal method is to slice the entire spine away from the printed manual, then feed the pages into an autofeed scanner, scanning both sides as they go through.

For the large fold out electrical diagrams there are several options. I prefer to have a service use their large flat glass scanner so the whole thing is done in one piece.

If that is not possible I may use my own flat glass scanner and scan the large page in segments to PNG file format. Those sections are then stitched together using an image manipulation program. A bit fiddly to get it looking seamless. The final large image is saved as PNG, and also converted to PDF format.

Another option I have used is to very carefully take high resolution photos of the oversized pages. If the camera is good enough and everything is held steady the result can be quite usable.

The front and back cover pages are scanned separately in color. They are included in the final PDF file.

I use PDF editing software to assemble the scanned sections. Table of contents and bookmarks entries are added to the PDF. After final save I have a PDF that is text searchable with clickable links into every section and sub-section. Including the large 'fold out' diagrams. High resolution scanning allows zooming in to see detail.

The paper manual pages are three ring punched and stored in a binder.

[TXDroneRacer]

or you can get just a larger format scanner for about $350. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MZXE0OV/

I have been looking to get a large format scanner. $350 is about what I thought one should cost. I just don't know what is decent and reliable.
The Amazon link you provided is for a "Plustek A3 Large Format Flatbed Scanner OS 1180"
Do you have and use this scanner? If so, do you like it?

By the way, I used a Fujitsu ScanSnap ix1500 to scan the regular pages. I checked the PDFs. I did not scan the pages with the OCR settings, but I will do it again.

@K447, I found the "searchable" setting for my scanner. Great tip!

[Hozzie]

I have been looking to get a large format scanner. $350 is about what I thought one should cost. I just don't know what is decent and reliable.
The Amazon link you provided is for a "Plustek A3 Large Format Flatbed Scanner OS 1180"
Do you have and use this scanner? If so, do you like it?

By the way, I used a Fujitsu ScanSnap ix1500 to scan the regular pages. I checked the PDFs. I did not scan the pages with the OCR settings, but I will do it again.

@K447, I found the "searchable" setting for my scanner. Great tip!

I use it to scan rimfire targets for scoring mostly, but have used it for contracts, etc. I would have no issues whatsoever recommending it to someone (and have recommended it to many). It works great as far as I am concerned (from someone who has been in the software business for 25 years). I don't use their software to do anything extensive, but it has done everything I have asked of it.

[SAB]

Staples
Just did 5 sheets 3 copies ea $19 PDF's. OCR more money and they [staples] keep up with OCR technology, not me.
And at my work, they pay for the PDF version with OCR.

[steve45]

You can take pictures with your phone and transfer them to your computer. Make sure you have good lighting. If you have Photoshop or other graphics programs you can convert the pics to PDF.

[K447]

You can take pictures with your phone and transfer them to your computer. Make sure you have good lighting. If you have Photoshop or other graphics programs you can convert the pics to PDF.

There are apps that directly convert a photo of a page to PDF (some even do the OCR).

iPhone recent models have built-in OCR on any image, just press/tap and hold on the taken photo. Works in Photos app. Mac and iPad also

[TXDroneRacer]

I finally got the Plustek OptiSlim 1180 connected. It did an okay job of scanning the large pages from the manual.

[simopimo]

Acrobat Pro can run OCR on a document without needing to re-scan, and you won't lose images. Same as Kofax PowerPDF Advanced. It takes a while and the resultant file is larger, but it works well. I had a soft copy of my service manual in PDF format and just ran it through Acrobat Pro - it came out a bit larger in file size but it's now searchable.

You could ask someone who already has Acrobat Pro or Kofax PowerPDF Advanced to do it, or you could get the trial and try it out.

[musubi]

I just got done doing this myself. Sliced off the back and scanned it through a paper-feeder, then OCR-ed it through Acrobat Pro. 236 MB. I'll put the loose sheets in a binder now.

[johnhoo08]

I just got done doing this myself. Sliced off the back and scanned it through a paper-feeder, then OCR-ed it through Acrobat Pro. 236 MB. I'll put the loose sheets in a binder now.

This is an awesome idea!