Feb

Parsing PDFs

Why do people keep making libraries which can only CREATE pdf files? I want one which can parse pdfs and export text/images with layout.

http://www.sephiroth.it Alessandro

Hi, the original library I’m using to make the porting has a reader and a stamper ( makes modification to the opened pdf files ).
The plan is to make a complete porting of that library, so those features will be there too

http://va.lent.in Valentin

I don’t even know if any library can export formatted text from PDFs. Speaking of http://va.lent.in/blog/2009/11/06/is-it-possible-to-create-a-perfect-tool-with-air/

http://memmie.lenglet.name Mem’s

You’re right, but like Alessandro will do (I hope too) porting Java or C/C++ library is a good solution.

If you’re not satisfied make your own and share it :)

You can also watch hxFormat http://code.google.com/p/hxformat/ (and port it with compiler http://haxe.org/doc/compiler to as3)
James

who ever need to export to text? The purpose of PDF is to finalize the contents as read-only to prevent someone from tamper it.

http://work.t6d.com Theo Denovan

I don’t think that’s the complete, all-encompassing purpose of PDF. Certainly it provides security for people who want it, but I think you’ll find that the majority of PDF documents are editable. You just need a copy of Acrobat Pro, there’s no reason a library couldn’t or shouldn’t duplicate this functionality.

I think the main purpose of PDF is to preserve formatting.