[WEB4LIB] Re: Best Scanner Settings for PDF files

[Pecaut, Mark J.]

Yes, disk space is cheap. However, a large PDF file will take a while to
transfer over a modem, it will take a while to load in a Viewer (like
Acrobat Reader) on a slow computer.  Many of us must still use old
equipment.  Of course, at some point in the future, none of what I just said
will matter.  But why make it big when it can be small?  

PDF files are compressed: see
http://www.planetpdf.com/mainpage.asp?WebPageID=62

For General pdf resources, see www.planetpdf.com

-Mark

-----Original Message-----
From: Masters, Gary E [mailto:GEM at CDRH.FDA.GOV]
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2000 9:18 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Re: Best Scanner Settings for PDF files


I have a comment and a question.

My comment is that hard disk space is not expensive.  Big files are not what
they used to be.  What size of file are we talking about?

My question:  Is there a compressed PDF format, or is it already compressed?
I know that some of the new formats are driving compression into the ground.
Look at what DivX can do.  I am amazed - or is that gain just for motion?

Regards,

Gary


Gary E. Masters
Librarian (Systems)
CDRH - FDA
(301) 827-6893 

	-----Original Message-----
	From:	Leo Robert Klein [SMTP:leo_klein at baruch.cuny.edu]
	Sent:	Thursday, July 20, 2000 10:04 AM
	To:	Multiple recipients of list
	Subject:	[WEB4LIB] Re: Best Scanner Settings for PDF files

	On Wed, 19 Jul 2000, giz womack wrote:

	>Our library is working on a online reserve project. The files on
reserve
	>are scanned and stored as PDF files. My question is: Does anyone
have
	>any thoughts on optimal scanner settings for scanning such files?
What
	>is the best compromise of resolution versus file size. At 300 dpi
it
	>looks great, but the file is enourmous. At 150-200 it is a much
smaller
	>file, but the resolution is not ideal. Any thoughts, ideas?Tips,
tricks?

	Hi Giz,

	Are you all using Distiller to compress the files?  In any case, we
are
	scanning at 300 dpi 2 bit (line art).  Once we've got them in at
this
	level, we bring them down to 200 dpi in Distiller.

	It's important to play around with the settings in Distiller till
you've
	found the lowest acceptable point while at the same time of course
	maintaining legibility.  Distiller's defaults genenerally aren't
good enough.

	LEO

	
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