[sdiy] OT: Scanners and PDF

[J. Larry Hendry]

I have finally accumulated the stuff I need to start putting LOTs of manuals
and such for older synth gear that I own on line.  I have wanted to do this
the correct way for some time.  I have been experimenting with my scanner
(2400dpi) and the various file formats and this Adobe Acrobat program (I
finally got the full version of this beast). I made an unusual discovery
that I thought I would share to solicit the opinions of others.

My scanner will output directly all of the popular file formats including
PDF.  My plan was to scan, the use the Acrobat program to edit, resave as
PDF, and be in business.  However, compared to what I am accustomed to, I
find the Acrobat program more time consuming to use for editing the
document.  Therefore, I decided to have the scanner write the files as BMP,
do my editing with my favorite ease of edit program (MGI Photosuite) and
then convert the files to PDF using the Acrobat program.  This method is
much easier and faster for me.

Here is my unusual discovery.  When I do this, the resulting PDF file is
only 1/2 the file size of the PDF file when it was kept in the PDF format
for its entire cycle.  The resolution size of the files is identical.  I
cannot tell the difference looking at them.  But, the file converted from
BMP is one-half the size.  Any idea why?

Using this method I was quite surprised with the small size of the files.
My 3300 x 2400 PDFs are only 47K and my 1200 x 1650 files are only 24K.  I
wonder how that compares with results from others that have more experience.
The current project is black and white only.

I am nearly complete combining a 100 page manual and the 1200x1650
resolution file appears that it will be about 2MB when I am complete.  How
does that compare with the experience of others.

Sorry this is a little OT, but I have some schematics and service manuals
that are next when I get the process completely refined.

Larry Hendry