Strategy: Screenshot Reader for reading inaccessible text

8 Keywords: Screenshot Reader, Texthelp Read And Write, Adobe Acrobat, PDF, Small Text, Scanning, Dyslexia, Specific Learning Difficulties

plane digramI have tried to scan diagrams with labels but it usually does not work.  Here is an example from one of the documents we were given.  It is taken from from Vought's own heritage site, the aircraft is an XF5U-1,  it's listed in the 1940s section of the above page. 

I tried to scan it using Abby FineReader in TextHelp Read and Write Gold but it did not make reading any easier and separated the labels from the diagram. 

clip of scanned image with labels separated.

I then found out that if I had the latest version of TextHelp Read and Write Gold or Abby FineReader and used the Screenshot Reader feature, with the text zoomed in to make it clearer, I could have the text read back and the labels remained in place.  The Flash file belows shows the process.

 

Quote

"If it’s a PDF and quite small I make them larger. Just whatever’s comfortable, especially if there’s subscript in it. They [the diagrams] can be a bit funny like that when you scan them in or try to make them bigger... "

- Andy J

Tip

Try making time to read Wayne Fulton's Scanning Tips. He covers all aspects of the subject from the basics to images designed for PowerPoint and DVD / TV.

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