PDF translation

pb

I have a couple of PDFs in german and I would like to have them translated in english. I looked around and I cannot find a free translator capable to read PDF files (yes, even a lame automated translation would give me a good idea about the content). Only the free web services for text and URLs seem to exist (and some commercial Windows-specific solutions for PDF translation). PDF is supposed to be one of the core OS X technologies, and still more than 5 years after its introduction such a translation utility does not exists. Or so I think.



Any help much appreciated.

kickaha

Preview. Text tool. Select all. Save to text file. Submit for translation.



Automator to make it easier.

pb

Quote:

Originally posted by Kickaha

Preview. Text tool. Select all. Save to text file. Submit for translation.

I know, I just leave it as a last resort. The problem is that this method does not preserve formatting (paragraphs etc.) and moreover there are many accented characters that need corrections after pasting the text to a web translation form. Also, the big characters with which new paragraphs begin, dissapear completely in transit to Text Edit.

Quote:

Automator to make it easier.

Still Panther here.

kickaha

Bummer.

jabohn

Adobe Reader can save the file to text too. Have you tried that to see if it does a good job?

pb

Quote:

Originally posted by jabohn

Adobe Reader can save the file to text too. Have you tried that to see if it does a good job?

I tried that in a Windows machine I am on now, and it certainly does a better job. Not at the point I would like, but better. I am curious to see if it works the same way with Adobe Reader for OS X.



Thanks both for the suggestions (jabohn and Kickaha).