Boston University Office of Disability Services
DAISY Production Training Module

Table of Contents [sitemap]
Introduction

In this step we take .pdf files of books that have been scanned and create .doc files using Abbyy PDF Transformer.

Step 1: Open the .pdf file using Acrobat Reader

  1. Using the “pages” tab on the left side of the document adjust the “pages” column so that you can see the document pages three (3) across.
  2. You will also be able to see the current page on the right.
  3. NOTE – the page numbers that appear under each page picture on the left represent the actual page numbers within the .pdf file itself. They DO NOT correspond to the page numbers printed on the text pages appearing on the right. It is very important you understand the difference as both numbers are important for different tasks.
    • Left Frame – numbers indicate .pdf document pages in the file
    • Right Frame – numbers indicate page numbers in the textbook

In Adobe Acrobat note how the .pdf file page number is different than the document page number.

 

Step 2: Open up the program Abbyy .PDF Transformer [program to transform .pdf to .doc]

Abbyy .PDF Transformer header

  1. Click “next” to select the file you want to convert [this is the same file that is currently open in Acrobat Reader]
  2. You will next be asked what format you want the file you want to save the output document.
    + For the process you are learning now please choose “Save as Microsoft Word Document” and press “next”

For the process you are learning now please choose “Save as Microsoft Word Document” and press “next”

  1. Following this selection – you will be presented with choices for what you want to do with the document and which pages you want to work with.
    Refer to the following image for the Top and Bottom halves of the program box

First work with the bottom half of the box to determine which .pdf file pages you want to work with and then the top half of the box to determine where you want to save the Word files.

  • Start with the bottom half of the box at “Page Range” [This is where your understanding of the two different numbering systems is important]
    In the box you will be putting in .pdf file pages.
    1. Return to the open .pdf document on screen.
    2. Determine which page file numbers correspond to the section of the textbook you are converting.
    + for example – chapter one of the textbook (right side of screen) may be text pages 1-20 – BUT – the corresponding .pdf file pages may be 15-35.
    3. Put the appropriate .pdf file page numbers into the “pages” text box.
  • Next move to the top half of the box and determine where you want to save the file after conversion – this will also involve naming the file.
    1. Press the “change” button and maneuver to save the .doc documents you are creating in the same folder as the .pdf document.
    2 . If this is the first file you are creating for this particular textbook you will need to create a new folder.
    + Name this one the same as the textbook and add “[raw doc]”

Step 3: Naming the Files

File Name Conventions [*Note – for purposes of DAISY production – use_underscore_between_words in a file name]
Change the name of the file to be created to match the portion of the .pdf file/textbook you are converting.

1. The first saved file will be renamed “00_Book_Title_Front_Matter” and will include all materials prior to the first chapter.

2. The second and subsequent files will be labeled and named in a similar fashion after the chapters:
01_Book_Title_Chapter_1
02_Book_Title_Chapter_2

3. The final file of any book will be labeled "99_Book_Title_End_Matter" and will consist of the endnotes, index, bibliography, etc.

When you complete choosing .pdf file page numbers, naming the file to be created, and maneuvering to where it will be saved, press the “finish” button.
Watch the program-run line move across the screen as the transference takes place then start over again with the next portion of the textbook.

Watch the program-run line move across the screen as the transference takes place then start over again with the next portion of the textbook

*Please also note that you do have the hard copy of the textbook on hand. Use this to keep track of where you are. Mark up the pages, make notes as necessary.
These hard copies will not be returned to the bookstore and are a valuable tool – use them!
**This is also especially important as you may not have time to finish an assignment and another other staff member picking up the work will have to know where you left off.
The sticky notes, pens, paperclips, etc. are there to be used.

 

  • IMPORTANT: For every text to be converted to a DAISY book include the following information in the 00_Front_Matter section of the book.
    Place it just prior to the copyright information for the textbook:

    This DAISY book was produced by the Boston University Office of Disability Services using the Dolphin EasePublisher software,
    and may be used exclusively by students with permission from BU ODS. It has been produced in a specialized format for a student with a disability and/or print impairment. Any further reproduction or distribution of this material is is strictly prohibited and is an infringement on copyright law.
  • Date of Original Scanning [mm/dd/yyyy]
  • Date of DAISY Creation [mm/dd/yyyy]