Nuance TEXTBRIDGE PRO-MILLENIUM User Manual

MPORTANT NOTICE ScanSoft, Inc. provides this publication “as is” without warranty of any

RADEMARKS AND CREDITS TextBridge is a registered trademark, and Smart Zones, Instant Access

publication may be transmitted, transcribed, reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or translated into any language or computer language in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual, or otherwise, without the prior written consent of ScanSoft, Inc., 9 Centennial Drive, Peabody, Massachusetts 01960. Printed in the United States of America.

The software described in this book is furnished under license and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license.

kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Some states or jurisdictions do not allow disclaimer of express or implied warranties in certain transactions; therefore, this statement may not apply to you. ScanSoft reserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes from time to time in the content hereof without obligation of ScanSoft to notify any person of such revision or changes.

OCR, and Custom Proof are trademarks, of ScanSoft, Inc.

Excel and Word are trademarks; Windows and FrontPage are registered

trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

WordPerfect is a registered trademark of WordPerfect Corp.

Other terms used in this manual are the trademarks of their respective holders.

Animated character designed by Dreamlight Incorporated. www.dreamlight.com.

Authors: Lois West and Beth Paddock

9 Centennial Drive Peabody, Massachusetts 01960

TextBridge Pro Millenium User’s Guide

Part Number 00-09682-00 February 2000

PREFACE

About This User’s Guide ............................. vii

Organization of this user’s guide ....................viii

Documentation conventions.........................ix

Related Documentation ............................... x

Technical Support ...................................xi

1 INTRODUCTION TO TEXTBRIDGE

Basic OCR Concepts ............................... 1–1

Features and Benefits .............................. 1–3

New Features ................................. 1–4

Enhanced Features ............................. 1–4

Other Features ................................ 1–8

Documents TextBridge Can Recognize................. 1–10

Input Image File Formats .......................... 1–11

Output Text File Formats .......................... 1–12

Output Image File Formats......................... 1–13

Where to Go From Here............................ 1–14

TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide iii

2 INSTALLING AND SETTING UP TEXTBRIDGE

What Comes with TextBridge ........................ 2–2

Supported Scanners................................ 2–2

Installing and Testing Your Scanner ................... 2–4

System Requirements .............................. 2–5

Before Installing TextBridge ......................... 2–6

Uninstalling a Previous Version of TextBridge ........ 2–6

Using TextBridge with Pagis...................... 2–8

Learning about TextBridge before you install it........ 2–8

Installing TextBridge .............................. 2–9

Scanner Setup................................... 2–10

Setting Up Instant Access to TextBridge ............... 2–11

Updating your TextBridge Software .................. 2–12

Uninstalling TextBridge Pro Millennium............... 2–13

Where to Go From Here............................ 2–14

3 OCR AND BASIC TEXTBRIDGE OPERATIONS

What is TextBridge OCR? ........................... 3–2

Page types.................................... 3–2

Page sources .................................. 3–4

Recomposition ................................. 3–4

Running TextBridge Standalone and Instant Access ....... 3–6

Standalone Program ............................ 3–6

Instant Access ................................. 3–7

Improving Page Recognition with Settings .............. 3–8

Page Type Settings ............................. 3–8

Text Document Settings ........................ 3–13

Recognizing Other Languages ....................... 3–15

Language Installation .......................... 3–16

Language Processing........................... 3–16

Where to Go From Here............................ 3–18

iv TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

4 LEARNING TO USE TEXTBRIDGE

Before Beginning to Process a Document................ 4–2

Using TextBridge to Process a Document ............... 4–2

Starting TextBridge................................ 4–3

Using Automatic Processing ......................... 4–5

Using Manual Processing ........................... 4–8

Performing Basic Operations......................... 4–9

Selecting the Page Source ....................... 4–10

Selecting the Page Type......................... 4–10

Previewing the Page ........................... 4–12

Zoning the Page............................... 4–14

Proofreading the Document...................... 4–17

Saving the Document .......................... 4–18

Getting Help While Using TextBridge ................. 4–20

Using the Welcome Window ..................... 4–20

Using the Show Me How Window ................. 4–21

Using Tips................................... 4–22

Getting Information from Help ................... 4–23

Using the TextBridge Web Site ................... 4–25

5 SAMPLE SESSIONS WITH TEXTBRIDGE

Using the Sample Documents ........................ 5–2

Session 1: Recognizing a Simple Document Using Auto . . . . . . 5–7

Session 2: Using Instant Access to TextBridge........... 5–14

Session 3: Recognizing a Complex Document Using Manual

Processing ................................ 5–20

Session 4: Processing Text, Pictures, and a Table ........ 5–29

Where to Go From Here............................ 5–38

Table of Contents v

6 ADVANCED SAMPLE SESSIONS

Session 1: Processing a Document to Use in a Database..... 6–1

Session 2: Using Zone Templates and Page Types ......... 6–7

Session 3: Training TextBridge OCR .................. 6–14

Where to Go From Here............................ 6–20

INDEX

vi TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

PREFACE

ScanSoft, Inc. welcomes you to TextBridge Pro Millennium for Windows® 95, 98, 2000, and Windows NT® 4.0.

The documentation that comes with TextBridge provides you with the information you need to operate TextBridge. The documentation includes this user’s guide, a Help system, and Release Notes. ScanSoft invites your comments about the information provided in the documentation.

The documentation is part of an extensive user assistance program designed to provide you with information you may need to understand and use TextBridge. The section “Getting Help while using TextBridge” provides further information about user assistance.

Before going on to find out more about TextBridge, please read this preface because it describes these important items:

◆ About this user’s guide

◆ Related documentation

◆ Technical support

ABOUT THIS USER’S GUIDE

This user’s guide is a reference tool that provides information about TextBridge. It is for users with a wide range of computer experience. It assumes that you are familiar with the management and operation of your computer and Windows.

TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide vii

This manual is provided both in print and electronic form. The entire user’s guide is provided as a digital document in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).

To view the user’s guide in PDF format you need Adobe Acrobat Reader which is installed with TextBridge unless you already have it on your PC. You can access the user’s guide from the installation menu and the TextBridge Help menu, or you can open it from Adobe Acrobat Reader. After you open it, you can view it on your PC and print all or part of it using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Organization of this user’s guide

The user’s guide organization is as follows:

The Table of Contents at the beginning of the user’s guide describes the basic information in this book and helps you to find general information quickly.

This Preface describes the documentation provided with TextBridge and technical support.

Chapter 1 “Introduction to TextBridge” discusses TextBridge features. It also describes basic OCR concepts, documents TextBridge can recognize, supported scanners, and input file formats TextBridge can read and output file formats to which TextBridge can save the recognized text.

Chapter 2 “Installing TextBridge” describes what comes with TextBridge, system requirements, installation, Instant Access set up, and TextBridge uninstall.

Chapter 3 “OCR and TextBridge” explains the basic TextBridge functions that enable it to recognize and OCR your documents.

Chapter 4 “Learning to Use TextBridge” describes the basic processes of using TextBridge.

viii TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

Chapter 5 “Sample Sessions with TextBridge” walks you through several practice sessions designed to help you to learn and use the important features of TextBridge.

Chapter 6 “Advanced Sample Sessions” describes more complex and less frequent uses of TextBridge.

The Index provides a comprehensive list of topics to assist you in quickly locating the specific information you need.

Documentation conventions

TextBridge documentation uses certain graphical elements and formatting to emphasize information and give more meaning to text.

Table 1: Documentation Conventions

bold Introduces a new term or the first use of an

italic Denotes titles of other user’s guides or books

important term in a chapter. It is sometimes used to denote strong emphasis.

and generic representations of file name entries in examples; for example, filename

monospace Denotes text that appears on the computer

screen such as examples, menu text, and messages plus actual file names.

“ ” (quotes) Denotes titles of chapters and sections in this

user’s guide.

☞

Note Introduces information of note about the

Preface ix

Introduces tips that provide useful information about a procedural step or system function.

current subject.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

◆ Online User’s Guide. An online version of the complete user’s

guide is provided in Adobe Acrobat format (.pdf). You can access the user’s guide from the installation menu and the TextBridge Help menu, or you can open it from Adobe Acrobat Reader.

◆ Printed User’s Guide. A printed version of the user’s guide is

provided. The user’s guide provides you with basic information about OCR and how TextBridge performs OCR, information about installing TextBridge, information about how to run TextBridge and improve its performance, and tutorials to help you learn the basic-to-advanced use of TextBridge.

manufacturer’s documentation for your scanner.

If you should experience problems with TextBridge that you cannot resolve on your own using the documentation and software, contact TextBridge Technical Support at the following Web site:

www.scansoft.com

The ScanSoft Web site provides a link to TextBridge pages, including Technical Support with Frequently Asked Questions, technical information bulletins, and a problem report form.

Before sending a problem report form to ScanSoft Technical Support, be sure to visit FastTrack, ScanSoft’s electronic support system on the web site. Using an Intelligent Expert Reasoning™ methodology, FastTrack delivers intuitive self-service via the Internet and allows you to successfully resolve your problems online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Software downloads, product upgrades and product updates are also available in FastTrack.

Preface xi

Additional information about contacting TextBridge Technical Support is provided in the TextBridge Help menu.

If you must contact ScanSoft Technical Support, the following information will help in solving the problem:

◆ Your software version number

(This is on the back of the CD envelope and in the Help menu under About TextBridge.)

◆ Your software serial number

(This is the serial number on the back of the TextBridge CD-ROM envelope and in the Help menu under About TextBridge.)

◆ Your scanner make and model

◆ A description of the steps that led up to the problem

◆ If TextBridge generated an error message, a verbatim description

of the error message or its number and when it appeared.

xii TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

◆ Basic OCR concepts

◆ Features and benefits

◆ Characteristics of documents TextBridge can recognize

◆ Input image file formats

◆ Output text file formats

◆ Output image file formats

BASIC OCR CONCEPTS

INTRODUCTION TO TEXTBRIDGE

Welcome to ScanSoft’s TextBridge Pro Millennium, optical character recognition (OCR) software for Microsoft Windows® 95, 98, 2000 and Windows NT® 4.0.

This chapter provides an introduction to TextBridge including:

OCR technology enables you to convert paper documents into fully editable text with images on your computer. Originally, OCR technology performed simple character recognition of text characters, numbers, and symbols. Today, TextBridge OCR includes full document recognition including recognizing text plus formatting such as headlines, multiple columns, tables, and running headers and footers and capturing photographs and line drawings. TextBridge even retains the layout of the original document as much as possible.

TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide 1–1

Original document

You can use TextBridge to scan and convert printed pages to text documents for your word processor, spreadsheet program,

web browser, database program, or other text application. Pages may be from most sources, including computer printers, fax machines, photocopiers, magazines, and newspapers. Pages can be black and white or color. TextBridge can also recognize standard page image files from fax modems, image applications, and other sources.

Using the latest document recognition technology from ScanSoft, TextBridge OCR uses its recomposition capability to produce a fully-editable electronic document with the original pictures and document layout (Figure 1–1).

Recomposed document in word processor

Figure 1–1. TextBridge document recomposition

1–2 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

In most cases, TextBridge understands your original document’s format and maintains the layout, including columns, headers, footers, pictures, and picture captions. Pictures can be black and white, grayscale, or color.

Recomposition is possible only if your text program supports pictures and layout. For example, recomposition is supported in Microsoft Word and Corel WordPerfect but not in Notepad. Forms and documents created in desktop publishing programs are usually too complex for recomposition by TextBridge as well as your word processor. As a result, the text and pictures are retained but the full layout is not.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

TextBridge offers many features designed to make it easy to use and increase your productivity. Whether you need to capture a simple one-page letter, a magazine article, a spreadsheet, or a long transcript, TextBridge can save you valuable time and effort. In addition, TextBridge provides all the capabilities that experienced OCR users expect.

With TextBridge, you can import most paper documents or document image files to your computer. TextBridge attains the highest degree of OCR accuracy and provides the output in fully editable form in your favorite program. Many of these features and benefits are described in more detail in the user’s guide and Help.

Introduction to TextBridge 1–3

New Features

TextBridge Pro Millennium offers these new features to increase your productivity:

◆ Windows 2000 Certification. Makes use of latest Windows

technology to assure a consistent user experience and a more reliable and manageable application.

◆ Updated scanner support. Includes latest Scanner Wizard hint

file for easy setup of popular scanners.

◆ Live updates. Stay up-to-date with the latest product changes

from the ScanSoft, Inc. web site.

Enhanced Features

◆ Instant Access

™

to FrontPage® 2000 and The Print Shop

ProPublisher 2000. Use TextBridge Instant Access to scan,

recognize, and paste text and pictures directly into your FrontPage and Print Shop documents.

In addition to the new features, TextBridge offers enhanced features that were available in previous versions. These features were available before and are even better now. They are described in the following list:

◆ Instant Access. Start TextBridge within most Windows text

programs such as Word or Excel. After recognizing and converting the page, TextBridge then automatically pastes recognition data (text and pictures) directly into the program’s open document.

◆ OCR accuracy. Dramatically save time and eliminate retyping.

◆ Color and grayscale pictures and text. Recognition and

output of color and grayscale pictures. Recognition of color text and text on a color or shaded background and output of black on white or white on black.

1–4 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

◆ Table recomposition. Advanced analytical capability results in

very accurate table reformatting. Ability to edit the entire table as well as individual cells for improved recognition. Cell table recomposition is supported even if you do not choose to retain layout.

◆ Flexible multi-page document handling. Ability to view and

manipulate the pages of a document using the page thumbnails. Zone multiple pages before recognition. Process the pages of a document in any order. Delete, rearrange, and re-recognize individual pages. You can also control the output.

◆ Extensive language recognition. Ability to recognize many

Eastern, Central, and Western European languages.

◆ Multiple language recognition. Ability to recognize multiple

languages on the same page if all languages belong to the same language group.

◆ Usability and user assistance. Enhanced ease of use including

a redesigned user interface and extensive user assistance. User assistance includes a multimedia assistant, information screens, context-sensitive tips, status area messages, Help system, and printed and online documentation.

◆ TextBridge Assistant. An easy-to-use assistant guides you

through each step of the most common TextBridge activities, such as how to scan a page and send it to Word, recognize an image file, and recognize just part of a page.

◆ Convenient batch processing. The ability to select multiple

files and process each file separately plus the ability to schedule processing for a specific time in the future.

◆ Integration with e-mail programs. Input to popular programs

such as Lotus cc:Mail, Microsoft Outlook, and America Online (AOL).

Introduction to TextBridge 1–5

◆ Integration with the latest scanners. TextBridge works with

the most recent scanners. The Release Notes and the ScanSoft Web site at www.scansoft.com provides the latest information about supported scanners and getting your scanner to work with TextBridge.

◆ HTML 4.0 output and WYSIWYG capability. Output files in

the latest version of HTML and preserve the original look using cascading style sheets.

◆ Dual page scanning. Scan both pages of an open book at the

same time but handle them as two separate pages.

◆ Easy database importing. Use of standard delimited text file

output that allows you to import data into many databases.

◆ ToolTips. Instant context-sensitive information about

commands, dialog boxes, and buttons on the interface.

◆ Document recomposition. TextBridge offers true document

recomposition to retain your original page layout. It reproduces multiple columns, tables, and pictures and keeps them in the same location as they are in your original document.

For example, when you specify output to the Microsoft Word™ or Corel WordPerfect® format, TextBridge can retain the original document layout in fully-editable form, even for pages containing tables, line art, reverse video, drop caps, insets, and pictures. When you edit the document, the original text flow is maintained.

When you specify output to the Microsoft Excel™ or Lotus 1-2-3 format, spreadsheets and cell tables retain their original layout as cell tables, not tabbed columns. When you edit the table information, the lines move to fit.

1–6 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

TextBridge supports formats for the programs that retain page layout in the following list:

◆ Internet Explorer

◆ Netscape

◆ Word 6.0, 7.0, 97, and 2000

◆ Word Perfect 6.0, 6.1, 7.0, 8.0, and 9.0

◆ Any word processor that supports RTF

Retaining pictures is independent of retaining layout. Some text programs retain pictures even though they do not retain layout.

◆ Page Types. TextBridge provides many predesigned Page Types

to make processing easier and more efficient. You do not have to go through a complicated process of determining and specifying settings for common types of pages. These Page Types automatically provide appropriate settings for the type of page you want to process. For example, there is a Letter page type and a Magazine page type that automatically activate settings for improved results for letters and pages from magazines.

◆ Automatic zoning. TextBridge automatically zones your page

into text, picture, and table zones. You do not need to zone the page manually.

◆ Zone editing. You can edit the automatically recognized zones to

further refine the zoning. Use zone editing to increase the accuracy and efficiency of page processing by reshaping zones, specifying the language, and renumbering zones.

◆ Built-in Proofreader

™

. After document recognition, you can use

the built-in proofreader to view and accept or correct any words that TextBridge suspects may not be recognized accurately. The proofreader provides suggestions from which you may choose.

Introduction to TextBridge 1–7

Other Features

◆ Dynamic OCR training. You can train TextBridge’s OCR to

improve recognition accuracy as the job progresses. Use dynamic training with difficult documents, such as faxes or multigeneration photocopies. TextBridge enables you to interact with the OCR process by viewing then accepting or correcting its automatic recognition decisions. The software actually learns special symbols and words.

◆ Output files to the latest version of programs. These include

Microsoft Word 2000, Excel 2000, FrontPage 2000, WordPerfect

9.0, and Adobe FrameMaker 5.0.

◆ Custom dictionaries. To improve recognition accuracy further,

you can create specialized word lists (scientific terminology, proper names, acronyms, and so on) within TextBridge or in ASCII text files and load them into TextBridge. You can also use your Microsoft Word or Office custom dictionary with TextBridge.

In addition to the features listed in the previous sections TextBridge provides these other features.

◆ Broad scanner support. TextBridge supports most popular

desktop scanners with TWAIN device interface standard.

◆ Image processing. TextBridge accepts a wide range of images

from a variety of sources for processing. Specifically, the program imports and recognizes online document images in BMP, PCX, DCX, TIFF, and XIF formats that originate from fax modems and other sources. For more information, see the “Input Image File Formats” section in this chapter.

1–8 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

◆ Deferred processing. TextBridge enables you to scan all the

pages of a document to a TIFF or XIF file, then later open the image file for document recognition. You can also save all the pages to a multi-page image file or save each page as a separate file.

◆ Output text file formats including HTML. TextBridge

supports a number of output text file formats, including word processor, desktop publishing, spreadsheet, HTML, and database formats. Now you can process your text for publication on the Web.

◆ Preview of page images. TextBridge provides a set of tools for

previewing page images before processing them. You can manually define areas of page images as zones to be processed and capture only the text, tables, or pictures you want. You can also edit the automatic zoning by adjusting the text, table, and picture zones.

◆ Zone templates. After you create a set of zones, TextBridge lets

you save and reload zone templates for new jobs. In this way you can consistently process or ignore specific areas on the same type of pages and save time without rezoning each page.

◆ Re-usable training data. After you interactively train OCR, you

can save the training data in a file. You can reload this training file for similar documents of the same page type. Using this training file assures the highest recognition accuracy without your having to repeat the training.

◆ Two-sided document processing. If your scanner has a sheet

feeder, you can scan the fronts (odd sides) of the pages first, then flip the stack and scan the reverse (even) sides. When scanning and recognition are complete, TextBridge automatically collates the text and keeps it in the original order.

Introduction to TextBridge 1–9

DOCUMENTS TEXTBRIDGE CAN RECOGNIZE

TextBridge includes a number of advances developed by ScanSoft, Inc. and at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC). Consequently, TextBridge provides highly accurate OCR and format retention on the widest range of documents. TextBridge can recognize documents with the characteristics in the following list:

◆ Documents printed on typewriters, phototypesetters, and impact,

ink-jet, dot-matrix, and laser printers

◆ Photocopied, degraded, or dirty documents

◆ Documents with single- or multiple-column layouts

◆ Spreadsheets and cell tables

◆ Paper documents with black and white, grayscale, and color

pictures including photos and line art

◆ Page image files with black and white, grayscale, and color

pictures

◆ Dual page documents, such as bound books

◆ Multi-page documents

◆ Single- or multiple-page images from fax modems and other

sources

◆ Hard-copy faxes

◆ Documents with point sizes ranging from 5-point to 72-point type

in practically any typeface

◆ Documents composed in any of many Eastern, Central, or

Western European languages as well as one or more of the languages within one of these groups in the same document

1–10 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

INPUT IMAGE FILE FORMATS

The source of page images for TextBridge can be your scanner or it can be image files. TextBridge can recognize the following types of image file formats:

Image File Format File Name Extension

Windows bitmap .bmp

PCX .pcx

Multi-page PCX used in some fax programs

Tag image file format (including Alacrity TIFF)

Delrina WinFax fax image files .fxr, .fxd,

eXtended image file .xif

Image files can be black and white (binary), grayscale, or color. TextBridge can process images in resolutions from 72 to 900 dots per inch (dpi). Recognition results are generally better from grayscale images than binary images. For the most accurate results, we recommend scanning grayscale images at 200 dpi. For better results on difficult documents, we recommend scanning grayscale images at 300 dpi; however, this requires more processing time.

Note Refer to the ScanSoft Web site at www.scansoft.com for the

latest list of supported input image file formats.

.dcx

.tif, .ala

.fxm, .fxs

Introduction to TextBridge 1–11

OUTPUT TEXT FILE FORMATS

TextBridge can convert its recognized text and pictures to files for the following programs and formats:

Programs and Formats File Name

Ami Pro 2.0 and 3.0 .sam dBase IV .dbf DisplayWrite 5 .rft Excel 97 and 2000 .xls Excel 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 .xls Excel for the Macintosh 3.0 to 7.0 .xls FrameMaker .mif HTML WYSIWYG .htm HTML .htm Interleaf .wps Lotus 1-2-3 .wk1 Lotus Word Pro .lwp MultiMate Advantage II .doc PostScript .ps Professional Write 2.0 and 2.2 .doc Quattro Pro for Windows .wb2 RFT-DCA .rft Rich Text Format (RTF) .rtf

RTF for the Macintosh .rtf Text .txt Text with line breaks .txt Text DOS format .txt Text with line breaks DOS format .txt Text comma-delimited .csv Text tab-delimited .txt Word 2.x (RTF) .doc

Extension

1–12 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

Programs and Formats File Name

Extension

Word 6.0 and 7.0 (RTF) .doc Word 97 and 2000 (RTF) .doc WordPerfect 4.2 and 5.1 .wpf Word Perfect 6.0, 6.1, 7.0, and 8.0 .wpd WordStar .wsd Works .rtf

☞ Microsoft Word (RTF) format is also accepted by a number of

other applications, including ClarisWorks® and Adobe PageMaker®, and WordPad. See the documentation for your particular application for more information about importing files in RTF format.

Note Refer to the ScanSoft Web site at www.scansoft.com for the

latest list of supported output text files.

OUTPUT IMAGE FILE FORMATS

With deferred processing, TextBridge can convert its scanned documents and save them as image files for the following formats:

Programs and Formats File Name

Tag Image File Format .tif eXtended Image File .xif

We recommend XIF for deferred processing, as this format retains the full fidelity of any scan, producing an image ideal for OCR.

Extension

Introduction to TextBridge 1–13

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE

To learn how to install and set up TextBridge on your system, go to Chapter 2.

To learn how TextBridge recognizes a document and how you prepare TextBridge to do this, read Chapter 3. This chapter explains the basic concepts and functions of the software.

To learn how you use TextBridge to process simple and complex documents, refer to Chapter 4. It also explains how to view, zone, train, and proofread your document in TextBridge and edit your document in your word processor.

Chapters 5 and 6 provide sample sessions that are step-by-step tutorials. Chapter 5 shows you how to use auto processing, Instant Access, recognize a document with complex layout, and process a document with text, pictures and a table.

Chapter 6 shows how to process a document for a database, to use advanced settings for zones and page types, and to train TextBridge’s OCR.

The Help system provides a complete reference to the TextBridge user interface. Help includes overview information on key features, getting started instructions, step-by-step procedures for most operations and user tips. Typical user questions are answered in a “How Do I?” section and Troubleshooting helps when you have problems. Context-sensitive Help is always available by pressing F1 from any menu command or dialog box.

1–14 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

INSTALLING AND SETTING UP TEXTBRIDGE

This chapter describes the TextBridge software installation and setup procedures. Specifically, it covers these topics:

◆ What comes with TextBridge

◆ Supported scanners

◆ Installing and testing your scanner

◆ System requirements

◆ Before installing TextBridge

◆ Installing TextBridge

◆ Scanner setup

◆ Setting up Instant Access to TextBridge

◆ Updating your TextBridge software

◆ Uninstalling TextBridge Pro Millennium

To get started quickly, proceed to the installation procedure on page 2–9.

TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide 2–1

WHAT COMES WITH TEXTBRIDGE

TextBridge comes with the following items:

◆ One installation CD-ROM. The CD-ROM includes software

programs, language packs, sample document image files, release notes, Help files, online user’s guide in Adobe PDF format, and Adobe Acrobat Reader.

◆ A printed user’s guide to get you started.

Check to be sure that you have all the items listed above. If any item is missing from your TextBridge package, call your authorized ScanSoft dealer. To contact ScanSoft, visit the ScanSoft Web site at www.scansoft.com or refer to the TextBridge Help system.

Note Be sure to register electronically or print and return the printed

software registration form. Registration qualifies you for technical support and assures that you are kept up-to-date on new software releases and other information related to TextBridge and the ScanSoft family of products.

SUPPORTED SCANNERS

TextBridge works with many popular desktop scanners using your scanner's TWAIN interface. You can use TextBridge with any fully TWAIN-compliant scanner that provides a binary, grayscale, or color image in a supported size and resolution.

Exceptions to this include the design of some TWAIN drivers, i.e., the Hewlett-Packard Scanjet 5100C scanner with the PrecisionScan TWAIN interface, triple-pass scanners, and Visioneer sheetfed scanners.

2–2 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

Depending upon the design of your TWAIN driver, you may not be able to scan in color with TextBridge. If you have a triple-pass scanner, use it in single pass, black and white mode only.

If you have a Visioneer sheetfed scanner, use the Visioneer Paperport software and drag and drop an image onto TextBridge or your word processor.

☞ An ISIS driver will be installed by TextBridge to support the

Hewlett-Packard Scanjet 5100C model scanners. Other ISIS drivers previously installed on your system will be accessible through TextBridge and may work, however only the HP Scanjet 5100C ISIS driver is supported by ScanSoft.

The full list of scanners supported by TextBridge is always growing. Check the TextBridge Web site at www.scansoft.com to view the most up-to-date list of supported scanners.

Note Install your scanner before you install TextBridge.

Scanners require a TWAIN source driver or an ISIS driver, which are provided by the scanner or interface card manufacturer. Consult the scanner documentation for details about installing your scanner, interface card, and driver.

After installing your scanner, test that the scanner is functioning. Refer to the scanner manufacturer’s documentation to answer any questions about the scanner.

Note Your scanner must be working independently of TextBridge prior

to connecting it to TextBridge.

In general, we recommend that you turn on your scanner before you turn on your PC.

Next, install and test your scanner.

Installing TextBridge 2–3

INSTALLING AND TESTING YOUR SCANNER

Refer the to manufacture's detailed instructions for installing your scanner. They provide the most precise information for setting up your scanner. The basic steps for installing a scanner are:

1. Install the correct scanner interface card (if one is necessary) in the PC bus. Note that many scanners simply plug into the PC’s parallel port, universal serial bus (USB), or occasionally the standard serial port.

2. Hook up your scanner to the interface card or standard port with the correct cable and turn on the scanner, then turn on your PC.

3. Install the system-level scanner driver (.sys) file or TWAIN source driver on your PC’s hard disk, as directed by the scanner documentation.

4. Test the scanner using software tools provided by the scanner manufacturer.

☞ If your scanner runs independently of TextBridge, you can be

sure that it is functioning correctly. Setting it up to run with TextBridge should then be a simple matter.

5. After the scanner is functioning, go on to install and link your scanner to TextBridge software.

2–4 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

To install and run TextBridge, your Windows-compatible PC

must be equipped with the following:

◆ An Intel (or compatible) 80486 or Pentium

™

microprocessor. We

recommend Pentium for the best performance.

◆ A VGA, SVGA, or multi-sync color monitor.

◆ A minimum of 24 megabytes (MB) of random access memory

(RAM) for Windows 95 and 98; a minimum of 32 MB for Windows 2000 or Windows NT. We recommend 64 MB for the best performance.

◆ Microsoft Windows 95, 98, or 2000 or Windows NT 4.0.

◆ A hard disk with a minimum of 30 MB of free space in which to

install TextBridge. This enables installation of the TextBridge software and one language pack. Please allow one megabyte (1 MB) for each additional language pack you intend to install.

Another version of TextBridge is available for the Macintosh computer. Refer to the Web site at www.scansoft.com for further information. TextBridge will not run on Windows 3.1, NT

3.51, or OS/2.

Installing TextBridge 2–5

BEFORE INSTALLING TEXTBRIDGE

After you install your scanner and check that it is working properly, you are ready to complete other preparations for installing TextBridge and learn more about TextBridge.

Uninstalling a Previous Version of TextBridge

If you have on older version of TextBridge, uninstall it before installing TextBridge Pro Millenium. You can still keep certain customized files you have created, such as custom page types and user dictionaries.

Note Uninstalling the older version of TextBridge later may require

you to reinstall TextBridge Pro Millenium to restore full operation.

When you insert the TextBridge CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive, if there is an older version of TextBridge installed, a dialog box appears and recommends that you uninstall that older version. To save disk space, you can uninstall any of these older versions of TextBridge; however, you are not required to do so. If you choose not to do this before installing the new version of TextBridge, you can uninstall it at a later time.

To uninstall a previous version of TextBridge, use the following procedure:

1. Close all active applications, including TextBridge.

2. On the Windows task bar, click Start.

3. Point to Programs, then point to the TextBridge folder.

4. Click TextBridge Uninstall.

The TextBridge Uninstall dialog box appears.

2–6 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

5. Click Yes to continue the uninstall process.

TextBridge proceeds with the uninstall. When it is finished, the Uninstall Complete dialog box appears.

Click No if you decide to quit the uninstall process.

6. Click OK to restart your computer.

With these steps finished, TextBridge is removed from your PC.

If you have saved any user dictionary, training, zone template, or text files in the TextBridge folder, these are not deleted by the uninstall. You can use your user dictionary files with the new version of TextBridge. Just move them to the Windows folder

...All Users\Application Data\TextBridge\Bin\User Dictionaries

Zone Templates created with TextBridge 9.0 can be used with TextBridge Pro Millennium. Just move them to the Windows folder

...All Users\Application Data\TextBridge\Bin\Zone Templates

Training data created with TextBridge 9.0 can be used with TextBridge Pro Millennium. Just move them to the Windows folder

...All Users\Application Data\TextBridge\Bin\Training Data

Training data and zone templates created with versions of TextBridge earlier than TextBridge 9.0 cannot be used with this version of TextBridge and can be deleted. You can delete the entire TextBridge folder after you have moved any files that you want to keep.

Installing TextBridge 2–7

Using TextBridge with Pagis

The Pagis program from ScanSoft is a color scanning suite of software that enables you to scan, copy, fax, view and edit, index, search, and manage electronic documents and includes TextBridge.

If you have Pagis Pro 2.0 or later installed, Pagis will use the latest version of TextBridge available on your PC.

If you have an earlier version of Pagis (e.g., Pagis SE or Pagis Pro

97), continue to use the previous version of TextBridge with Pagis.

Learning about TextBridge before you install it

When you insert the TextBridge CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive, an autorun program on the CD-ROM launches TextBridge setup. You can learn more about TextBridge at this point, before you install the program.

After setup starts, select one of the options in the following list:

◆ Install TextBridge Pro Millennium. The setup program begins

for you to install the components of TextBridge.

◆ View Release Notes. The Release Notes appear for you to read

and review before you install TextBridge. The Release Notes provide information about TextBridge that was not available when the user’s guide and Help system were finalized. The Release Notes may include special installation instructions, known issues, in-depth information about using TextBridge with specific scanners and other programs, and other technical information.

◆ View Online Documentation. If Adobe Acrobat Reader is not

already installed on your PC, TextBridge starts Acrobat’s installation program. The complete online user’s guide appears for you to read and review.

2–8 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

◆ Browse the CD. Windows Explorer opens the TextBridge CD for

you to view the folders and files that come with the TextBridge installation program.

◆ Visit ScanSoft’s Web site. Your Web browser goes to the

ScanSoft Web page where there is additional information about TextBridge and other ScanSoft products. To use this, you must have a Web browser and a connection to the Internet.

◆ Exit. Quit the TextBridge autorun program.

INSTALLING TEXTBRIDGE

This section provides procedures to install TextBridge.

Note If you want TextBridge to run on more than one version of

Windows with a dual boot system, install TextBridge separately under each operating system.

Before you begin installation, quit any open applications so that only Windows is running. If you typically run programs in the background, close them as well. There should be no applications listed in the task bar and no floating toolbars on the Windows desktop. You can press CTRL + ALT + DEL to do this in the Close Program dialog box.

To install TextBridge:

1. Insert the TextBridge CD into your CD-ROM drive.

An autorun program on the CD-ROM launches the TextBridge setup program. (If necessary, you can use Windows Explorer and open the drive and double-click the autorun.exe program)

The TextBridge setup program menu appears.

Installing TextBridge 2–9

SCANNER SETUP

2. Click Install TextBridge Pro Millennium.

Follow the onscreen prompts and instructions to install TextBridge Pro Millennium.

3. Specify when you want to restart your PC, then click Finish.

Restarting is necessary to complete the TextBridge setup. We recommend that you restart immediately. However, if you want to perform other activities before restarting, click No.

Congratulations! TextBridge setup is now complete, and your new software is installed on your PC.

Note Updates to your TextBridge software may be available on the

ScanSoft web site. Refer to "Updating your TextBridge Software" later in this chapter for more information.

The first time you attempt to scan after installing TextBridge, TextBridge automatically runs the Scanner Setup wizard. You can also run the Scanner Setup wizard yourself from the TextBridge program group in the Windows Start menu. Check that the proper driver for your scanner is selected.

For scanners not listed as supported by TextBridge (on the ScanSoft web site), be sure to use the Scanner Setup wizard scanner test. The scanner test assures operation of your scanner with TextBridge and determines optimal settings. You can also run the scanner test if you are experiencing problems with your scanner.

2–10 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

1. On the Windows task bar, click Start.

2. Point to Programs, then point to the TextBridge Pro Millennium folder, and then point to Scanner Setup.

☞ Scanner Setup is also available from the TextBridge Tools menu.

Follow the instruction in the Scanner Setup wizard to install or test your scanner setup.

SETTING UP INSTANT ACCESS TO TEXTBRIDGE

Instant Access enables you to use TextBridge directly from a number of other programs, such as Word. With Instant Access you can select TextBridge from the File menu of another program. TextBridge starts, recognizes your pages, and then pastes the results at the cursor in the open document.

TextBridge automatically includes Instant Access to many of the applications on your PC. You can use the TextBridge Instant Access Control Panel to view and specify which applications have Instant Access to TextBridge. Open the Instant Access Control Panel from the Start menu or from the TextBridge Tools menu.

Applications commonly used with Instant Access to TextBridge are listed on the Instant Access Control Panel. If a program that you want to use Instant Access from is not in the list in the Instant Access Control Panel, close the control panel, open the program, then open the control panel again. The program is now included in the list and can be selected.

Installing TextBridge 2–11

To provide Instant Access to TextBridge from an application, use the following procedure:

1. On the Windows task bar, click Start.

2. Point to Programs, then point to the TextBridge Pro Millennium folder, and then point to the Instant Access Control Panel.

The TextBridge Instant Access Control Panel dialog box appears. TextBridge automatically lists the programs from which Instant Access is available as well as any programs that are currently open. TextBridge excludes any programs known not to work with Instant Access.

3. Click one or more programs in the list to select or unselect it. Click All to check all programs. Click None to uncheck all programs.

4. When you click OK, TextBridge will be available from the File menu in all the checked programs.

UPDATING YOUR TEXTBRIDGE SOFTWARE

You can get live updates to TextBridge from the ScanSoft Web site. These updates can include new scanner support, software patches, and other updates.

To update TextBridge:

1. In the TextBridge Help menu, select ScanSoft on the Web and click TextBridge Updates.

If your computer is set up for Internet access, your Web browser opens at the ScanSoft Web site.

2. Check for updates to your TextBridge software.

3. If your version of TextBridge is not completely up to date, follow the instructions displayed to install the updates.

2–12 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

UNINSTALLING TEXTBRIDGE PRO MILLENNIUM

To restore your PC to the state it was in before you installed TextBridge Pro Millennium, use the following procedure:

1. Close all active applications, including TextBridge.

2. On the Windows task bar, click Start.

3. Point to Settings, then click on the Control Panel folder to open it.

4. In the Control Panel folder, double-click on Add/Remove Programs.

5. In the Add/Remove Programs Properties, select TextBridge Pro Millennium and then click the Add/Remove button.

The TextBridge Uninstall dialog box appears.

6. Click Yes to continue the uninstall process.

Respond to any prompts as necessary.

7. The Uninstall Complete dialog box appears. Click OK to restart your computer.

When you complete these steps, TextBridge is uninstalled from your PC.

☞ If you have created any files in the TextBridge folder, your files

and the TextBridge folder are not deleted by the uninstall process. You can delete the entire TextBridge folder and its contents after you have moved any files that you want to keep to another location.

Installing TextBridge 2–13

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE

To learn how TextBridge recognizes a document and how you prepare TextBridge to do this, read Chapter 3. This chapter explains the basic concepts and functions of the software.

Chapter 6 shows how to process a document for a database, to use advanced settings for zones and page types, and to train TextBridge’s OCR.

2–14 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

OCR AND BASIC TEXTBRIDGE OPERATIONS

This chapter provides information about the process of page recognition. Use this chapter to learn about optical character recognition (OCR), page recognition, recomposition, and

operations that will help you use TextBridge effectively including

automatic and manual processing and page types and settings for recognition.

This chapter provides information about OCR and TextBridge including:

◆ What is TextBridge OCR?

◆ Running TextBridge standalone and Instant Access

◆ Improving page recognition with settings

◆ Recognizing other languages

◆ Improving OCR with training

Page recognition or optical character recognition is the technology that converts documents that you can read into documents that your computer can read. Recomposition is the technology that reproduces the formatting of text and the layout of the page, including the positioning of text, pictures, and tables.

TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide 3–1

WHAT IS TEXTBRIDGE OCR?

TextBridge is OCR software that turns paper documents or page image files into text documents on your PC. Page image data is electronic information about the pages of a document that comes from a source such as your scanner or fax software. This data becomes an image document and is stored in an image file. Text documents are files containing information about the text and pictures in your document. A text document contains one or more pages and is expressed in text form and stored in a text file. You can open, edit, reformat, and republish this information.

Page types

TextBridge can recognize a wide variety of pages. All you need to do is select the page type that most closely matches your original page. TextBridge gives you common page types with settings that are used most often to process pages of that type. You can also define your own page types to handle processing of other types of pages.

Using page types makes it quick and easy for you to perform page recognition. You can modify these page types or create new page types and save them for future use.

Page type settings include: page orientation, page layout, print type, scanner brightness, scanner color and resolution, document language, training data, and user dictionary. The page types to choose from and some of their characteristics are described in the following table:

Page Type Scan

Size

Any Page (b&w) Letter Any Any Gray Any Page (color) Letter Any Any Color Book (Dual page) Scan

max.

Business Card Card Good Single column Color

3–2 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

Print Type

Any Any B & W

Page Layout

Picture Output

Page Type Scan

Size

Print Type

Page Layout

Picture Output

Fax Letter Fax Any Gray Legal Legal Good Single column B & W Letter Letter Good Single column B & W Magazine

Letter Good Multi-column Gray

(b & w) Magazine (color) Letter Good Multi-column Color Newspaper A3 News

Multi-column Gray

paper

Table Letter Good Table Gray

Figure 3–1. Original Page tab in Page Type Settings dialog box

The page type also specifies Scanner Settings controlling how pages of this type will be scanned. The scan page size is set according to the Size setting. Your scanner’s capabilities, together with the Print Type and Picture Output settings determine the scan resolution and whether scanning is color, grayscale, or black and white.

OCR and Basic TextBridge Operations 3–3

Page sources

Recomposition

☞ Scanning grayscale (or color) rather than black and white can

improve text recognition on pages with difficult-to-recognize text. However, grayscale scanning is slower than black and white scanning.

You can get pages to process from your scanner or from page images. Use your scanner as a source to input documents on paper to TextBridge, which then takes the scanned images, performs OCR, converts the recognized text and pictures to the text file format of your choice, and stores it on your PC. Alternatively, use TextBridge to recognize and convert page images stored in image files that come from fax modems or other sources.

TextBridge recomposition lets you keep the layout of the original page. When you select Retain page layout in the Save As dialog box, TextBridge recomposes the layout, while maintaining full ability to edit in the output file (except WYSIWYG HTML). After recomposition, text, pictures, and tables are in the same position in relation to each other as in the original page. You can see the results of recomposition when you print the page or look at it in layout view, if your word processor supports these elements.

You can retain page layout when outputting to Word or WordPerfect. Outputting HTML WYSIWYG preserves page layout for Internet Explorer and Netscape.

It is important to note that in reconstructing the layout of the original document, TextBridge is limited by the composition capabilities of the text program. For example, there are some complex magazine pages originally created with a publishing program for which you will not get identical output in your word processor. Even the most powerful word processors do not have some of the composition capabilities of publishing software.

3–4 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

In addition, some complex, free-form layouts defeat TextBridge’s recomposition capabilities. For these types of documents, it is often best to preview pages and manually zone text and image zones that you want to capture.

Retain pictures keeps pictures in the saved document if the document format supports pictures. If you do not select retain page layout, pictures are saved at the end or beginning of the document, depending on your word processor. If you select retain page layout, the pictures are in the same position in relation to the text and each other as they were in the original page when you print the page or view it so that you can see the layout.

Format with paragraph styles makes it possible for you to see the specific formatting styles assigned to paragraphs of text by TextBridge. Paragraph styles have names that begin with “TxBr” Formatting styles include indentation, font size and style, underline, bold, and italic. Paragraph styles make it easier for you to change formatting when you open the output document in your word processor. Paragraph styles are only available if your word processor or other text program supports this capability.

For some documents, you may want only the text in simple galley (one-column) form. In this case, you would not want to retain the layout. The output document will have a single column of all the text in the original document. If you choose to format with paragraph styles, the text formatting but not the page layout will be retained. For example, the final document will have paragraphs and headings in styles like the original document and in the order of the original document. If you choose to retain pictures, the pictures will be at the end of the document. If you use zone ordering, you can number the zones in the order in which you want them to be in the final document.

Note TextBridge is not designed to recognize and retain the layout of

forms, including forms designed with fill in the blanks, check boxes, or vertical and horizontal lines separating fields of information.

OCR and Basic TextBridge Operations 3–5

RUNNING TEXTBRIDGE STANDALONE AND INSTANT ACCESS

You can run TextBridge as a standalone program or invoke it from within another program with Instant Access. You can also invoke TextBridge through image file context menus and dragand-drop.

Note Instant Access is also available from the Start menu.

Standalone Program

The TextBridge standalone program is a conventional, document-oriented Windows program. When you start TextBridge from the Start menu, it operates as standalone program and runs independently of any other program. You interact with the program through common user interface components, such as pulldown menus, toolbars, a main window, dialog boxes, and context menus.

You add image pages to the document by opening image files or scanning pages, instructing TextBridge to automatically process the pages or manually interacting with the processing. TextBridge recognizes pages and saves them in the output format that you specify. You can then open the output file in the program that uses the format you specified.

3–6 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

Instant Access

Instant Access runs more automatically than TextBridge standalone with a minimal, dialog box-based user interface. The entire document is processed with little intervention by you. Instant Access gives you direct access to TextBridge from programs such as Word and WordPerfect. Programs with Instant Access have a TextBridge command in the File menu. Clicking TextBridge in the File menu starts TextBridge, which recognizes pages and pastes them directly into the open document in the program.

Instant Access to TextBridge can also be run as a standalone program. When you start Instant Access from the Windows Start menu, the Save dialog box appears for you to control the output rather than the output’s being pasted into an open document.

In addition, you can use Instant Access by starting it from an image file’s context menu and selecting TextBridge in the Send To menu.

The Instant Access Control Panel, which is available from the Start menu, enables you to specify which programs have Instant Access to TextBridge. The programs in the following list automatically have Instant Access:

Ami Pro 2.0 and 3.0 Corel WordPerfect 4.2, 5.1, 6.0, 6.1, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 FrontPage 2000 Lotus 1-2-3 Lotus WordPro Microsoft Excel 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 97, 2000 Microsoft Notepad Microsoft Word 2.x, 6.0, 7.0, 97, 2000 Microsoft WordPad The Print Shop ProPublisher 2000

OCR and Basic TextBridge Operations 3–7

The programs in the following list do not have Instant Access capability:

Acrobat Exchange Acrobat Reader Clipboard Viewer Corel Quattro Pro File Manager HotMetal Light Netscape Netscape Editor

IMPROVING PAGE RECOGNITION WITH SETTINGS

There are a number of settings that you select in TextBridge at the beginning of the recognition process to help it recognize a document with more accuracy. Many of these options are related to the manual processes described in the previous section. Use the Page Type Settings, Save As, and Options dialog boxes to specify which options of the software you want to use.

Usually, you will want to use the settings automatically assigned to a page type. However, it is possible for you to change these settings.

Page Type Settings

You can view and change the settings for a page type in the Page Type Settings dialog box (Figure 3–2). Check the settings to be sure they are the best ones for processing the original page.

3–8 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

Figure 3–2. Original Page tab in Page Type Settings dialog box

This dialog box has three tabs: Original Page, Scanner, and Processing. Each lets you view or change Page Type settings.

Original Page Settings

On the Original Page tab, you can choose the following settings:

◆ Set the page orientation for the way text and images are printed on the original page:

• Any orientation

• Portrait

• Landscape

If you select Any orientation, TextBridge automatically determines the page orientation. Use this setting if you don’t know the orientation of your pages or have pages with different orientations. Use Portrait or Landscape for faster processing.

OCR and Basic TextBridge Operations 3–9

◆ Select the page layout of the original page:

• Any layout

• Single column

• Multi-column

• Table

• As zoned by template

When you select Any layout, TextBridge automatically

determines the page layout. Use Any layout when pages in your document have different layouts or when your pages have complex layouts that do not fit the above layouts.

Select Table for pages with a table or spreadsheet and singlecolumn text.

◆ Select Book (dual page)

If your scanned page contains two pages (for example, when you

scan an open book) check Book (dual page), so TextBridge will know to split the scanned page into two separate pages.

◆ Set the print type of the document to be processed.

• Any print type

• Good

• Fax

• Dot matrix

• Newspaper

When you select Any print type, TextBridge automatically

determines the print type.

3–10 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

Scanner Settings

You can view and change the settings for your scanner in the Scanner tab of the Page Type Settings dialog box (Figure 3–3, next page).

On the Scanner tab you can set:

◆ Original Page quality:

• Good print

• Difficult or degraded

◆ Picture Output:

• Black and White

• Gray

• Color

Figure 3–3. Scanner tab in Page Type Settings dialog box

OCR and Basic TextBridge Operations 3–11

◆ TextBridge determines the best scan resolution and color for the Original Page and Picture Output settings. Click Custom if you want to override this default scan resolution setting.

◆ Set the scan page size to reflect the actual size of the original page.

◆ To override the default scan Brightness setting, uncheck Adjust Automatically and move the slider.

Processing Settings

You can view and change the settings for processing in the Processing tab of the Page Type Settings dialog box (Figure 3–4, next page). Check the settings to be sure they are the best ones for processing your pages.

Figure 3–4. Processing tab in Page Type Settings dialog box

3–12 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

◆ Select the primary language of the document. If you select more

◆ Select the user dictionary you want used when processing pages.

◆ Select the appropriate training data if you have trained on pages

Text Document Settings

On the Processing tab:

than one language, they all must be in the same language group. You cannot change the language group after you begin processing a document.

You can add technical terms and proper names to a user dictionary during proofreading and training. The user dictionary assists TextBridge in recognizing words it does not know.

of this type and saved the training data.

You specify the type of output, whether to include pictures and page layout, and the name of the output files in the Save As dialog box (Figure 3–5).

Figure 3–5. Save As dialog box

OCR and Basic TextBridge Operations 3–13

☞ For Auto Save and Send To, use the Auto Save Settings dialog

box available from the Process menu to make these settings.

You can view and change the settings for the output document in the Save As dialog box, each time you save a document.

Except for the File name, these settings are “sticky” and do not change from document to document, unless you change them.

When you save a document, you can change the settings to be sure they are the best ones for your document.

◆ Specify one or more recomposition settings to reflect the output results you want based on the original page:

• Retain the layout of the original page.

• Retain the pictures of the original page.

A related setting, Format with paragraph styles, can be selected in the Text Page tab of the Options dialog, available from the Tools menu.

Note Retaining page layout and pictures is only done for output

formats that support this.

◆ Specify how you want to save the results of document processing:

• Save the output as one document in one file.

• Save each page as a separate document in a separate files.

• Save a new document for each image file.

• Save a new document whenever a blank page is found in the

original document.

3–14 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

◆ Specify where you want to save the results of document processing.

◆ Specify the type of format in which to save the results from the list of options.

◆ Specify the default name of the scanned document to save.

The default name is from text at the top of the first page recognized, or type in another name, if desired.

If you are saving more than one document, each document has the same base name appended with an integer in parentheses. For example, ScanSoft, Inc., (2).

◆ Select Open file when done if you want to open the recognized document in your word processor or other text application, after the document has been saved.

RECOGNIZING OTHER LANGUAGES

TextBridge can recognize text in the the languages in the following list:

Afrikaans Albanian Aymara Basque Breton Bulgarian Byelorussian Catalan Croatian Czech Danish Dutch English Estonian Faroese Finnish Flemish French Friulian Gaelic Galician German Greek Greenlandic Hawaiian Hungarian Icelandic Indonesian Italian Kurdish Latin Latvian Lithuanian Lower Sorbian Macedonian Malaysian Norwegian Pigin English Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Serbo-Croatian Slovak Slovenian Spanish Swahili Swedish Tahitian Turkish Ukrainian Upper Welsh West Frisian Zulu Sorbian

OCR and Basic TextBridge Operations 3–15

Language Installation

Language Processing

When you install TextBridge, you select one or more languages to use. If a language you want is not available at that time, check the TextBridge Web site to see if additional languages are available.

TextBridge assumes your PC has the fonts needed to display text in the recognized language. If your PC does not have an available font for the code page of the recognized text, a message informs you and suggests that you load a font for the code page.

Language support is based on code pages, which contain characters from a related group of languages. TextBridge provides code pages for American/European, Baltic, Central Europen, Cyrillic, Greek, and Turkish language groups. A code page can have one or more associated language packs, which are dictionaries for particular languages. TextBridge uses language packs to recognize documents printed in that language. Your document may contain text in one or more of the languages in a language group. You can select more than one language to recognize multi-language documents. Because only one language group can be used per document, TextBridge cannot recognize languages from different language groups in the same document during the same OCR process.

You could run TextBridge more than once with different language groups and zoning to recognize a document that contains languages in more than one language group.

3–16 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

The following items describe methods for recognizing multiple languages in the same document:

◆ Document Language Group

Before you begin to process any pages, you can change the Language Group using the Document Language Group drop down list in the Processing tab of the Page Type Settings dialog box. However, once you have a page in your document, the language group control is disabled and you cannot change the language group. To process pages in a language in a different language group, click New in the File menu to begin a new document. Then, change to the appropriate language group and language.

◆ Document Language

Select the main language of your document from the Language checklist in the Processing tab of the Page Type Settings dialog box. The Language list shows all the languages in the current language group (code page). If the language of your document is not listed, select a different language group from the Group list. If the language pack for this language has not been installed, TextBridge will install it.

If your language is not in any of the language groups, you may still be able to recognize your document. Choose the language group which has the same characters as your language. Uncheck all the languages in the checklist because you do not want to use their language rules.

☞ For better accuracy and faster processing, choose only those

languages used in your document.

☞ For best accuracy of multi-lingual documents, choose a single

main language for the document and specify the language of other text through zoning.

OCR and Basic TextBridge Operations 3–17

◆ Language and Zones, Tables, and Cells

TextBridge assumes that all text and table zones are in the languages that you have specified for the document.

You can change the language of the selected zone, table, or table cells from the document language to any other language in the same language group. Right-click the zone and click Properties in the context menu. In the Properties dialog select the language for this zone using the language drop down list.

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE

To learn how you use TextBridge to process simple and complex documents, refer to Chapter 4. It also explains how to start TextBridge and use the Help system.

Chapter 6 shows how to process a document for a database, to use advanced settings for zones and page types, and to train TextBridge’s OCR.

3–18 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

LEARNING TO USE TEXTBRIDGE

The previous chapters introduced you to TextBridge and document recognition. This chapter describes the most basic capabilities of TextBridge. You will become familiar with the basic functionality of TextBridge so that you can understand how TextBridge works. The following chapters take you from the beginning to the end of using TextBridge to process different kinds of documents.

The topics presented in this chapter are in the following list:

◆ Before beginning to process a document

◆ Using TextBridge to process a document

◆ Starting TextBridge

◆ Using automatic processing

◆ Using manual processing

◆ Performing basic operations

◆ Getting Help while using TextBridge

TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide 4–1

BEFORE BEGINNING TO PROCESS A DOCUMENT

The following checklist will take you through the most important questions to ask before you start to process a document.

1. Is this document a good candidate for OCR? If you have difficulty reading a page, TextBridge may also have trouble recognizing it.

2. Is my document coming from my scanner or an image file?

3. What type of page does it have? What kind of document is it?

4. Do I want to retain the original layout and format of the document?

5. Does the original document have pictures? If so, do I want to retain the pictures?

6. Do I want to capture the whole page or just part of it?

7. Are the pages I am processing all similar in layout and style?

8. Do I want to proofread the results before saving?

9. Are there any other settings I want to check and change?

The rest of this chapter provides information that helps you to answer these questions.

USING TEXTBRIDGE TO PROCESS A DOCUMENT

TextBridge provides an easy-to-use interface and a powerful set of built-in capabilities. You can use it in a number of ways to do OCR, depending on the complexity of the document you want to recognize and the results you want.

4–2 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

TextBridge provides flexibility in performing the steps of the OCR process. You can:

◆ Process your pages automatically or interact with processing in manual mode

◆ Optimize processing by specifying settings using page types

◆ View and mark parts (zones) of pages to be recognized

◆ View and manipulate the pages of a document with page

thumbnails

◆ Process pages in any order

◆ Zone multiple pages before recognition

◆ Proofread the OCR results and correct any recognition errors

◆ Save the recognized text and optionally retain page layout and

pictures

☞ A thumbnail is a small image representation of your document.

Thumbnails make it easier for you to select and redo a poorly recognized page, insert a page, delete a page, reorder pages, or recognize a specific page.

STARTING TEXTBRIDGE

There are two ways to start TextBridge. You can start TextBridge as a standalone application or you can start TextBridge through Instant Access from most Windowsbased text applications or directly from Explorer.

In this section you will learn to start TextBridge as a standalone application.

Learning to Use TextBridge 4–3

Menu Bar Main toolbar

Process toolbar

View area showing welcome

Thumbnail area

To start TextBridge as a standalone application:

1. On the Windows task bar, click Start.

2. Point to Programs, then point to the TextBridge Pro Millennium folder.

3. Click TextBridge.

The TextBridge main window appears (Figure 4–1).

Tip and Status bar

Figure 4–1. TextBridge Pro Millennium main window

Note The Welcome message appears when you start TextBridge for the

first time and each time you start TextBridge until you uncheck Show this welcome when starting.

4–4 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

USING AUTOMATIC PROCESSING

When you use TextBridge’s automatic processing feature, TextBridge processes pages with very little interaction with you. In automatic mode, after you select the page type and page source, TextBridge automatically recognizes your page(s). TextBridge only stops for you to add more pages and to save the results of recognition.

TextBridge also allows you to automatically save and open the recognized documents in another application, such as a word processor or editor.

Automatic processing is only three steps. The following steps describe the automatic process of using TextBridge for page recognition.

Note Before automatic processing can begin, you must select the page

source from the Get Pages drop down menu and select the Page Type. Refer to “Performing Basic Operations” in this chapter or TextBridge Help for more information. If scanning, insert your page in your scanner.

1. Click the Auto button (Figure 4–2).

TextBridge scans all the pages in your scanner or reads the selected image file(s).

Learning to Use TextBridge 4–5

Click Auto button

Figure 4–2. Click the Auto button in the TextBridge window

2. If TextBridge is getting a document from an image file, in the Get Pages dialog box, select the file to process.

If TextBridge is getting a document from your scanner,, you may do one or more of the following:

Click the More Pages button in the Add More Pages to Scanner dialog box (Figure 4–3) to scan another page.

Click the Other Side button to scan the other side of two-sided pages.

Click the Done button when there are no more pages to add.

4–6 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

Click Done to proceed when all pages are scanned

Click to scan second side(s) of a two-sided document

TextBridge recognizes the text, saves any pictures to be placed in your output, and remembers the format for your output.

Click to scan more pages

Figure 4–3. Add Pages to Scanner dialog box

3. Save the text with any picture(s) in a file format of your choice.

Figure 4–4. Save the document using the Save As dialog box

Learning to Use TextBridge 4–7

USING MANUAL PROCESSING

TextBridge enables you to get remarkably accurate results from page recognition. However, page recognition is a complex process, and with some documents it can require your interaction with TextBridge to get the best output.

Using manual processing, you will find a number of opportunities during page recognition that allow you to enhance the results for the particular document. In manual mode, you step TextBridge through document processing.

During manual processing you can stop the page recognition process steps to perform the activities in the following list:

◆ Preview the scanned page

◆ Mark (zone) text, tables, and pictures to be recognized

◆ Proofread recognized pages

◆ Redo a page

Manual processing is a five-step process. The following steps describe the manual process of page recognition. Refer to the Help system for the step-by-step procedures for these activities.

Note Select the page source from the Get Pages drop down menu and

the Page Type before beginning OCR. Refer to “Performing Basic Operations” in this chapter or TextBridge Help for more information about these steps.

If scanning, insert your page in the scanner.

1. Click the Get Pages button.

TextBridge scans your page or reads the selected image file(s). To get more pages, click Get Pages again.

4–8 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

2. View and zone the page images.

Click Find Zones to have TextBridge automatically find text, tables and pictures on the page or use the zoning tools to mark the zones yourself.

3. Click the Recognize button.

TextBridge recognizes the page, including text, picture, and format.

☞ To recognize all your pages at once, click the Recognize button

drop-down arrow to be sure it is set to recognize all pages.

4. Proofread the results of recognition.

Correct any errors using the tools in the Text view.

5. Save the text and picture(s) in a file format of your choice.

Check the Open file when done option in the Save As dialog box to automatically open the saved document.

Each of these activities is explained in more detail in the next section, “Performing Basic Operations.”

PERFORMING BASIC OPERATIONS

When you OCR your document automatically or manually, certain basic operations allow you to refine the procedures. They are:

◆ Selecting the Page Source (with Get Pages)

◆ Selecting the Page Type

◆ Previewing the Page (manual only)

◆ Zoning the Page (manual only)

◆ Proofreading the Document

◆ Saving the Document

Learning to Use TextBridge 4–9

Selecting the Page Source

Before you start processing a new document, you can indicate whether pages are from your scanner or an image file.

To do so, click the drop down arrow on the Get Pages button to select the source of the page image: your scanner, scanner feeder, or image file (Figure 4–5).

Click the drop down arrow to display page image source options

Figure 4–5. Select the Page image source

Note Some scanners have a scanner feeder in which you can place a

stack of pages to be scanned. The Scanner Feeder setting is only available if your scanner has a scanner feeder.

Selecting the Page Type

TextBridge provides Page Types for the following kinds of documents:

Any Page (b&w) Letter Any Page (color) Legal Book (Dual page) Magazine (b & w) Business Card Magazine (color) Fax Newspaper Table

4–10 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

Click the page type button

Select a page type

For the best OCR results and performance, you can select the page type that best matches your original page(s). Page types make it to get the best settings for processing specific kinds of pages. A page type encapsulates all the processing settings for a kind of document, such as a magazine of fax. Refer to the section on page types and page type settings in Chapter 3 “OCR and Basic TextBridge Operations,” for more detailed information.

Most documents can be processed using the default setting, Any Page (b&w). If you wish to select a different setting, click the Page Type button and select a different page type (Figure 4–6).

View or change settings

Figure 4–6. Select the Page type matching your pages

To view or change the settings for the selected page type, click the Settings button from the Page Type dialog box,(Figure 4–7).

Learning to Use TextBridge 4–11

Previewing the Page

Figure 4–7. Change settings for this page type

TextBridge provides page types for the most common types of pages. You can also define your own page types with settings optimized for other specialized types of documents.

When manually processing, TextBridge displays the image of each page in the Image view (Figure 4–8). Click the Image tab to display the Image View if necessary.

Processing stops after TextBridge gets pages and displays the

image of the original page. At this point, you can perform one or more of the activities in the following list:

◆ Check that this is the page you want.

◆ Use the Zoom commands to magnify or reduce the page view.

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Preview tools

◆ Check the “scan” quality of the scanned page.

◆ Delete the page, adjust scanner settings and rescan the page.

◆ Rotate the page to make the page upright.

◆ Delete the page from the document.

◆ Add more pages to the document.

◆ Cancel the process by creating a new file or opening another file.

◆ Look at the properties of the page.

◆ Continue processing the page.

You can use the Image Tab toolbar or View and Page menu commands to examine and orient the acquired page.

Figure 4–8. Preview the page using the Preview tools

Learning to Use TextBridge 4–13

Zoning the Page

Before recognizing text on a page, TextBridge finds the text, table, and picture areas (or zones) on the page (Figure 4–9). TextBridge does this automatically when processing in Automatic mode. In Manual mode, you can mark the zone yourself or click Find Zones to have TextBridge automatically zone the page.

A zoned page is divided into one or more zones. There are three types of zones: text, table, and picture.

Text zone

Contains text and can be normal or reverse (light characters on a dark background).

Table zone

Contains cell or tabular tables. Tables can be ruled or unruled.

Picture zone

Contains any graphic art such as line art, color photographs, or halftone images.

Note A form is not a table. TextBridge does not OCR forms and does

not retain the original layout of most forms.

Each type of zone has a different transparent color so you can easily distinguish among them. TextBridge assigns the default colors to each type of zone: yellow for text, blue for pictures, and brown for tables. You can change the assigned colors in the Color Tab of the Options dialog box, available from the Tools menu.

Only those parts of the page that are marked with zones are recognized by TextBridge. If you want to recognize only part of a page, mark only that portion. TextBridge does OCR on text and table zones and converts both to text. TextBridge does not do OCR on picture zones but does save picture zones as part of the output.

4–14 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

You can use Find Zones to generate zones automatically. Then,

Manual zoning tools

Highlighted zones

Find zones

you can adjust these zones before continuing the zoning process and recognizing the page.

You can also manually zone the page. Use the text marker, table marker, picture marker, and erase marker zoning tools in the Image toolbar like highlighting markers to create and adjust zones.

Figure 4–9. Zone the page using the Zoning tools

TextBridge also orders zones for output. You can change the order of the zones during preview, by drawing zones in the order in which you want to output them or by clicking the Order Zones button. This is useful when you want to output the document without retaining the page layout and arrange the paragraphs in a different order in the output document.

Note TextBridge displays Zone numbers only when you click the Order

Zones button.

Learning to Use TextBridge 4–15

You can perform these activities related to zones:

◆ Mark text, table, and picture zones.

◆ Draw irregularly shaped zones.

◆ Have TextBridge automatically Find Zones.

◆ Edit automatic zoning.

◆ Erase a zone or part of a zone.

◆ Drag a selected zone to adjust its position.

◆ Display and edit the properties of a zone (such as language).

◆ Zone only part of a page.

◆ Delete zones so that text, tables, or pictures are not included in

the final document using the Clear command.

◆ Change a zone from one type, such as text, to another type, such as table.

◆ Zoom In or Out to enlarge or reduce the page view. You can also perform these less common activities related to

zones:

◆ Find and edit the cell structure of a table.

◆ Use the same zoning for subsequent pages of the same document.

◆ Save the current set of zones (including their size, location, and

type) as a template and use the zone template on other documents.

◆ Change the colors used to highlight different types of zones.

◆ Select zone order. Select zones and assign a number to each zone

to determine the order in which zones are output to the text document. However, if you choose to Retain Page Layout, TextBridge ignores the zone order.

Use the Zoning tools to perform many of these activities or use commands in the Edit, View, Page, Process, and Tools menus. Refer to Help for more information. After you complete the preview, instruct TextBridge to recognize the page.

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Proofreading the Document

In manual mode, after TextBridge recognizes each page, it stops for you to proofread the recognition results (Figure 4–10).

TextBridge displays recognized pages in the Text view. Click the Text tab to display the Text view if necessary. The page is laid out like the original page. Pictures found by OCR are displayed in the same location as in the original page.

Proofreading tools

Original image

Recognized text ready for proofing

Figure 4–10. Proofreading the page using the Proofreading tools

Words that TextBridge suspects may not have been recognized correctly are color coded. Suspect words are identified by one color and unrecognized characters are highlighted in another color. By default, the suspect words are blue, and the current word in the Suspect box is yellow in the view. Use the Proofreading tools to correct words.

Learning to Use TextBridge 4–17

Note You can add pages to your document or save the recognized pages

Saving the Document

Note Not all formats can retain pictures and page layout. Some formats

You can add corrected words to the user dictionary, which can improve recognition in subsequent pages of the same document and subsequent documents. The user dictionary is most useful for non-standard words that you frequently need to recognize, such as proper nouns and technical words.

While you are still in proofreading mode, you can add pages to the final document by getting a page using either the automatic or manual process.

without proofreading the current page.

After you finish proofreading the document, you are ready to save it. You can specify the location, name, and format of the output document. TextBridge converts the document to the format of your choice and saves it. You can choose to save the pictures and retain the original page format in your output.

preserve only part of the original page layout. Refer to the Help for more detailed information.

You can save the same document more than once using the Save As command. For example, you can save the document as text only and then save it with pictures and layout.

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Figure 4–11. Saving the page using the Save As dialog box

After you save the document, your document remains in TextBridge. You can then do any of the following:

◆ Save the document in another format.

◆ Add or delete pages.

◆ Change zoning.

◆ Recognize the document again.

◆ “Send To” a text application.

◆ Use the New command in the File menu to begin a new job.

◆ Close TextBridge.

Learning to Use TextBridge 4–19

GETTING HELP WHILE USING TEXTBRIDGE

TextBridge is designed to be easy to learn and use. It contains many user assistance options to guide you. The goal of user assistance is to provide you with information at the time you need it and to provide it primarily from within the program. TextBridge offers you a variety of types of user assistance including context-sensitive tips, information screens, Help, an interactive assistant, online user’s guide, Release Notes, and direct connections to web sites.

This section describes the following user assistance:

◆ Using the Welcome Screen

◆ Using the Show Me How window

◆ Using the tips and information screens

◆ Getting information from Help

◆ Using the Web site

Using the Welcome Window

When you start TextBridge for the first time, the Welcome window appears (Figure 4–12). This window describes the basic steps for using TextBridge. This window appears every time you start TextBridge until you uncheck Show this welcome when starting.

Click the Show Me How button to learn more about using TextBridge or use the main toolbar to begin processing your document.

4–20 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

Main toolbar

View area showing welcome

Click to display Show Me How window

Uncheck to stop displaying welcome

Figure 4–12. Welcome window

Using the Show Me How Window

In the Welcome window, click Show Me How to display the Show Me How window (Figure 4–13). The Show Me How Window guides you through a specific task. It explains how to:

◆ Use the TextBridge tools

◆ Scan a document into your word processor

◆ OCR an existing image file such as a fax file or a TIF file

◆ OCR part of a page rather than the entire page

Click on the activity that you want to learn about. An animated character describes the activity for you.

Learning to Use TextBridge 4–21

Click a topic to call the Assistant

Using Tips

4–22 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

Figure 4–13. Show Me How window

☞ You can also click Show Me How in the Help menu. The Show Me

How window appears, and you can select what you would like to learn. After you have a page, you can also learn about the Image or Text tab tools by clicking Show Me How in the Help menu.

Note If you want to end the Assistant’s explanation early, right-click

on him and select Hide.

Context-sensitive tips provide explanations, alternative activities, and related suggestions. They are embedded throughout the application and appear at the bottom of the screen or current dialog box based upon the context within which you are working. You can click on Next Tip to loop through the tips. You can choose not to display the tips in the main window from the Toolbars dialog box available from the View menu.

Getting Information from Help

The Help system provides general information about TextBridge, including getting started instructions, and step-by-step procedures for most operations. Use the How Do I? section to look for answers to real-life questions that you may have while using TextBridge. Tips & Tricks describes the best way to perform most tasks. Context-sensitive Help is always available from any menu command or dialog box.

What you want to know about

General information Click TextBridge Help in the

A concept not listed in the Contents or Index

How to do something Click TextBridge Help in the

Meaning of a word Click TextBridge Help in the

Entire dialog box Click the Help button in the dialog

A menu command Point to the menu item and click F1.

How to get Help

Help menu. Click TextBridge Help in the

Help menu then click Find and follow the directions.

Help menu, then click How Do I? or Step-by-Step Procedures in the Contents tab or use the Index.

Help menu, and in the Contents tab, click Glossary or use the Index.

box.

Learning to Use TextBridge 4–23

You can get Help by using the main Help Topics window (Figure 4–14) and by performing one of the activities in the following list:

◆ Select a topic from a book in the Contents tab.

◆ Select a topic from the Index tab.

◆ Search for information about a specific word or phrase using the

Find tab.

◆ Jump from one topic to a related topic.

Figure 4–14. Help Topics: TextBridge Pro Millennium Help window

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Using the TextBridge Web Site

The TextBridge Web site provides the latest product information, an up-to-date scanner list, tips, and links to related Web sites.

Select ScanSoft on the Web from the Help menu to see this information. Links are provided to the ScanSoft Home Page, Product Information, Product Support, and TextBridge Updates.

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE

Proceed to Chapters 5 and 6 of this booklet for step-bystep sample sessions showing how to using TextBridge.

Chapter 5 shows you how to use auto processing, Instant Access, recognize a document with complex layout, and process a document with text, pictures and a table.

Chapter 6 shows how to process a document for a database, to use advanced settings for zones and page types, and to train TextBridge’s OCR.

Learning to Use TextBridge 4–25

SAMPLE SESSIONS WITH TEXTBRIDGE

The previous chapters have introduced you to TextBridge and document recognition. This chapter provides step-by-step instructions to teach you how to use the most important capabilities of TextBridge.

The learning sessions build on each other and assume that you understand the procedures explained in the previous sessions. It’s best to do them in order or skim through prior sessions to familiarize yourself with the steps. Each learning session begins with introductory information including a list of what you will learn followed by step-by-step procedures and explanations.

The topics presented in this chapter are in the following list:

◆ Using the sample documents

◆ Recognizing a simple document using auto processing

◆ Using Instant Access to TextBridge

◆ Processing a complex document using manual processing

◆ Processing text, pictures, and a table

TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide 5–1

USING THE SAMPLE DOCUMENTS

In this section, you will learn about the sample documents and how to open a sample document.

Use the sample documents provided with TextBridge for the learning sessions in this chapter. They provide a cross-section of the types of pages that TextBridge can process. You can find the seven sample documents in the following location:

C:\Program Files\TextBridge Pro Millennium\Image Files\Samples

This is the default location for these files; however, you may have installed TextBridge in another location. The sample documents are:

◆ complex.xif

◆ dual page.tif

◆ fax.pcx

◆ letter.tif

◆ multipage.xif

◆ scanning.tif

◆ table.bmp

The sample documents are designed to provide you with a variety of documents on which to learn and to highlight the capabilities of the application. In each of the learning sessions, you are asked to use a specific sample document.

5–2 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

☞ For this session, use letter.tif (Figure 5–1).

Figure 5–1. Letter sample document

After you have started TextBridge, to find and open a sample document:

1. Select image file as the page source.

Click the drop down arrow on the Get Pages button and select Image File.

2. Select the page type.

Click the Page Type button and select Any Page (b&w), which will handle most black and white pages (Figure 5–2, next page).

Sample Sessions with TextBridge 5–3

Click the page type button

Select a page type

Figure 5–2. Select Page Type

3. Click the Get Pages button.

The Get Pages dialog box appears (Figure 5–3).

5–4 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

Note The default folder for image files is

Select an image file

C:\My Documents\TextBridge\Image Files

However, unless you installed TextBridge in another directory, sample image files are installed in Location of sample image files

C:\Program Files\TextBridge Pro Millennium\Image Files\Samples

If Samples is not the open folder, access the sample documents folder from the Look In: box in the Get Pages dialog box.

The sample files are listed in the Get Pages dialog box (Figure 5–3).

Figure 5–3. Get Pages dialog box with letter.tif selected

4. In the Get Pages dialog box, double-click a file name to open it. In this case, double-click letter.tif.

TextBridge displays the document in the Image view (Figure 5–4).

Sample Sessions with TextBridge 5–5

Figure 5–4. TextBridge - Image view

☞ For this lesson, you just want to go back to where you started

without recognizing the document. This can be useful if you change your mind and want to start over without processing a document further.

5. Click the New command in the File menu to discard the current page.

A dialog box appears and tells you that the current page has not been saved.

6. Click OK to return to the original TextBridge screen.

Now you know how to find and open a sample document. Proceed to the learning sessions where you will use sample documents to work with TextBridge and familiarize yourself with using its capabilities.

5–6 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

SESSION 1: RECOGNIZING A SIMPLE DOCUMENT USING AUTO PROCESSING

TextBridge provides a range of powerful features. However, TextBridge is also designed to be very easy to use. For many documents, you can use default settings and automatically process a document.

☞ For this learning session, use the sample document named

letter. This document has a single column of text and a logo.

In this session you’ll learn to:

◆ Select the appropriate page type

◆ Use Auto Process

◆ Save a document after recognition

When you select Any Page (b&w), the default setting, as the page type, it automatically specifies the following settings:

◆ Any page layout

◆ Any print type

◆ Any page orientation

For scanning, Any Page (b&w) page type specifies:

◆ Good print original page

◆ Letter size paper

◆ Grayscale picture output

Refer to Chapter 3 and Help for more information about these settings.

Sample Sessions with TextBridge 5–7

Click the page type button

To process a simple document, use the following procedure:

1. Start TextBridge.

TextBridge appears.

2. Select the page source.

Click the drop down arrow on the Get Pages button to select Image File.

3. Select the page type.

Click the Page Type button and select Any Page (b&w), Figure 5–5).

Select Any Page (b&w)

Figure 5–5. Page Type dialog box with Any Page (b&w) selected

5–8 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

4. Click the Auto process button.

Select an image file

The Get Pages dialog box appears (Figure 5–6).

Figure 5–6. Get Pages dialog box with letter.tif selected

5. In the Get Pages dialog box, double-click the sample document, letter.tif.

TextBridge reads the image file as shown in Figure 5–7).

Sample Sessions with TextBridge 5–9

Figure 5–7. TextBridge - Getting Page dialog box

TextBridge then automatically zones the page and identifies text, tables, and pictures as shown in the Zoning dialog box (Figure 5–8).

Figure 5–8. TextBridge - Zoning dialog box

5–10 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

Accept the default name, or type a new name

TextBridge automatically recognizes the characters and page layout as shown in the Recognizing dialog box (Figure 5–9).

Figure 5–9. TextBridge - Recognizing dialog box

After TextBridge reads the page image and processes it, it asks you to save the document (Figure 5–10).

Select the output format

Click Save

Figure 5–10. Save As dialog box

Sample Sessions with TextBridge 5–11

6. In the Save As dialog box, complete the following steps:

• In the Save in list, select the folder in which to save the text

file.

☞ Be sure to notice where the document is saved so that you can

find it easily.

• In the File name box, type a file name.

• In the Save as type list, select the output format for your

word processor or other text application.

• Check that Retain pictures, Retain page layout, and Open file

when done are selected.

• Click the Save button.

With retain page layout selected, TextBridge includes information describing the layout of the original page in the output file. When you open the file or print the page in an application that supports recomposition, such as Word, WordPerfect, or Excel, in most cases the page is recomposed like the original page. Text, tables, and pictures are in the same position in relation to each other as in the original document.

With retain pictures selected, TextBridge includes pictures in the final output document. If retain page layout is not selected too, pictures are placed at the end of the text rather than the same position in relation to the text that they were in the original page.

With Open file when done selected, TextBridge formats and saves the document and opens it in the word processor or other application associated with it. You can see the document and make any further changes if necessary.

5–12 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

7. Compare the recognized document in your word processor with the picture of the sample document, letter.tif (Figure 5–11).

Figure 5–11. Letter sample document

With a word processor such as Word or WordPerfect in the print or page layout view, the recognized document should have the same or similar layout as the TIFF image or sample document. The difference is that now you have formatted, fully editable text, just as if you had typed it in yourself. At this point, you could spell check the document and make any other changes in your word processor.

8. Close the word processing application.

Notice that TextBridge is still running. The recognized page is displayed in the Text view. You can save the document in another format or recognize a new document.

9. For now, simply close TextBridge.

Sample Sessions with TextBridge 5–13

SESSION 2: USING INSTANT ACCESS TO TEXTBRIDGE

You can use TextBridge Instant Access to run TextBridge from within another application, such as a word processor. To use Instant Access to TextBridge, simply start TextBridge from within an application, such as Word or WordPerfect. During Instant Access, TextBridge processes a document then pastes it into the open document in your text application.

☞ For this learning session, use the sample document named

letter.tif. This document has a single column of text, and a logo. The procedure is similar to processing a simple document in Session 1.

In this session you’ll learn to:

◆ Use TextBridge Instant Access from within your word processor.

◆ Select the Letter page type.

When you select Letter as the page type, it automatically specifies the following settings:

◆ Single column page layout

◆ Good print type

◆ Portrait orientation

For scanning, Letter page type specifies:

◆ Letter page size

◆ Black and White (binary scan)

Refer to Chapter 3 and Help for more information about these settings.

5–14 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

If TextBridge is still running from the previous learning session, exit from TextBridge. You can have more than one copy of TextBridge running at the same time, but it is not recommended.

Before you run Instant Access to TextBridge, you may need to use the Instant Access Control Panel (Figure 5–12) to choose which applications have Instant Access. TextBridge automatically provides Instant Access for the applications listed in the control panel.

To access the Instant Access Control Panel:

• Click Start on the Windows taskbar,

• then Programs,

• then TextBridge,

• and Instant Access Control Panel.

You can also access the Instant Access Control Panel from the main TextBridge application in the Tools menu. Help provides additional information about Instant Access.

Check one or more programs

Click OK

Figure 5–12. TextBridge Instant Access Control Panel

Sample Sessions with TextBridge 5–15

The Enable access to TextBridge list shows the text applications from which TextBridge can be invoked. The list includes applications commonly used with TextBridge and applications that are currently running. If your application does not appear in this list, close the TextBridge Instant Access Control Panel, start your application, and reopen the TextBridge Instant Access Control Panel. Your application should now appear in the list.

Note: Only applications with a File menu will appear in the list.

Click on applications in the list to check or uncheck them. Click All to check all items in the list. Click None to uncheck all items in the list. Instant Access to TextBridge will be available from all checked applications.

Note: The Instant Access Control Panel may also list applications that

are not compatible with Instant Access. Be sure to select only those applications that you intend to use.

Click OK to close the Instant Access Control Panel and save any changes you have specified.

To use Instant Access from your word processor, use the following procedure:

1. Start your word processor, and open a new document.

2. In the File menu, click the TextBridge... command immediately above the Exit command (Figure 5–13).

5–16 TextBridge Pro Millennium User’s Guide

Start Instant Access to TextBridge

1. Select Letter

2. Select Image File

Figure 5–13. TextBridge... command in File menu

The TextBridge Instant Access dialog box appears (Figure 5–14). Notice that the Instant Access dialog box looks similar to the Page Type dialog box in the standalone version of TextBridge. Auto OCR and Manual buttons have been added, as well as choices for Page Source and Output.

3. Click Auto OCR to start processing

Figure 5–14. TextBridge Instant Access dialog box

Sample Sessions with TextBridge 5–17

Nuance TEXTBRIDGE PRO-MILLENIUM User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

CONTENTS

PREFACE

RELATED DOCUMENTATION

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

◆ Basic OCR concepts

INTRODUCTION TO TEXTBRIDGE

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

DOCUMENTS TEXTBRIDGE CAN RECOGNIZE

INPUT IMAGE FILE FORMATS

OUTPUT TEXT FILE FORMATS

OUTPUT IMAGE FILE FORMATS

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE

INSTALLING AND SETTING UP TEXTBRIDGE

WHAT COMES WITH TEXTBRIDGE

SUPPORTED SCANNERS

INSTALLING AND TESTING YOUR SCANNER

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

BEFORE INSTALLING TEXTBRIDGE

Installing TextBridge 2–9

SCANNER SETUP

SETTING UP INSTANT ACCESS TO TEXTBRIDGE

UPDATING YOUR TEXTBRIDGE SOFTWARE

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE

OCR AND BASIC TEXTBRIDGE OPERATIONS

WHAT IS TEXTBRIDGE OCR?

RUNNING TEXTBRIDGE STANDALONE AND INSTANT ACCESS

IMPROVING PAGE RECOGNITION WITH SETTINGS

RECOGNIZING OTHER LANGUAGES

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE

LEARNING TO USE TEXTBRIDGE

BEFORE BEGINNING TO PROCESS A DOCUMENT

USING TEXTBRIDGE TO PROCESS A DOCUMENT

STARTING TEXTBRIDGE

USING AUTOMATIC PROCESSING

USING MANUAL PROCESSING

PERFORMING BASIC OPERATIONS

GETTING HELP WHILE USING TEXTBRIDGE

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE

SAMPLE SESSIONS WITH TEXTBRIDGE

USING THE SAMPLE DOCUMENTS

SESSION 1: RECOGNIZING A SIMPLE DOCUMENT USING AUTO PROCESSING

SESSION 2: USING INSTANT ACCESS TO TEXTBRIDGE