PDF to Word, problems with images

[Ashikido]

Hi all,

I have a PDF of a paper with several images (screenshots of a movie) that I am trying to convert it to the latest Microsoft Word with Pro DC. I have several problems after the conversion:

1) The quality of the image gets worse (see below):

 becomes .

See the frame of the window, which looks bad for a frame analysis.

2) The pictures do not flow with the text and I can't manage to format the essay without rewriting it in part. See below. I can move the image but the text does not adapt to the formatting. No, there is no "wrap text" option when I right click on the image in the converted Word file. 

 

Does anyone know how to solve these two problems?

Thanks,

[gary_sc]

Hi Ashikido,

First off, is there any chance that you can get access to the original document? That is ALWAYS the best option.

The problem, as you are discovering, is that conversion from PDF to work can go fairly well to fairly poorly depending on the complexity of the PDF.

The decrease in quality appears to be due to a drop in resolution. If you click on your images in this thread you can see that the size of the first image is larger than the size of the 2nd image. It appears that Acrobat is exporting a lower-resolution image rather than the same image. One thing you might try is to copy the original image and paste it in the copy's location. 

As far as word-wrap and things like that, all I can say is that you consider moving to InDesign. Word's word-wrap has always been flacky to me. The one thing I can think of is to create a new document and place the images back into the new document. That should give you the control you need.

But I do go back to the original option: can you access your original documents?

[Ashikido · Accepted solution]

Hi gary_sc, and thank you very much nfor your reply/advice.

Unfortunately, I do not have access to the original Word document, which I have probably deleted; that is why I am trying to convert the PDF.

But, I noticed something interesting that might benefit other users as well. However, I need to explain the process I went through so that everything is clear. 

- I write a paper

- I convert it into a PDF with DC because I thougth it would have looked better

- I send it (the PDF version) to my prof

- I probably delete the original Word file while attempting to re-organize my confusing folders

- My prof sends me feedback on my work in a PDF file. It seems to be same PDF that I sent her that is now called "Edited... " 

- I try to convert her PDf doc into Word so that I can do some editing

- I have the problems I mention in my original post

- Tried everything withouth success

- EUREKA! She is a MAC user and I am a Windows user

- Instead of trying to convert her edited PDF file, I now try to convert the original PDF file I sent her in the first place

- I get a great conversion (and I can even move the pictures around while still preserving good text flow).

Might the cause of all this mess be that her Mac PDF reader corrupted my original Windows file? This is something that already happened several times in other circumstances and to other people; for example, Word to Word and PPT to PPT with images are some common examples that I have seen multiple times.

[ls_rbls]

The first observation is what was the movie frames produced with? What software? And what is the original source file format, .jpeg?

I have read before in these forums that you can take care of this issue better if you use Adobe Photshop or Illustrator to export the image file.

You also have to try some things in MS Word. Like how would the same file behave under different scenarios. For example:

• Do you get the same problem if the file is Saved As PDF directly from Word.
• Would you get the same issue when you use the Adobe PDF Maker add-in
• Or would you get the same issue if you Print to PDF directly from MS Word.
• Do you also get the same result if you right-click on the file icon (while it is closed) and select from the context menu "Convert to Acrobat PDF"
• And would you get the same issue if instead of exporting from Word to PDF  to import it directly from Acrobat, or even just try opening the Word file directly in Acrobat

Thiese are just suggestions to see if the problem is consistent throughout all of these methods.

If it is then you can assume that further troubleshooting may be required with the Acrobat Distiller.

I am more inclined to think, however, that before you apply any conversion, to run the Accessibility Checker in MS Word.

This will help you spot document structure issues  and correct them before exporting to PDF, including text encoding and possibly alternate text issues.

From glancing at the screenshot I also see that you may be using headings?

Some of these headings are also problematic if using the Adobe PDF Maker add-in.

Also, with Adobe Acrobat opened, goto Edit , Preferences, "Convert to PDF".

Select Microsoft Office Word and then click on the "Edit Settings..." button.

In the next dialogue box, see "Adobe PDF settings" , select "Standard" from the dropdown menu, and click on "Edit...".

In the next dialogue box you will be able to customize and fine grain the conversion settings that are dependent on Distiller.

From top to bottom:

• General
• Images
• Fonts
• Color
• Advanced
• Standards

Each one of these preferences allows you to try different customizations, especially the "Advanced" preference.

For starters, I would disable "Optimize for fast web view".

On Images, I would disable any compression setting and down sampling.

In the Fonts preference I would also check the tick box "Embed Open Type fonts".

See the notice below that says "Only fonts with appropriate permission bits will be embedded".

Use this tip to correct any possible  issues related to Fonts in MS Word.

As I mentioned earlier run the MS Word Accessibility Checker before exporting and correct this issues directly from Word first.

In the Color section see if the selecting "Adobe Color settings" to none is necessary , or,  identifying from the dropdown menu the same color setting(s) that was used in the MS Word document.

Below that section, see if preserving Device-Dependent Data is nrcessary.

Last, in the Advanced preference, see if allowing "Postscript file to override Adobe PDF settings" and allowing "PostScript objects" is necessary.

I would also experiment by disabling "Convert gradients to smooth shades" and "Convert smooth lines to curves".

Down below that section "Document Structuring Conventions", see also if disabling "Resize page and center artwork for EPS files"  is neccessary.

[ls_rbls]

I apologize Gary , it seems like I was posting at the same time.

Didn't see your answer after I clicked on the reply button.

[gary_sc]

Hi Ashikido,

In regards to your earlier comment about her being a Mac user, that completely depends upon what she's using to view and save your PDF. If she's using Acrobat DC, than no, that will not change things (However, if she saves it as a "Reduced size PDF" than YES).

In addition, if she's opening and saving your document in Apple's default PDF application "Preview," than again, YES, it is very possible. 

(BTW, I'm a Mac user so I'm telling people all the time to not save a PDF into a PDF with Preview (let alone open Forms with Preview—whew, talk about damage!))

[Ashikido]

Hi gary,

I do not know what she is using, but, in general, I have witnessed several situations in which the formatting gets messy when a Mac user opens a file prepared in Windows. A very typical case is before an in-class presentation in which the author sends the PPT file to the professor's email so that the professor can show the presentation on the big intelligent whiteboard or through a projector.

Thanks, 

[Ashikido]

I found the solution (see previous post). Thanks ls!

[ls_rbls]

Ok great! Thanks for sharing that feedback.

Don't forget to mark your solution as correct answer.