Turns graphics into searchable PDFs

ExactCode, makers of the ExactScan Pro OCR program for Mac, have updated its tools for turning graphic files and PDFs in to searchable PDFs using OCR, OCRKit. The program comes in two versions: one for Mac and a mobile version. It uses the same engine as ExactScan to improve OCR recognition and accuracy in two dozen different languages, allowing users to photograph or import documents and output searchable, copy-pasteable text for e-mail, word processing and other functions.

The OCR processing is done completely in-application, with no calls to servers, and thus does not use Wi-Fi or 3G data on the iPhone. While the company recommends using an iPhone 3GS or 4 or better due to the superior resolution of the camera, older iPhones can also use the software with the help of Griffin Technology's Clarifi add-on macro lens.

Both the iPhone and Mac versions sport recently-improved OCR recognition of special characters and improved stability. The Mac version also features advanced layout recognition for RTF, HTML and text output along with Applescript support, while the iPhone version can work with images directly from the camera roll or the photo library, and has an editable history. iPod Touches with cameras are also supported. Both versions support the following languages: Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Rumanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Norwegian.

OCRKit v1.6 for Mac sells for $60, while OCRKit Mobile v2.0 is available for $5 at the App Store. The Mac version requires OS X 10.4 or higher, the iPhone version requires iOS 3.1 or better.

by MacNN Staff