All these manuals were carefully
scanned from original documents and assembled in PDF conpatible
format, for MAC or PC computer (reader supplied on the CD).
The work is very long and boring. The
complete process requires about eight hours of handling for a 300
page document. No other digitized documentation has our quality.
A digitalization 300dpi allows to zoom on an electric plan
to find all the details and notes. For example, the file
size of the PDF for the TM 9-808 US found on the internet, (Dodge
WC
4x4) is about 28Mo, our TM-WW2's size is 150Mo!
Everything starts with
the search for an original and complete manual.
Among our sources, Ebay has a large selection.
We have two methods of
digitalization. The first one consists in 'undoing'
the manual to be able to make flat scans. The second is much
longer, the manual is scanned page by page but without
dismantling it, a extra work is then necessary to make up for binding 'marks'
Once luminosity and contrast tests-adapted to yellowed pages have been done, digitalization can start.
Everything is digitized, but unfortunately defects such as oblique, folded or stained pages as well...
A first filter briefly cleans the background :
Then, the page is straightened and centered :
A second complex filter is in charge of erasing isolated without touching the characters or the images
Only a manual intervention can finish the processing of a page and make it perfect.
Once all pages have been processed, they
are gathered and numbered. This allows a last check on the number and quality of the pages before assembling.
The
creation of the PDF files is the last manipulation. Once the creation
of the index, the layout and the rotating images are done.
The manual is ready to be handed out.
