Greetings to all SoftHardWare readers! Document scanning has become a common practice in our life. Everyone knows very well that this way you can complete certain tasks efficiently and quickly. It is unlikely that there is a person who, instead of a convenient and simple scanner, would prefer a typewriter. Sometimes we are faced with the need to scan documents, at paperwork, at work, if necessary, send a document by mail and in a lot of other situations.
Free software for scanning documents allow us to easily carry out exactly the work that we need.
Such programs are called OCR applications. OCR is a program that translates images of different documents into text that can be processed and then edited in editors. The following are known programs for scanning documents like: RiDoc, ABBYY Finereader, Scanitto, BlindScanner, OCRUNEIFORM, VueScan and many others.
UPD: This article was written back in 2013, so the article contains irrelevant information about the freeness of some programs. I have compiled a new selection of completely free applications, which is available in the article - The best free programs for scanning documents.
Ridoc
RiDoc makes it possible to scan documents. Using the scanner, you can get a document in electronic version and reduce the file size without losing its information quality.
RiDoc allows you to conveniently organize documents, get galleries of scanned files, and then print the splicing results on a printer.
ABBYY Finereader
ABBYY Finereader can recognize high quality texts and save the sources. There are three versions of the program: Profesional, Home and Corporate Edition. Each of the programs differs in appearance, technical capabilities and price.
You can recognize text from a book and edit it using the Home version. Corporate supports accessibility and network scanners for multiple users simultaneously. All versions of this program can recognize texts from 200 languages! Later versions of the program can recognize images taken from digital cameras.
Scanitto
Free software for scanning documents Scanitto is suitable for reading images and text and saving this result in a convenient format. The program has a useful function of direct printing to a connected printer. Scanitoo is fast and lightweight, not overloaded with unnecessary functions. An improved version of this program is called Scanitto Pro.
It supports almost all scanner models. If you have a scanner, Scanitto Pro can make a copy with one click. Also, there is a convenient image cropping function.
BlindScanner
BlindScanner is specially designed for scanning documents over the network. It allows you to open access to a device that is not nearby, but for example, in the next office.
With this program, the scanner is available to multiple users at the same time. BlindScanner supports autosampler, compresses and saves images in different formats.
CuneiForm
CuneiForm fast free document scanning software... This program provides high-quality reading of information from 20 languages and recognizes mixed text.
VueScan
VueScan software works with slide scanners from Nikon, HP, Canon. Supports both manual and automatic parameter setting. The program has many different filters, automatically removes defects and uses a multi-pass readout option to reduce scanner noise.
I think now you have a clear picture regarding free software for scanning documents, and when choosing a program for this task, you will not have any problems.
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For a long time already passed the BUM for the use of such a device as a scanner. But there is still a need for its function in narrow user circles, more often for office processing of documents.
Virtually any hardware Windows system works without the participation of third-party programs, and for scanning there is a standard tool that does a very good job of its duties.
How do I scan on Windows?
Starting with the WindowsXP operating system, each subsequent version has a range of office software, which is improved and expanded with the current needs of users. Scanning is no exception, providing a flexible tool for saving printed documents in a graphical format.
So, in Windows 7, the standard capabilities of working with the scanner have been noticeably improved and combined with facsimile printing. The system tool is called Fax and Scan and is surprisingly easy to use:
- First of all, it is worth making sure that the equipment that we plan to use is working. We are interested in the installed drivers, which can be checked using the "Device Manager". Scanners regardless of the model (a separate device or in combination with an MFP) are placed in a separate section "Image processing devices";
- Click the "Start" button and in the search bar enter the name of the program: "Fax and Scan". The result will appear after the first few letters, click on it to run;
- The main window will open in front of us, in which, in addition to everything, information about previous scans or received faxes is displayed. To start scanning, you need to click the corresponding button on the top panel "New scan";
- Configure scanning parameters in the dialog box. Specify what will be scanned (photo, text, etc.), and also, if necessary, adjust the quality of the future image (resolution, file format, brightness, contrast);
- If there are enough default parameters, we can proceed to scanning, which can be performed with a preview of the result, by pressing the “View” button at the bottom of the window, or go to the main saving process - “Scan”;
- Then you just have to wait for the end of the scanning process. The result will immediately become available in the "Fax and Scan" program window or along the path: Documents -> Scanned Documents.
Free alternative to standard scan
If you are not attracted by the functionality of the Windows application, then. As the name implies, the program has a minimal set of capabilities for scanning, which is only a plus - a rare use of the scanner.
The size of the program is no more than 3 megabytes, and the installation takes place in standard mode, without requiring additional instructions. After installation, a shortcut "Scanning Documents" will appear on the desktop.
The minimalism of the interface consists of only three main actions on the part of the user:
- Scan file name - "Enter the name of the document"
- Directory for saving the file - "Where the document will be saved"
- Launching the scan function - "Scan document (s)" button
On the left side of the window, you can go to the "Settings", which are very few.
In our selection, a list of the most popular text scanning programs was considered. An important factor for programs in this category is the ability to decrypt the text of documents, as well as the quality of scanning - it is necessary that the information is completely readable, and the image scanner clearly transfers each line of the picture to the document.
Some applications have Russian-language design, which can be another significant factor when choosing the best scanning software. So let's take a quick look again at the programs below that can properly recognize text and scan a document to a file:
The computer program ABBYY FineReader 10 Home is one of the most common tools for scanning documents. Knows how to quickly and efficiently find blocks, translate text written in different languages. The advantage of ABBYY FineReader is its impressive language base. Do not forget about the availability of a version with advanced Professional functions.
OCR CuneiForm stands out among the competitors for its good grabbing performance of photographed text. It is noteworthy that a photograph can be taken even with a 2MP camera of some rather outdated mobile device. The program boasts a dictionary check function, which guarantees a high degree of information quality of the finished material.
Scanitto Pro will do an excellent job with narrower specifics of work. The application will recognize the text very quickly and will be able to save it in the required document format. It is noteworthy that the program can find a specified area of the paper medium and improve the display of the material before saving it to the information medium. There is a function of scanning with one click of a key.
VueScan has a strong base of comparable scanner devices. Among analogs, the program demonstrates the highest rates of connection speed to the scanner. Of the additional pleasant options, it is worth noting the convenience of manual color settings.
When choosing free document scanning software, you should pay attention to PaperScan Free. The utility is quite simple in terms of functionality, on the other hand, it performs all the necessary scanning options, in addition, you will be pleased with the unique compression technology that can significantly reduce the file size, leaving the original display quality. If you like the Free version, you can always purchase an extended Professional modification with more impressive functionality.
RiDoc is another powerful scanning tool. It is worth noting that Ridoc includes a specialized tool for reducing file sizes without noticeably degrading the display appearance. The information remains readable. If necessary, the RiDoc document scanner will help you export document formats to graphic extensions. The program can install watermarks on the finished material and send a document by mail.
Scanning documents is an integral part of doing business. Scanning programs allow you to digitize the necessary files, images. Some can save the necessary in PDF format.
Almost all scanning programs are capable of performing the task efficiently. Some may make certain adjustments in the course of their work:
- contrast;
- language recognition;
- brightness of the image;
- turns.
If necessary, it is possible to adjust the required resolution of the desired image or the required document in text format.
Such programs perfectly support work with the most popular brands of scanners: Canon, HP, Samsung, Kyocera and others. Russian programs are convenient for users, they make it possible to work in different languages.
If the quality of the document is not very good, it will recognize it and make the appropriate correction. The Windows operating system is excellently supported. If you have any problems with installation or during use, you can ask a question of interest and get a professional answer.
NAPS2 is one of the programs for scanning text documents and pictures. The main distinguishing feature of the program is text recognition and ease of use. Free download NAPS2 5.8.2 in Russian Password to all archives: 1progs NAPS2 video in Russian Main advantages: scanning documents both with WIA and TWAIN, and using modern scanners and MFPs; high percentage of text recognition from text documents; editing pages (rotation, rotation, deleting unnecessary), setting ...
OCR software allows you to convert photographed or scanned documents directly into sentences.
The fact is that the text on the image is presented in the form of a raster, a set of dots. The mentioned software transforms a set of points into a full-fledged text available for editing and saving.
Letter recognition is designed to optimize the process of digitizing printed or handwritten books and documents.
This method of digitizing is orders of magnitude faster than the speed of manual typing from an image. It is widely used in the digitization of libraries and archives. Next, let's take a look at the top five representatives of the family of similar programs.
ABBYY FineReader 10
FineReader is the undisputed leader among all programs that recognize text on images. In particular, there is no software that processes the Cyrillic alphabet more clearly. In general, FineReader has 179 languages, the text in which is recognized extremely successfully.
The only circumstance that can disappoint users is that the program is paid. Only a 15-day trial version is distributed free of charge. During this period, scanning of 50 pages is allowed.
Then you will have to pay for using the program. FineReader easily "eats" any more or less high-quality image. The source is completely unimportant. Whether it's a photo, a scan of a page, or any picture with letters.
Advantages:
- accurate recognition;
- a huge number of reading languages;
- tolerance to the quality of the source image.
Flaw:
- trial version for 15 days.
OCR CuneiForm
Free program for reading text information from images. The recognition accuracy is an order of magnitude lower than that of the previous program under consideration. But as for a free utility, the functionality is still excellent.
Interesting! CuneiForm recognizes blocks of text, graphics and even various tables. Moreover, even non-lined tables can be read.
To ensure accuracy, special dictionaries are connected to the recognition process, which replenish the vocabulary from scanned documents.
Advantages:
- free distribution;
- using dictionaries to check the correctness of the text;
- scanning text from photocopies of poor quality.
Flaws:
- relatively low accuracy;
- a small number of supported languages.
WinScan2PDF
It's not even a full-fledged program, but a utility. Installation is not required, and the executable file weighs only a few kilobytes. The recognition process is extremely fast, however, the resulting documents are saved exclusively in PDF format.
In fact, the whole process is performed by pressing three buttons: selecting a source, a destination and, in fact, starting the program.
The utility is designed for fast batch processing of multiple files. For the convenience of users, a large language interface pack is provided.
Advantages:
- portability;
- fast work;
- ease of use.
Flaws:
- minimum size;
- the only output file format.
SimpleOCR
An excellent little program for recognizing text from images. Supports even reading manuscripts. The trouble is that Russian is not included either in the interface language pack or in the list of languages supported for recognition.
However, if you need to scan English, Danish or French, then there is no better free option.
In its area, the program provides accurate font decoding, noise removal and graphic extraction. In addition, a text editor is built into the program interface, which is almost identical to WordPad, which significantly increases the usability of the program.
Advantages:
- accurate text recognition;
- convenient text editor;
- removing noise from the image.
Flaws:
- complete absence of the Russian language.
Freemore OCR
The program allows you to quickly extract text and graphics from images. The software supports multiple scanners without sacrificing performance. The extracted text can be saved as a text document or MS Office document.
In addition, a multi-page recognition function is provided.
Freemore OCR is distributed free of charge, however, the interface is in English only. But this circumstance does not affect the usability in any way, because the controls are organized in an intuitive way.
Advantages:
- free distribution;
- the ability to work with multiple scanners;
- the recognition accuracy is worthy.
Flaws
- Lack of Russian in the interface;
- The need to download the Russian language pack for recognition.
