User Guide
General Information on Page Layout Analysis
Page layout analysis can be done either automatically or manually. In most cases, ABBYY
FineReader manages the complex task of analyzing page layout by itself. Start automatic analy
sis by clicking on the 2Read button. Recognition and layout analysis are performed simulta
neously.
Note: Standalone page layout analysis is also available (Process>Analyze Layout menu).
This process may be needed at times, but often this approach provides inferior page
layout analysis, since coupled layout analysis/recognition uses information acquired
during recognition to improve layout analysis
You may opt to draw blocks manually if:
1. Only part of a page is to be recognized;
2. Automatic layout analysis drew blocks incorrectly.
Tip:
● In some cases, the quality of the automatic layout analysis can be improved by
altering the page layout analysis options. To view the current layout analysis
options, go to the Recognition tab (Tools>Options menu).
● If the application has drawn some blocks incorrectly, it is often faster to edit
the incorrect blocks with the block editing tools than to delete the blocks and
draw them again manually.
Block Types
Blocks are image areas enclosed in frames. Blocks tell the system which image areas should be
recognized and in what order. The blocks also influence how the original page layout is
retained. The differently colored frames indicate different types of blocks. The frame colors of
the blocks can be changed on the View tab of the Options dialog (Tools>Options menu) in
the Appearance group. Select the required block type in the Item field and the desired color
in the Color field.
The following block types are available:
Recognition Area – this is used for automatic recognition and analysis. After the 2Read
button is clicked, all blocks of this type will be automatically analyzed and recognized.
Text – this is used for text image areas and should only contain singlecolumn text. If there
are pictures within the text, draw separate blocks around them.
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ABBYY FineReader 7.0 User’s Guide