Import PDF

Hi Angel:

In very general terms, as Bama has indicated:

1. Convert the PDF to .docx (MS Word's base format)
2. Compile the .docx using Logos' Personal Book tool.

Converting the PDF:

There are many nuances for choosing a method for converting a PDF. Here are my observations gained from the tools I have used and/or experimented with:

MS Word 2013 (and I assume subsequent versions):

• Pros:
• If the PDF has "live" footnotes, i.e., links to the notes that actually show the footnote in some way, Word13 will generally convert them into the .docx as working footnotes. The importance of this is that the PB compiler will bring them into Logos as tool-tip-enabled footnotes, which are far easier to use while reading the resource.
• Word tends to do a very good job of retaining a nice, orderly format and text flow. It generally just looks better than most conversion methods.
• Cons:
• The format(s) that Word13 uses to bring in graphics or pictures into the converted .docx have uneven results when compiled in the Logos PB tool. That is, the PB compiler plays nicer with graphics placed into the .docx in certain ways than with others. The rule used to be that if the .docx had graphics inserted from (or sourced by path to) a specific location on the user's computer, the PB compiler would successfully produce the graphic in the compiled Logos resource. I'm not so sure it is that simple now, as some graphics in Word13 converted PDFs compile and some don't, and I haven't devoted the time to finding out why.

Calibre (http://calibre-ebook.com/ ):

• Pros:
• Calibre generally does a better job of importing graphics that compile.
• Cons:
• Calibre's resulting .docx files don't look as nice as Word13's.
• Live footnotes aren't preserved, or perhaps I don't know how to accomplish that in Calibre.
• Advice on choosing Windows version:  If you are a Windows user and have a 64-bit version of Windows, get the 64-bit version of Calibre; it will handle much larger source documents. Not sure about the Mac version, although I'm certain it is totally, absolutely perfect in every way

Mobi Pocket Creator (http://www.mobipocket.com/en/downloadsoft/productdetailscreator.asp ):

This is a program that was created by the company that Amazon bought to kick-start its ebook business. Its original intent was to convert various formats to the .mobi format for ebook readers. I sometimes use it to convert PDFs to HTML, then copy and paste the page from a web browser into MS Word. See this post in my neglected little blog for specifics: http://jnthreethree.blogspot.com/p/here-are-links-to-various-posts-i-have.html 

• Pros:
• Does a good job of preserving formatting and graphics of the original PDF; much better than Calibre, in my experience.
• Graphics generally survive the PB compiler.
• Cons:
• Doesn't preserve live footnotes
• Not really intuitive; kludgy

The long and short of it is: experiment to find out which method does the best job for each type of PDF you seek to convert. Heavy footnote importance will weigh in Word13's favor. High importance of graphics in the document will weigh heavy in one of the other two methods.

Once the .docx is produced, the Personal Book has to be compiled. See this page on the WIki for details on that:

https://wiki.logos.com/Personal_Books 

I hope that helps and that you haven't lost your will to live while reading it.

The resurrection of this thread reminded me that recently I noticed the Mobipocket Creator is no longer available.

Another simple option is to create a desktop "shortcut" to the PDF document and drag the shortcut to your Logos Favorites.  Many other file shortcuts may be loaded into your Logos favorites in a similar way.  I keep a Favorites tab with an elaborate hierarchical structure (folders within subfolders)  and drag many external file shortcuts for quick access.