Organizing double sided scans in binder: how to get back sides in order?

DEVONthink
1

I have a number of pages that are double-sided documents. I use the sheet feeder of my Brother MFC-L2717DW to scan the front of the pages into a Binder. I flip the stack over and scan the backsides into the same Binder. Now I am faced with the issue of how to get the backside pages in the proper order to Shuffle Odd/Even Pages. After scanning I have this situation:

  • Page 1 front
  • Page 2 front
  • Page 2 back
  • Page 1 back

I know I can manually drag and drop them into the correct order for a simple example like this, but if there are many pages it becomes cumbersome and I always make mistakes doing this.

How can I best get the backside pages in reverse order so I can shuffle them? I’ve tried multiple ways, such as scanning all the fronts to one binder and all the backs to another binder, then merging them. This also ends up in a jumbled order. Is there a standard procedure for this type of scenario?

2

Use a 3rd party renamer tool. I use xnview under windows. Steps: Revert the numbering of the back ones, then rename pages skipping one, starting with, say, 00001 the front, then the back starting with 00002. In both cases, make it skip 2 in the numbering rule.

3

It’s not the naming I’m concerned about, it is the order in the Binder. When I save the binder, all the individual pages are combined to one PDF, but the order of the content will be incorrect.

4

Ah, that is another thing. I have no idea then. Make images first, process the image names, and then build a PDF with Preview or PDF Expert or any other.

5

Yes. You buy a duplexing scanner :wink:

Not sure on your particular case. Looking at it.

2 Likes
6

You ready? :slight_smile:

  1. Move the fronts and backs into separate binders.
  2. Select the Fronts binder.
  3. Click the command menu at the bottom of the controls and choose Sort and Merge Documents.
  4. Choose the Fronts binder as the Starting Odd Page.
  5. Choose the Backs binder as the Starting Even Page but enable Reverse Order.
  6. Press Start.
5 Likes
7

That chill down your back was my wife giving you the stink eye :joy:

8

Hahahaha :joy:

9

Worked like a champ, Jim, thank you! I’ll have a go at some automation and post my results if I get anywhere.

10

You’re very welcome :slight_smile:

11

@BLUEFROG uh-oh, I don’t see any scan-related verbs in DT’s Applescript dictionary. Am I missing them?

12

Nope. There are no scriptable scanning commands. What were you imagining?

13

@BLUEFROG I think this discussion provides a first cut of desirable commands, but here are few details:

  • get configurable options from scanner driver (duplex, color, max DPI, etc.)
  • start scan with parameters obtained above: flatbed vs. feeder, DPI, color vs. B&W, kind, etc.
  • create a binder named X
  • select a Binder
  • perform Reverse on items in a binder

I’m guessing this is not as straightforward as I would like it to be because of reliance on the scanner’s drivers.

14

I’d say that’s a very good guess. It’s also the first request I can recall.

15

You can do this with Vusescan:

16

Welcome @Jarf

Tha may be true but the OP was asking in the specific context of scanning in DEVONthink :slight_smile: But for those in need and having Vuescan, the info is appreciated.