Hello. Is there a way when either using the Print command to import into DTPO or when using the Service menu, for the imported PDF to auto-OCR (PDF + Text)?
Here’s what I’ve tried: If I receive an email with a PDF attached, and left click the attachment and have DTPO import, all I get is a PDF. If I open the PDF attachment in Preview and then use the print > Save PDF to DEVONthink Pro, same thing; only end up with a PDF that has to then manually be converted.
Be awesome if there is a way to execute any of these commands, and DTPO would auto-OCR.
I can’t seem to find any setting in Preferences (but maybe I’m missing something).
If you have installed the Folder Action Scripts in DEVONthink > Install Add-Ons… then you can add the DEVONthink - Import, OCR, and Delete folder action to any folder in Finder via the Finder Services menu. (A one-time setup.) Print a PDF and save (via the Print dialog) to that folder. It will be imported to DEVONthink per the Import Settings in Preferences. The file will be OCRd. The non-OCR original will be deleted from DEVONthink.
A follow up: Is there a way to delegate or choose which group the incoming file goes? Currently, the imported file goes in the global inbox, necessitating my having to move it manually. I’m eager to have this be an auto-pilot thing, as it is a simple import, ocr, and store; I already know what the file is and therefore just want to store it for future reference.
Thanks for your reply Greg_Jones. I think I’m missing something here. I followed the directions in the Help menu “Select group: A group selector is shown that lets you choose the destination. The group selector appears as a black panel floating on top of all other windows.”
Unfortunately, I’m not seeing that black panel that gives me the choice to choose a group. I’ve attached a screenshot. All I’m seeing is the Import options. Thanks so much for the assistance!
You are correct-I’m seeing the same thing. The import respects the preference if set to Global Inbox or Inbox of current database, but the Select group option sends the document straight to the Global Inbox. I really can’t think of anything to do differently.
I checked both the help manual and even Take Control of Getting Started with DEVONthink by Joe Kissell; it appears the program is supposed to be able to do this. Is this a known bug?
My experience is that Select Group is the only preference that is ignored. The folder action does respect the preference to import to the inbox of the currently selected database. Seems like any restriction at all is unnecessary, as the preference to select a group will only present available groups, and since the Global Inbox is always available…
Here is a modified version of “DEVONthink - Import, OCR, and Delete”. Open Script Editor and paste the code, below. Compile and save as a new document (with a different name) in ~/Library/Scripts/Folder Actions. You need to go through the process mentioned above to attach this script as a folder action to a new triggered folder.
This version will require DEVONthink to open the group selector. It is NOT guaranteed to work because OS X occasionally either ignores items added to triggered folders, or neglects to tell DEVONthink about every item added. Best to add a single to a triggered folder, let the script complete for that item (i.e., you tell it where to save something) and then add the next item.
-- DEVONthink - Import, OCR & Delete.applescript
-- Created by Christian Grunenberg on Fri Jun 18 2010.
-- Copyright (c) 2010-2014. All rights reserved.
on adding folder items to this_folder after receiving added_items
try
if (count of added_items) is greater than 0 then
tell application id "DNtp" to launch
repeat with theItem in added_items
set lastFileSize to 0
set currentFileSize to 1
repeat while lastFileSize ≠ currentFileSize
delay 0.5
set lastFileSize to currentFileSize
set currentFileSize to size of (info for theItem)
end repeat
try
set thePath to theItem as text
if thePath does not end with ".download:" then
tell application id "DNtp"
-- set theRecord to ocr file thePath to incoming group
set theRecord to ocr file thePath to display group selector
if exists theRecord then tell application "Finder" to delete theItem
end tell
end if
end try
end repeat
end if
end try
end adding folder items to
Neither this script nor the original provided by DEVONtechnologies includes error handling – when failing, it fails silently.
Thanks Korm for the snippet of code I will try this.
BLUEDOG, you mentioned using Hazel above. I was unaware that this will work with DTPO. Have you had good experience using this app (or has anyone else)?
And also regarding Hazel - it’s not a tight integration by design (ie. we’re not hooking into Hazel, nor it into DEVONthink). However, due to Hazel’s Execute Script capabilities and our robust Applescript dictionary, there are inter-application opportunities between them. Cheers!
I think I’m missing something here. I followed the directions in the Help menu “Select group: A group selector is shown that lets you choose the destination. The group selector appears as a black panel floating on top of all other windows.”
I will try this.
Have a great rest of your work week.