Retypar
Retypar converts photos, drawings etc. into text. The result can be saved as text (.txt, .ans), HTML (.html) or as an image (.jpg, .gif). You can influence the conversion by altering certain options (font, font size, scale factor, colour etc.). In addition to the graphical interface there is a batch mode. With that You can convert a number of pictures with a single command. Its still a beta version, so there are sometimes issues. If this is the case, go to the command window and type Ctrl-C (this worked for me).

System requirements
  • Minimum JRE version is 1.6
  • Preferably 1024 x 768 resolution or better.
  • Depending on the size of the picture enough memory, an 8Mb picture needs a setting of about 512Mb.


Retypar on an eComStation machine with Open JDK


Installing Retypar
Download the file retypar_0.9.4.jar. Download also the manual retypar_0.9.4_manual.pdf. Copy both to a directory of choice or make one with the name "retypar". That's all!

The used retypar.cmd file
Retypar works with Open JDK in OS/2-eCS. I have made a "retypar.cmd" file with the following contents; 
@echo off
set CLASSPATH=
set BEGINLIBPATH=[drive: java]\JAVA160ga5\bin
set path=[drive: java]\JAVA160ga5\bin
[drive: retypar]
cd [drive: retypar]\retypar
java -Duser.home=[drive: retypar]\retypar -Xmx512m -jar retypar_0.9.4.jar 2>retypar-bugs.txt
I use 2 separate folders (directories), one for Java and one for Retypar with the files created by this program. The references used in the cmd file;

  • [drive: java] = drive with Java
  • [drive: retypar] = drive with Retypar

should be replaced by real drive letters. Adjust the file from the distribution below, ie. different drive and directories (maps). Save "retypar.cmd" and copy it to the "retypar" directory (map).

Create a new program object. Specify the path and file name: "[drive: retypar]\retypar\retypar.cmd". In the tabpage Session check the boxes "OS/2 window", "Running as an icon" and "Close Window to end program". In the tabpage General you can enter the name "Retypar". The download also has a nice OS/2 icon.

Parameters / options explained
  • The specification "-Duser.home=[drive: retypar]\retypar" will ensure that Retypar will save all necessary files in own directory instead of saving them in the home directory.
  • The specification "-Xmx512m" is a value found with try and error. The program will halt if too short specified and you can get out with "Ctrl-C". This value was enough to convert a picture of about 8Mb and it depends greatly how difficult the picture is.
  • The addition "2>retypar-bugs.txt" ensures that errors are saved in the file "retypar-bugs.txt". The 2 in "2>" is not a typo!

Download
In the file you can find the above command file (all drive letters are on set to C:) and an OS/2 Retypar icon: retypar-ecs.zip.

revision August 14, 2016