Re: [Gimp-user] Gimp newbie trying to get a job done.

[Steve Kinney <admin pilobilus net>]

On 01/25/2012 08:56 AM, Brent Shifley wrote:
> Morning,
>
>  
>
>                 I have been using your app extensively since
> November.  I have come up with a real need to perform in Gimp, but
> I do not know if Gimp can do it.
>
>  
>
>                 What I am trying to do is import a PDF that
> contains a graphic of radiation patterns from RF towers, along
> with all roads and other geographical data. 

You might want to try extracting the images from your PDF file.  If
you are lucky, the image you want is stored as a layer in the PDF
file and if so, you can get a pristine copy of it.  Tools to look at
for this might include:

http://www.foolabs.com/xpdf/
http://tinyurl.com/pdf-extract

To import pdf to the GIMP you need a package called Ghostscript: 
http://sourceforge.net/projects/ghostscript/  If all goes to plan,
once this is installed you should be able to drag and drop PDF files
into the GIMP.  You should get a dialog that asks you to select a
page and specify the size and resolution of the image file you are
creating.

> Once imported, I want to remove all of the roads and unwanted data
> and keep the radiation pattern.  The radiation pattern is in 1
> color that dominates the image, and “covers” most of the other
> unwanted info, almost as a 50% transparency. 

Here things get "interesting."  Without seeing the actual image it
is difficult to prescribe a solution with confidence.  It would be
helpful to see the PDF file - can you provide a link to it?

> I then want to export the radiation pattern, and use it in Google
> Earth.  Additionally, where the radiation pattern is not, have it
> become completely transparent

I'm not sure what you mean by "use it in Google Earth."

:o)

Steve