pdf-to-ppt

# PDF to PPT Conversion Skill This skill converts PDF files into PowerPoint presentations by first rendering each PDF page as a high-quality image, then assembling those images into a PPT where each image fills a slide. This approach works well for PDFs that are primarily visual (e.g., design drawings, presentations scanned to PDF, etc.) and preserves the visual layout faithfully. ## When to Use Use this skill when you need to: - Convert a PDF document into an editable PowerPoint presentation. - Preserve the exact visual layout of each PDF page (text, images, vectors) as slide backgrounds. - Work with PDFs that are not easily editable via direct text extraction (e.g., complex layouts, designer files). - Batch-convert multiple PDFs to PPT format. ## Core Rules ### 1. Input PDF Requirements - The PDF should be text-based or vector-based for best results. Scanned PDFs will be converted as images (which is still valid for this skill). - Ensure the PDF is not password-protected, or provide the password via environment variable if supported. ### 2. Image Rendering Quality - The skill renders PDF pages to images using a configurable zoom factor (default 2.0, which yields ~144 DPI from default 72 DPI). - Higher zoom values increase image quality and file size but improve text readability in the resulting PPT. - For text-heavy PDFs where you need selectable text in PPT, consider direct PDF→PPT conversion tools (like LibreOffice) instead. ### 3. Output PPT Characteristics - Each PDF page becomes one slide. - Slide size defaults to 16:9 (width=13.33in, height=7.5in) but can be customized. - Images are stretched to fill the slide; aspect ratio is not locked (to ensure full coverage). If aspect ratio preservation is critical, edit the script to center and crop. - The generated PPT uses a blank layout for each slide, placing the image as a shape that covers the entire slide. ### 4. Dependencies - Python packages: `PyMuPDF` (fitz) and `python-pptx`. - These are installed automatically when the skill is first used via the provided install command, or you can install them manually. ## Installation To install this skill from a local path (after copying to your skills folder), you can use: ```bash clawhub install /path/to/pdf-to-ppt ``` Or if you have cloned the skill repository: ```bash clawhub install pdf-to-ppt ``` ## Usage ### Basic Conversion ```bash python3 scripts/pdf_to_ppt.py input.pdf ``` This will: - Create an `images/` subdirectory next to the input PDF (or use a specified directory). - Render each PDF page to a PNG image in that folder. - Generate a PPT file with the same base name as the input PDF, appended with `.pptx`, in the same directory as the input. ### Advanced Options ```bash python3 scripts/pdf_to_ppt.py input.pdf \ --img-dir /path/to/images \ --output output.pptx \ --zoom 3.0 \ --slide-width-in 16 \ --slide-height-in 9 \ --format png ``` #### Arguments: - `input.pdf`: Path to the source PDF file (required). - `--img-dir DIR`: Directory to store intermediate images. If not provided, defaults to `<pdf_dir>/images/`. - `--output PPTX`: Path for the output PPT file. If not provided, defaults to `<pdf_basename>.pptx` in the same directory as input PDF. - `--zoom ZOOM`: Zoom factor for rendering (default 2.0). Higher = higher DPI. - `--slide-width-in INCHES`: Width of slides in inches (default 13.33 for 16:9 at 7.5in height). - `--slide-height-in INCHES`: Height of slides in inches (default 7.5). - `--format {png,jpg}`: Image format for intermediates (default png). ### Example: Convert with Custom Settings ```bash python3 scripts/pdf_to_ppt.py report.pdf \ --img-dir ./tmp/imgs \ --output ./presentation.pptx \ --zoom 2.5 \ --format jpg ``` ## Workflow Tips 1. **Check Image Quality**: After conversion, open the generated PPT and review a few slides. If text appears blurry, increase `--zoom`. 2. **File Size**: Higher zoom and PNG format increase both image and final PPT size. Use JPG for smaller files if slight compression artifacts are acceptable. 3. **Post-Processing**: The PPT is fully editable in PowerPoint. You can: - Add text boxes, shapes, or annotations over the image backgrounds. - Replace images with higher-quality versions if needed. - Extract individual images via “Save as Picture” if required. 4. **Batch Processing**: Wrap the script in a loop for multiple PDFs: ```bash for pdf in *.pdf; do python3 scripts/pdf_to_ppt.py "$pdf" done ``` ## Troubleshooting - **ModuleNotFoundError for fitz or pptx**: Ensure dependencies are installed. Run: ```bash pip install --break-system-packages PyMuPDF python-pptx ``` (Add `--break-system-packages` if using system Python in a restricted environment.) - **Empty Images**: Verify the PDF is not empty and that PyMuPDF can open it. Try opening the PDF in a viewer to confirm it has content. - **Memory Issues**: Very large PDFs with high zoom may consume significant RAM. Process in batches or reduce zoom. ## Related Skills Consider combining with: - `pdf-tools` — for extracting text, merging, splitting PDFs before conversion. - `powerpoint-pptx` — for best practices on editing and styling the resulting PPT. - `images` — if you need to process the intermediate images further. ## Feedback If you find this skill useful, consider starring it on ClawHub: `clawhub star pdf-to-ppt` For issues or enhancements, please refer to the skill’s source repository. --- _This skill was created to automate PDF → image → PPT conversion for visual-rich documents._