But isn't PDF basically the same for simple text? At least once you use a tool to simplify your PDF by removing compression, object streams and whatnot.
Moving to position is just `123 456 Td`. Placing a string at current position is just `(ABC) Tj`. Placing each glyph at different positions is just `[12 (A) 34 (B) 56 (C)] TJ`. I can do minor edits in PDF using just vim and qpdf.
> At least once you use a tool to simplify your PDF by removing compression, object streams and whatnot.
Can you please write a few details about that workflow? What do you do and how? I used to create .ps "by hand" (actually writing scripts) but I've never tried to start from PDF and then edit. How do you "remove compression, object streams and whatnot"? And some useful references (for those Tj TJ etc).
> QPDF is capable of creating linearized (also known as web-optimized) files and encrypted files. It is also capable of converting PDF files with object streams (also known as compressed objects) to files with no compressed objects or to generate object streams from files that don't have them (or even those that already do). QPDF also supports a special mode designed to allow you to edit the content of PDF files in a text editor. For more details, please see the documentation links below.
I use QPDF too. Specifically its QDF mode. Essentially it tries to make the document as human-editable as possible. There's also a fix-qdf utility that fixes the values of offsets at the end of the file, so that you need not be careful not to change file size while editing.
The reference is well Adobe's official PDF reference downloadable from its website.
Moving to position is just `123 456 Td`. Placing a string at current position is just `(ABC) Tj`. Placing each glyph at different positions is just `[12 (A) 34 (B) 56 (C)] TJ`. I can do minor edits in PDF using just vim and qpdf.