Ubuntu Text Capture

A modern, Python-based OCR utility with a graphical interface to capture and extract text (including LaTeX math!) from your screen or images.

🧭 Inspired by edwineas/ubuntu-text-capture
This project builds upon Edwin's original script by adding a full-featured GUI, multiple OCR engine support (including LaTeX), theme toggling, and cross-platform compatibility.

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✨ Features

• 📸 Capture screen region or open an image
• 🧠 Extract text using:
  • EasyOCR
  • PyTesseract
  • LaTeX OCR (pix2tex) — for mathematical expressions!
• 🌗 Toggle between light and dark themes
• 🖥️ Clean, responsive GUI with real-time feedback
• 📋 Automatically copies recognized text to clipboard
• 💾 Save screenshots or extracted image

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🧠 OCR for Math? Absolutely.

This tool supports LaTeX OCR, allowing it to extract and render mathematical equations from handwritten or printed screenshots — perfect for students, researchers, and anyone dealing with math-heavy documents.

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📷 Demo

🧮 Math Screenshot

📃 Simple Text Screenshot

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🧰 Requirements

• Python 3.8+
• Tesseract OCR
• Optional: pix2tex (LatexOCR) for math equation support

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⚙️ System Dependencies (Linux)

sudo apt update
sudo apt install gnome-screenshot tesseract-ocr libtesseract-dev xclip python3-venv

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📦 Installation

1. Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/r4j4-s/ubuntu-text-capture.git
cd ubuntu-text-capture

or using SSH:

git clone [email protected]:r4j4-s/ubuntu-text-capture.git
cd ubuntu-text-capture

2. Run the installer

sudo ./install.sh

This will:

• Create a Python virtual environment
• Install dependencies (e.g., easyocr, pytesseract, optional pix2tex)
• Create a launcher script: text_capture.sh

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🚀 How to Use

▶️ Run from terminal

./text_capture.sh

A GUI will open where you can:

• Take a screenshot
• Open an image file
• Select an OCR engine
• View and copy extracted text

⌨️ Optional: Keyboard Shortcut (Linux)

Set up a shortcut like Ctrl+Shift+T to launch the app via:

1. Settings → Keyboard → Custom Shortcuts
2. Name: Text Capture
3. Command: /full/path/to/text_capture.sh
4. Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + T

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🔍 OCR Engine Options

You can select the OCR engine from the dropdown in the GUI:

Engine	Purpose
EasyOCR	General purpose text recognition
PyTesseract	Fast, lightweight, uses Tesseract
LaTeX OCR	Recognizes mathematical expressions via pix2tex

⚠️ Make sure Tesseract is installed and added to your system path.
LaTeX OCR requires installing pix2tex via pip install pix2tex.

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💬 Support & Contributions

If you find this tool useful, please ⭐ the repo!
It motivates further improvements and encourages open-source development.

Issues and PRs are welcome!

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📄 License

MIT License – see the LICENSE file for details.