Scanned document in PDF

[DestinyIsCallin]

I have a scanned document in PDF format. Before scanning some of the text on the document was marked over using a black marker. It was done in such a way that the text underneath the black marker lines is almost unreadable. Can anyone please guide me as to how I can erase those marker lines completely and make the text visible.

[steve.ledger]

Welcome to TG.

I think what you are asking is only possible in Movies.

A scanner can not distinguish between printed text and applied marker ink.
Just like a digital photo, it records only light intensity.

You cannot reveal the text beneath, but if you know what the text spells, you can artificially paint a similar background over the hidden areas and repaint the missing text.

[DestinyIsCallin]

I have actually seen this happen. A scanned document was so prefectly cleared that the text underneath was clearly visible. I just wanted to find out how that can be acheived. Would the healing brush help?

[steve.ledger]

The Healing Brush tool allows you to fix image imperfections such as scratches, blemishes, etc. By sampling the surrounding area or using a predefined pattern you can blend the imperfections into the rest of the image.
The healing brush is a great tool, but it would not do what you are asking.

I am unaware of any technique where a document has been defaced with black marker over black text could have the marker ink cleared away to reveal the text beneath.
Scanning creates a raster image, saved to a PDF simply embeds the bitmap.
Even an OCR would not handle such conditions.

Perhaps another member has come across a technique that could be shared?

[handrawn]

if you can read the text do as Steve suggests - mask over the affected area and remake - job done, document cleaned

if you can't read the text - do you have the paper document that was scanned?

[DestinyIsCallin]

edited