LaTeX to PreTeXt

[Daniel Hodgins]

Hello,

Oscar Levin recommended that I email this group about trying to create a tool to help convert between LaTeX to PreTeXt. I know from the PreTeXt page on conversions (PreTeXt) that David Farmer has created a private script that works most of the way but you have to email him your files, and there is using Pandoc which requires download a few applications. Both of these seem to have down sides, Pandoc is nice but still seems to be a bit intimidating for people who are not tech savvy and is missing some features. 

Ideally, I would like to create an application coded in python that will convert multiple files directly without needing the user to go through extra steps. Pandoc seems to be the current most useful route, but you seem to need to use command line or open individual files and use the VScode extension which would be intimidating to newcomers. I would like to focus on supporting different LaTeX packages and noting what packages are supported on a github repository with the script.

Is there any advice that yall have on where to begin or if I unintentionally ignored any resources that may exist that are not mentioned on the PreTeXt site?

Thank you,
Daniel Hodgins

[David W. Farmer]

Since you asked for advice, I advise you to first try to
handle properly written vanilla LaTeX.

That will require deciding what "properly written" LaTeX might
look like.

If you manage to get something useful, then you can think
about whether your next step is to try to handle the quirky
LaTeX people write, or to think about handling LaTeX packages.

Almost surely you will NOT want to go the LaTeX package route.
Many of those concern the appearance of the document. But PreTeXt
source knows nothing about appearances, so it is not clear to me
what you would hope to do with most packages.

My script is not private:

https://github.com/davidfarmer/SL3X

I still offer the service of converting to LaTeX, with a preference
for large documents such as textbooks. Usually people send me a link
to their GitHub repository.

Happy to discuss any ideas here.

More advice: experiment to see if the Pandoc conversion is any good.
If it is, then can't you accomplish what you want by writing python
that handles the file management, calling pandoc, etc?

I'm interested in hearing your evaluation of the Pandoc conversion,
if you decide to go that route.

Regards,

David

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[Rob Beezer]

A bit brief, since on fone.

Two independent projects have been experimenting with AI (no surprise there). Starting with PDF and starting with LaTeX. With and without feeding it things like the Guide. Mostly our motivation is that we want to then produce Braille.

Some parts are incredible, some parts are extremely frustrating. Current hypothesis: I need to move from a plan at $20/month to one that is $200/month.

My one experiment starting with (good) LaTeX got results that might rival David's tool (roughly).

I think there is some promise, especially compared to the cost of a professional who can transcribe a math textbook into Braille.

Thanks for your interest in tackling this problem.

Rob