Blurring out content

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AlanMiller
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Blurring out content

Post by AlanMiller »

I'm wondering what method/software people use to blur out text like this:

Image
I'd like a method for making irregular blurred "blobs", not only on graphic files, but also PDF and Word text.

Alan

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HansV
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Re: Blurring out content

Post by HansV »

My screen capture utility Faststone Capture offers this feature. It obviously works on graphic files only.

I don't know of any way to do this in Word or PDF that doesn't involve converting the text to graphics.
Best wishes,
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Rudi
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Re: Blurring out content

Post by Rudi »

Like Hans, I use a screen capture app too; specifically the blur tool in ShareX.

If memory serves, most photo editing software allows one to select irregular (or freeform) selections to which one can edit (including blur) the content encircled by the tool.

PDF can redact, but I don't see a blur option.
Unless you jippo a feature like glow, to hide the text with a format (unsecure of course), it's doubtful that Word has this functionality.
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Rudi

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kdock
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Re: Blurring out content

Post by kdock »

For the heck of it, I created a blurred rectangle in Snagit by taking a screenshot of text, then blurring it. I saved it and turned it into a stamp in NitroPro, my PDF program. I was then able to cover sensitive information in a PDF with it.

The file was too big to upload, but here's what it looked like:
faux blurred information.png
FWIW, Kim
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AlanMiller
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Re: Blurring out content

Post by AlanMiller »

Thanks to all for the suggestions guys.

Rudi,
I have started to use ShareX at your (original) suggestion, but only for basic captures. How do I get the blur feature up and running?
I see from forums there's also a pixelate function.

Alan

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Rudi
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Re: Blurring out content

Post by Rudi »

Hi Alan,

Once you have taken the screen capture and it opens in the editor, you can click on the blur (or pixelate) tool in the toolbar.
See image that highlights the blur/pixelate tools and the difference between them in the text below.

You can also control the amount of blur or pixels using the Shape Options button (4th from the right side of the toolbar).
ShareX_2018-05-29_06-11-44.jpg
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Regards,
Rudi

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AlanMiller
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Re: Blurring out content

Post by AlanMiller »

Thanks Rudi. Getting the hang of it ... looking good.

Alan

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Re: Blurring out content

Post by Ramius_Typhoon »

Thanks (after a couple months) for the advice, I always hid personal data in the low tech way, with MS Paint and the filled rectangle tool. I have a blurring tool on a couple of programs such as Photoshop, Indesign and Gimp, but I always went for the easy way by firing Paint, since opening this program, putting a black rectangle where it's needed, saving the file and closing is faster than just opening any of the other programs I've mentioned...

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StuartR
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Re: Blurring out content

Post by StuartR »

I use Faststone Capture to blur sensitive data in screen captures.
My PDF editor, Foxit PhantomPDF, has a redact feature that I use to hid sensitive data in PDF files.
StuartR


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Re: Blurring out content

Post by Ramius_Typhoon »

Nice, I'll give Foxit PhantomPDF a try then, since I've recently started having to write .pdf documents at work, and converting .odt or .doc files to .pdf always brings page layout issues.

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DaveA
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Re: Blurring out content

Post by DaveA »

I use Snipping tool and then edit it, using the marker with a wade chisel point.
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