docling-project / docling-project/docling

[Bee] Add support for GeoPDF's

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#3,010 1 comment 0 reactions 1 assignee Claimed by @PeterStaar-IBM View on GitHub
enhancement
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Description

# Enhancement: Add Support for GeoPDF (Geospatial PDF) Files

## Background

A **GeoPDF** is a PDF file that contains embedded geospatial metadata, allowing it to function as a map with real-world coordinates. Unlike a standard PDF, a GeoPDF preserves coordinate reference system (CRS) information and georeferencing transforms, enabling spatial interpretation of page content.

GeoPDFs are widely used in:

- Topographic maps (e.g., USGS distributions)
- Engineering and construction drawings
- Agriculture field maps
- Urban planning documents
- Emergency response and military mapping

## What Makes a PDF a GeoPDF?

A GeoPDF includes:

- **Coordinate Reference System (CRS)** definition
- **Georeferencing transforms** mapping page coordinates to geographic coordinates
- Optional **layer metadata**
- Optional measurement metadata

There are two common variants:

1. **TerraGo GeoPDF** (proprietary extension)
2. **OGC GeoPDF** (open standard defined by the Open Geospatial Consortium)

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