XOR for Mac
Real time PDF differnce viewer
(Digital proofing tool)
¥2,000(Tax included)/Month
(Subscription)
One-stop proofreading
You can compare the PDF before and after the revision and add annotation comments to the difference areas. What’s more, you can export quality proof PDF (for proof submission) or DTP manuscript PDF for re-correction.
In other words, you can complete a series of proofreading tasks on XOR (*). For more details, please see the video here (coming soon).
* A PDF viewer such as Acrobat is required to view DTP manuscript PDF.
One-stop proofreading is a feature that was first provided in the Mac version. A Windows version with the same feature is scheduled for release in the near future.
About Quality certification PDF…
This is a PDF that proves that "I have not changed anything except the part that I was asked to correct. You may want to attach it when you submit the proof to the client.
You can report the following cases where you did not follow the client's correction instructions.
- Unchanged area at the discretion on the DTP
- Unscheduled area at the discretion on the DTP
The client can keep track of all the changes and easily check for omissions or unnecessary changes, if this PDF is attached to the proof submission. If there is no red or blue in the area where the client instructed you to correct. And if red or blue is present in areas where there are no instructions from the client to correct, it is a unwanted change.
Example of a quality certification PDF in Acrobat
If you have not made any corrections against the client's direction, or have made corrections voluntarily, you can declare them in the PDF annotation comments. These annotations can be written on XOR.
Require
XOR requires macOS High Sierra or later.
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| macOS Ventura |
macOS Menterey |
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| macOS High Sierra |
macOS Mojave |
macOS Catalina |
macOS Big Sur |
Of course, XOR will work on Mac with either Intel or Apple silicon.
Usage
Reading two PDFs
When you launch XOR, the PDF selection dialog will be displayed.
Please select two PDF files you want to compare, by pressing the [Open…] button. Or, you can drag and drop PDF from the desktop into the dark gray area of the dialog.
After you select PDFs, if you move, rename or edit them, you need to reselect them.
When you select PDF, a thumbnail of the first page and file information are displayed.
Please press the [OK] button. A document window appears, and the two PDF files are displayed side by side.
Twin pages view
Comparison
Twin pages view --> Overlapped pages view
Press the spacebar to switch to Overlapped pages. Overlapped pages is a composite of both PDF images. The red and blue areas are the differences. This is called the "Overlapped pages".
Overlapped pages view
Overlapped pages view --> Blink pages view
If you press the spacebar again, both PDFs will be displayed alternately. The difference appears to blink. This is called the "Twin pages".
Blink pages view
Blink pages view --> Twin pages view
Pressing the spacebar again will return to the "Twin pages".
Twin pages view
Marking
You can mark the changes you have found with a square while on "Overlapped pages view" or "Blink pages view".
Do the following on the "Overlapped pages view" or "Blink pages view",
- Drag from top left to bottom right of the change
- Right click within the selection
- Select "Marking" from the context menu
Mark all changes found. Omissions will affect the accuracy of the proofreading.
Proofreading
You can write annotation comments on the red lines marked on the "Overlapped pages view" and "Blink pages view".
Do the following on the "Twin pages view".
- Click on the red line on the right side page.
- Fill in the proof results in the window that appears.
The annotated area will be double-lined.
All annotations should be written in a way that is easily understood by others. These annotations become the direction in the DTP manuscript for re-correction, or the declaration to the client in the quality proof.
Export DTP manuscript PDF
If you find something that needs to be re-corrected in the middle of proofreading, export the DTP manuscript PDF for re-correction.
Excute "Export" > "Export PDF on the right side ... " in the Fill menu.
This is an example of displaying an exported PDF in Acrobat.
Annotations made on the XOR will be carried over to the PDF as annotations.
Exporting quality certification PDF
Once you have determined that the proofs do not need to be revised again, you can export a quality certification PDF. You can prove that "I didn't change anything extra except for the parts you directed us to correct by attaching this PDF when you submit it to the client.
Excute "Export" > "Export PDF on the right side ... " in the Fill menu.
This is an example of displaying an exported PDF in Acrobat.
This is an example of displaying an exported PDF in Acrobat.
Annotations made on the XOR will be carried over to the PDF as annotations.
If you have not made any corrections against the client's direction, or have made corrections voluntarily, you can declare them in the PDF annotation comments. These annotations can be written on XOR.
Subscription
If you use XOR for the first time, there is a 30 day free trial period. Subscription agreement is necessary to use it after that.
Tryal
If you use XOR for the first time, the subscription dialog is displayed.
Click on the “30 day trial version”. You can start the trial.
Subscribe
If you launch XOR after the 30 day trial period is over, the subscription dialog is displayed.
Click the "Monthly Subscription" button. You can subscribe to use the app.
Unsubscribe
Select [Subscriptions ...] under the [Help] menu. The subscription dialog is displayed.
Click the [Manage Subscriptions ...] button. Then the window of iTunes will be displayed. Please complete the unsubscription procedure.
Expiration date
Select [Subscriptions ...] under the [Help] menu. The subscription dialog is displayed. And the expiration date is written there.
Unsubscription must be completed 24 hours before the expiration date.
FAQ
Price, Subscription, Purchase
How much is the price?
Subscription rate is ¥2,000(*) per month.
This contract is automatically renewed monthly, but you can cancel at anytime.
* Prices outside the Japanese store are determined by the exchange rate.
Is there a trial version?
If you use XOR for the first time, there is a 30 day free trial period. Subscription agreement is necessary to use it after that.
What are the advantages of subscription?
- The initial cost is relatively low.
- You can cancel the contract when it is no longer needed. Therefore companies and organizations can control costs by increasing or decreasing team staff.
- There is no additional cost to upgrade to the new version of the app.
I can not find the subscription button on the Mac App Store.
You can subscribe in the app. Please refer to “Subscribe” above.
How do I sign up for a subscription?
You can subscribe in the app. Please refer to “Subscribe“ above.
How can I cancel my subscription?
You can unsubscribe in the app. Please refer to “Unsubscribe“ above.
How can I confirm the the expiration date of subscription?
Please refer to Expiration date to confirm the expiration date of subscription.
Until when should I cancel my subscription?
Unsubscription must be completed 24 hours before the expiration date. Please refer to “Expiration date” to confirm the expiration date of subscription. Please refer to “Unsubscribe” for the cancellation precedure.
Please refer to Expiration date to confirm the expiration date of subscription.
You can unsubscribe in the app. Please refer to “Unsubscribe“ above.
Can companies and organizations subscribe for the number of staff?
Yes.
For details, please visit Apple’s business support page.
Utilizing the Apple Business Manager is a bit circuitous. You need to register your organization's D-U-N-S number and also register an administrator.
So, why not pay 2,000 yen per month to all your staff who use XOR as an "app fee" instead? Then, have each staff sign up for a subscription.
I think XOR is very expensive.…
XOR is an app for professionals who are not allowed to make trivial mistakes in production. Their number is limited. So we decided this price.
Moreover, we have many ideas of functions which could not be included in the current version of XOR due to priority reasons. We would be pleased if you understand that the price includes investment to realize them early.
Is there a packaged version?
No.
Can I purchase with a single payment?
No. It is only a subscription.
Can I purchase it outside the Mac App Store?
No.
Fnction, Specification
Which OS will run XOR?
As follows.
- macOS Big Sur
- macOS Catalina
- macOS Mojave
- macOS High Sierra
Will XOR work on a Mac with M1 chip?
Yes
How much performance Mac is required to use XOR?
It’s okay with an entry level Mac. XOR is a very light app.
Is there a Windows version?
Yes.
However, the Windows version does not yet have the one-stop calibration feature. We will be releasing XOR for Windows with the same functionality as the Mac version in the near future.
Can I compare grayscale PDFs?
Yes.
Can I compare RGB color PDFs?
Yes.
Can I compare CMYK color PDFs?
Yes.
Can I compare spot color PDFs?
No. It may be possible, but it is not guaranteed.
Can I compare other than PDF?
No. If you want to compare images please convert it to PDF.
When comparing with XOR, the text in the PDF is different from the display state of the original application.
The font data may not be embedded in the PDF. For example, if the application is Microsoft Word, please set up PDF export.
Can XOR notify me “how has it changed” not only “where”?
No.
For example, we can develop software logic to analyze and compare between old PDF and new PDF. It is effective if the order and number of all elements in both PDFs are the same. However, if some elements are moved or new things are inserted during the modification, the logic may report an incorrect comparison result because wrong element pairing will occur.
Also, even if the logic accurately reports “where has changed”, humans have to verify that it has been modified as intended. This circumstance will not be solved until the artificial intelligence technology catches up with humans.
Therefore, XOR only judges “where has changed”.
Are you planning to release the next version?
The current version of XOR does not have the features I want.
We hope so. We have lots of ideas of unrealized features.
However, the timing of the upgrade depends on the revenue of this app. That day may come sooner if you have recommended XOR to your colleagues or person who works in the same field.
Others
How should I call “XOR”?
Please pronounce it as | eks | oʊ | ɑːr |.
What is the origin of the name “XOR” ?
It is “eXclusive OR”. We expressed it as exclusive OR about how to find differences by overlapping pages.
What is FROGFISH?
Frogfish is the name of a very popular fish in scuba diving.
About 50 kinds of members of Frogfish have been found. Some species of frogfish can hunt other fishes using their own fishing rods and simulated bait.
What is the stripe pattern image used for the cover image of this website?
It is the face of a very rare fish called Psychedelic Frogfish.
Privacy
XOR is an offline application. It does not collect or transmit personal information or data other than subscription procedures.
Personal data when someone is inquired from this website will be used only for user support.
Terms of Use
Last updated: October 25, 2019
This document is the terms of use for the application "XOR" provided by FROGFISH.JP. Please read the following carefully before using XOR.
If you do not agree to some of the terms, you can not use this app. By using this app, you are agreeing to these terms.
Subscription
XOR is provided with the subscription agreement. The subscription rate is ¥2,000 or equivalent amount in local currency par a month. The contract will be renewed automatically every month unless you turn off automatic renew option until 24 hours before the expiration. The fee will be charged to your iTunes account monthly. You can use XOR until the expiration after unsubscribe. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period.
Free trial
If you use XOR for the first time, there is a 30 day free trial period. Subscription agreement is necessary to use it after that. If you subscribe within the trial period, the remaining trial period will expire.
Free change
FROGFISH.JP may modify the subscription fees by sole discretion. The new fee will be applied after next update of the agreement.
Refund
Except when required by law, paid subscription fees are non-refundable.