To insert a drawing into a PDF, you'll typically use annotation tools available within a PDF viewer or editor. Here's how to do it, focusing on a common method using Preview on macOS:
Using Preview (macOS)
- Open your PDF: Launch Preview and open the PDF document you want to annotate.
- Access Markup Tools: Click the "Markup" icon (a pen tip inside a circle) in the main toolbar. Alternatively, go to "View" in the menu bar, then select "Show Markup Toolbar".
- Choose a Drawing Tool: The Markup Toolbar provides several tools:
- Sketch: Allows freehand drawing, converting your strokes into refined shapes where possible.
- Draw: Provides freehand drawing without shape correction.
- Draw on the PDF: Select your desired tool and draw directly on the PDF page. You can adjust the color, line thickness, and other properties using the toolbar options.
- Save Your Changes: Preview automatically saves your annotations to the PDF. You can also choose "File" > "Export as PDF..." to create a new PDF with your annotations.
Alternative Methods and Software
While Preview is a simple option, other PDF editors offer more advanced drawing and annotation features:
- Adobe Acrobat: A professional PDF editor with extensive drawing and editing tools, including custom shapes and more precise control over lines and fills.
- Other PDF Editors: Many other PDF editors, such as PDFelement, Nitro PDF, and others, offer similar annotation and drawing capabilities. The exact steps may vary slightly depending on the software. Look for "annotation," "comment," or "markup" tools within the software.
Example Scenario
Imagine you have a construction plan in PDF format, and you want to indicate a specific change. You can open the PDF in Preview, select the "Sketch" tool, choose a bright color, and draw a circle around the area needing modification. You can then add a text box explaining the required change.
