How to Change the Stylus and Drawing Tool Color in Adobe Acrobat
Question details
The user wants to know how to change the ink color of the stylus or pen annotation tool in Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat / Acrobat Reader
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Annotating or signing a PDF document using a stylus or the built-in drawing tools.
- Observed behavior
- The drawing tool defaults to a specific color, and the user needs to customize it to another color for their annotations and save it as the default.
Ensure you have your PDF document open in Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader and that the Comment or Markup toolbar is active.
Change Drawing Color via Tool Properties
Access the annotation tool properties to change the stylus or pen color and optionally set it as the new default.
The most direct way to modify your stylus or pen color is by using the Properties toolbar. This allows you to pick a new color and prevent the tool from reverting to its previous default in future sessions.
Open your PDF in Acrobat, go to the 'Tools' menu, select 'Comment', and click on the drawing or pen annotation tool from the toolbar.
Right-click the drawing tool icon or press 'Ctrl + E' (Windows) or 'Cmd + E' (Mac) to open the floating Tool Properties toolbar.
Click on the color swatch within the Properties toolbar and choose your preferred ink color, such as black, blue, or a custom shade.
To keep this color for future annotations, check the 'Make Properties Default' option in the properties menu.
Annotate PDFs Easily with WPS Office
WPS Office provides an intuitive and user-friendly PDF editor. You can seamlessly highlight, draw, and change your stylus color instantly without navigating through complex hidden menus.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your desired PDF document.
- 2. Access the Comment tab: Navigate to the 'Comment' tab located on the top ribbon.
- 3. Select the Doodle tool: Click on 'Doodle' or the drawing pen icon to activate the freehand drawing mode.
- 4. Change the color instantly: Click the color palette directly next to the drawing tool in the ribbon to select your preferred stylus color and adjust the line thickness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Adobe Acrobat pen tool always revert to red?
If you haven't checked the 'Make Properties Default' option after changing the color, Acrobat will revert to the original default color the next time you open the program. To fix this, change the color in the Tool Properties bar and explicitly set it as the default.
Can I change the thickness of the drawing tool in Acrobat?
Yes. You can adjust the line thickness (stroke weight) in the same Tool Properties toolbar ('Ctrl + E' or 'Cmd + E') where you change the drawing color.
Is there a quick keyboard shortcut to access the color properties in Acrobat?
Yes, pressing 'Ctrl + E' on Windows or 'Cmd + E' on a Mac opens the Properties toolbar for the currently selected tool, allowing you to quickly change its color and formatting settings.
Does WPS Office support changing stylus colors for PDF annotations?
Absolutely. WPS Office features a dedicated 'Comment' tab where you can select the Doodle tool and instantly choose from a variety of colors and line weights for your stylus directly from the main ribbon.
