How to Edit a PDF Object in Photoshop from Acrobat DC
Question details
The user wants to open and edit an image or object embedded in a PDF directly in Photoshop using Adobe Acrobat DC.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to quick-edit a selected PDF object in an external image editor like Photoshop.
- Observed behavior
- The Alt-double-click shortcut from older Acrobat versions is no longer available in Acrobat DC, requiring users to navigate through the Edit PDF tool instead.
Ensure that Adobe Photoshop is installed on your computer and properly configured as your primary image editor in Adobe Acrobat's preferences.
Use the Edit PDF Tool to Open Objects in Photoshop
Since the Alt-double-click shortcut was removed in Acrobat DC, you must use the Edit PDF tool's contextual menu to access external image editors.
Acrobat DC requires users to explicitly enter the editing mode to modify embedded objects. While it adds a step compared to older versions, it provides more granular control over which external application handles the selected object.
Launch Adobe Acrobat DC, open your PDF document, and select the 'Edit PDF' tool from the right-hand pane.
Click on the specific image or object you wish to edit within the document to select it.
Right-click the selected image, choose 'Edit Using', and select 'Adobe Photoshop' (or your preferred image editor from the list).
Make your desired changes in Photoshop, save the file (Ctrl+S or Cmd+S), and close the Photoshop window. The object will automatically update in your Acrobat PDF.
Disable Automatic Text Recognition (OCR)
Prevent Acrobat DC from automatically converting or modifying image content when entering editing mode.
Easily Edit and Replace PDF Images with WPS Office
If you need a straightforward way to edit, extract, or replace images in a PDF, WPS Office offers a powerful built-in PDF editor. You can seamlessly manage PDF objects without relying on complex external software workflows.
- 1. Open PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your target PDF file.
- 2. Access the Edit tools: Navigate to the 'Edit' tab on the top ribbon and select 'Edit Content'.
- 3. Select the image: Click on the image you want to modify to reveal the bounding box and selection handles.
- 4. Modify the object: Right-click the image to access built-in tools to extract, replace, rotate, or delete the object directly within the PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I restore the Alt-double-click shortcut in Acrobat DC?
No, Acrobat DC does not include a setting to restore the legacy Alt-double-click shortcut. You must use the 'Edit PDF' tool and right-click the object to select 'Edit Using'.
How do I change the default image editor in Acrobat DC?
Go to Edit > Preferences (Windows) or Acrobat > Preferences (Mac). Select 'Content Editing' from the left categories. Under 'Image Editor', click the 'Image Editor' button, browse your computer for the executable file of Photoshop or your preferred software, and click OK.
Why does my PDF image become blurry after editing in Photoshop?
This typically happens if a vector object (like a logo or chart) is rasterized when opened in a pixel-based image editor like Photoshop. To maintain quality, it is recommended to edit vector artwork in Adobe Illustrator or the original source application.
Why does Acrobat try to convert my image to text when I open Edit PDF?
Acrobat DC has an automatic OCR (Optical Character Recognition) feature enabled by default for scanned documents. You can disable this by unchecking 'Recognize text' in the Edit PDF panel settings to prevent unwanted conversion.
