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How to Use Apple Pencil for Freehand Drawing in Acrobat on iPad
Question details
The user wants to know how to utilize an Apple Pencil to draw freehand on PDF documents in Acrobat Reader on an iPad, and how to modify the drawing's properties.
- Product
- Acrobat Reader
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Annotating or drawing on a PDF document natively using an Apple Pencil.
- Observed behavior
- The user needs to find the correct menu to enable freehand drawing tools in Acrobat Reader to draw, save, and adjust the color, thickness, and opacity of the annotations.
Ensure your Apple Pencil is securely paired with your iPad via Bluetooth, sufficiently charged, and that you have the latest version of Acrobat Reader installed from the App Store.
Draw Freehand Using Apple Pencil in Acrobat Reader
Use the built-in freehand drawing mode in Acrobat Reader to easily annotate your PDF documents directly with your Apple Pencil.
Acrobat Reader for iPad fully supports the Apple Pencil, allowing you to bypass standard text editing and draw directly on the document. This is ideal for signing documents, circling important information, or taking handwritten notes.
Launch the Acrobat Reader app on your iPad and open the PDF file you wish to annotate.
Long-press on an empty area of the PDF page. When the context menu appears, select the 'Freehand' option.
Begin drawing or writing directly on the document using your Apple Pencil.
Once you have finished your freehand drawing, tap the 'Save' button located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
To modify an existing drawing, simply tap on it. A menu will pop up allowing you to adjust the thickness, color, or opacity of your strokes.
Annotate PDFs with Apple Pencil using WPS Office
WPS Office offers robust and highly intuitive PDF editing tools for iPad users. You can easily draw, write, and highlight on your PDFs using your Apple Pencil with exceptional precision, all within a familiar and user-friendly interface.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office from the App Store on your iPad and open your PDF file within the app.
- 2. Enter Annotation Mode: Tap the 'Annotation' or 'Edit' tab located at the top of the screen to reveal the drawing toolbar.
- 3. Select the Pen Tool: Choose the 'Pen' tool from the toolbar and customize your preferred ink color and stroke thickness.
- 4. Draw with Apple Pencil: Write or draw directly on the PDF pages. The app automatically distinguishes between your Apple Pencil for drawing and your fingers for scrolling.
- 5. Save Your File: Tap the save icon in the top left to preserve your freehand annotations and sync them to your cloud storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Apple Pencil not drawing in Acrobat Reader?
Ensure that the Apple Pencil is securely paired with your iPad via Bluetooth and adequately charged. Also, check that you have selected the Freehand tool from the context menu, as drawing won't work in standard viewing or text-selection modes.
Can I erase freehand drawings in Acrobat Reader?
Yes, you can easily remove your drawings. Tap on the specific freehand drawing you wish to remove to select it, and then tap 'Delete' from the pop-up context menu.
Does this drawing feature work on an iPhone without an Apple Pencil?
Yes, Acrobat Reader allows freehand drawing on the iPhone as well. You can use your finger or a capacitive stylus to draw by long-pressing an empty area and selecting the Freehand tool, just like on the iPad.
How do I change the color of a drawing I already saved?
To change the color of an existing annotation, simply tap on the freehand drawing on your PDF page. A formatting menu will appear that allows you to select a new color, adjust the line thickness, or change the stroke opacity.
