Callout Tool

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Callout Tool


 

Editor-Icon Callout Tool

 


 

Click Callout Tool to add interactive callout annotations to documents:

 

11.callout.tool.location

Figure 1. Tools Tab Submenu. Callout Tool

 

Callout annotations are used to highlight specific document points. When the Callout Tool is selected, click to add callout annotations. The position of the pointer when the mouse is clicked determines the initial position of the arrowhead in the callout arm. Detailed below are callout annotations at three stages of editing:

 

11.callout.tool.example

Figure 2. Callout Tool Example

 

The upper image is how a callout annotation appears when it is first inserted into a document. Enter the desired text using the keyboard. Press Enter to start new lines. Text style options are enabled in the Properties Toolbar when text is being entered. See here for an explanation of these options.

The central image is how a callout annotation appears when text is being entered. Right-click callout annotations at this point to launch the text editing options menu. Text editing options are explained here.

The lower image is how a callout annotation appears when it is completed and subsequently selected.

Click and drag the control points to resize callout annotations.

Click and drag callout annotations to reposition them.

Click and drag the green control point to rotate callout annotations. Hold down Shift to rotate at increments of fifteen degrees.

Use the arrow keys to reposition callout annotations.

Use the editing aids detailed here to assist in the precise placement of callout annotations.

Right-click callout annotations for further options. See here for an explanation of these options.

When the Callout Tool is selected, the following options are enabled in the Properties Toolbar:

Fill Color determines the color of the callout annotation.

Stroke Color determines the the border color of the callout annotation.

Border Style determines the style of the border used around the callout annotation.

Border Width determines the width of the border used around callout annotation.

Line Ending Style determines the shape at the end of the arm that comes from the callout annotation.

Opacity determines the level of transparency for callout annotations and their content.

Blend Mode determines the manner in which callouts blend with underlying content. These options are explained here.

Auto Adjust Arm Position relates to the callout arm. When this setting is disabled the control point from which the callout arm originates remains constant when callout annotations are repositioned. When this setting is enabled the control point from which callout arms originate changes automatically. The control point closest to the end of the callout arm will be used.

Keep Selected determines whether or not the Callout Tool remains selected after a callout annotation has been created. If this option is enabled then the tool will remain selected and can be used to create several callout annotations consecutively. If this option is not enabled then PDF-XChange Editor will revert to the designated default tool immediately after creating a callout text annotation.

Exclusive Mode simplifies the process of using the Callout Tool. When Exclusive Mode is enabled, the pointer ignores all interactive elements of documents other than base content. This makes it possible to create callouts on areas that overlap with other content without the risk of accidentally selecting undesired items. When Exclusive Mode is disabled, the pointer recognizes and interacts with all underlying elements in the standard manner.

Click Properties to view/edit the Callout Tool Properties pane. See here for information on tool properties.

The Commenting section of the Preferences dialog box can be used to view/edit preferences for comments.

The Comment Styles Palette can be used to save customized callout annotation styles for subsequent use. Right-click the Callout icon in the Commenting Toolbar to view existing styles and/or access the Comment Styles Palette.

 

Please note that to select text after a callout text box has been completed it is necessary to click to select the callout text box and then click again to select the text. This is because PDF-XChange Editor must recognize callout text boxes and the text that they contain as separate items as they feature different editing options. See here for information on editing callout text boxes.