Line Tool
Click Line Tool to add line annotations to documents:
Figure 1. Tools Tab Submenu, Line Tool
The Line Tool is used to add line annotations to documents. When it is selected the pointer becomes a crosshairs icon. Click to initiate a line annotation, then drag to the desired location and click to complete the operation:
Figure 2. Line Annotation Examples
The lower line has just been placed, which means editing options are enabled:
•Click and drag the control points to reposition line endings.
•Click and drag line annotations to reposition it.
•Use the arrow keys to reposition line annotations. Hold down Shift to move at an increased increment.
•Use the editing aids detailed here to assist in the precise placement of line annotations.
•Right-click line annotations for further options. See here for an explanation of these options.
•Hold down Shift to create line annotations at increments of fifteen degrees.
•When the Line Tool is selected, the following options are enabled in the Properties Toolbar:
•Fill Color determines the fill color of the Line Starting/Ending Styles, detailed below, when closed-shape options are used.
•Stroke Color determines the line annotation color.
•Border Style determines the line annotation style.
•Border Width determines the size of the Line Starting/Ending Styles detailed below.
•Line Starting Style determines the style used at the start of line annotations.
•Line Ending Style determines the style used at the end of line annotations.
•Opacity determines the level of transparency in line annotations.
•Blend Mode determines how line annotations blend with underlying content. These options are explained here.
•Keep Selected determines whether or not the Line Tool remains selected after an annotation has been created. If this option is enabled then the tool will remain selected and can be used to create several line annotations consecutively. If this option is not enabled then PDF-XChange Editor will revert to the designated default tool immediately after creating a single annotation.
•Exclusive Mode simplifies the process of using the Line Tool. When Exclusive Mode is enabled, the pointer ignores all interactive elements of documents other than base content. This makes it possible to create content 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 usual manner.
•Click Properties to view/edit additional line annotation properties, as detailed below.
•Note that several default styles are available for line annotations. Right-click the Line icon in the Comment Toolbar to view existing styles and/or access the Comment Styles Palette, which can be used to save customized line annotation styles for subsequent use.
•The Commenting section of the Preferences dialog box can be used to view/edit preferences for comments.
Line Properties Pane
Figure 3. Line Properties Pane
•Subject is the name of the line annotation, as referenced in the Comments pane.
•Author is the name of the user that created the line annotation.
•Name is the unique name of the line annotation, as referenced within the application.
•Created is the date and time at which the line annotation was created.
•Modified is the date and time at which the line annotation was last modified.
•Read Only is the read only status of the line annotation. If this property is enabled then users cannot interact with the annotation. Please note that it is necessary to use JavaScript to change the value of this property.
•Printable is the print status of the line annotation. If this property is enabled then the annotation is printed with the document. If this property is not enabled then the annotation is not printed.
•Locked is the locked status of the line annotation. If this property is enabled then the annotation cannot be deleted and its properties (including its position and size) cannot be modified by users.
•Layer specifies the optional content layer to which the line annotation belongs. Further information about layers is available here.
•Fill Color determines the color of the line ending style used at the start of the line annotation. The line ending property is detailed below.
•Stroke Color determines the color of the line annotation.
•Opacity determines the level of transparency in the line annotation.
•Blend Mode determines how line annotations blend with overlapping content. These options are explained here.
•Start determines the line ending style used at the start of the line annotation.
•End determines the line ending style used at the end of the line annotation.
•Start Scale determines the size of the line ending used at the start of the line annotation.
•End Scale determines the size of the line ending used at the end of the line annotation.
•Leader Length determines the length of the leader lines used for the line annotation. Leader lines extend from each endpoint of the line annotation, perpendicular to the annotation itself.
•Leader Extension determines the length of leader line extensions that extend from the line annotation.
•Leader Offset determines the length of the leader line offset, which is the amount of empty space between the endpoints of the line annotation and the beginning of the leader lines.
•Show Caption determines whether or not the text contained in the pop-up note of the annotation is displayed.
•Inline Caption determines whether or not the caption is an inline caption. If this option is enabled then captions are placed inside the line annotation instead of on top of the line annotation.
•Length determines the length of the line annotation.
Convert Line Annotations to Distance Annotations
If you want to convert line annotations to distance annotations, then right-click the annotation and click Convert to Measurement:
Figure 4. Right-Click Shortcut Menu, Convert to Measurement Highlighted
The annotation will then convert into a distance annotation. Note that it is possible to convert multiple annotations at the same time.