Here's the problem: you have a PDF file. The source document is not available, but there is a last minute edit needed. You need an image added to the PDF. If the original document were at hand, you could open it up with the file's native application and import a new graphic where needed. Just re-convert to PDF with the image in place and your work is done.
Without the original document, you'll need to edit the PDF file itself. How can this be done? There is an Export command under Acrobat's File menu, but no Import. Hmmm… InDesign calls the command required to import an image onto a page 'Place'. But digging through Acrobat's menus doesn't uncover a Place command either.
Acrobat 9 Professional does have a Place command, but you won't find it under any menu. Here's the trick. With your document open, and with the spot you wish to add the image in your view panel, switch over to Acrobat's Touchup Object Tool (it's the right-most tool on the Advanced Editing Toolbar).
Your cursor will become a black arrow with a small square off to its side. Right-click to bring up a shortcut menu. THERE you will find the Place Image command.
Select Place Image and navigate through your file system for the desired image file.
For this example, I used a .png file to take advantage of the file format's transparency capabilities. Once the image is placed, it remains selected, scalable and moveable with the Touchup Object Tool. Once satisfied, you can switch over to the Hand Tool and click on the page to deselect the image. You can tweak the image at any time by using the Touchup Object Tool.
Talk about counter-intuitive. Thanks so much for this tip – I was struggling with it for at least a half-hour. Your solution worked perfectly. I’m still astounded they don’t just have a button or menu item for it though. Grr.
Talk about counter-intuitive. Thanks so much for this tip – I was struggling with it for at least a half-hour. Your solution worked perfectly. I’m still astounded they don’t just have a button or menu item for it though. Grr.
Talk about counter-intuitive. Thanks so much for this tip – I was struggling with it for at least a half-hour. Your solution worked perfectly. I’m still astounded they don’t just have a button or menu item for it though. Grr.
I guess they really don’t want people placing images lol. Just like they used to hide the Save button in Reader :p
I guess they really don’t want people placing images lol. Just like they used to hide the Save button in Reader :p
I guess they really don’t want people placing images lol. Just like they used to hide the Save button in Reader :p
Hey David … was hoping you may answer a question my friend has. I have 9 Pro, and have been popping signatures and dates in a friend’s PDFs (she has a client who continually asks her to do this). But they are becoming so frequent that I suggested she gets her client to pay for her own Acrobat. Problem is, she really doesn’t need it other than for this sole purpose of adding sigs and dates. Will the Standard version do this? She has rung adobe but they have only directed her to a version comparison page (no idea why they can’t just say yeah or nah!!!) Hoping you can help. Thanks heaps – TLC
Hey David … was hoping you may answer a question my friend has. I have 9 Pro, and have been popping signatures and dates in a friend’s PDFs (she has a client who continually asks her to do this). But they are becoming so frequent that I suggested she gets her client to pay for her own Acrobat. Problem is, she really doesn’t need it other than for this sole purpose of adding sigs and dates. Will the Standard version do this? She has rung adobe but they have only directed her to a version comparison page (no idea why they can’t just say yeah or nah!!!) Hoping you can help. Thanks heaps – TLC
Hey David … was hoping you may answer a question my friend has. I have 9 Pro, and have been popping signatures and dates in a friend’s PDFs (she has a client who continually asks her to do this). But they are becoming so frequent that I suggested she gets her client to pay for her own Acrobat. Problem is, she really doesn’t need it other than for this sole purpose of adding sigs and dates. Will the Standard version do this? She has rung adobe but they have only directed her to a version comparison page (no idea why they can’t just say yeah or nah!!!) Hoping you can help. Thanks heaps – TLC
Didn’t work for me? Acrobat 9 OSX.
Didn’t work for me? Acrobat 9 OSX.
Didn’t work for me? Acrobat 9 OSX.
Ok it worked this time. The document it didn’t work on was secured in some way. Thanks
Ok it worked this time. The document it didn’t work on was secured in some way. Thanks
Ok it worked this time. The document it didn’t work on was secured in some way. Thanks
Tracey,
When you say you are popping signatures & dates, are you referring to adding a Digital Signature, or are you placing a scanned image of a handwritten signature? 9 Standard has Dig. Sig. features. I do NOT have 9 Standard running on any of my machines to test its ability to place an object. Another option would be to create a custom Rubber Stamp to apply an image to an existing PDF. I’ll keep digging to see if I can track down a running installation of the Standard version & give it a go.
David
Tracey,
When you say you are popping signatures & dates, are you referring to adding a Digital Signature, or are you placing a scanned image of a handwritten signature? 9 Standard has Dig. Sig. features. I do NOT have 9 Standard running on any of my machines to test its ability to place an object. Another option would be to create a custom Rubber Stamp to apply an image to an existing PDF. I’ll keep digging to see if I can track down a running installation of the Standard version & give it a go.
David
Tracey,
When you say you are popping signatures & dates, are you referring to adding a Digital Signature, or are you placing a scanned image of a handwritten signature? 9 Standard has Dig. Sig. features. I do NOT have 9 Standard running on any of my machines to test its ability to place an object. Another option would be to create a custom Rubber Stamp to apply an image to an existing PDF. I’ll keep digging to see if I can track down a running installation of the Standard version & give it a go.
David
Thanks – This was great advice and I have bookmarked the link
Thanks – This was great advice and I have bookmarked the link
Thanks – This was great advice and I have bookmarked the link
David,
I am trying to figure out how to add a scanned image to multiple pdf pages in one pdf file all at once. Is this possible in Acrobat 8 or 9?
Thanks
Great site
David,
I am trying to figure out how to add a scanned image to multiple pdf pages in one pdf file all at once. Is this possible in Acrobat 8 or 9?
Thanks
Great site
David,
I am trying to figure out how to add a scanned image to multiple pdf pages in one pdf file all at once. Is this possible in Acrobat 8 or 9?
Thanks
Great site
My Verson of Adobe Acrobat 9 does not have the selection ‘TouchUp Object Tool’. Only Analysis/Object Data Tool. How can I add the needed tool ‘TouchUp Object Tool’ to this version?
My Verson of Adobe Acrobat 9 does not have the selection ‘TouchUp Object Tool’. Only Analysis/Object Data Tool. How can I add the needed tool ‘TouchUp Object Tool’ to this version?
My Verson of Adobe Acrobat 9 does not have the selection ‘TouchUp Object Tool’. Only Analysis/Object Data Tool. How can I add the needed tool ‘TouchUp Object Tool’ to this version?
Kristina,
Make sure you unhide the Advanced Editing Toolbar. (Right -click over a blank area of your toolbar area). Once showing, right-click over it to reveal all available tools. It SHOULD be there. If not, let me know here… I’ll dig deeper.
Hope it works,
David
Kristina,
Make sure you unhide the Advanced Editing Toolbar. (Right -click over a blank area of your toolbar area). Once showing, right-click over it to reveal all available tools. It SHOULD be there. If not, let me know here… I’ll dig deeper.
Hope it works,
David
Kristina,
Make sure you unhide the Advanced Editing Toolbar. (Right -click over a blank area of your toolbar area). Once showing, right-click over it to reveal all available tools. It SHOULD be there. If not, let me know here… I’ll dig deeper.
Hope it works,
David
Thanks David, works perfect on Acrobat Pro 9 on OSX !
Thanks David, works perfect on Acrobat Pro 9 on OSX !
Thanks David, works perfect on Acrobat Pro 9 on OSX !