Polyline tool
The Polyline tool draws a segmented line. Polylines can be configured so that their start and end points touch or overlap, but they are still considered open lines. For closed shapes, use the Polygon tool. Polylines can also utilize curves and arcs.
For a similar markup with measurements, see the Polylength Measurement tool.
- Select the Polyline tool using one of the following methods:
- Go to Tools > Markup >
Polyline. - Select
on the Shapes toolbar. - Press SHIFT+N.
- Go to Tools > Markup >
- Select a place on the PDF to define the first point of the segmented line.
- Select again to define the next point. A line segment is drawn between this point and the previous one. Repeat as needed.
- To complete the line, double-click when placing the last point or press ENTER after placing the last point.
- To close the line path and connect the last point to the first point, place the last point over the top of the first point or press C on the keyboard after placing the last point.
Tips:
- Hold Shift to draw lines at horizontal, vertical, or 45° angles.
To remove markups from your PDF, do one of the following:
- Select the markup on the PDF or from the Markups list.
- Press Delete on your keyboard, or right-click and select
Delete.
Control points define where line segments meet in a multi-segment markup. Add or remove control points to adjust the shape. See Working with Control Points for more information.
Convert line segments to curves or arcs at control points to match complex shapes. See Working with Curved Markups for more information.
Attach a note to nearly any markup that does not have a text box of its own by double-clicking the markup to open the Note pop-up window. Notes attached to markups are functionally similar to the Note Tool.
You can add an action to almost any markup. Right-click the markup and select Edit Action.
Markups may display indicator icons below and to the right of the markup (or grouped markups). These include:
Action: Shows that an action is defined for this markup. Select to trigger the action.
Capture: Shows that the markup has embedded media (typically an image or video). Select this icon to open a preview window.
Reply: Shows one or more replies exist in the Markups list. Hover to preview replies or select to jump to the markup's entry. Turn off the ability to see reply indicators in the View menu.
Select a markup to reveal its control handles. Each handle controls a different aspect of size and orientation.
Rotate the markup: Drag the orange handle outside the markup (default: 15° increments; hold Shift for 1° increments)
Resize a segment or change its angle: Drag the appropriate yellow handle.
- Hold Ctrl while dragging a yellow control handle to curve the lines attached to it. See Working with Curved Markups for more information.
Scale the markup up or down: Drag the appropriate purple handle.
See Editing Markups for more information.
The appearance of the Polyline markup is configurable, including its color, thickness, pattern, ends, and opacity.
To change the appearance of a Polyline markup, select the markup and select the Properties panel. Go to Window > Panels > Properties to show the Properties panel if it is hidden. Several properties will also be available on the Properties toolbar when the markup is selected.
Color: Sets the line color.
Fill Color: Controls the fill color of the endpoints.
Highlight: Makes the fill color and line transparent so underlying content shows through.
Opacity: Sets opacity level of the line and endpoints, from 0 (invisible) to 100 (opaque).
Line Width: Sets the line thickness in points. A setting of 0 effectively renders the line invisible.
Style: Determines the line pattern. In addition, there are several advanced line styles and you can create Custom Line Styles.
Start and End: Controls the appearance of the endpoints for each side of the line. The diagram below shows samples of each type of endpoint.
Each endpoint has an associated Scale that determines the size of the endpoint in relation to the Line Width. By default, it is set to Auto and will automatically adjust as the Line Width is changed.
