How to Use the Sketch Tool in Preview

Have you ever needed to quickly annotate or draw on an image or PDF document on your Mac? Look no further than the Sketch tool in Preview! This built-in feature allows you to easily add drawings, shapes, and annotations to your files. In this tutorial, we will walk you through how to use the Sketch tool in Preview on your Mac. Let's get started!

Step 1: Opening the File in Preview

1. Locate the image or PDF file you want to edit and right-click on it.
2. From the context menu, select "Open With" and choose "Preview" from the options. The file will open in Preview.

Step 2: Activating the Sketch Tool

1. In the top menu bar, click on the "Markup" button. It is represented by a toolbox icon and is located between the "Edit" and "Share" buttons.
2. A new toolbar will appear just below the top menu bar. Click on the "Sketch" button in the toolbar, which looks like a pencil.

Step 3: Using the Drawing Tools

1. Once you have activated the Sketch tool, you can start drawing on your image or PDF.

2. In the toolbar, you will find various options for drawing tools. Let's go over each one:

   • Pencil: The default tool is the pencil. Select it from the toolbar and click and drag on the image or PDF to draw freehand strokes. You can change the color and thickness of the pencil strokes using the options in the toolbar.

   • Shape: Click on the "Shape" button in the toolbar to access different shape options such as rectangle, oval, line, and arrow. Select a shape, then click and drag on the image or PDF to draw the shape. You can customize the color, thickness, and fill of the shape using the options in the toolbar.

   • Text: If you want to add text annotations, click on the "Text" button in the toolbar. Click on the location where you want to add text, and a text box will appear. Type your desired text and customize the font, size, and color using the options in the toolbar.

   • Color Picker: To change the color of your drawing or annotation, click on the "Color Picker" button in the toolbar. A color palette will appear, allowing you to select a new color.

3. Experiment with the different drawing tools and options until you achieve the desired annotations on your file.

Step 4: Editing and Deleting Annotations

1. If you want to make changes to an existing annotation, simply click on it. Handles will appear around the annotation, indicating that it is selected.
2. To resize an annotation, click and drag one of the handles.
3. To move an annotation, click and drag it to a new location on the image or PDF.
4. To delete an annotation, select it and press the "Delete" or "Backspace" key on your keyboard.

Step 5: Saving and Sharing Your Modified File

1. Once you have finished sketching and annotating your file, click on the "File" menu in Preview's top menu bar.
2. From the dropdown menu, select "Save" to save the changes to the original file, or choose "Export" to save the modified file as a new document.
3. You can now share your annotated file with others via email, messaging apps, or any other preferred method.

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to use the Sketch tool in Preview to sketch, annotate, and draw on your images and PDFs. Start exploring the possibilities and unleash your creativity!