Adding a Signature to a PDF File with Preview Software

It is interesting, having used a Mac for a few years now, that I still am overlooking some of the apps and features.  I discovered the app, Preview, this morning.  Preview allows you to add a signature to a PDF file in less than a minute. Note, Preview is software for the Apple iOS and works on a MacBook or iMac, not a Window PC.

• First sign your name with a black pen on a piece of white paper
• Use Spotlight or open the Applications folder if Preview is not on the desktop menu.
• Open Preview > Preferences > Signatures
• Click Add Signature
• Hold the piece of paper with the signature up in front of the camera
• With the signature on the blue signature line, click Accept
• Open a PDF file (signature only works with PDF files)
• Open Annotations menu in Preview
• Click on the signatures icon
• Click on the place in the PDF file where you want to add the signature

That is all there is to it.  If you had not already created a signature with Preferences, you could create one using the Signature icon in Preview.  The video below from the website at http://revision3.com/tzdaily/sign-pdf-with-preview  reviews the process.

iAnnotate PDF vs PDF-Notes & PDFpen

MacWorld had an article on a new app PDFpen which allows users to annotate PDF files.  pdf-notes and PDFpen are very similar to iAnnotate and identical in cost ($9.99).  iAnnotate PDF iPad App Review provides an excellent review of the iAnnotate app. What is very interesting is a free (ad supported) version of pdf-notes. Of course, I am always looking for free productivity tools for students who encumber great expenses while attending college, as well as others.  A brief comparison of the apps is noted below:

• All include an comprehensive User Guide with screenshots and explanations.  Since the User Guide is a PDF file, users can try out the features while reading the guide.
• All allow the users to link to their Dropbox to retrieve PDFs.  iAnnotate allows users to also connect to WebDAV, or a webpage.  I have only used Dropbox.

What makes pdf-notes distinctive is the the Settings function includes links to the pdf-notes blog, introduction in YouTube. You can also customize the bookshelf theme and change the icon color.  One other feature of pdf-notes is that it allows for mirroring of the iPad2.  Since it is a free app and the ads are not terribly annoying, it is certainly a worthwhile use.