Putting an arrow on a picture

[canav8]

Can anyone offer suggestion as to how and place an arrow on a picture to show or emphasis something on this forum board? Is there a program in the Windows format that I can use or do I have to go out and buy a program? Bruce can you offer a suggestion? Thanks, Doug

[DaveF]

You can use Paint to add simple lines and text to jpgs. It doesn't have an arrow, but you can make one with lines, like this:

scott3200explodedviewTESTMARKUP.JPG

[canav8]

Thanks Dave, that was what I was looking for. Is Paint included in most Windows packages or is it a purchased program? Thanks, Doug

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Doug,

I'm fortunate to have and know how to use the top of the line software like PhotoShop and Illustrator. These are all very expensive and overkill for what you want. As Dave has already suggested there are several paint type programs available for free download that I'm sure are capable of drawing an arrow either automatically or manually.

I just looked at my wife's windows computer which is running Vista and it has Paint which seems to be part of the system I'll bet Windows XP and Windows 7 has it as well.

I could not start the paint program except to choose a file I might want to open and using the right click and "open with" option choosing Paint. Once there you can draw arrows and save the file. I also downloaded a free program called Paint.net which is a pretty neat looking photo/image editing software but like PhotoShop is overkill just to draw arrows.

One problem you will have is that if your trying to open a PDF file like our IPC is like to be in, the paint programs won't open a PDF. Even PhotoShop will only open a single page PDF but I have a work around for that.

In your case if you want to put an arrow on a PDF page what you first need to do is open the PDF in the PDF reader and go to the page you want to draw on. Select the entire page and copy it to your computer clip board. Use control-c to copy. You may also be able to select just a portion of the page to copy I can't remember.

Then open your paint program. If your using the paint already part of Vista you actually seem to have to open another image file with the right click open with function. Once the paint is open open a new image. This will be blank. Paste the image you copied from the PDF file into the blank file you now have open. You can use control-v to paste this file. Using the line or pencil tool draw your arrows and insert text if you want then save the file as a jpeg or your choice of image.

Pretty simple.

BTW you can copy and paste using your mouse with the right click as well as the short cut commands I gave. If your using a MAC you would is command-c and -v instead of control and MAC software doesn't come with a paint program so some free utility would have to be acquired. Most MAC users with the exception of Pres. Wood already know this stuff.

[DaveF]

In XP you can start Paint by clicking Start-->Programs-->Accessories-->Paint .

It's a simple program that does a few things pretty well but others not at all. The big difference between Paint and something like PowerPoint or Photoshop is that there are no layers or independent superimposed pieces of the image. It's all one picture, so once you've created or placed the lines, arrows, or text, they become part of the picture. You can't grab them and move them again, so make sure each edit is exactly what you want before moving on. You'll get very familiar with Ctrl-Z (undo)!

As Bruce said, Paint won't work on pdfs, but it will work with many other formats.

[cessna170bdriver]

...As Bruce said, Paint won't work on pdfs, ...

Actually it will, indirectly, at least in XP. bring up your pdf to the size you want, hit Ctrl+Print Screen to save a copy of the screen to the clipboard, then open Paint and hit Ctrl+V (Paste). You then use the Select tool and copy (Ctrl+C) just the part you want, then paste it into a New file. When you're done with editing, use Save As... to save it as a jpeg; otherwise it will save as a HUGE bitmap (.bmp) file.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Miles what you described is just another way to get the PDF image into the computers clip board.

I didn't think to look in the Vista accessories for the paint program if there is even a place in Vista.

I personally would download Paint.net (which I did) and use it because it does have layers.

[cmsusllc]

When you are talking airplanes I'm right in there and understand most everything. Been trying to read and understand this thread....... time to go mix a drink, sit down and relax, try to forget the mush that hasn't a chance of settling in my head.
Scott ..... 53B

[GAHorn]

Yaaawwnn.
I've got a new Lawn Tractor.
It's red.

YT3000.jpg

Sorry Doug! Couldn't resist. I'm computer challenged too.

[flyguy]

Yaaawwnn.
I've got a new Lawn Tractor.
It's red.
Sorry Doug! Couldn't resist. I'm computer challenged too.

IIMA WANT TO "KLIK" TO ERASE NOT "ENLARG"
.
URE LIL PUT PUT AINI'T BESBUY BY A YARD OR DRIVEWAY AN URE GONNA WISH U HAD ARMOR TYRES IFN U GO MOWIN OUT THARE WHAR WE SHOT UP THEM PRIKERLY PAIR CAKTUSES. ! U SHUDA BOT A SHERMAN TANK AND JUS MASH THU GRASS DOUN.

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