Add annotations to your Logic PDF manuals

[PaulSC]

Suppose you come across useful information or a handy tip in a forum such as Logic Pro Help, and you want to be sure you can find it when you need it later. Using the annotation features in Apple's Preview (and probably also Adobe's Acrobat), you can capture information from the internet and incorporate it directly into your Logic PDF manuals.

 

For instance. David posted this particularly clever technique for creating a new hyper set automatically from track automation data. Not something I need to do right at this moment, but definitely something that's going to be useful to me later -- if I can remember it!

 

Here are two methods for capturing information such as the hyper set tip and stashing it in the PDF manual. These instructions are for Apple's Preview software.

 

NOTE ANNOTATION

If the information is relatively concise and text-based, this method works well:

1. Copy the information to the clipboard.

2. Open the PDF manual In Preview and go to the most relevant section. (You can add the same annotation in multiple locations if you really can't decide.)

3. In Preview's Tools menu, choose Annotate > Add Note.

4. Click the crosshair cursor where you want to position your note marker (e.g. in the margin). An empty note will open. Paste your copied text.

5. Save the PDF to permanently incorporate the annotation.

 

LINK ANNOTATION

If the information is lengthier or picture-based, this method is useful. (But web content comes and goes, so you have to trust that the link won't die.)

1. Copy a link to the web page or specific post that interests you.

2. Open the PDF manual In Preview and select the most relevant heading. (You can add the same annotation to multiple headings if you really can't decide.)

3. In Preview's Tools menu, choose Annotate > Add Link.

4. In the Inspector window that opens, set the Action to "URL". Then paste the URL in the window at the bottom of the Inspector.

5. Crosshatching over the selected text in the manual indicates the presence of your new link -- but it won't be there the next time you open the PDF. So, finally: while the text is still selected, choose Tools > Mark Up > Underline Text (or Highlight Text if you prefer) so you can find the Link when you need it later.

 

DELETING AN ANNOTATION

Open the Inspector window. Double-click the text annotation (or check "Edit Link Annotations" and double-click on the link highlight); a grey highlight appears around it. Then press Delete on your keyboard.

 

CREATING A "CLEAN" BACKUP OF THE MANUAL BEFORE YOU START

If you want to preserve a copy of the manual in its factory state, you'll find it tucked away inside the Logic Package Contents. Find the Logic application, right-click, and choose "Show Package Contents." Then navigate to Contents > Resources > English.lproj > Logic Pro Help, where you'll find the Logic Pro 8 User Manual. Save a copy in a safe location.