Add shapes?

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ltearth
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Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2025 4:27 pm

Add shapes?

Post by ltearth »

I am creating a document with forms. I want to add a square behind some text to add some color to my sheet. I can not find a shape tool. I can add a square comment but it does not go behind my text, even if I send it to the lowest layer. Is this possible? I'd hate to start over in Bluebeam or Affinity to just add a shape.
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Daniel - PDF-XChange
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Re: Add shapes?

Post by Daniel - PDF-XChange »

Hello, ltearth

Comments in PDF are required by the specification to always be on top of base content items like text.
That said, you have two options, using "blend modes" to emulate the text being in front of the comment, when really it just "passes through" instead:
(below is a GIF animation, click to play)
PXCEditor_SRam6FudBB.gif
Alternatively, you can right click on the comment to "flatten" it (converting it to another base content item - and then switch to the Edit objects tool, click the new object, and then from the "arrange" tab, use "send to back":
(below is another GIF animation)
PXCEditor_ebBy3SDe2i.gif
Kind regards,
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ltearth
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Re: Add shapes?

Post by ltearth »

Excellent, thank you!
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PHK
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Re: Add shapes?

Post by PHK »

I prefer to use the Highlight Selected Area tool to do something like this (and I use it a lot).

image.png

I select a rectangular area like this

image(3).png

And this is the final look.

image(6).png

Of course, the color and the opacity are strictly a matter of taste and easily adjusted. Text can be added in the Comments box (I have added "IMPORTANT!") and that text will show when the cursor is not moving and if you are in non-Exclusive mode. Unfortunately, I cannot provide a screenshot of that because if I try to select a screenshot area, the pop-up text goes away.
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All best,

FringePhil