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Participant
August 15, 2017
Answered

Sometimes I can select, move, resize inserted images and other times cannot

  • August 15, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 5041 views

I'm using new subscription copy Acrobat Pro DC - 2017 release.

Here is my issue with images that I have inserted into a document.  I have an image that I convert to PDF.  It fills the page.  I then insert two or three images over the top of that one.  In most cases when I am in the edit function, as I hover my mouse over the image I can select, move, drag resize etc.  Then I move to the 'comments" dialog and add a few text boxes, arrows etc.  Then I decide to go back and re-size or move the smaller overlaid images.  I select edit text and images.  I see message "performing page recognition"...converting scanned image".    Here is where it acts sporadically. Sometimes it allows me to select and move the image normally ( hover my mouse over the image and I see the icon that it is an image.) But other times it behaves as though the overlaid image has "melded" to the large image it was inserted over.  Nothing I can do seems to let me select or otherwise manipulate the smaller inserted image.  

Sometimes this happens when I save and exit the file, then later re-open.  Othertimes it does it when I'm working in the document.

Am I trying to get it to do something it wasn't designed for?  

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Correct answer Dov Isaacs

Quite frankly, yes, you are “trying to get it do something it wasn't designed for.” PDF is really a final form file format, not an editable source document format. And Acrobat's PDF “editing” functions are designed primarily for “touch-up” and minor, corrective editing, not to serve as a full layout program.

Examples of layout software from Adobe includes Illustrator (primarily for sophisticated vector illustration with text and placed raster imagery) and InDesign, an industrial strength layout tool that supports long and graphically-complex documents with placed raster imagery, placed illustrations (such as from Illustrator), and support for a subset of the vector graphics creation and editing available in Illustrator.

          - Dov

4 replies

aaronc46506411
Participant
January 8, 2025

Adobe continues to limit its capability. It's not as good as it once was.  Hopefully, we won't need it at all.

Participant
June 3, 2025

I agree. Its declining and its a shame.  And if Dov really knew his stuff he would have told the guy to zoom out a bit and start his mouse OFF the page and then drag across the page capturing the seemingly now embedded image, Adobe will most times select it. It still won't let you click on it and move it most of the time but you can reposition it using the arrow keys. You'll love working like this because paying top dollar for a program that immulates DOS from a hundred years ago feels so satifying...text boxes act the same way. You can edit the text but not always grab the text box and reposition it. So start off the page and select the text box and then use the arrow keys. Amazingly though,  some days it lets you select the text box or image and move it around. I haven't figured out why it allows it sometimes and other times not though...I'm not sure why such a great program is getting worse and the company seems not to care...

Known Participant
January 22, 2018

Thanks DOV! I am using Pro DC but the other users might not be. Shame.

Besides the edit features for images is there a way to adjust the leading in paragraphs?

Legend
January 23, 2018

Same answer. Please rethink...

Known Participant
January 23, 2018

Actually found software from a company in denmark that seems to be able to do the trick for folks who are mostly PC based. Thanks anyway folks.

Known Participant
January 22, 2018

Dov,

I'm creating a fillable one sheet newsletter for the company I work for where people from different principles will be adding text and images in specific places that I designate. Is it possible to adjust the image size once and image is placed in acrobat? I noticed that it fits to the frame but often the image has white space either at the top or bottom or on the sides. I realize this is not an image editing program but was hoping an option to resize would exist?

Dov Isaacs
Legend
January 22, 2018

If you are using forms for adding / editing text and images, your options are exceptionally limited. The forms feature was not designed to be a replacement for a layout program.

If you are using Acrobat Pro DC's edit function, you can add, resize, and rotate imagery to your hearts content! 

          - Dov

- Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
Dov Isaacs
Dov IsaacsCorrect answer
Legend
August 15, 2017

Quite frankly, yes, you are “trying to get it do something it wasn't designed for.” PDF is really a final form file format, not an editable source document format. And Acrobat's PDF “editing” functions are designed primarily for “touch-up” and minor, corrective editing, not to serve as a full layout program.

Examples of layout software from Adobe includes Illustrator (primarily for sophisticated vector illustration with text and placed raster imagery) and InDesign, an industrial strength layout tool that supports long and graphically-complex documents with placed raster imagery, placed illustrations (such as from Illustrator), and support for a subset of the vector graphics creation and editing available in Illustrator.

          - Dov

- Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
bene11550Author
Participant
August 15, 2017

Dov,

Thanks for your response. Makes sense. I may have to invest in the suite of other tools. 

I often trade design images back and forth with consultants and use inserted images and notes as a quick way to refine ideas.  Adobe basically functions ok for that.  The older Acrobat XI pro version I used seemed to always allow me to right click, select edit image, and then move the image to a new location on the page.  Sometimes older is "better".  But as you say I'm obviously using it for something not really intended.  Otherwise Acrobat is great. 

Thanks

- Ben