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Erynn16B8
Erynn16B8
Participating Frequently
December 16, 2020
Question

Pencil Tool Preferences

  • December 16, 2020
  • 4 replies
  • 686 views

Can anyone help me figure out why my pencil tool doesn't hold it's preferences? I like to keep the stroke and color set in a particular way so I can do markups easily, but for some reason the CC version is NOT holding my preferences. 

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4 replies

Erynn16B8
Erynn16B8Author
Participating Frequently
December 22, 2020

Here's a screen capture of the process I'm using in the way I've used it with previous versions.  Typically, i can select the pencil tool and set the stroke (1pt) and color (100y). Then when I draw with it, the tool will remember that's how I'd like it to appear. In this version, it just draws with no stroke or color and I have to THEN go back and set the two to my liking. Anyone got any bright ideas? 

 

   

Barb Binder
Community Expert
Barb BinderCommunity Expert
Community Expert
December 16, 2020

Hi @Erynn16B8:

 

Steve's right—InDesign has never saved the stroke and color with the Pencil tool. Photoshop does remember your last Pencil settings, plus you can save presets. That said, you said you are looking to do "markups easily", so I'm thinking you mean Acrobat/Reader. 

 

After you add markup in Acrobat or Reader, right click it > Properties. Set your favorite color and stroke width then be sure to enablen the Make Properties Default checkbox. Click OK and Acrobat or Reader will remember your settings. If you are using the new Share for Review, be sure to click the Open in Acrobat button to access these controls.

 

 

~Barb 

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
    Steve Werner
    Community Expert
    Steve WernerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 16, 2020

    Good eye, Barb. I could tell he was talking about another application but I missed the phrase, "do markups."

     

     

    Erynn16B8
    Erynn16B8Author
    Participating Frequently
    December 17, 2020

    No, I know what I'm taking about. I worked in publishing for 15 years and used the tool almost daily. I am also a SHE, not a HE 🙂

     

    I'll keep hoping someone can help solve the mystery!

    Erynn16B8
    Erynn16B8Author
    Participating Frequently
    December 16, 2020

    Boy, that's a bummer. The last version did save stroke and color preferences, and it saved me SO much time. Anyone else have the answer?! 🙂

     

    Steve Werner
    Community Expert
    Steve WernerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 16, 2020

    There has NEVER been a version of the Pencil tool in InDesign that saved stroke weight and color preferences. You must be thinking of a different application.

     

    You can't do it in Illustrator either.

    Steve Werner
    Community Expert
    Steve WernerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 16, 2020

    The only Pencil Tool Preferences are the ones you see when you double-click on the tool. It doesn't save the stroke weight or color as a preference:

     

    Erynn16B8
    Erynn16B8Author
    Participating Frequently
    December 16, 2020
    Boy that's a bummer. The last version did and it saved me SO much time!
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