I am having a problem with MacBook Pro Preview app. I am sporadically unable to use the selection tool to copy images and create a new file from the clipboard. The new file is blank. When I return to the original pdf, the text is blurry. Anyone have any suggestions? I saw some discussion thread that suggested restarting in safe mode. This did not work.
Thanks,
Dave
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014), macOS Sierra (10.12.5), Preview Application
When you use the rectangular selection tool, you can copy that image selection to the clipboard, and then, with Preview still open, choose File menu : New from Clipboard, and then export that new image (it is already in PDF format) as a standalone PDF. You can also paste from the Clipboard into TextEdit, Pages, etc and it will be received as a PDF object.
The first paragraph is dependent on the security settings of the specific PDF, and whether it permits selection, and copying.
You could use Command+Shift+4, drag the area to copy on the screen, this will save the area as a PNG onto the desktop.
When I want to copy areas from a PDF I usually use Adobe Acrobat Marquee Copy tool.
Some PDFs have protection that does not permit copying their content, but there are apps that can remove this protection, like Ovis pdf-Recover
That's neat trick and it works. I don't know if it solves my original issue of sporadically not being able to use the rectangular selection tool to select, copy, and create a new window from the clipboard, since the issue has mysteriously gone away. But the shortcut is a good one. Thanks for sharing it. Dave
Hi VikingOSX:
The solution you describe is exactly what I was doing when I had the issue. The "new from clipboard" was always blank and the original pdf showed up blurry. As I said, this is a sporadic issue. I didn't do anything in particular to fix it and it is now not an issue, so at least I can get my work done (today). It has occurred in the past and I am sure it will happen again.
Thanks for your reply.
Dave
Preview Copy to Clipboard Problem
