Hi! My kid needs to use some special software due to some underlying issues. I was looking into how it works and it basically loads a PDF version of his books and then just allows him to digitally use the exercises by adding text, drawing, etc. It also has TTS functionality but we don’t use it.
As the annotation is the most important part of this software, I’m looking for something similar, basically non-destructive overlaying of a PDF, and the ability to edit these overlayed annotations at a later time, removing or changing answers given in the digital textbook.
They are currently using software that is in general use, but it’s licensed and calling it “janky” is wording things friendly. I’m not looking to replace this software, just doing some research.
So, to summarize, I’m wondering if there already is a FLOSS program that allows you to annotate a PDF (not edit! the contents that are already in the PDF may not be changed) by adding text, drawing lines or shapes, etc.
What you want is Xournal++
It allows creating a layer which can be saved as a separate file and edited later, then if you want a modified PDF with the overlaid changes just “export as PDF”
nice! does the export keep the overlay as a layer?
does it matter? the export is like printing out a doc. you can still go back and change the non pdf file. So if you wrote a paper in word, printed it out, and handed it in and the teacher gave you back a marked up one you could still open your word doc and do the edits.
Pdf is more flexible than printing a doc. The format supports layers, so it would avoid losing information if it saves as a layer visible in the default view. This certainly matters in some cases.
well I mean sure but the answer works for his use case and I did not see anything better listed when I read through yesterday. I mean yeah better would be better.
I dont know
So this might be an odd pick and it might be a bit limited but… Firefox.
I just tried it, and yeah, if I add lines to a PDF, then I save it, and then I reopen it in Firefox, I can move or delete those lines again. Same with text that I’ve added.
Firefox has been my go-to reader for the past year. If the editing tools were improved it’d be perfect.
I did a really quick look at what firefox could do, but was only able to highlight text, might have to look into it little further with the manual. Thank you.
hmm I can definitely do this with my Supernote A5 eink tablet.
Both Inkscape and Gimp can open multipage pdfs as seperate pages too… yeah that is directly editing though.
Have you considered just using something with version history support and keep the PDF there? That way you can just revert to old versions as needed. Foss option that comes to mind would be nextcloud. Also would mean if students tried to change things after it’s been graded, you have a version of the graded version. Then you could use whatever pdf edit/annotation software you want.
If you’re adding anything and it stays, you’re directly editing the file unless you save as. To that extent, your request confuses me.
Check out Okular. FOSS, allows annotations, can save as, I think.
The form filling and annotation options are what you’re looking for in it. They’re a little kludgy, but definitely workable.
I’m not saying it needs to be saved as the same document, I’m saying it definitely shouldn’t be. The software probably saves to a copy or a different format that holds the edits and a reference to the original pdf, idk not really relevant. It should simply not be possible to edit the original. Kids editing what is essentially a handbook is not ok, only annotations or forms are allowed, as long as they are erasable/editable later, say a few weeks, when tasks are graded and mistakes are corrected.
Can you not make a clean copy elsewhere before use?
Say you are a child. Make the exercise on page 11. Close the file, few days later you open the file and show the teacher. They go over the mistakes and you need to change some answers, or remove all answers and try again as a way of practicing. That’s the use case.
A clean copy is a given, but editing different parts, like they are layers, is a must for it to be practical.
If you want to save the changes, you are creating a modified PDF file. If you don’t want to save the changes, don’t save them when you close the editor (a lot of browsers could do this, aside from open PDF editors). There are ways to overwrite file changes too, to reset files to their original.
If you are concerned for the original, use backup copies.
I use libre office draw, the underlying PDF is editable, but there may be a way to lock it like layers or something
Every foss pdf editor I’ve tried has been janky. Nothing gives true pdf editing capabilities.
Masterpdf is available on linux, its paid and not Foss but actually works
The pdf itself cannot be edited, it would allow anyone to alter the textbooks, it can only be annotated.
Unless its password protected apps like masterpdf and nitropdf for windows can edit anything in the pdf
Sure, but why would I allow kids to alter their textbooks?
