PaintlustratorPaintlustrator guide · PDF import
How to draw over a PDF on iPad with Apple Pencil
Import a PDF page as a reference, then sketch or trace above it on a separate layer. Paintlustrator lets you choose the page and import quality, draw with Apple Pencil or touch, and export your new artwork as an SVG.
1. Choose your PDF
Use the app’s import control and select a PDF through Files. Choose a document you own or have permission to use, such as a sketch or layout you made yourself.
2. Select a page and quality
In the PDF import dialog, choose the page you want to work with and its import quality. If a large page is difficult to import, try a lower quality setting.
3. Draw on a separate layer
Add a drawing layer above the imported reference. Sketch or trace with Apple Pencil or touch. Keeping the reference and your new drawing separate makes it easier to revise your work.
4. Save your project and export your artwork
Save the editable project so you can return to its layers. When you are ready to share an SVG, open Export SVG and choose the file-saving or sharing option. Follow the SVG export guide for the full workflow.
Does PDF import convert a PDF into vectors?
No. Paintlustrator imports the selected page as a raster reference image. Text and shapes in the original PDF do not become individually editable vector objects. You can draw new artwork above the reference, but this is not automatic PDF-to-SVG vector conversion.
Try drawing over your own PDF
Bring a page into Paintlustrator and use it as the starting point for a new drawing. PDF text and shapes remain part of a reference image; this workflow does not edit the original PDF objects.
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