Viewing a PDF

Front view of the Buzzbee earflap pixie Hat in blue. Post title is at the bottom

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All of the premium patterns and eBooks available from Woolly Wormhead come in PDF format. This handy guide will show you the best way to view your PDFs and get the most from them.

It should be noted that in the examples given I’m using the free Adobe Reader, which the majority of users will already have installed. If you use a different PDF reader, it will have the same options and functions for viewing.

1) Firstly, you will want to open the file. Double clicking on the file icon will open the PDF in your default PDF reader.
2) The PDF will now open, and your screen will look similar to this. However, this is not set up for optimum reading. To view your PDF as a book, you will need to change the viewing mode.

3) To change the viewing mode, select View > Page Display > Two-Up

This will change your display from a single page to a double page spread, with both pages fitting on your monitor screen. This will also allow you to read through the pages just like you would a book. You will still need to scroll down with your mouse or cursor, rather than side to side, but the double page spread will feel much more familiar.

4) With some ebooks, you may need to set the display so that the front page is on its own, and the remainder of the pages are paired. This is especially helpful if the left hand page reads as a right, and vice versa. However, this won’t be necessary with Woolly Wormhead ebooks, as the cover is set so that it will instinctively read correctly, with the left pages on the left hand side and vice versa. Should you need to set the front cover by itself, click View > Page Display > Show Cover Page During Two-Up

5) There are a number of other features which can also improve your viewing experience. Clicking View > Navigation Panels > Pages brings up a side window with a thumbnail for each page, allowing you to visually select which pages you would prefer to read.

6) You can still view the double page spread with the navigation panel open. I find this tool really handy, as with something like a pattern ebook, it can be much quicker to visually skim through the pages.
7) As well as the navigation panel, there’s a quick page indicator and scroll button towards the left of the tool bar. This will tell you exactly which page you’re on in relation to the total page count.
8) The button that consists of 2 horizontal rectangles makes each page fit the full width of the screen, showing one page at a time.
9) The next button along from that one will show one page at a time, where the height of each page fits on the screen.
10) The + and – buttons allow you to zoom in and out of the page.
11) The zoom percentage is shown next to the + and – buttons, and this box allows you to type in the amount of zoom you prefer. Alternatively, you can click on the little arrow to the right of the number and that opens up a drop down menu where you can select the page size that works for you.
PDFs are incredibly adaptable and useful file types. Their cross platform nature means they can be opened on any operating system, with the zoom and reading options.

Support

As always, if you have a question about this technique or need some help with it, leave a comment below! I’m afraid I’m unable to offer help via email or private message, but you’re welcome to post in our forum.

 

Print This!

If you’d like to print this free tutorial, either use the ‘Print’ button below or right-click in your browser, adjust the settings to suit your needs, and select ‘Save as PDF’ for a digital copy, or your printer for a paper copy. You can use the scale option to reduce or enlarge the font.

Woolly Wormhead

Woolly Wormhead is an internationally reknowned knit designer, specialising in Hats, technique and construction. Their patterns and techniques have been used by thousands of knitters worldwide. Join The Woolly Hat Society to be the first to learn of their latest projects and special offers!

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