Many times we find amazing images embedded in our PDF files and we wish we could extract them and use them for a different purpose. For example, we may want to extract it to write a whole new article or use the images to complete your thesis project. Whatever your reasons are, we have seen the importance of being able to extract images from a PDF that’s why in today’s guide you’d be learning how to extract images from PDF files.
Portable document format (PDF) is one of the most widely used types of documents worldwide. We often read PDF books, show PDF presentations, regularly sign PDF contracts, send PDF designs, and more. The PDF is like laminated paper, you can see everything inside clearly and perfectly, but can’t easily change it.
You can easily copy text out of a PDF document, but it’s a whole different story with images. To extract images from PDF files, you can’t just drag them out or right-click on them as you do in your web browser they are somewhat protected.
Do you wish to extract images from a PDF file but don’t know how to go about it?
Well, you’re in the right place, as today’s guide will focus on how to extract images from PDF files. As with everything, there’s always a backdoor and there are a few ways you could use to extract images from PDFs you want.
Why Extract Images From PDFs?
Sometimes you may find the information you need in picture format on a PDF file and you need to copy it, maybe you’re redesigning something, maybe you just need visuals for your presentation, or you just want to save files for later use.
For instance, if you often use services like SlideShare in your research work, these works come in PDFs, and it might be crucial in saving graphs, illustrations, visual ideas to references in your research work.
Continue reading to learn how to extract images from PDF files using different approaches and select the method that suits your needs the most.
Extract images from PDF files using snipping tools
One of the easiest ways to extract images from PDF files is to use Mac’s built-in tool for screenshots. The benefit of using this tool is that you have complete freedom to choose exactly what you want to include in the result: image only, text only, image or text together, or even a collage. The Demerit is that the quality would be limited by the resolution of that particular area on your screen.
How to Extract Images from PDF Files (Using a Screenshot on Mac)
Do you learn how to extract images from PDF files using the screenshot method on your Mac device? Then follow the set of instructions outlined below to learn how:
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Open the PDF file.
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Go to the desired image you want to extract.
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Press Shift + ⌘ + 4.
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Drag your cursor over the image. To fine-tune the shot, and crop it, use Space and move the whole area at once.
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Release the cursor.
Once you release the cursor, your image will be saved on your Desktop as PNG.
Extract images from PDF files using Cleanshot X
CleanShot X is a much more powerful screen-recording utility tool. Its feature is significantly greater than the native tool’s features. You can not only take a simple screenshot but you can also add a timer to perfectly position your shot or even do a scrolling shot to capture more of the vertical area like a full webpage.
To save images from PDFs with CleanShot X, you can simply set it as your default screen-recording app and follow the directions listed above or click its menu bar icon and choose the given option from there.
Extract images from PDF files using Adobe Acrobat Pro
To learn how to extract images from PDF files using Adobe Acrobat Pro, follow the set of instructions outlined below:
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Launch your Adobe Acrobat Pro
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Go to Tools at the top menu
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Pick Export PDF
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Select your File and choose the target PDF
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Go to Image and select the image format
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Check “Export all images”
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Click Export.
If you have followed the instructions outlined above meticulously, then you’d realize that you have successfully learned how to extract images from PDF files using Adobe Acrobat pro.
Extract image from PDF files with Adobe Photoshop
You can extract images from your PDF file using Adobe Photoshop. Doing so is quite easy and it tends to extract the highest amount of images, even from books, and other hard-to-break PDF files. The only demerit is that Photoshop is expensive. But if you already have Adobe Photoshop in your system, then continue reading to learn how to extract images from PDF files.
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Launch your adobe Photoshop
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Drag and drop a PDF to it
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select Images, In the Import PDF window
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Select ok
Each image would be opened as a separate tab. You can now export them as you regularly would.
Extract Images from a PDF file with Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
Another easy and free way to use when learning how to extract images from PDF files is by using the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC app. With this app, you can open PDFs, and also extract their multimedia content. This way, you can easily save select images from a PDF file to a folder on your computer.
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Launch your Acrobat Reader
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Click the selection tool (an arrow icon) in the toolbar near the top of the window.
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Click the images you want to extract to select it.
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Next, right-click the image and select “Copy Image” from the menu.
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If you’re using Windows, open the Paint app and press Ctrl+V to paste the image. Then, click File > Save in Paint’s menu bar to save the image.
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If you’re a Mac user, open the Preview app and select File > New from Clipboard from the menu bar. Then, click File > Save to save the image.
Once you correctly follow the steps outlined above, you realize that you have successfully learned how to extract images from PDF files using Adobe Reader DC.