Skim for MAC
Free, open-source PDF reader and note-taker for Mac: highlight, annotate and read papers, give presentations and work with LaTeX and SyncTeX.
Skim Overview
Skim is a PDF reader and note-taker for macOS. It is designed to help you read and annotate scientific papers, but it is also great for viewing any PDF file. You can add and edit notes, highlight important text with one-swipe highlight modes, and make snapshots for easy reference. All your notes and highlights can be viewed together and exported as text, so what you marked stays easy to find.
Navigation uses the table of contents or thumbnails, with a visual history, and a preview of internal links shows where a link goes. For reading there is a full-screen mode, a reading bar, a magnification tool and smart cropping tools, and Skim can also give presentations with built-in transitions. It works with LaTeX, SyncTeX and PDFSync, integrates with BibDesk and supports AppleScript and Spotlight. Skim is free and open source under a BSD license, made by Michael O. McCracken and contributors. Version 1.7.17 is a bug-fix release. It needs macOS 10.13 or later. The download is a DMG, and the project does not state the architecture on its site.
Key Features
Skim turns a PDF into something you can read closely and work with.
- Notes: add and edit notes in any PDF.
- Highlighting: mark important text, including one-swipe highlight modes.
- Snapshots: keep parts of a page handy for easy reference.
- Note overview: view all your notes and highlights, and export them as text.
- Navigation: table of contents or thumbnails, with visual history.
- Reading tools: full screen, a reading bar, magnification and smart cropping.
- Presentations: give talks from a PDF with built-in transitions.
- LaTeX: interaction with LaTeX, SyncTeX and PDFSync.
What’s New in Version 1.7.17
Skim 1.7.17 is a bug-fix release.
- Turkish localization fixed
- No more non-inverted page change animations when using inverted colors in dark mode
- The text of a note can be cleared from the notes table
- Some properties can be set to missing value in AppleScript
- No comment bubbles from markup notes on macOS Golden Gate
Skim FAQ
Is Skim free?
Yes. Skim is free and open source under a BSD license.
What is Skim for?
It is a PDF reader and note-taker, designed for reading and annotating scientific papers and also useful for viewing any PDF file.
Which macOS version does Skim need?
Skim 1.7.17 needs macOS 10.13 or later. Older versions are offered on its website, including 1.6.21 as the latest for Sierra.
Can I highlight text and add notes?
Yes. You can add and edit notes and highlight text, including with one-swipe highlight modes.
Can I export my notes?
Yes. Skim can show all your notes and highlights and export notes as text.
Does Skim work with LaTeX?
Yes. It interacts with LaTeX, SyncTeX and PDFSync.
Can I give presentations with Skim?
Yes. Skim gives presentations from a PDF with built-in transitions.
Does Skim work with other apps?
It integrates with BibDesk and other third-party applications and has extensive AppleScript and Spotlight support.
Can I install Skim with Homebrew?
Yes. Run brew install --cask skim.
Where does the Skim download on skim.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to the official Skim website at https://skim-app.sourceforge.io/. skim.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.
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FULLMAC.app does not host this app. Download buttons lead to the developer’s own pages.