Bluebeam Revu features a variety of different markup tools, ranging from pen, shape, line, and text tools. Each markup tool can be placed directly on the PDF to markup a document. Once placed, each markup can be customized visually in a variety of different ways. 

When it comes to text markup tools, one of the most popular is the callout tool. The callout tool combines a text box with an arrow leader line, allowing users to point out and comment on specific parts of the document. By default, the callout tool will feature red text with a red arrow – but this can be customized by adjusting the text and line colors and adding a border around the text. Adding a border to a callout tool is often desired, as it can indicate different types of callouts and can help differentiate them from the underlying PDF content.

In this article, we will cover how to add a border to the text of a callout tool in Bluebeam Revu using both the properties panel and the properties toolbar.

To place a callout markup, select the callout tool from the toolbar, or select Tools > Markups > Callout.

How to Place a Callout Markup

To place a callout, first select to place the arrow leader line. Select again to place the text box. Enter in the desired text, and then press ESC on your keyboard to finish the markup.

How to Edit the Weight of a Callout Border

To edit the markup and add a callout border, you can use either the properties toolbar or the properties panel.  In the properties panel, select the Line Weight field (it will currently display 0.00 pt). Enter in the desired line weight and select Enter on your keyboard. A solid, red border will be added to the callout markup with the entered weight.

How to Change the Shape of a Callout Border

The callout border can be customized further by changing the line color and line style as well. Using the Line Color field, you can choose to change the border’s color – however, this will only adjust the color of the border and arrow. If you want to adjust the text color, use the Text Color field.

Using the Line Style field, you can also adjust the style of the callout border – such as making it a dashed line or cloud shaped.

You can also adjust the shape of the callout border using the Shape field. Here, you can choose to make the callout border shaped like a triangle, circle, square or hexagon.

Callout borders can also be created using the properties panel. Here, you can use the same Line Weight, Line Style, and Shape fields to adjust and add a callout border.

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Lauren Hecker is a Bluebeam Certified Instructor and teaches Onsite Bluebeam Certified Courses, virtual Bluebeam Basics and Advanced courses, and custom onsite or virtual courses. To see her next open enrollment course, please visit our calendar. To schedule an onsite or custom course, please contact us!