Extract an image file of my signature from Preview?

Question

The Preview application in OS X Lion includes the ability to take a screen capture of your written signature and save it for later application in to any PDF file.

Where does Preview store the image file for this signature? Is it possible to extract the signature for use in another application like Adobe Reader?

Answer 1

You can alternatively try to insert your signature in a blank pdf document, crop to take only your signature and then save the document as a PNG file.

FYI, it's seems that the signature is stored in a .plist file. The file name is "com.apple.Preview.signatures.plist" and it's in folder : /Users/YourAccount/Library/Containers/com.apple.Preview/Data/Library/Preferences/

Hope this helps !

Answer 2

It appears that Preview stores the signature files in an undocumented, encrypted form directly in the Keychain. Without hacking their encryption and storage format, the file cannot be extracted...

but if you can make the signature appear on screen, you can capture a screen shot of said signature, and use that file in another application.

Answer 3

1. Insert your signature in preview on a blank part of a pdf page
2. Press Shift+Command+4 to choose image for a screen shot
3. Use the + that appears on screen to choose the signature for as your screen shot
4. Open the screen shot and export as pdf, save

You now have a pdf of your signature that can be used, for example, in Adobe Acrobat.

Answer 4

This solution worked for me using 10.8.2 (mountain lion).

Answer 5

1. Open transparent png file with Preview.
2. Add your signature.
3. Export file as png with Alpha channel.

Answer 6

Probably easiest just to scan in a new signature into an image file? Or take a photo of it.