What it does
Skim is a macOS PDF reader and note-taker oriented toward scientific papers. It includes highlights, snapshots, reading aids, note export, and LaTeX synchronization.
Keep a figure available as a snapshot while reading a scientific paper, then review or export its notes separately. Skim normally stores notes as extended file attributes, so sending the PDF alone can lose them. Export a matching .skim file for note transfer or backup, or choose PDF with Embedded Notes when another reader needs to see the annotations. These are distinct outputs from the same reading workflow; the Mac application also supports a reading bar and LaTeX synchronisation.
Strengths
- Provides snapshots and text export for reading notes.
Watch out for
- Notes normally use extended file attributes, which some transfer/archive methods do not preserve.
Best for
- Annotated scientific reading on Mac
Sources
- Skim | Home (Oct 26, 2026)
- Skim Help: Saving PDF files with the notes and highlights included (Oct 26, 2026)
- Skim Help: Saving notes and highlights to a separate file (Oct 26, 2026)
- Skim - official SourceForge project (Oct 26, 2026)