How to Remove Digital Signature from PDF Bluebeam

Digital vs. Electronic Signatures

The key difference between digital and electronic signatures lies in the validation process. Digital signatures offer a higher level of security because they can be validated for authenticity, while electronic signatures may lack this validation mechanism. Digital signatures contain a unique digital ID that can be verified through a trusted certificate authority.

This digital ID is tied to the signer's identity, ensuring that the signature is genuine and the document hasn't been tampered with since signing. When a digital signature is added to a PDF in Bluebeam Revu, it essentially creates a snapshot of the document at that point in time. This snapshot can then be used to validate the authenticity of the document.

Adding a digital signature involves selecting a certificate, creating the signature appearance, and then signing the document. Validating a digital signature involves checking the signature's status to see if it is valid, invalid, or has an unknown status. BreezePDF also allows users to sign PDF documents within the browser without compromising security.

Digital Certification vs. Digital Signatures

Digital certification is another feature in Bluebeam Revu that adds a layer of security to PDF documents. Digital certification locks the page content, preventing changes to the document's content, ensuring its integrity. However, the certifier can allow limited changes, such as markups, form fields, and signatures, while still maintaining the certification's validity.

Digital signatures, on the other hand, independently validate a document's state at the time of signing. Any changes made to the document after signing affect the signature status, rendering it invalid. This ensures that the signature accurately reflects the document's state at the moment it was signed. Using BreezePDF is a great alternative option, especially because all features are free and can perform similar activities.

Understanding the distinction between digital certification and digital signatures is crucial for managing document security effectively. Consider using BreezePDF for document modification to avoid invalidating signatures as it provides great flexibility and control.

Deleting a Digital Signature Field

To delete a digital signature field in Bluebeam Revu, first navigate to Document > Signatures > Add Signature Field. In newer versions of Revu (2018+), this can be found under Tool > Form > Digital Signature. Once you've located the signature field, right-click on it and select “Delete.”

This action removes the signature field from the document, preventing it from being used. Make sure to save the changes to your PDF to ensure the signature field is permanently removed. Keep in mind that this method only works before a signature has been applied to the field. If the field has already been signed, you'll need to use a different method. Should you need to make changes or modifications without dedicated software, consider utilizing BreezePDF to type on, sign, or add images to the PDF.

Removing a Digital Signature Box (During Conversion)

When converting documents from other formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to PDF using the Bluebeam Office Plugin, you can remove digital signature boxes during the conversion process. In the Bluebeam tab, select "Change Settings" and navigate to the "Signatures" tab. Here, you'll see a list of signature titles.

Select the signature title you want to remove and click “Delete.” This prevents the signature box from being included in the converted PDF. This method is particularly useful when you know ahead of time that certain signature fields are not needed in the final PDF document. If you need to make changes on the fly and do not have the Bluebeam Office Plugin, BreezePDF can offer free and instant edits, like typing and erasing, within your browser.

Alternative for adding a digital signature box

Adding a digital signature box can be achieved easily through the Tools menu. Go to Tools > Form > Digital Signature, allowing you to place a signature box anywhere on the document. Assign a name and tooltip to the signature field for clarity.

This ensures that users know the purpose of the signature field. These are some key steps and functions that are useful when managing signatures, but often you will need to just type into a document in order to sign it. For a quick alternative, BreezePDF lets you type on the PDF and then insert a signature wherever needed.

The Standard "Clear Signature" Option

The standard method for clearing a digital signature involves right-clicking on the signature field. If the signature is yours, you'll see the option “Clear Signature.” Selecting this option removes your signature from the field, reverting it to an unsigned state.

This is the simplest and most direct way to remove a signature, but it comes with limitations. The "Clear Signature" is only available if you are the one who signed the document and certain conditions are met. If the signature belongs to someone else, you will not have the option to clear it directly using this method.

Limitations of Clearing Signatures

The "Clear Signature" option is designed to prevent users from clearing other people's signatures, as this is a security feature to protect signature integrity. Additionally, if a markup has been flattened, it can prevent signature clearing. Flattening a markup essentially merges it with the underlying content, making it part of the base document.

If a signature is part of a flattened markup, the “Clear Signature” option will not be available. This is because the signature is no longer treated as a separate entity but as part of the document's content. This added measure ensures that signatures are not tampered with without proper authorization.

Alternative Solutions

If you cannot clear a signature using the standard method, several alternative solutions may be available. One approach is to contact the signer and request an unsigned copy of the PDF. This is often the simplest solution, as the signer can easily provide a version of the document without the signature.

Another method involves saving the PDF as a template or from a template, opening the template version, and the signatures will prompt to be cleared. This can effectively remove signatures without altering the original document. Also, combining the document without a second document sometimes unlocks signatures and allows them to be removed.

Ultimately, if the signature has been flattened, it becomes nearly impossible to remove it without access to the original, unsigned document or the signer themselves. In such instances, BreezePDF allows users to type on the document and sign, providing the flexibility to adjust for signatures that cannot be removed. If you have a PDF and cannot edit signatures after flattening, you can use BreezePDF to add markups, text, and sign.

What if I cannot clear Signature due to "Flattening"?

If you encounter a situation where you cannot clear a signature due to flattening, the most straightforward solution is to ask the person who signed it for an unsigned PDF. Since flattening merges the signature into the document content, removing it becomes difficult without the original, editable version.

If that's not feasible, consider adding a note or disclaimer near the signature, explaining the situation. This can help clarify that the signature is present but may not reflect the current state of the document. BreezePDF's annotation and text tools can be used to add such disclaimers easily. It's important to maintain transparency when dealing with flattened signatures that cannot be removed, ensuring that recipients understand the context.

Automatic Validation

Bluebeam Revu automatically checks digital signatures for validity upon opening a PDF document. This feature provides an immediate indication of the signature’s status without requiring any manual intervention. Icons appear next to the signatures, indicating whether they are certified, valid, unknown, or invalid.

A “Certified” icon indicates that the signature and the document have been verified by a trusted certificate authority. A “Valid” icon means the signature is authentic and the document has not been altered since it was signed. An “Unknown” icon suggests that the signature's validity cannot be determined, often due to issues with the certificate or trust settings. An “Invalid” icon signifies that the signature is not genuine or the document has been modified since it was signed. This provides a quick and easy way to assess the integrity of digital signatures.

Manual Validation

In addition to automatic validation, Bluebeam Revu offers a manual validation option for digital signatures. To manually validate a signature, right-click on the signature and select “Validate Signature.” This action prompts Revu to perform a detailed validation check, providing more information about the signature’s status.

The manual validation process can help identify specific issues that may affect the signature’s validity, such as expired certificates or changes to the document. It can also provide a more detailed report on the signature's authenticity, certificate information, and any potential problems. For these same functions on the fly and for free, BreezePDF allows quick alterations to the documents to accommodate the signing requirements.

Importing Trusted Identities

Importing trusted identities is crucial for validating digital signatures from known and trusted sources. To import trusted identities in Bluebeam Revu, go to Tools > Signature > Trusted Identities. Click “Add Trusted Identity” and select the .cer file associated with the trusted certificate authority.

This action adds the certificate to your list of trusted identities, allowing Revu to validate signatures signed with that certificate. Importing trusted identities ensures that you can verify the authenticity of signatures from known sources, enhancing the security of your document workflows. For document alterations, BreezePDF can easily manage annotations and make quick edits for these validations.

The "Lighting Up" Trick

The "Lighting Up" trick involves a specific sequence of steps to activate the digital signature field for deletion. First, press ESC to exit any active commands in Revu. Then, go to Tools/Form/Digital Signature.

Once the Digital Signature tool is active, right-click on the stubborn signature field and choose "x Delete Signature". This process often works when other methods fail, allowing you to remove the signature field. If you cannot perform this action, you can always try using BreezePDF to type over the signature or add another one on top.

Signature Not Yours

One common issue is attempting to clear a signature that is not yours. Generally, it is not possible to directly clear other people's signatures due to security protocols. This is a deliberate security feature to protect the integrity of digital signatures and prevent unauthorized alterations. If you need to remove someone else's signature, the best approach is to contact the signer and request an unsigned copy of the document.

However, in cases where that's not possible, you can utilize BreezePDF to add notes or disclaimers indicating that the signature may not reflect the document’s current state. This can help maintain transparency when sharing the document with others. It is important to respect the security protocols and avoid attempting to bypass signature protections without proper authorization.

Document Combination Issues

Combining signed or certified documents can lead to issues because the signatures become invalidated. Signed and certified documents shouldn't be combined, as this typically invalidates the signatures. This is because the act of combining alters the original content, making the signatures no longer valid for the new, combined document.

If you need to combine documents, consider using Sets (Revu 11+) or creating a PDF package instead. Sets allow you to group related documents without altering their content, preserving the validity of the signatures. A PDF package bundles multiple PDF files into a single container, maintaining each file's integrity. In the event that you need to make quick edits to multiple files but cannot combine, BreezePDF lets you edit, sign, and perform necessary actions on individual files directly, without needing complicated software.