WPS Brush is the handwriting annotation and drawing tool in WPS Writer; this guide covers 5 core tasks, with 5 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.
At a Glance
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core tasks | 5 | Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index |
| Available without membership | 5 | Matches the number of Free rows in the index |
| Membership-related items | 0 | All listed tasks are available directly |
About This Feature
Overview
Brush is the document drawing tool in WPS Writer for macOS. It lets you add handwritten annotations, freehand marks, and visual highlights directly in a document. After you turn it on, you can enter brush mode from the Review tab and use different brush types for markup.
Its main tasks include:
- Turn on brush mode from the Review tab and start drawing.
- Choose a brush type, including ballpoint pen, highlighter, watercolor pen, shape, and eraser.
- Set a brush color with preset colors or the color picker.
- Draw directly in the document editing area.
- Exit brush mode by using the close control or pressing Esc.
This feature fits scenarios such as lesson explanation, document review, handwritten signatures, key-point marking, and presentation notes. Brush content is saved in the document as ink objects and can continue to be moved or resized later.
System Requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | A Mac device that can run WPS Office normally |
| App version | It is recommended to use the latest version of WPS Office for Mac |
| Network | No mandatory network connection is required for local drawing; downloading, installation, and account-related actions require internet access |
| Other | You need to open a WPS Writer document; a trackpad, mouse, or touch-capable input device can be used |
Download & Installation
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official download | WPS Office Free Download |
| Post-install check | Launch WPS Writer, open a document, and check whether the Brush entry is available on the Review tab |
Source: WPS Download Center
Compare with Alternatives
| Dimension | WPS | Microsoft | Notion | Adobe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capability Summary | In WPS Writer, Brush is turned on from the Review tab and supports ballpoint pen, highlighter, watercolor pen, shape, eraser, color selection, and exiting with Esc. | Microsoft Office supports inking from the Draw tab with pens, pencil, highlighter, color and thickness options, and Esc to stop inking selection. | Google Docs provides markups so users can draw annotations in a document with a finger or stylus. | Notion official documentation focuses on comments, text highlighting, embeds, and collaborative editing, and does not describe an equivalent built-in freehand brush for document markup. | Adobe Acrobat supports free-form drawing in PDFs from the Comment toolbar and lets users adjust line color, thickness, and opacity. |
| Official Source | — | Draw and write with ink in Office | New ways to annotate Google Docs | Intro to writing & editing | How to Draw on a PDF |
Advantage: The tool is placed in the document review workflow in WPS Writer, which is convenient for direct markup in the document body.; Multiple pen types and an eraser support explanation, sign-off, and emphasis marking in one place.
Overall Conclusion
WPS Brush is a practical fit when you need to add handwritten annotations and drawing marks directly inside WPS Writer documents on macOS. If your work is centered on Microsoft inking, Google Docs markups, or PDF review, the alternative tools may fit better depending on the document format.
Use Cases
| No. | Scenario | Suitable for | Main need | How Brush helps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lesson explanation markup | Teachers, trainers | Highlight key points while explaining content | Turn on Brush and use the highlighter or ballpoint pen to mark content |
| 2 | Document review notes | Editors, reviewers | Leave handwritten comments directly on the page | Use Brush to draw review notes in the document body |
| 3 | Handwritten signatures | Office users | Add a handwritten signature in a document | Turn on Brush and write the signature in the target area |
| 4 | Key-point emphasis | Students, knowledge workers | Mark important content quickly | Choose a color and use Brush or shapes to circle content |
| 5 | Presentation explanation | Presenters | Add temporary visual marks during explanation | Use different pen types to draw explanatory marks continuously |
Membership & Benefits
Free vs WPS Premium
| Capability | Free users | WPS Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Brush use in WPS Writer | Available | Available |
| Handwritten annotation and drawing in documents | Available | Available |
| Core office component access | Available | Available |
| Additional value-added features and extended services | Refer to the product page for current scope | Includes more advanced features and services |
Source: WPS Office pricing page
Recommendations
| Scenario | Recommended plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Daily document markup, lesson highlighting, and simple sign-off | Free | The Brush-related tasks in this guide are available directly and fit routine document markup needs |
| Ongoing needs for more advanced office features or extended services | WPS Premium | Suitable for users who also need broader value-added features, cloud space, or other advanced tools |
How to Subscribe
- WPS membership center: Subscribe now
Source: WPS Office pricing page