OrbitNote
OrbitNote
Overview
OrbitNote is a web-based PDF annotation and accessibility tool that enhances interactivity, reading support, and feedback workflows within PDFs. OrbitNote enables both faculty and students to interact with PDF files through annotations, text-to-speech, screen masking, highlighting, and collaboration. It helps make static PDF documents more accessible and engaging, especially for learners with diverse needs. At Virginia Tech, OrbitNote is available to faculty and students by signing in with their Virginia Tech Google credentials and installing the browser extension. Get started using OrbitNote by logging into OrbitNote or installing the Chrome Browser extension.
Video
Text to Speech: Reads words, passages, or whole documents aloud with easy-to-follow dual color highlighting.
Text: Lets you type text on top of the PDF
Pushpin: Ideal for making notes or adding instructions or other helpful hints to a PDF assignment. The Pushpin in OrbitNote allows you to leave feedback, helpful hints and tips, and instructions for your students. This keeps communication and feedback in a PDF clean and simple.
Freehand Drawing: To scribble and draw on your PDF to complete assignments or highlight important information.
Shapes Drawing: Allows you to draw squares, circles and lines on your PDF. Use the additional options provided to customize the line color, fill color and border line thickness. Once you create an annotation, click on it to see options to delete, save or reposition.
Text and Voice comments: For collaboration, showing understanding and giving feedback
Highlighters: Collect highlights from text in documents or the web for summarizing research and to create bibliographies.
Screenshot reader: Converts inaccessible text to accessible text through OCR (ocular character recognition). Click on the screenshot reader icon and then drag your mouse to draw a rectangle around any inaccessible text to OCR it on demand.
Translator: Translator allows single words to be translated into a wide selection of languages. Language can be selected in the Options menu.
Screen Masking: Tints your screen and provides a reading light that follows your cursor, to help you focus on the text.
Typewriter Annotation: Allows you to type text directly on your PDF. Click on the icon and then click where you would like to place your annotation. Use the additional options to change font size or color, save, delete, reposition or play back your annotation
Comments: Allows you to comment directly in your PDF. Select some text where you’d like to make a comment, and click the Comment icon. Prediction, Talk & Type, and Voice notes are available here. Use the play button to hear your comment read aloud.
Highlight, annotate, and comment on PDF materials.
Use text-to-speech and screen masking for focus.
Utilize dictionaries and vocabulary tools to support learning.
Non-PDF content formats (e.g., Word, ePub).
Users requiring full offline access or mobile-only use.
Premium features, such as Scan Text, adding images, splitting and merging PDFs, and digital signatures are not available at this time.
- Does not support file formats beyond PDF.
Typing or drawing their thoughts.
Add notes on the page while reading PDF documents.
Highlight key points in the reading.
Access to an annotation feature. OrbitNote allows learners to:
Add text or audio feedback to the PDF documents.
Access a platform for easily accessible and actionable feedback, which is critical in engaging students.
Save annotations with OrbitNote and share them with others.
OCR capabilities for scanned PDF files.
Text-to-speech with dual-color highlighting.
Supports learners with dyslexia, ADHD, and visual impairments.
General Information
Students can sign in to OrbitNote using their Virginia Tech Google credentials. Use the Chrome or Edge extension for best compatibility.
Resources

Cost: Free
Status: Available
How to Access
Instructor/Students:
Go to the OrbitNote website. If in the Google Chrome browser, add the Chrome Browser extension in the Chrome Web Store.
Sign in using your Virginia Tech credentials.
Get Help
Still need help? Contact assist@vt.edu
Want to talk with someone at Virginia Tech? Go to the 4Help Portal, sign in, and select Get Help.
Or schedule a consultation with TLOS.