PDF into Autocad

[Firerunner]

Before we got Autocad 2006 a freind of mine said here read that PDF files could be imported into Autocad. Can this be true?

He can't find the artical he got this imformation from, and I can't find anything on it myself.

Can someone enlighten me on this subject?

Thanks

 

[saruman26]

First, it can be done. PDF files can be pasted into the AutoCAD world by using the "snapshot" command in Adobe Acrobat reader. This takes a picture of the PDF that you can then post into AutoCAD using the "paste" command. You can then set the size for the document yourself. This method places the PDF into CAD as an OLE object, which is another type of ActiveX object.

Second, I strongly caution you about posting PDF's to AutoCAD. They can be very problematic. I have done this a few times and have given up on it, as the PDF's often become deactivated and no longer appear or print. You end up with a blank frame outlining a blank image that displays nothing and gives an error message when you try to activate it again. The file is still attached to the CAD file, though, as the file size (in Kb.) indicates that the image files still remain, but they are useless.

I'm not sure if you can insert PDF's using the "image" command. Just type "image", and enter the relvant file type, file name, and other parameters when prompted to do so. I'm going to try this Monday morning to see if it does work.

 

[saruman26]

Another follow up -

Do you have an image scanner large enough to allow you to scan the file as a TIFF (.tif) image? Or a piece of software that can covert PDF's to TIFF? TIFF images work really well in AutoCAD.

 

[Firerunner]

I think he was talking about beinmg able to convert it to a dwg file in side AutoCAD but I don't think that is possible

 

[Exxit]

More Tipps:

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=139338&page=1

ADT 2004
ACAD 2002

 

[Exxit]

Fee trail

http://www.aidecad.com/

I didn't test it by myself. Try it, and reply...

Lothar

ADT 2004
ACAD 2002

 

[darkcobra]

The easiest solution : Get Adobe Illustrator 10 (it's cheap these days)...

You can open the PDF in Illustrator then "Export" it out as a DXF or DWG.. IT will create vector geometry to the accuracy it existed as in PDF form.. It's great for converting a PDF provided by someone elese using AutoCAD that has saved their drawings in PDF format with a tool like PDF995.. It has saved us alot of redraw time since.

 

[tinfoil]

I suspect the whole reason that the first organization exported their cad drawings as .pdf's in the first place was to try to retain ownership of their intellectual property (the dwg's)

Using 'tricks' to import their .pdf outputs into Acad so you can save redraw time (assuming you lack the originator's permission) is another way of saying " I found this trick to STEAL someone else's work more easily!". If you had the originator's permission, you could probably just get their dwg files instead, and get better quality as a result.

Apologies if that is not what you meant.

 

[PeterCharles]

It is possible to convert PDF's to DXF's with the correct software. This is different to converting a raster drawing and to a vector drawing. It does depend on how the drawing PDF was created. If you "printed" to PDF from inside the CAD program then this software should work (I've used it). It doesn't work with scanned images.

http://www.cadkas.com/downengpdf11.php