Everyday, people visit us with PDF files that they want to use in AutoCAD or another engineering application. We start by explaining that there are two types of PDF files - vector and raster.
Generally speaking, scanned blueprints and drawings are raster PDF files and those generated directly by applications are vector PDF files. Once you know which kind you have, it makes choosing the right product simple.
Here’s the process, step by step:
Step 1: Determine what type of PDF file you have. Open your file in Acrobat Reader. If you click on it and it is highlighted in blue, it is a raster PDF. If nothing happens, it is a vector PDF. Alternately, magnify the page to >1000%. If it is a raster, the lines and text will look jagged. If it is a vector, all of the lines and text will look clean and sharp. more
Step 2: Choose the ideal conversion solution. Once you know what you are dealing with, you can decide how to convert it. In principle, it is better to perform an automated conversion over manual redrawing since there is less room to introduce error.
If it is a vector PDF, use pdf2cad. You’ll get fast and accurate results that you can edit at the text and object level in your engineering application.
If it is a raster PDF, you have some choices - vectorize, trace or redraw. In general, it is a trade-off between time and cost. The fastest method, Scan2CAD, will achieve moderate accuracy and will require limited manual clean-up. In contrast, the time demands of manually redrawing the file will yield the best results but at a much higher, often impractical, cost per file.
To vectorize, you need a product like Scan2CAD which intelligently traces and renders the drawing into vector objects which can be cleaned up in your target application. This type of program is called raster-to-vector software.
To trace manually, you can use pdf2cad to create a DXF file containing a tracing layer
To redraw by hand you can out-source to a service bureau or complete the task in-house.
We find that most people we speak to receive both vector and raster PDF files. This means that they require two different conversion solutions. To help, we have teamed up with Softcover to offer a special bundle of” pdf2cad and Scan2CAD”:http://www.cadopolis.com/autocad/new-scan-to-dxf-bundle.shtml at a $100 savings. Using this Bundle you will receive the only two programs you’ll need to convert all of the PDF files you receive into editable CAD formats.
Info Links:
Click here to Purchase pdf2cad & Scan2CAD Bundle.
Click here to download Scan2CAD and try for 30 days.
Click here to download pdf2cad and try for 30 days.
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Note: Please visit the link above to see any updated content and/or current release info since the posting of this entry on Sep 18 2008.
