Importing PDF's

[iccy]

Is it possible to import PDF's into cad and maintain the scale? The only way I can currently think of doing it is to take a screen shot of PDF and import the image, but that would lose scale which is fairly essential. Any ideas?

I'm using 2008 LT, but have access to full version 2008 if required.

[chulse]

Save the PDF as a Tiff (need a full PDF editor though)
IMAGEATTACH at scale 1 in full autocad
Go to work...

OR:
Insert as an OLE in LT and it should work about the same way...

[iccy]

Thanks for the ideas. I dont have a full PDF editor so was thinking about taking a snapshot in Adobe and pasting that into CAD. The problem with OLE's is that thet dont scale well. When I've used them in the past they were very difficult to scale accurately for some reason. I've always found it easier to steal someone else's machine for a while and use full cad :)

[chulse]

If the pdf is scaled- trace from it at whatever scale it is at then scale up or down to real world units.

Better yet- get the original dwg and skip the PDF all together...

[iccy]

the client are reluctant to give us the original drawings. no worries, i was hoping there was a quick and easy way round - apparently not!

[cakewalker]

I think the latest version of Inkscape - www dot inkscape dot org - will open PDFs and preserves them as line drawings where possible (depends on the way the PDF was created). This can then be saved as a DXF or SVG. Not sure if AutoCAD can import SVGs, I know LT can't, but can import DXFs. This is far better than creating a TIFF and importing that as you should be able to snap to the ends of lines (that have imported as lines).

CorelDRAW will do the same thing, and probably do it a bit more reliably. Inkscape is free.

(sorry for the funny way the website address is written - this is my first post here and the forum won't let me post 'real' addresses!)

[iccy]

downloading now...

[Alan Cullen]

(sorry for the funny way the website address is written - this is my first post here and the forum won't let me post 'real' addresses!)

I think that has to do with the fact that new members have to have 10 posts before they can do any of that stuff.

Has a lot to do with spamming. In the past, people would come here and immediately start spamming everyone. So that little safeguard was bought in to stop that nonsense. :D

[f700es]

OMG it worked! I just downloaded the latest Inkscape the other day and I just tried to open a PDF and save as a DXF file and it work.
Good call Cakewalker :)

[rkmcswain]

the client are reluctant to give us the original drawings.

So what do they think about your efforts to convert the PDF to DWG?
Do you require the DWG to complete your job?

Things like this should be negotiated up front, before work starts IMO - to avoid this situation.

[SLW210]

So what do they think about your efforts to convert the PDF to DWG?
Do you require the DWG to complete your job?

Things like this should be negotiated up front, before work starts IMO - to avoid this situation.

Yes, indeed. If you need to work on this, then they need to send you the DWG, even after converting the PDF it will not be as accurate as the DWG. If the PDF is a scan, then you can forget accuracy.

[f700es]

So what do they think about your efforts to convert the PDF to DWG?
Do you require the DWG to complete your job?

Things like this should be negotiated up front, before work starts IMO - to avoid this situation.

You work for a Civil Firm correct? Many times in my field space planning and design many companies simply will not give out that data. You can negotiate till you are blue in the face and it simply won't matter. Some places give this out no problem. I had a certain ref. vendor when I did store planning for Krispy Kreme and they would not give us CAD files of their spec. sheets. We had to re-create our blocks from their PDFs are selves. Not trying to call you out on this and I don't know this person's situation but it's not always cut and dry. I have seen Architects refuse as to try to keep intellectual rights over a particular design. Doesn't matter you are bringing them work and $$. Some simply will not do it. Sure it doesn't hurt to ask and you might be surprised and get what you need. That's all I am saying. Carry on :)

[iccy]

The DWG isnt required for the work I'm undertaking, but I believe it will be a more efficient way of dealing with the situation. The aim is to measure areas from the drawing, and I was asked whether it would be an option to perform the activity electronically rather than manually with a scale rule.

So far I'm thinking it would have been quicker with the scale rule as the drawing I'm working on isn't converting nicely in Inkscape!

[f700es]

The DWG isnt required for the work I'm undertaking, but I believe it will be a more efficient way of dealing with the situation. The aim is to measure areas from the drawing, and I was asked whether it would be an option to perform the activity electronically rather than manually with a scale rule.

So far I'm thinking it would have been quicker with the scale rule as the drawing I'm working on isn't converting nicely in Inkscape!

No, converting is usually not the best option as RK and a few others have pointed out. I use Illustrator when I am in a jam and if the area is not too large (if converting a floor plan or similar).

[cakewalker]

I think that has to do with the fact that new members have to have 10 posts before they can do any of that stuff.

Has a lot to do with spamming. In the past, people would come here and immediately start spamming everyone. So that little safeguard was bought in to stop that nonsense. :D

Good idea - I've come across forums 'populated' with spam and they end up utterly worthless. I'd better write some more replies :)


OMG it worked! I just downloaded the latest Inkscape the other day and I just tried to open a PDF and save as a DXF file and it work.
Good call Cakewalker :)

Thank you!

As an office we have a policy of distributing everything as DWFs but I don't think we've ever refused to give out a DWG when asked - I'd agree that it'd just irritate people and I'm not sure what we lose sending DWGs. On the other hand, we often find ourselves turning down requests from subcontractors for drawings (DWG or otherwise) on the grounds that they should be asking the contractor, not us. Not quite the same issue, though.

[mrbucket]

Good idea - I've come across forums 'populated' with spam and they end up utterly worthless. I'd better write some more replies :)



Thank you!

As an office we have a policy of distributing everything as DWFs but I don't think we've ever refused to give out a DWG when asked - I'd agree that it'd just irritate people and I'm not sure what we lose sending DWGs. On the other hand, we often find ourselves turning down requests from subcontractors for drawings (DWG or otherwise) on the grounds that they should be asking the contractor, not us. Not quite the same issue, though.


As long as your dealing with Clients or other firms, there is a confidentiality expectation. No one wants to loose business because of "lost" or given files.

[cakewalker]

As long as your dealing with Clients or other firms, there is a confidentiality expectation. No one wants to loose business because of "lost" or given files.

Agreed, though supplying the DWF/PDF in the first place would also breach that confidentiality. Perhaps the way we use AutoCAD is a bit unsophisticated, but unless one of our DWG files contains far more information than is shown in the paperspace viewports (rare) then we wouldn't be risking a bigger breach of confidentiality by sending a DWG rather than a DWF/PDF.

I can see how sending, say, an ArchiCAD model would be a bit different as that does contain far more information than any of the individual 2D drawings generated from it.

[mrbucket]

Agreed, though supplying the DWF/PDF in the first place would also breach that confidentiality. Perhaps the way we use AutoCAD is a bit unsophisticated, but unless one of our DWG files contains far more information than is shown in the paperspace viewports (rare) then we wouldn't be risking a bigger breach of confidentiality by sending a DWG rather than a DWF/PDF.

I can see how sending, say, an ArchiCAD model would be a bit different as that does contain far more information than any of the individual 2D drawings generated from it.


So the file you could be getting is from another client's client? Maybe you can get in touch with them for permission, or additional cost for field measure?

[Alan Cullen]

What I want to know...is why does a Yank have an avatar of an emu's head?

mrbucket,

Just be very careful of those emus. They have been known to lick people to death. And they can run really fast. :twisted: :P :lol: :lol:

[dumfatnhappy]

Just be very careful of those emus. They have been known to lick people to death. And they can run really fast. :twisted: :P :lol: :lol:


I can think of MUCH worse ways to go........ :wink:

[rkmcswain]

I had a certain ref. vendor when I did store planning for Krispy Kreme and they would not give us CAD files of their spec. sheets. We had to re-create our blocks from their PDFs are selves.

That is why it should be negotiated up front. Either company "A" will share the DWG files with company "B" or they won't.

End of story, and one less post in the various newsgroups on how to convert a PDF to DWG because someone won't give you the DWG.

I can't imagine doing DWG work for another company and not being able to get the DWG files... Or if we did, the price would go up I suppose.

[f700es]

That is why it should be negotiated up front. Either company "A" will share the DWG files with company "B" or they won't.

End of story, and one less post in the various newsgroups on how to convert a PDF to DWG because someone won't give you the DWG.

I can't imagine doing DWG work for another company and not being able to get the DWG files... Or if we did, the price would go up I suppose.

Hate to bust your bubble but it happens. Especially when said vendor knows that they have you, you need their product and they are "they only game in town" as it were. We met the same resistance when we were putting KKD stores in Wal-Marts a few years ago. They refused to release their CAD files to use. I raised h*ll with upper management and after it was all said and done I was told to make due with what I had. Those were a bust anyway but that's another story. Each area of the profession has their own cross to bear I guess :(

[rkmcswain]

Hate to bust your bubble but it happens. Especially when said vendor knows that they have you, you need their product and they are "they only game in town" as it were. We met the same resistance when we were putting KKD stores in Wal-Marts a few years ago. They refused to release their CAD files to use. I raised h*ll with upper management and after it was all said and done I was told to make due with what I had. Those were a bust anyway but that's another story. Each area of the profession has their own cross to bear I guess :(

But at least you knew up front that you were not getting the files, so you can plan for it - financially and scheduling wise...

I'm more or less talking about a CAD person whose boss says "call up so-and-so and get the drawings you need", and they refuse and send PDF's instead and then the CAD guy can't figure out how to make use of the PDF's and in the meantime hours of billable time slip away...

Certain municipalities here only provide details on PDF - but we know up front we are not getting the DWG files - not a big deal...

[Hoozin]

I'm in a slightly different boat, though relevant. What happens when you are supposed to get DWGs, and they give you both DWGs and PDFs, and the DWGs are wrong?

I.E. I have several hundred drawings that don't contain any piping data. They had it at some point, as I have leaders and callouts pointing to nothing. I look at the PDF, and the data is all there.

This is only the piping drawings. Everything else, even stuff that includes other 3D modeling, is fine.

The contract says that we get the DWGs for everything. I know that somebody here is going to say "Then they should be giving you the correct DWGs or else take a hit on what they're getting paid," but it's not that simple. Gov't acquisitions and all that.

In addition to the rest of it, I'm now getting "updated" drawings where the PDFs are wrong ... Which means they drawings are even wrong for them, and I'm led to believe that they are being done and published by mentally deficient monkeys.

[SLW210]

I'm in a slightly different boat, though relevant. What happens when you are supposed to get DWGs, and they give you both DWGs and PDFs, and the DWGs are wrong?

I.E. I have several hundred drawings that don't contain any piping data. They had it at some point, as I have leaders and callouts pointing to nothing. I look at the PDF, and the data is all there.

This is only the piping drawings. Everything else, even stuff that includes other 3D modeling, is fine.

The contract says that we get the DWGs for everything. I know that somebody here is going to say "Then they should be giving you the correct DWGs or else take a hit on what they're getting paid," but it's not that simple. Gov't acquisitions and all that.

In addition to the rest of it, I'm now getting "updated" drawings where the PDFs are wrong ... Which means they drawings are even wrong for them, and I'm led to believe that they are being done and published by mentally deficient monkeys.

Did you check to see if the layers were turned off or frozen? Could these have originally been XREFs and the XREFs were not sent with the DWGs?

[Hoozin]

Did you check to see if the layers were turned off or frozen? Could these have originally been XREFs and the XREFs were not sent with the DWGs?
I've run the drawings past several people much better with the program than myself, the data is not there.

The XREF thing makes sense, however the XREF management dialog shows nothing.

And like I said, the most recent updates I'm grabbing show the PDFs missing the data, meaning it looks wrong for them too when they print it to PDF, they just aren't bothering to actually check their work.

Actually, I've seen Autoplant mentioned a few times here, and I saw an email with a different contractor that had the same problems and they hinted that Autoplant was used for the drawing. The little bit I know about Autoplant leads me to believe that they did the drawings in Autoplant, and screwed up porting them to Autocad, but I definitely could be talking out of my derrier on that one, so I don't try to go anywhere with it at work.

[SLW210]

Sounds like they unloaded the XREFs to me and now no one has a clue to where the XREFed files went. :?