Converters - PDF to DWG or DXF - Recommendations?

I didn't know which of all the forums was best suited for this question but

I trust the knowledge base that I know hangs out in this particular forum.

I did a search and found no results.

If this topic has been discusses eleswhere please provide a link.

I'm looking for an application (retail) that does a good (accurate) job

of converting PDF files to DWG or DXFs. I realize that it is not an exact

science and each program has its strong and weak points.

Just wondering what some of you recommend (and DON'T recommend )

Thanks!!

What search terms did you use? This has been discussed ad nauseam on CADTutor.

I have moved your thread to the AutoCAD General forum.

These two pop up often: PDFLY at the CADforum and PDF2DWG at DotSoft. I'm sure there are a couple more as well.

Major factor to consider is whether the PDF is a Vector or Raster.

Did you check similar threads at the bottom of this thread?

I searched "Convert PDF to DWG"

After getting spanked I searched again and I did find it, 3 pages in.

I thought my search terms were pretty specific.

Specific enough that after 2 pages filled with results I thought a new thread wouldn't kill anyone..

Why the first thread that I thought applied to my search was 3 pages deep I don't understand.

I guess I will have to always use the ADVANCED search.

Thanks anyway...

I bring up a few threads in a search.

The link you posted doesn't go anywhere SLW. I've been looking for a good PDF to DWG converter as well. Have you used any of those converters ReMark?

The link you posted doesn't go anywhere SLW. I've been looking for a good PDF to DWG converter as well. Have you used any of those converters ReMark?

i use this.

http://www.aidecad.com/pdf-to-dxf-converter.html

20 sessions on the free trial (no other restrictions/watermarks etc afaik)....it's PDF to DXF but i like it.

handles vector based PDFs and bitmap based, output obv dependent on the source.

Hi,

I'm using this one:

http://www.backtocad.com/engl/cadconv-kx-2014.html

HTH

Wolfgang

There are tons of threads here on this subject. To sum them up;

The type of PDF is a major factor. If it is vector based, the translation back to CAD can be very accurate. If it is raster based, the quality of the image affects the quality of the CAD. IMHO, if it is raster, I would rather redraw it from scratch because there is usually a lot of cleanup after the translation, even with the better programs. There simply isn't enough information in the PDF to get a quality DWG. That being said, what you plan on using the translated file for may warrant the use of conversion software if the quality of the DWG is not a concern.

The link you posted doesn't go anywhere SLW. I've been looking for a good PDF to DWG converter as well. Have you used any of those converters ReMark?

No I have not. They are just a couple that have been mentioned frequently. I wouldn't use any conversion software to recreate a drawing. In my opinion they are all pretty much worthless. Feel free to have the exact 180 degree difference of opinion though.

First we need to know if it is Raster or Vector PDFs or both.

I use Illustrator and VectPDF, usually get ok results and saves time usually depending on original file. Rasters, I usually just trace or redraw from scratch.

Here is an RSS from CAD Panacea for an online FREE tool.

A search "Convert PDF to DWG" with the Quotes will return 2 pages of