Can I edit scanned files?

[sweigl]

We are looking to buy a wide format scanner to scan technical drawings into our system. We would like to be able to take that scanned image and export it into our cad software and then edit them (stretchlines, move lines, etc.).

 

I see where you can purchase software that will convert PDF's into a .dwg file. At that point can we do "complete" editing, just as if it had been created in our software?

[tzframpton]

Best method is to import into CAD and re-trace over it. Raster to CAD software packages do a poor poor job of converting. It's not really ever actually usable.

[Bill Tillman]

You will be able to edit the files once you import them but as StykeFacE said no Raster to CAD import package will do a good enough job to convert all the lines, symbols, dimensions, etc to be foolproof. Too many variables involved. Tracing over scanned image is a good option. But you will not find a magic bullet out there which will import a scanned drawing and turn it into a complete drawing.

[eldon]

Don't forget that paper drawings distort unevenly, and sometimes have folds which usually cannot be completely flattened.

 

You may find that with all the work that you have to do with the converted image, it may be better to re-draw from scratch.

[Bill Tillman]

Yes, and even with a good scanner, you're going to receive drawings from some who will fold them in order to mail them to you. Sheesh, the last place I worked was such a dinosaur with their big printed sheets that all the old estimators said they just couldn't work without. Anyway, run one of these previously folded sheets through their very expensive, high resolution scanner and those big grey ugly lines appear all over the page where the folds were. Can't say that I'm a big fan of this process and would consider re-drawing from scratch, or better, contact the people who prepared the drawings and find out if electronic copies of the files exist.

 

Unfortunately, industry is still not making the transition from paper to paperless world as quickly as they should. I can imagine one day in 10 maybe 20 years when printing drawings on paper will be such a thing of the past. Even the guys in the field will not use paper. Just wait, this will happen one day no matter what all you old farts say. And for the record, I am an old fart but I embrace technology rather than complain about how it will never work.

[Organic]

Yes, and even with a good scanner, you're going to receive drawings from some who will fold them in order to mail them to you. Sheesh, the last place I worked was such a dinosaur with their big printed sheets that all the old estimators said they just couldn't work without.

 

I am environmentally conscious etc althoguh it is hard to not print large sheets of paper and plan sets in an office environment. It is simply necessary. At least with a paper plan in the field, it will always be there whereas with phones and ipads etc the battery can easily die and you are without a plan anymore.

[sparkyuk]

Even a full sized printed drawing will not show all the small detail, I often find things on a drawing once its in autocad and I have zoomed in that are not visable in the paper version, but trying to work off a lap top drawing as an electricain will never happen unless I have a 42" flat screen on the work place wall that is lol

[f700es]

I would not even trace over, been there done that. Just hire a summer intern and have them re-draw. Kid gets some work practice and you get a clean CAD file. Win-win

 

Edit: oops forgot my favorite line

Scan to CAD = the "Holy Grail" of the CAD world

[Bill Tillman]

I would not even trace over, been there done that. Just hire a summer intern and have them re-draw. Kid gets some work practice and you get a clean CAD file. Win-win

 

Edit: oops forgot my favorite line

Scan to CAD = the "Holy Grail" of the CAD world

 

Hey, forget the Cad Kiddies...I'm looking for work and will gladly offer my services if we can reach a deal.

[Bill Tillman]

I am environmentally conscious etc althoguh it is hard to not print large sheets of paper and plan sets in an office environment. It is simply necessary. At least with a paper plan in the field, it will always be there whereas with phones and ipads etc the battery can easily die and you are without a plan anymore.

 

I am a LEED Certified person and the day of paperless is coming. There are lots of people who quote what you say up here but that's just because you've been working with big pieces of paper all your life. The day will eventually come when technology removes all the excuses and PDF files will be the norm.

[Organic]

I am a LEED Certified person and the day of paperless is coming. There are lots of people who quote what you say up here but that's just because you've been working with big pieces of paper all your life. The day will eventually come when technology removes all the excuses and PDF files will be the norm.

 

Paperless is good from an environmental perspective althoguh it is just not practical. It may be possible to reduce our reliance on paper althoguh it will still always be there. I much prefer to look at a physical A1 sheet of paper than I do to look at it on my computer screen. Not to mention the fact that we don't pay for the printing expense but charge the clients for it.