I have been able to insert a PDF into an AutoCAD 2013 dwg but only as an attachment. This seems to be similar to xref but I can't seem to bind the pdf to the dwg. Therefore when I send the dwg to a client and they open it, they only see the drawing format and no PDF attachment. Sending the PDF as a separate file is not an acceptable solution.
Is there a way to insert a PDF and bind it to the dwg so an external reference file is not required?
I'm not interested in converting the PDF to a dxf or any other format. Just interested in knowing whether there is a way to insert and bind a PDF to an ACAD dwg.
Thanks in advance.
bouyscout
Not a good method. The only method possible is to convert the pdf to an image and then to embed the image. Why is an attachment of any concern?
Ok, thanks for the reply. Was hoping for a different answer but had concluded the same.
We have to submit vendor drawings to our client in an ACAD dwg format with the client's format. Vendor refuses to provide a dwg or dxf of their equipment outline dwgs. Some of the vendors will supply the outline drawing on client's format but only as a pdf. Client will not accept a pdf so, if I can put the pdf in a dwg they'll take it. Client wants to archive the drawings as dwgs in their document management system; a separate "linked" file is not conducive to this.
Some of the raster formats are either huge or highly pixilated and resolution is pretty bad. Inserting the PDF directly into a drawing is best solution if it can be done.
Regards,
bouyscout
Unless they are extremely complicated, which they are about 5% of the time, I just trace them over (to scale, using their dimensions) and convert their products into 3 blocks (ortho views with _P, _F, and _R suffixes). Then they're in my library and from then on, I benefit immensely. PDF attachments slow the drawing down.