Inserting PDF into AutoCAD 2018

[spaulus]

I have a equipment file in PDF format that I would like to insert into my AutoCAD drawing. I am using AutoCAD 2018 and have gone to the "Insert" and selected "Import PDF". Located the file and selected it, PDF has 3 sheets, only want the 1st page. Have selected and picked "Specify insertion point on-screen", Scale = 1, Rotation=0, Use PDF layers=selected, Vector geometry, solid fills, truetype text all selected, Join line and arc segments, covert solid fills to hatches, apply lineweight properties all selected. When I say ok, I see a rectangle that I am able to place but when I do I get a message "No objects were imported". I understand that if PDF is not created with AutoCAD then you can't import it. I don't know what program was used to create this PDF. Any suggestions on what else to try?

Thank you,

Steve

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

if the PDF contains vectors then yes, then _PDFIMPORT creates AutoCAD geometry from the content of the PDF.

But if it's a raster-PDF (like images) then the import function can't create vectors from this. So first please verify which type of PDF you have.

If you have a raster-PDF then you can use command _PDFATTACH to insert a reference to the file (and so be able to draw over it and plot it.

- alfred -

[spaulus]

I am going to assume that it is a raster-pdf but how do i know for sure?

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

do you have Adobe Acrobat? Or if you have text objects inside the PDF is it possible to select these characters when opening your PDF with a viewer? If yes these text objects should also get text object in AutoCAD. If not it's most probably a raster content.

Also when you start command _PDFIMPORT and you uncheck all but "Raster Images" ... do you then get an image imported/referenced as result? ... if yes, it's a raster-PDF.

But it could also be a mix of text, vector geometry and raster geometry.

- alfred -

[spaulus]

unchecked all except "Raster images" and got the drawing but can't click on it or anything.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> and got the drawing but can't click on it or anything

Because you have just a group of pixels, which means it's a raster content. So you don't have the option to select anything like lines as it does not contain lines.

You now need to recreate the dwg by drawing over the PDF (if it's legally allowed for this content) or you might find some external tools doing raster to vector conversion, but don't assume getting all solved with this.

- alfred -

[spaulus]

if it was raster...just a bunch of pixels wouldn't I be able to window around a section and erase some pixels I don't want? It is acting like a block, I can select the outside line and press delete and the whole image goes away but I can't explode it.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> wouldn't I be able to window around a section

>> and erase some pixels I don't want? 

If you have AutoCAD RasterDesign .. then yes.

With a bit of struggling you can also draw a hatch (pattern = SOLID, color = 254,254,254) as replacement of your rectangle and draw your new geometry on top of this hatch. Just take care about draworder before printing.

- alfred -

[spaulus]

Thank you Alfred, I will give it a try in the morning. You have been most helpful!!!