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PDF to DWG

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Message 1 of 14
iacevedo
958 Views, 13 Replies

PDF to DWG

iacevedo
Contributor
Contributor

I used to be able to import an editable PDF into AutoCAD. Not sure why when I try to import the PDF it either comes up with an error and does not import the file. Or it would import the PDF as an image and that ok but I don't want to waste time tracing it out when I see others importing PDF'S and directly editing on AutoCAD.

 

Thank you 

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PDF to DWG

I used to be able to import an editable PDF into AutoCAD. Not sure why when I try to import the PDF it either comes up with an error and does not import the file. Or it would import the PDF as an image and that ok but I don't want to waste time tracing it out when I see others importing PDF'S and directly editing on AutoCAD.

 

Thank you 

13 REPLIES 13
Message 2 of 14
rkmcswain
in reply to: iacevedo

rkmcswain
Mentor
Mentor

What version of AutoCAD are you using?

What command are you using that "comes up with an error"?

What error is it?

Nothing has changed in AutoCAD. Have you tried other PDF files?

 

 

R.K. McSwain     | CADpanacea | on twitter

What version of AutoCAD are you using?

What command are you using that "comes up with an error"?

What error is it?

Nothing has changed in AutoCAD. Have you tried other PDF files?

 

 

R.K. McSwain     | CADpanacea | on twitter
Message 3 of 14
Valentin-WSP
in reply to: iacevedo

Valentin-WSP
Mentor
Mentor

@iacevedo ,

 

While you provide additional information, install the latest updates and review these links:

 

 

 



Please select the "Accept as Solution" button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.


Emilio Valentin
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@iacevedo ,

 

While you provide additional information, install the latest updates and review these links:

 

 

 



Please select the "Accept as Solution" button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.


Emilio Valentin
Message 4 of 14
TheCADnoob
in reply to: iacevedo

TheCADnoob
Mentor
Mentor

@iacevedo wrote:

... an editable PDF ...


When you say editable, do you mean editable as in not protected, or do you mean a PDF that contains vector data? A PDF can be editable and not contain vector data in it. 

CADnoob

EESignature

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@iacevedo wrote:

... an editable PDF ...


When you say editable, do you mean editable as in not protected, or do you mean a PDF that contains vector data? A PDF can be editable and not contain vector data in it. 

CADnoob

EESignature

Message 5 of 14
paullimapa
in reply to: iacevedo

paullimapa
Mentor
Mentor

could you share the pdf you're attempting to import here so we can give it a try?


Paul Li
IT Specialist
@The Office
Apps & Publications | Video Demos
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could you share the pdf you're attempting to import here so we can give it a try?


Paul Li
IT Specialist
@The Office
Apps & Publications | Video Demos
Message 6 of 14
pendean
in reply to: iacevedo

pendean
Community Legend
Community Legend
@Anonymous PDF files need to contain vector elements to be converted by AutoCAD to anything other than an image.

PDFs from scans and images (and PDFs from PDFs usually) do not have any vector information in them, so AutoCAD cannot convert those except to bring in as images (just like their source).

From your post it would appear you've never experienced that before today. Now you have. And yes, tracing is the free workaround.

if you want to tell us what the exact error message you are referring to actually states, we might be able to help you further.

@Anonymous PDF files need to contain vector elements to be converted by AutoCAD to anything other than an image.

PDFs from scans and images (and PDFs from PDFs usually) do not have any vector information in them, so AutoCAD cannot convert those except to bring in as images (just like their source).

From your post it would appear you've never experienced that before today. Now you have. And yes, tracing is the free workaround.

if you want to tell us what the exact error message you are referring to actually states, we might be able to help you further.
Message 7 of 14
iacevedo
in reply to: rkmcswain

iacevedo
Contributor
Contributor

AutoCAD 2023

Attached is the error I've received.

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AutoCAD 2023

Attached is the error I've received.

Message 8 of 14
iacevedo
in reply to: paullimapa

iacevedo
Contributor
Contributor

Attached is the PDF in question

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Attached is the PDF in question

Message 9 of 14
iacevedo
in reply to: TheCADnoob

iacevedo
Contributor
Contributor

I remember being able to import PDF's and AutoCAD object snapping lines. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong.

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I remember being able to import PDF's and AutoCAD object snapping lines. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong.

Message 10 of 14
Valentin-WSP
in reply to: iacevedo

Valentin-WSP
Mentor
Mentor

@iacevedo ,

 

Reading these links may help:

 

 

 



Please select the "Accept as Solution" button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.


Emilio Valentin
0 Likes

@iacevedo ,

 

Reading these links may help:

 

 

 



Please select the "Accept as Solution" button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.


Emilio Valentin
Message 11 of 14
pendean
in reply to: iacevedo

pendean
Community Legend
Community Legend

@iacevedo wrote:

AutoCAD 2023

Attached is the error I've received.


That's not an error message, AutoCAD is simply telling you this PDF cannot be converted

pendean_0-1691153729868.png

 

This one PDF is a picture, unlike all the others you used to convert way back when

pendean_1-1691153794309.png

 

pendean_2-1691153815643.png

 

pendean_3-1691153849273.png

 

pendean_4-1691153870442.png

 

 

You will need to buy a 3rd party converter to use with this one PDF file instead.


@iacevedo wrote:

AutoCAD 2023

Attached is the error I've received.


That's not an error message, AutoCAD is simply telling you this PDF cannot be converted

pendean_0-1691153729868.png

 

This one PDF is a picture, unlike all the others you used to convert way back when

pendean_1-1691153794309.png

 

pendean_2-1691153815643.png

 

pendean_3-1691153849273.png

 

pendean_4-1691153870442.png

 

 

You will need to buy a 3rd party converter to use with this one PDF file instead.

Message 12 of 14
paullimapa
in reply to: iacevedo

paullimapa
Mentor
Mentor

You’ve done nothing wrong. This pdf is a picture or raster image like a jpg and not a vector like AutoCAD dwg. If you still want to place this image into AutoCAD, you can use PdfAttach command. Though you cannot snap to what’s drawn inside an image, at least you can show it inside a dwg. .  


Paul Li
IT Specialist
@The Office
Apps & Publications | Video Demos
0 Likes

You’ve done nothing wrong. This pdf is a picture or raster image like a jpg and not a vector like AutoCAD dwg. If you still want to place this image into AutoCAD, you can use PdfAttach command. Though you cannot snap to what’s drawn inside an image, at least you can show it inside a dwg. .  


Paul Li
IT Specialist
@The Office
Apps & Publications | Video Demos
Message 13 of 14
iacevedo
in reply to: iacevedo

iacevedo
Contributor
Contributor

Well, I ended up tracing the tank. If anyone knows of what program to get that would be best to convert pdf to dwg let me know. I tried a couple programs, and the conversions were not what I was hoping for.

Well, I ended up tracing the tank. If anyone knows of what program to get that would be best to convert pdf to dwg let me know. I tried a couple programs, and the conversions were not what I was hoping for.

Message 14 of 14
TheCADnoob
in reply to: iacevedo

TheCADnoob
Mentor
Mentor

I haven't found any conversion software that is worthy. It is always best to get the natives or vector PDFs, otherwise tracing is a good way to go. 

CADnoob

EESignature

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I haven't found any conversion software that is worthy. It is always best to get the natives or vector PDFs, otherwise tracing is a good way to go. 

CADnoob

EESignature

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