How to import and convert a hand drawn scaled Architectural drawing into Autocad

[PaulSinnott1828]

I thought that using the PDFIMPORT command that I could import a hand drawn scaled drawing by creating a scanned PDF drawing and then importing that PDF to create a new .dwg file. I now know that Autocad does not recognize the objects in the drawing unless the original PDF was created in Autocad vs a scanned version.

I know that I can Xref the PDF hand drawn file into model space and draw over top of the PDF to create a new Autocad .dwg layout with the appropriate layers but its is not very accurate

Is there another way to import the hand drawn scaled layout drawing and convert it to a .dwg in Autocad ?

Paul

I know that I can Xref the PDF hand drawn file into model space and draw over top of the PDF to create a new Autocad .dwg layout with the appropriate layers but its is not very accurate

[pendean · Accepted solution]

When is a hand-drawn sketch that accurate you have to worry about it? Just wondering.

Scanned PDFs are raster-based, aka pictures: AutoCAD does not convert pictures to CAD.

You'll need to purchase a 3rd party software package for that, if tracing/drawing over it yourself manually in AutoCAD, as you stated, is too time consuming.

HTH

[PaulSinnott1828]

Hi and thank you for your response

Often a client will only have a set of blueprints created from scaled drawings that were originally hand drawn. Is there software that would convert the drawings into an Autocad .dwg file that could then be editable ? Of is tracing over an Xref PDF the only way to work with the blueprint copies in Autocad ?

P

[pendean · Accepted solution]

You will need professional grade software like this (and time to learn how to use it) https://www.google.com/search?q=raster+to+vector+software

Or hire a service to do it for you: most charge by the sheet, if you are in a large metro area you'll find most pro print shops can do it for you. Or you can employ companies on the web for the task at a lower cost.

[PaulSinnott1828]

Great thank you !!!

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi Paul, I purchased software called Scan2CAD which can convert both the line elements and the test elements of a drawing into machine readable editable form. I dont use it much anymore anymore because I can import pdfs directly into Autocad LT since the 2009 version but it still works well. When you scan from paper though you have to be aware of distorsions to the paper though photo copying which will stretch the paper by 2-3% and be able to apply afine (differential) scaling to account for this. You will get similar issues with old linen or cotton backed paper drawings such as title deeds or old drawings of bridges or floor plans etc. Hope this is helpfull