How to import pdf file via georeference

[rstewartBDDFE]

Good morning all, I have a general question in regards to pdf files and importing into autocad, I would like to know if there is a way to import a pdf so that it is georeferenced to the correct location, or if there is a way to import a pdf to the exact location and scale at which it belongs..

Thank you!

[AllenJessup · Accepted solution]

I believe you can if it's a georeferenced PDF. Otherwise it's Move/Scale/Rotate or Rubber Sheet if you have Raster Design.

[rstewartBDDFE]

Thank you for your response, I would like to know how would I determine if the pdf is georeferenced? 

I'm not sure if the pdf is georeferenced due to the fact it contains pdf markups for utilities on top of the provided survey. My end goal is to produce the pdf utility markups in autocad to scale. 

Thank you, 

[AllenJessup]

I will admit I don't know. I just know that they exist. Your best bet is to ask the originator of the file.

[TerryDotson · Accepted solution]

Drag/drop it into QGIS then right click the layer and choose properties.  Here's an example that's ISO coded.

[rstewartBDDFE]

Hello, i'm not to familiar with QGIS I would like to know if that is a downloadable expansion for AutoCAD Civil 3D?

Also, I'm not entirely sure what an ISO code is, would it be possible if you could clarify?

Thank  you, 

[Pointdump]

Hi Robert,
Civil 3D didn't used to be able to do anything with a Geo-Referenced PDF, but I don't know about recent versions. I don't have a Geo-Referenced PDF for testing.
PDF's really bog C3D down, so if you Rubber Sheet it like @AllenJessup suggested, you'll then want to convert it to a GeoTiff to speed your drawing up.
QGIS, as @TerryDotson suggested, is a free GIS program that's like a Swiss Army Can Opener of files. Download it >>>Here<<<.
Dave

[TerryDotson]

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I don't have a Geo-Referenced PDF for testing.

I have about 20 in a mix of ISO and OGC encoding.  PM me on the forum or email me at dotson (at) dotsoft (dot) com if you want a couple.

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... you'll then want to convert it to a GeoTiff to speed your drawing up.

Not necessarily.  Just like a regular PDF it can contain paths, images and text.

As for GeoPDF, I don't support it because the world has enough precision formats and considering that the objects inside a GeoPDF have been reduced to two decimal page coordinates, it's just short of 'GeoGarbage'.

[TerryDotson]

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Also, I'm not entirely sure what an ISO code is, would it be possible if you could clarify?

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QGIS is a very useful standalone graphics program available for Wibndows, Mac and Linux!  It is based on the highly respected GDAL library, so you could say "it's got guts".   As far as ISO, you don't need to need to know the difference between ISO and OGC encoding.  Sad to say that something as obscure as this already has two standards.  Once said "The great thing about standards is that there are so many of them to choose from".

[Pointdump]

Robert,
Civil 3D 2022 still can't do much with a Geo-PDF. Terry sent me several to play with. I can't find any way in C3D to use their Geo-Referencing. Looks like your options are to use Raster Tools Rubbersheet or to save as a GeoTiff in QGIS.
As Terry noted, a PDF "can contain paths, images and text", so if you save as a GeoTiff you'll lose those.
Dave

[AllenJessup]

Dave,

I thought I had read that you could add one as a raster file. But it doesn't look like that's possible in 2021.

Looks like Geotiff from QGIS or Rubber Sheeting are the options.

[Pointdump]

Hi Allen,
Even in 2022 I can't find a way with MAPCONNECT.

Dave

[Liesl_H]

I dropped my georeferenced PDF into Global Mapper and exported as a geotiff. Worked like a charm and thanks for the tip.