AutoCAD drawing files and PDFs are a winning combination. They go together like chocolate and peanut butter! AutoCAD’s DWG format is universal, and easily imported into many popular design software packages. Often, however, the data we would like to bring into an AutoCAD DWG is in a format that is native to other software packages.
I am an opportunistic CAD designer; I will admit it. If I can get CAD data on something that is needed for my drawing from an external source, I will certainly do so (with a degree of caution, of course). Commonly, when looking for drawing data on a component or device that will be used in a design, the first thing that a designer will look for is native AutoCAD format.
Native DWG files and DXF files are available when searching many vendor websites. Care must be taken when working with the available files. Often, vendors do not actively support 2D formats. If they do, the file is often a converted 3D file, which is a completely different animal.
PDFs: Valuable Sources of Data, If You Do Some Investigation
PDF data is a treasure trove of information available to the CAD designer. The ability to use imported PDF data as entities in AutoCAD has saved me in many cases from having to create things on my own. This data is available in many locations, some of which people frequently overlook. Think about how many documents a vendor includes image data in. Everything from cut sheets to full manuals for components, and recently as a link to the file on the vendor website. PDF files are a great tool for the CAD designer, but what if a PDF isn't available on a vendor's website or via e-mail?
Most vendors have raw data, and the software, available to create a PDF when one does not exist. Many times, vendors who do not publish DWG or DXF files for a widget have designed their product in non-AutoCAD applications. This is no issue, as the variety of software in today's digital realm can perform almost any conversion necessary to create Autodesk-supported file formats. So many native graphics file formats exist, most with the capability to convert file types. There is no reason not to use the PDF file format.
Product manuals are my favorite place to get clear and accurate data for my drawings. The images typically included are basic, allowing component wiring, yet providing enough detail to easily identify a component. The screenshot below is a prime example. I have enough data for the component to be clearly identified, yet I can do all my design work with the included data.
A word of caution when working with this data however is the scale factor. Manuals, as well as product cut sheets, are formatted to fit letter-size paper. In the image below, the breaker is 17.6mm wide by the dimension shown. This sheet size restriction applies to any size component! When using this image as a PDF import it will be (obviously) out of scale. The screenshot below is how the PDF came into my drawing.
The dimension is referenced in metric. This isn't really an issue, as you will need to scale it anyway. However – take note of the dimensions that I put on the copied data. Doing the math, the view is drawn at .78 = 1 scale, if you have your dimension style properly set... Before working with this data, I recommend doing a “distance” command to verify the actual size of the entity. Using this data, you can determine how to scale the entity to match the drawing settings accurately.
Another point to remember is that the data will contain many small entities, in this case, 173 of them. If you miss a line or two this could be interesting.
TIP: Always select the desired portion of the detail and “cut with base point”, using a practical base point. This will remove the individual pieces from the drawing, and provide a practical base point. Next “paste as block” back into your drawing.
When this single entity is selected, it can easily be manipulated without losing important detail. I will typically save my original PDF unedited, to our server to preserve all the data. When inserting into a DWG, edit the scaling and detail content you wish to keep. Also add a note to the original file with the proper scale, for future reference! By creating a reference directory of original data files, and an alternate for cleaned-up data, the source data can always be referenced as necessary.
PDFs: Not Just One Trick Ponies
As often as I use a PDF reference in my schematic and enclosure designs, the benefits of including a PDF extend to many other aspects of my design work. As part of my work, I need to add track data for our AGV integration into a plant. As customers are sometimes hesitant to send me a DWG, they will send a PDF.
I will then put this into my file as an import, cleaning up the layers and locking them to avoid errors. One of the caveats of PDF imports is the uncertainty of the layer structure. In the image below, the plant layout is a PDF import. I will typically lock critical layers as required for accuracy and data integrity. In a plant layout, blocks, layers, and their setup are outside my control. If, however, I am working with a specific component for importation as one entity rather than a complicated layout, I will try to set all the entities to one layer for convenience and file maintenance.
As a CAD designer, I am always looking to save time on my work. PDF files and their proper handling can make a designer more efficient and accurate. Too often the sources of said files get overlooked, resulting in extra time and work. Always check online, and not just the vendor’s website, for a PDF manual or cut sheet before you invest too much time and start from scratch on a project.
The use of reseller websites to acquire PDF data is sometimes easier than going to the component manufacturer's website. Often a reseller will have a direct link to a specific document hidden deep on the OEM website. I have actually found OEM suppliers that will require you to e-mail for both PDF and DWG, DXF data (after you register with the course). Being loaded down in spam from vendors is no fun.
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