Is there a Lisp routine that can help me automate operations with imported PDF files?

[2051054005]

Hi everyone,

I have many mechanical drawings, and I would like to automate the following tasks:

1. Automatically import all pages of a PDF file in a single step.

2. Most of my drawings are in inches, while my software is set to millimeters. I would like the imported drawings to be automatically scaled to the correct 1:1 ratio. In other words, whenever I import a PDF drawing, the software should automatically adjust it to the true scale.

3. Automatically highlight dimension lines by coloring them in green.

So is there a Lisp routine that can help me automate operations with imported PDF files?

[paullimapa]

At least I can answer your question #1 here:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/community-blog-aec-english/importing-multiple-pdf-pages-into-autocad/...

[blogersvalley]

### **Common Automated Operations for PDFs in AutoCAD via Lisp**:
1. **Importing PDFs** (as underlays or geometry).
2. **Scaling/Rotating** PDF underlays to match drawing units.
3. **Converting PDF geometry** to AutoCAD objects (lines, text, etc.).
4. **Managing PDF layers**/visibility.
5. **Extracting data** from PDF underlays.

---

### **Example AutoLISP Snippet**:
This simple routine imports a PDF into AutoCAD and scales it:
```lisp
(defun c:ImportPDF ( / pdfPath insPt scaleFactor)
(setq pdfPath "C:/Path/To/Your/File.pdf") ; Specify PDF path
(setq insPt (getpoint "\nSelect insertion point: ")) ; Pick point in drawing
(setq scaleFactor 1.0) ; Adjust scale as needed
(command "PDFATTACH" pdfPath insPt scaleFactor "" "")
(princ)
)
```
- Run with `IMPORTPDF` after loading.

---

### **For Advanced Tasks**:
- Use `(command "PDFIMPORT" ...)` to convert PDF content to AutoCAD geometry.
- Combine with `(ssget)` to select and modify imported PDF underlays.

---

### **Limitations**:
- PDF conversion quality depends on the PDF’s structure (raster vs. vector).
- Complex PDFs may require manual cleanup post-import.

---

### **Better Alternatives**:
For robust PDF automation, consider:
- **AutoCAD’s built-in `PDFIMPORT` command** (for direct conversion).
- **Third-party tools** like *PDF to DWG converters* for batch processing.
- **Combine Lisp with .NET API** for complex tasks (e.g., extracting text).

[Sea-Haven]

Even though you can import a pdf and convert to CAD objects, often the result does not provide what you want. A dim can be read as just lines and text. Similar results for Raster to vector. Which is way older than import PDF.

There is numerous examples of import multiple PDF pages and lay them out in a grid or row etc just search here.

I would import one page and look for longest known object dim etc and work out the scale factor required. If the pdf's were made using FIT then the scale may vary per pdf.