Ultimate Guide: PDF to DXF Conversion

This guide is brought to you by Scan2CAD,the market leading file conversion and editing software

Ultimate Guide:

PDF-to-DXFconversion

Table of Contents

▪ When and why would someone want to convert PDF files to DXF?

▪ How to convert a PDF file to DXF

▪ What is a PDF file?

▪ What is a DXF file?

▪ What technology is involved in the PDF-to-DXF conversion?

▪ Using Scan2CAD to convert PDF to DXF files

When do you convert PDF files to DXF?

When we want to edit the contents of the PDF file in CAD software.

There’s drawing data that you

need, that is stored in PDF

format

If you convert it to DXF, you

can load it onto any CAD

software…

…and edit the individual

elements/ drawing objects

Why would you convert PDF files to DXF?Well, clients and colleagues often share files in PDF format, especially those without a technical

background or CAD expertise. If you need to edit the file in a CAD program, you have two options

for conversion:

Convert manually, without a PDF-to-DXFconverter

Convert your PDF file using a PDF-to-DXFfile conversion program

Using a PDF-to-DXF converter helps you save time

…compared to a one click process!Lots of fiddling about with pens and grab points…

You’d load the file into the conversion

program, click a few buttons and voila!

Out comes a DXF file that’s ready for

CAD editing.

You’d manually redraw the vector file.

This could take hours, or even days –

time that can be better spent on more

vital work functions!

Once the PDF is converted into DXF, you can load the drawing into a CAD program

The world is now your oyster and there are all sorts of CAD tools in your arsenal.

You can cut, copy and paste certain elements of an existing drawing.

You can edit specific elements of the drawing, such as reshaping Bezier curves, stretching

vectors, converting lines to arcs and so on.

It is easy to iterate and reiterate drawings on CAD software.

All sorts of CAD editing

tools in your

arsenal!

DXF drawings can be shared with literally anyone

There are amazing benefits to reap by converting files to DXF. This is because the DXF file format is

the industry standard for CAD file sharing. In other words, DXF files can be read and edited by any

CAD and CNC application on the market; regardless of industry or expertise. You can share your

drawing with literally anyone.

All sorts of people and organizations work with DXF files. We’ve had corporations, independent

consultants, government agencies and CAD professionals use our Scan2CAD software.

Using a PDF-to-DXF converter lets you collaborate with other folks easily

Here are a some of the programs that you can use to view and edit DXF files. There are easily hundreds of other CAD programs that support DXF files

From scanned PDF image to CAD…

An architectural designer can receive a PDF floorplan from his client. Once it’s

converted to DXF, he can share it with the electrical engineer for wiring plans,

structural contractor for structural renovations, landscape designer and so on.

Scanned and saved as PDF

Converted to DXFformat

Loaded into CAD program

Case study: Wood routing company converts PDF designs to beautiful wooden signs

Who?The Signs Workshop is a small business in UK, which specializes in making high-quality and

environmentally-friendly routed wooden signs. It makes grand entrance signs for country

parks; sign boards and information boards for shop owners, mileposts and way markers for

forest reserves, as well as bespoke wooden products.

The Signs Workshop’s clients mostly share drawings in PDF format. Other times, they share

rough pictures or logos on business cards, then ask “Can you make a sign of this?”

On the other hand, The Signs Workshop employs Licom router software to produce its

wooden signs. They required a quick and easy system to convert sketches and PDF files into

vector files. Enter file conversion software packages like Scan2CAD.

Who’s the user?

Why do they need a PDF-to-DXF

converter?

Here’s a sample of their work

The picture on the left is a DXFdrawing file, which is used to make the park entrance sign (right picture)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Router_(woodworking)

Table of Contents







What programs can I use to convert PDF files to DXF?

There are a number of free PDF-to-DXF

converters available: both online applications

that you use within your Internet browser, and

downloadable software packages.

You can also convert PDF files to DXF using

full CAD software packages or PDF editors.

These software solutions vary by the type of drawing information that can be

retrieved. For example, some software cannot convert raster images while others may

not retain the true dimensions of the drawing in the PDF.

How to convert: A step-by-step guide (1/2)

The actual conversion process itself is really quite simple. The steps to converting a

PDF file to DXF format varies by software, but here’s how it usually goes:

2. Select the conversion settings. Most conversion

software come with pre-programmed settings. For

example, in Scan2CAD, there is an “Architectural”

option that is designed to trace straight lines and right

angles, whereas the “Contour Map” setting traces

curves well.

1. Load the PDF file that

you’d like to convert.

How to convert: A step-by-step guide (2/2)

3. Click “Convert”. Wait a few seconds and voila!

You have a DXF file that is compatible with any

CAD software on the market. After conversion,

you can choose whether to display only vector

information or to overlay the original raster

image as well.

4. Save the DXF file. Now,

you can edit the DXF file

with any CAD software.

Top Tip: Remember to compare!

Depending on the software used, some elements of the drawing may not be transferred

completely. For example, some color fills and custom objects may be lost in the

conversion. The accuracy of raster-to-vector conversion should also be checked.

FAQ on PDF-to-DXF conversion (1/3)

Yes, you can! We’ve been in the file conversion software

business for a long time; more than 15 years to be exact! We’ve

seen clients convert all sorts of files – floor plans, network

diagrams, organization charts, logos and more.

Can I convert any PDF file to DXF format?

There is such a large variety of PDF files,

with different uses of PDF files. This is

because a PDF file can be created on a

variety of sources, including word

processors, document scanners, print

drivers, CAD software and many other

programs.

Image source: www.adobe.acrobat.com


Yes, of course. You can even select specific pages

in the PDF document that you’d like to convert, or

specify the layout in your output DXF file

Can I convert PDF files that consist of multiple pages?

Image source: www.autodwg.com


Yes, most paid software packages offer a

batch-processing feature. All you have to do is

select which folder to convert and choose the

conversion settings for all the files. For

example, Scan2CAD allows you to choose

whether you’d like to include a raster image in

the DXF file or vectorize the raster image.

Can I convert multiple PDF files at a time?

If you have more questions about this topic, please drop us an email! [email protected]

Table of Contents







PDF is used to exchange documents across different operating systems, software and hardware

PDF = Portable Document Format

PDF is a file format used to present and exchange

documents regardless of operating system or

hardware used. It doesn’t matter what application you

used to create the file, or what device you’re viewing

the file on – iMac, Windows laptop, Linux PC, tablet or

mobile phone – the PDF document will look exactly

the same.


PDF documents are made for sharing

A PDF file preserves every element of the

document – a document saved in PDF

format would look exactly the same on any

software, hardware or operating system.

Anyone can view PDF files easily and for

free. All computers and mobile devices

come with a PDF reader pre-installed on

them; many applications also support PDF

files.

PDF is suitable for reviewing

▪ Comments can be marked on them without affecting the original file.

▪ You can control how your drawing is shared too – PDF files can be

password-protected, to prevent copying and editing, and electronically

signed.


Table of Contents







DXF is made for exchanging drawings in the CAD world

DXF = Drawing Exchange Format

DXF is a vector graphic file format that stores 2D drawings. DXF files

are as widely used as DWG, especially since it is supported by almost

all CAD programs in the world today.

Here are some samples of DXF

files

DXF file format enables data exchange between different CAD programs

DXF files can be shared between

different companies and

industries, with different CAD

systems.

Since the DXF file format is

open-sourced, all CAD software

developers have access to the

specification and can easily

support the file format.You’d share your drawing to clients for feedback and to 3D printers and

CNC machines

Image source: www.grabcad.com

For example, an artist can send his DXF drawing to a cutting machine vendor

An artist designs signboards or sculptures

using the software that he knows best, such

as Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. This

design is then converted to a DXF file, using

applications like Scan2CAD.

Then, he’ll send it off to a cutting machine

vendor, who will manufacture the actual

product from his sketch.

These types of machines are CNC

machines, which work with vector drawing

files like DXF. These machines use the

vector files to generate automatic cutting

instructions, bringing the artist’s design to

life.

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We must first understand what types of data are found in a PDF file

Each PDF file captures a complete

description of a document, including text,

fonts, images and vector graphics.

However, the PDF file format can only

encode very simple graphic objects

(entities). It can only store 2D text, lines,

beziers and polygons.

It does not store CAD arc or circle entities.

Neither does it store any information that is

specific to the software, hardware or

operating system.

Vector shapes

Text and fonts

Raster images

PDF files can capture both raster and vector information

For example, if you scanned your hand-drawn sketch and saved it as a PDF, you’d get a raster PDF.

Vector PDF files are normally created by saving a PDF from a CAD program.

PDF documents preserve all source file information. As a result, it’s easy to convert the PDF file back to its original format.

Raster image

Vector image

7x magnification

Image source: www.wikipedia.com

Understanding raster vs vector images

Description

How it works

Scalability and file size

“Edit-ability”

Raster image

▪ It’s a series of mathematical instructions used to render the drawing (E.g. a line is made up of two points, four inches apart)

▪ Vectors are infinitely scalable, since the computer just re-renders the graphic in different sizes

▪ Objects are saved on different layers, allowing you to edit individual elements without affecting others

Vector image

▪ It’s made up of tiny squares called pixels

▪ DWG is a binary file, so information is stored a little more efficiently. Hi-res images are huge in size

▪ Color information of each pixel is edited

Example file formats▪ AI, SVG, DXF, DWG ▪ JPEG, PNG, GIF

How is vector data extracted from a PDF file?

PDF files containing vector information are

easier to handle. All the software has to do is

extract the vector entitites, layers, objects and

text. Then, they’ll display and output vector file

as DXF.

The resulting DXF file will contain the exact

same objects and layers that define the

drawing, as that in the original CAD file.

How is raster data extracted from a PDF file?

Raster images in a PDF file are converted

using raster-to-vector conversion

technology. The concept used here is

called image tracing, or vectorization.

The software basically traces the raster

image and reproduces the drawing using

CAD drawing elements. You can trace

outlines, or retain solids and hatches

information too.

More on how image tracing works

There are many different techniques

employed by software, in order to

create the best-quality vector image.

To name a few:

▪ “gap jumping” to fill in gaps in the

scanned raster image to create

unbroken vectors

▪ corner sharpening to capture right-

angles

▪ line thickening

▪ removal of unwanted spots/specks

These settings are pre-programmed

by the software developers, so that

users like you and me don’t have to

fuss about with different vectorization

settings.

Check out our article on how

vectorization software converts

images to DXF.

http://www.scan2cad.com/dxf/convert/how-software-converts-images-to-dxf

How is text extracted from a PDF file?

If a scanned documents contains text, the text

is saved as a raster image. Hence, the file

conversion software has to regenerate the text

in the document using smart OCR (Optical

Character Recognition) technology. It’s the

same concept as tracing shapes and lines,

except that the OCR algorithm detects letters

and numbers.

More about extracting text from PDF files

Different software treat text differently.

Great ones save whole phrases of text in a

single layer – this makes the text easily

editable.

However, subpar conversion software may

split the string of text into discrete

characters and jumble the positioning of

the text.

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Scan2CAD offers a whole set of tools that will optimize your conversion output (1/3)

1. Drawing of CAD arcs and circles

PDF files do not save CAD arcs or circles. As a result, any

circular shapes are converted into many short lines or

Bezier curves. This output is incredibly difficult to edit. If

your drawing is composed of a lot of arcs and circles, be

sure to choose software like Scan2CAD that can replace

the short lines or Bezier curves with true arcs and circles

that are easy to edit.

2. Save vectors in layers according to their color or type

Vector entities can be saved on one single DXF layer or

on multiple layers (each layer defined by either color or

type)


3. Maintain user-defined

line types and widths

A PDF file may contain

various line types, such as

dashes and dots of varying

lengths and order. There

are also PDF files that are

made up of lines of multiple

widths, especially electrical

and electronic diagrams. If

you want to distinguish

between the different line

types in your output DXF

file, look for software that

automatically retains user-

defined line types.


4. Efficient file management

A single PDF page can be made up of multiple raster

images. Some software saves each raster image in a

separate file, whereas Scan2CAD saves all images in

a single DXF file.

5. Batch processing

You can convert multiple PDF files with a single click.

Features offered by Scan2CAD

Load and save raster PDF files, vector PDF files and PDF files containing both raster and vector entities

Load multi-page PDF files Batch convert PDF files to DXF

Full PDF support in Scan2CAD

Smart OCR to recognize and edit text Command line Vector recognition Vector editing Clean and edit raster images

Other features:

Scan2CAD is the market leading file conversion and editing software

Download your free trial

Scan2CAD includes conversion tools, image editing and cleaning tools, smart OCR, full PDF support, as well as vector recognition and editing. Click on the blue button to learn more about Scan2CAD.

http://www.scan2cad.com/

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This guide is brought to you by Scan2CAD, the market leading file conversion and editing software.

Get more guides and articles regarding DXF files and conversion tips on our blog:

www.scan2cad.com/dxf/convert

http://www.scan2cad.com/dxf/convert

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Ultimate Guide: PDF to DXF Conversion