Can we Import a PDF ?

[stephen.coff]

Is there a way to import a PDF file into AutoCAD ?
I have a job i am working on and the only files available for the existing site which is very old is in MODI.
I have scanned this file and saved it as a PDF and wondering if there was a way to import it like an exref and then draw over the top, not actually on the file ?

Anyone have any suggestions ?

Regards

Stephen

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

For starters have a browse of the following thread...

Importing PDF files (http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=7274)

Have a good one, Mike

[stephen.coff]

Mike,
It's you again.
I seem to always have yourself assisting me, greatly appreciated.

look i have read the thread and not 100% sure what type of PDF it is, i would presume it is the Point defined type as it was made with a Kip 2900, not Acrobat.

I have also tried scanning the file as a TIF and then inserting it but AutoCAD wont accept the file type, says it's invalid ?

Whilst i am sure i could buy some sort of software for a few hundred, this is a one off and therefore would make the job less profitable than expected.
The file was recieved as an Microsoft Office Document Image file (MODI).
I did read that you could use Ghost Script to convert it to a TIF and then insert it ?
What is Ghost Script ?

Got any further suggestions


Regards

Stephen

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

No worries...

ID: TS67210 - Error inserting TIFF files: Invalid File Format (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/item?id=2860579&linkID=2475323&siteID=123112)

ghostscript.com (http://www.ghostscript.com/)

+

You might try the forum search (http://forums.augi.com/search.php?) facility...

Key Word(s): *PDF* + Import

Have a good one, Mike

[rkmcswain]

Is there a way to import a PDF file into AutoCAD ?
Anyone have any suggestions ?
Stephen

Some suggestions -> http://rkmcswain.blogspot.com/2005/04/pdf-dwg.html

[jaberwok]

Since you have scanned the original to a file (TIFF?), can you not convert the file into something else - like JPG, TGA, BMP, PNG ?
The problem with TIFF is that there are so many different varieties and many applications (including acad) do not support all versions.

[Wanderer]

The problem with TIFF is that there are so many different varieties and many applications (including acad) do not support all versions.~nods~ as pointed out in the knowledgebase article that Mike linked to earlier in this thread, more recent versions of acad won't support tiffs with lzw compression (or something like that)

[stephen.coff]

Guys,
I appreciate your help, i really do.
Though there seems to be no other way other than buy a programe.
It's a pity because i will use it maybe once every couple of years.
A few hundred dollars is a lot for a one off.

Regards

Stephen

[rkmcswain]

Guys,
I appreciate your help, i really do.
Though there seems to be no other way other than buy a programe.
It's a pity because i will use it maybe once every couple of years.
A few hundred dollars is a lot for a one off.

Regards

Stephen

As mentioned here [http://rkmcswain.blogspot.com/2005/04/pdf-dwg.html] Ghostscript+GSView are cost free.

Oops, just re-read the OP. If this PDF is from a scan - then you are no better off than if you only had a paper copy.

Good Luck

[jaberwok]

Can the scanner really only produce PDF files?
Almost any other filetype will be more usefull.

[ccowgill]

if you are running AutoCAD 2005, autodesk came out with a fix that would allow you to insert lzw compressed tiffs. from the pdf, see if there is a way to export the image as a jpg file, or in adobe reader 7 there is an option to copy file to clipboard. paste this file to paint or some other program and save to the file type of your liking. Reader 7 is a free download from Adobe if you dont have it already, and paint comes with windows, so if you have these, no other programs are necessary.