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kelvinmoore1314
2009-03-10, 03:43 AM
Many manufacturers post drawings of their products for download in a PDF format.
Is it possible to import a PDF drawing into AutoCAD?
tracy.findlater
2009-03-10, 12:01 PM
yes, you can now insert as an OLE object from the insert menu.
gandocadguy
2009-03-10, 12:11 PM
It could also be referenced if you have the new PDF update from Autodesk.
ccowgill
2009-03-10, 12:12 PM
depends on what version you are using, if you are on subscription with AutoCAD, and have 2009 bonus pack 2 you can, or if you wait 2 more weeks, it ships as part of the core for AutoCAD 2010. Its just like inserting an image or xref, and if it is a vector pdf, you can even snap to the objects.
irneb
2009-03-10, 01:38 PM
If you download GSView (http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/%7Eghost/gsview/) together with its add-on called pstoedit. Then you can open the PDF and if it consists of linework & text you can save it to a DWG / DXF. Images inside PDFs are not possible through this. For that you'll need some sort of Raster to Vector converter.
gfreddog
2009-03-10, 02:13 PM
Many manufacturers post drawings of their products for download in a PDF format.
Is it possible to import a PDF drawing into AutoCAD?

Be very very very careful doing that.

There is a mount company I had to deal with that was so paranoid that anyone would "steal" their drawing and build their products that they purposely "tweaked" their PDF's

The drawing would be created in 1:2 scale but they would override the dims and note that the drawing was in 1:1. So if you imported it in as a scale drawing, it wouldn't be.

PDF's are like PC's garbage in garbage out when it comes to verifiing the scales.

Did I mention being careful? :lol:
irneb
2009-03-10, 02:59 PM
And yes, even with that normal accuracy in PDFs are just as bad as DWFs. Don't be surprised by weird distances being brought in.
alcottrattry
2009-03-13, 08:21 AM
It is possible to import a PDF drawing into AutoCAD.
please take a look at this thread:
http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11032&page=2
ccowgill
2009-03-13, 11:33 AM
depends on what version you are using, if you are on subscription with AutoCAD, and have 2009 bonus pack 2 you can, or if you wait 2 more weeks, it ships as part of the core for AutoCAD 2010. Its just like inserting an image or xref, and if it is a vector pdf, you can even snap to the objects.
I should append my statement, if you use the bonus pack or 2010 to attach a pdf, at this current point in time it is only visible to users who are running 2009 bonus pack 2, or running 2010.
rkmcswain
2009-03-13, 12:24 PM
Many manufacturers post drawings of their products for download in a PDF format.
Is it possible to import a PDF drawing into AutoCAD?

As mentioned, 2009 BP2 and/or 2010 have this built in.
For earlier versions, we use http://www.dotsoft.com/pdfimport.htm
For even more options, see: http://cadpanacea.com/node/30