PDF to DXF

Discussion in 'Software' started by ThomD, Oct 14, 2010.

  1. ThomD
    Joined: Mar 2009
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    ThomD Senior Member

    Anyone know a reliable, free, way of doing this without malware, etc...

    In my particular case, the drawings I need to convert are relatively simple, if that makes any difference.

    Thanks
     
  2. Olav
    Joined: Dec 2003
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    Olav naval architect

    I use PDF2DXF. Even the free trial version does the job for me.

    Complex drawings will create relatively large dxf drawings as circles and splines will be converted as polylines only. If your drawings are simple, you'll be better off.
     
  3. Raggi_Thor
    Joined: Jan 2004
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    Raggi_Thor Nav.arch/Designer/Builder

    I use and sell another PDF2DXF program.
    That one, and I guess all others also, can only convert vector based pdfs, not raster. That means you can convert pdfs that origins from a CAD program but not a scanned paper drawing for example.
     
  4. Olav
    Joined: Dec 2003
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    Olav naval architect

    To convert pictures (e.g. scanned drawings) to DXF the guy from my previous post has a solution too: Paper/Picture2DXF

    The resulting DXFs occasionally need a bit of love and care, but nevertheless it's a useful tool.
     
  5. Raggi_Thor
    Joined: Jan 2004
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    Location: Trondheim, NORWAY

    Raggi_Thor Nav.arch/Designer/Builder

    Nice, I tried it.
    Here is a tip for new users, after converting or importing, use first Quick Select or similar to select all lines or plines with length below a certain value, for example 30mm in my test drawing, then Polyline Edit or similar (depending on your cad program) and Join with a tolerance.
     
  6. Joe Petrich
    Joined: Jun 2008
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    Joe Petrich Designer

    If you have Rhino you can import a pdf into Rhino, then export it as .dxf or.dwg etc. It only works with vector based pdfs and all text and dimensions will be broken up into segments.
     

  7. apex1

    apex1 Guest

    I use "Vector Magic" to vectorize pixel drawings like .jpg .bmp and the like.
    Although not perfect (none of them is), it gives good results.

    Regards
    Richard
     
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