AutoCAD/Converting Pdf files.

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Expert: - 11/3/2010


Question
Hi we have some drawings that need converting from pdf for us to be able to update and alter as needed but are having trouble doing this successfully without loosing parts, having thick lines and even shrinking drawings. Any help would be appreciated. Regards Neil.

Answer
Neil:
What I have been doing is to convert the PDF to TIFf or JPG (a local printing outfit here in Portland Oregon will provide full-size conversion.  Then I edit the image file in "Paint" or Paint.NET.  Then I import the image into and AutoCAD DWG and I can add AutoCAD objects (lines, circles, blocks, text, etc.) over the top of the image.  This has worked well for us, but full conversion?  I think I would look to purchase a Bluebeam product.  Bluebeam has proved to work well with AutoCAD in the past.  They have a free trial that can be dowloaded here:  
http://www.bluebeam.com/web07/us/downloads/cad/?src=111&gclid=CLrR3ODthKUCFR9Ngw...
and purchased here:
http://www.bluebeam.com/web07/us/store/
I would get the CAD edition.  It's only $50 more than the other one and works better with AutoCAD.  I think it would be a purchase you would be glad you made.  

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Bill DeShawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn

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Bill DeShawn

Expertise

I can address all 2-D questions and some 3-D questions. I do programming in AutoLISP if it doesn`t involve solid modeling. I can also address menu customization issues and can help you find answers to questions I can`t answer by taking your question directly to Autodesk via their newsgroups.

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I used to do electronic and mechanical design for a flat panel monitor manufacturer, and now I do architectural drafting for an architect. I did and do AutoLISP and menu customization and take pride in making my lisp routines to do the work exactly the way the client likes them done.

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I had a routine published in CADENCE magazine (no longer in publication and taken over by CADALYST). Some of my routines are published on my website at http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn

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