How To Import Autocad Drawing Into Vectorworks

AutoCAD has a fantastic tool that allows y'all to import vector-based PDF geometry into an AutoCAD drawing file. Or, if you lot already have a PDF attached, you tin catechumen its geometry.

Want to learn how to import a PDF into AutoCAD? Getting started is easy—you tin can find the tool in the Insert tab of the Ribbon, or merely type PDFIMPORT on the command line.

Note the command line instructions when you start the command. By default, you'll get a file selection dialog, just you tin can too select an existing PDF underlay.

One time you lot accept selected the desired PDF, AutoCAD will brandish the Import PDF dialog box. There are five distinct sections, and we'll discuss each of these.

Import PDF Dialog Box

With this image, we'll go pace-by-step through all v components of the Import PDF dialog box in AutoCAD.

The large portion on the left is the Page to Import section. Information technology displays the thumbnail(s) of the PDF file. Yous tin can select either single or multi-sheet PDFs to import, only it'southward important to notation – you can only import one canvass at a time. Enter the sheet number in the Page box or click on the corresponding thumbnail image. Notice as well this area displays the folio size and the scale of the PDF.

The second section lets you choose between using the default insertion of the PDF or specifying it in the AutoCAD cartoon surface area. You tin can also pre-set the scale and rotation from hither.

Section 3 is important. At the beginning of this post, I mentioned "vector-based PDF geometry." Brand sure vector geometry is checked to bring in lines, arcs, circles, etc. Besides, none of this works on raster-based PDFs. If your PDF was created with a scanner, or some other non-vector software (such as AutoCAD), this tool will non create usable geometry.

The other important choice in this section is the option to import TrueType fonts. I suggest leaving this 1 checked. The import tool loves TrueType fonts and will import them successfully. It doesn't love AutoCAD SHX fonts though. You'll be able to read the text, but each letter will be fabricated up of individual lines.

SPOILER ALERT: We'll discuss how to manage SHX fonts in an upcoming commodity!

Next to the PDF Data section is Layers. Yous tin can employ the layers defined in the PDF (most common), create a new layer for everything to continue. (e.g., "PDF_Geometry") or place the imported items onto the electric current layer.

The last section allows you to tailor the import by selecting diverse options. In that location are lots of variables that can affect the translation, such as the DPI at creation or mathematical calculations that may skew a horizontal line.

I typically employ the defaults of Join Line and Arc Segments and Employ Lineweight Properties. I rarely bring the whole PDF in equally a block, nor do I let it try to make up one's mind if collinear dashes are real linetypes.

All the same, I often do have it Convert Solids to Hatches. Unless you're sure of where and how the PDF was generated (meaning either you or your team made it), you may need to experiment with various import settings to get your all-time issue.

Bonus Tip

If you ever demand to edit your raster-based imagery, you should employ the Raster Design toolset which is part of an AutoCAD 2021 subscription.

Some Final Thoughts

Since this functionality was added to AutoCAD, information technology has saved me on numerous occasions. If you lot've worked with AutoCAD for any length of time, no doubt you've needed to convert PDFs every bit well.

Whatever your reason for wanting to import PDF geometry, knowing how to control the translation can greatly better your last quality.

Join me side by side time for a companion piece to PDF Import, where we'll hash out how to recognize and convert AutoCAD's SHX fonts.