Is it possible to import a pdf plan into a cad file where it can be traced and altered?
Specifically Turbocad v12.


Jim

The - Foamies (Scratchbuilt) forum - uses a lot of .pdf files and Cad, maybe they would know if you don't get the answer here.

There is also the - CAD/CAM forum

Try Searching for "free pdf to dxf". I've converted a few successfully.

Jim,
As far as I'm aware, only if you can save it as a bmp file first. I know TC 15 can't recognise a pdf. Once you have your bmp file, select import picture as an object.

Pete

You can place a PDF into AutoCAD but, for whatever reason, some basic functions will not work with the format. For example, I am unable to even do something as simple as rotate the image if it is in PDF format. Not sure if it is the same deal with TurboCAD or not. Much simpler to convert the PDF to a JPG and import it for tracing instead.

If the PDF was created from a vector format file then it is possible to convert it back to DXF format so you would not have to trace it at all. I can do this in Illustrator if you want me to give it a shot.

No.
Unless you have Professional ($1295) or Platinum ($1495).
I have 18 Deluxe
I've been using "snipping tool" in Windows 7 to screen capture images from PDFs, saving them as raster files, which can be <Insert><picture><from file> in TurboCAD.

Thanks for all the help. I could print it on paper then scan it as a .bmp file and import it into turbocad.

Is there a way to change the .pdf file to a .bmp file?

Jim

Yes, see my post about using "Snipping Tool"


If the PDF has vector data, how to extract it?
Using Inkscape (free), open Al Hogal's Twizzler PDF, save as DXF
Using TurboCAD Deluxe, open DXF file
Example saved from my TurboCAD 18 Deluxe as PDF and as TCW zipped.

Originally Posted by rick.benjamin

Yes, see my post about using "Snipping Tool"


If the PDF has vector data, how to extract it?
Using Inkscape (free), open Al Hogal's Twizzler PDF, save as DXF
Using TurboCAD Deluxe, open DXF file
Example saved from my TurboCAD 18 Deluxe as PDF and as TCW zipped.

But what if it does not have vector data but is a scan that was saved as a pdf?

Jim

Originally Posted by JIMA

But what if it does not have vector data but is a scan that was saved as a pdf?

Jim

Won't be any vector data for TurboCAD to present, will be a blank screen.

A scan saved as a PDF can be copied as a raster image and copied onto a TurboCAD drawing as suggested in post 6.

Then, it can be traced.

Jim;
None of this is simple. As an unschooled CAD user, it's taken me years
to get to a model plan reproductive level.
Keep asking questions
Rick

I have windows Vista. Does it have snipping tool?

I tried inkspot. It did not work as the pdf I was trying to insert was a scan of a plan. When saved as a .dxf it lost most of its data and wen trying to open in Turbocad all I got was a blank screen.

Jim

Jim,
Which Vista do you have?
Snipping tool applies to these editions of Vista:
Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, Enterprise

Assuming you used InkScape to change PDF to DXF.
Blank screen is normal as there wasn't any vector data in the PDF.
Try this:
Open your PDF in InkScape, <save as> a raster-image (JPG, or BMP, or PNG).
(Save raster-image file where you can find it again)
Close Inkscape without saving (as svg)

Open new TurboCAD drawing
Draw a small square or circle at 0"x0". (This was necessary to do before inserting an image in V12)
<Insert><Picture><from file>
Choose your raster-image file (return to blank TurboCAD drawing)
Place mouse pointer near upper left corner of drawing, left click.
Move mouse pointer down to lower right corner of drawing, left click.
Your raster image should be present on your drawing.

Let me know if you get this far
Rick

When opening the pdf in inkscape, I get a pop-up that ask several questions including precision of approximating gradient meshes and embed images.

I tried to make the precision very high. The image came out ok in Inkscape. Turbocad likes .bmp files but I could not save as a .bmp file. Only one I could see that you had listed above was .png. I saved it as .png. Then tried to insert in Turbocad as a .png and all I got was a blob.

Any suggestions?

Jim

Just tried again with low precision and it worked. I was able to import it into Turbocad. Now how do I get it the correct scale/size?


Jim

Use the scale tool. ref some points and tell it what to be. like this. find a ruler scale in the drawing you know 1,2,3,4 so on. go command line, type scale. all, then specify base point, pick point of 1. hit enter. reference. pick 1 again then point at 2 hit enter. then type new length would be 1. simple.