AutoCAD PDF to DWG Tutorial: New 2017 Feature

AutoCAD how to convert a pdf to dwg in autocad 2017

In this video I go over one of the best new features in autocad 2017, importing and converting a pdf to a dwg. The new import pdf option lets you convert the linework, text, imagery and hatches from a pdf directly into a dwg drawing that you can now edit.

it's my most anticipated feature in 2017 and I am quite impressed with it, while not perfect it is a huge step in the right direction and makes the 3rd party programs that never quite worked right obsolete.

Let me know what you think about the new features and leave a comment below!

As always don't forget to subscribe, and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask!

Cheers and thanks for watching

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[truplans]

I gave a thumbs up on the video, thank you very much, BUT I have a comment...for future tutorials I'd suggest subduing the radical mouse movements. Today's pro tutorials use the mouse to guide the eye without the chaotic movements and with a more deliberate (slower) focus. There is also a percentage of us who watch videos at a slightly higher playback speed so a more deliberate use of the mouse really makes a difference. Us old guys need all the help we can get. Thank you for being a tutor. Also this is an awesome feature on the 2017 version. Thanks

[jonlarson]

Text comes in automatically as MText if the text was a TrueType font when the PDF was originally created and you check the box for TrueType fonts. Most text in DWGs are shx fonts, those will come in as pieces and the PDFSHXTEXT command will be necessary.

[briandd]

Awesome Brandon! You just saved me a lot of time converting several pdf drawings I received from a client! We have AutoCAD Electrical 2018 :-)

[DReal_Bull]

Fantastic feature, guess need to add your own plot style and edit the lines to suit it. But hey better than nothing right. Love the work and the site, please keep it coming.

[JamesAllenQuinn]

I usually need to adjust the scale. If it's 1/8 = 1'-0 then I need to set the scale to 96 in order for it to be the right size. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong, but that's the only way I can get it to be the right scale.

[nevns]

thank you sooo much you save my time my life and everything

[michellehood]

Nice video. Do you have to set units ahead of time, and if someone is opening in 2016, back save it to ACAD 2013 in options?Was using AutoDWG PDF to DWG Converter, and this is much, much better!

[joshuahughes]

Can you make a new video using autocad 2025 please? I design septic systems in Texas, and have a hard time importing and exporting pdf. Thank you!

[MHowze]

Great video! Your video helped me do the conversion at work quickly and seamlessly. It worked great for everything but the text. The text came in as each letter being an individual piece of geometry instead of editable text. I believe the integrity of the text is dependent on how the PDF was actually created (if it was scanned vs. created directly from AutoCAD). This was a PDF that was sent to us so I do not know the origin. I had a request to convert a BOM (Bill of Material) from within a PDF to excel. I was hoping to convert the PDF to .dwg and then be able to export it out of AutoCAD into excel. Please let me know if you know of any tricks that work with the text conversion. I went into a PDF that I generated from AutoCAD Electrical that had an Index Table generated from a report and the text converted into MText just fine. But then another table in that PDF that was generated for the BOM and Wire Lists imported as just the geometry. I will spend some time working with this more. Thanks again for your video!

[laurawhitney]

I think it work only if the original pdf was created on CAD... if it is scanned... it does not work. Did you find any way to make it work?

[katiegarrison]

Thank you so much for the info. I have a file that is pulling in but it is almost like it was saved as one layer inst4ead of the multiple. When it pulls in it is one layer and wont let me "explode" it like you would do in autocad if you're creating say a box with shapes. Any suggestions? This is a sign for a church and I need to manipulate it a little. Thanks.

[andrewcassidy]

Hi Brandon,

I'm going through this process and when I get to the end a screen pops up saying "No objects were imported - The specified page or area of the PDF file contains no objects"

any suggestions?

Thanks

Andrew

[endyantonio]

Can you do a tutorial video on scaling a PDF

[khinayethinn]

Thanks. I think I tried to follow exactly what you have shown. However, all texts become multiple pieces of short lines. What did I do wrong? Mine is 2019 student version. Thanks in advance.

[bolbollybol]

Thank You So Much Man You Saved My Time :)

[ธนกรเจริญนาน]

I have when i do that it show " no objects were imported." how to do whith this problem ?

[ZNP]

Hope you answer this, I can't find an answer anywhere. So I am using Autocad 2017 and I found a pdf of a sink that I would like to use (in this pdf it has an elevation view that I would need). When I import it wont bring in the elevation view or any view of that sink for that matter. I thought this function was supposed to work on any pdf, am I doing something wrong?

[themusicman]

Are the dimensions true? I've had issues where the elements were not true to the dimensions

[emc]

Thanks a lot.
I interest in model planes... I really need to learn this program and want. :))