Someone sends you a PDF of a drawing and you need it in AutoCAD: to trace over it, to use it as a base, or to check a dimension against your own model. AutoCAD can import a PDF directly, and when the PDF came from a CAD program the result is surprisingly good. When it is a scan, it is a different story. Here is how to do it, what to expect, and when you do not need to convert at all.
Before you convert: what kind of PDF is it?
| PDF type | How to tell | Result in AutoCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Vector PDF exported from CAD | Lines stay sharp at any zoom; you can select text | Real lines, arcs and text you can edit |
| Scanned or raster PDF | Lines get blurry or pixelated when you zoom in | An image only; tracing or a raster-to-vector tool is needed |
| Mixed | Sharp linework with photos or stamps on top | Vectors import, images come in as images |
How to convert a PDF to DWG in AutoCAD
- Open a new drawing and type PDFIMPORT, or use Insert, Import PDF.
- Choose the PDF file and the page you want.
- Set the scale. A PDF stores sizes in paper units, so a 1:100 sheet comes in at paper size; scale it by 100 if you want real-world units, or scale later against a known dimension.
- Choose what to import: vector geometry, solid fills, TrueType text and raster images.
- Choose how to handle layers: use the PDF's own layers if it has them, or create layers by object type.
- Place the import and check one known dimension before you trust anything else.
Clean-up you will almost always need
- Text drawn as lines: CAD fonts (SHX) arrive as many small line segments. AutoCAD's SHX text recognition tool can turn them back into text objects; check the result, it is not perfect.
- Dimensions come in as lines and text, not as dimension objects. Redraw the ones you need to keep live.
- Hatches may arrive as many separate lines or fills. Delete and re-hatch where it matters.
- Scale check: measure a dimensioned line and compare. A PDF exported with "fit to page" is not at its stated scale.
When you do not need to convert at all
A lot of PDF to DWG conversions happen only to measure something or to mark it up. If that is the job, work on the PDF directly and keep the original intact. In Ncored, the PDF editor we built in our architecture studio, you set the sheet scale or calibrate it from a known length and measure lengths, polylines and areas on the PDF itself, mark it up with clouds and notes, and compare it against the previous revision. It runs on Windows and Mac and stays smooth on heavy drawing sets. Ncored does not convert PDF to DWG; when you truly need editable CAD geometry, AutoCAD's import is the right tool.
Frequently asked questions
Can AutoCAD open a PDF?
It can import one with PDFIMPORT, or attach it as an underlay to trace over without converting.
Why is my imported PDF the wrong size?
PDFs are stored at paper size. Scale the import by the drawing scale, or scale it against a known dimension.
Can I convert a scanned PDF to DWG?
Not cleanly with PDFIMPORT; a scan is an image. Trace it, or use a raster-to-vector tool and check the result carefully.
Is a PDF underlay better than importing?
For tracing and reference, yes: an underlay keeps the file light and the PDF unchanged. Import when you need to edit the geometry.
Related: what an xref is in AutoCAD, measuring on a PDF without converting it, how much AutoCAD costs.
Further reading: PDF layers.