Convert PDF to DWG
Converting PDF files to DWG
PDF files are essentially raster files (pixel based) with none of the intelligence of CAD vector drawings - they just consist of dots. A line in a PDF file is simply a series of closely spaced dots. It is not possible for the software to manipulate the line as an entity. You cannot snap to the midpoint of a line or change the layer that the line is on as you can do with a line in an IntelliCAD drawing.
You have a number of options if you want to convert information in a PDF file to a dwg file:
Option 1:
Call the originator of the drawing and ask for it to be saved as DWG format rather than be printed to PDF. Make sure it is saved as an early, rather than late, AutoCAD DWG format - we like the AutoCAD 14 format. If the originator has used other CAD software (MicroStation, VersaCAD for example), ask them to send you a DXF file. This is by far the best option.
Your copy of IntelliCAD will open DXF files directly.Option 2:
Use an image editor such as Paint Shop or Photoshop to convert the PDF file to JPEG, erase that part of the drawing you wish to redraw and paste the image into IntelliCAD. Now scale the image appropriately and draw over the top of the raster file image. You have the use of an excellent Image Manager in IntelliCAD.
There is a very detailed account of how to do that in the PaperSpace/ModelSpace course at http://www.softwaretutor.net. It comes complete with a standard operating procedure which describes how to create and use hybrid images and is module 6 in that course.Option 3:
Purchase one of the PDF to DWG converters. These are available on the Internet, but give quite variable results. In our hands, they result in poor quality conversion.
Option 4:
Pay someone to recreate the drawing for you by copying the PDF file. There are firms in India and China who will do this for you at reasonable rates.