How to convert a PDF drawing into CAD and scale to true dimensions?

In many countries, construction projects often receive PDF-only drawings from design consultants. These PDFs typically contain visual dimensions that are not to scale, leading to challenges during material take-off or execution on-site.

This creates two key issues:

1. How can we convert a PDF drawing into a CAD file to instantly retrieve vector-based dimensions?
2. If the converted drawing is out of scale, how can we adjust it to reflect true dimensions?

Below is a step-by-step guide to help you convert and scale such drawings effectively.

How to convert PDF to CAD on your phone?

1.     Launch the PDF drawing on CAD Reader app.

2.     Click on the “PDF to CAD” button at the bottom of the screen.

3.     Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the conversion.

How do I scale the CAD drawing to true length?

1. Launch the drawing in CAD Reader.
2. Use the Line Measurement Tool to verify the existing dimensions of the drawing.
3. Select two points that have a known actual dimension to verify the existing dimensions on the drawing.
4. If the result is deviate, use the Scale Function in the measurement tools to set scale.
5. In the pop-up box, enter the true length between the two selected points to define the correct scale.
6. Once scaled, you can start extracting the dimensions from the drawing.

Animated Demonstration:

Important Notes:

1. Note that converted DWG files might have scaling issues due to the PDF format's limitations. Always adjust the scale before taking any measurements.
2. The measurement unit will align with the drawing scale. For example, dimensions in millimeters (mm) will yield results in square millimeters (mm²).
3. If you need to view and measure PDF drawings on your computer, check out our professional tool, PlanForm.

Download it here: Official Website