pdf2CAD Help
pdf2CAD is an AI-powered software project for the automated conversion of PDF files, scans and technical drawings into editable CAD formats such as DWG or DXF. The project solves the problem that many technical plans are only available as non-editable PDFs or images and previously had to be manually redrawn with great effort.
By using artificial intelligence, pdf2CAD-AI accurately recognizes texts and structures and transfers them directly into CAD elements.
The core benefit for the user lies in significant time and cost savings as well as fast, reliable further processing of existing plans in professional CAD workflows.
Tutorial
Compatibility
pdf2CAD is compatible with the following AutoCAD versions:
AutoCAD 2023
AutoCAD 2024
AutoCAD 2025
AutoCAD 2026
Setup
The installation of pdf2CAD is carried out via the Autodesk Store. If it is not possible for you to use it, you can contact us directly to obtain the add-on.
Structure of pdf2CAD
First start
When starting AutoCAD with the pdf2CAD add-on for the first time, you will be asked to read and accept our Terms and Conditions in order to use the plugin.
The Terms and Conditions
The pdf2CAD Ribbon
Afterwards you will see a new tab called “pdf2CAD” in the AutoCAD user interface. When you click on it, the following ribbon appears:
The ribbon provides central functions for controlling and using the plugin and is divided into the following areas:
The pdf2CAD Ribbon
General
Import file: This button allows you to load PDF files into the plugin. File processing is carried out exclusively locally on your system.
Font sizes: In this area you can define up to three individual font sizes. Input can either be done manually or conveniently via calibration.
Text recognition
Text recognition: Optimized for recognizing horizontally aligned text.
Vertical text recognition: Suitable for text rotated by 90°.
Custom text recognition: Enables recognition of freely rotated text that is neither horizontally nor vertically aligned.
Tools
With the visibility tool you can switch between three display modes:
Show all: Standard mode for displaying the PDF file and the recognized text at the same time.
Text only: Hides the PDF and shows only the recognized text.
Background only: Hides the recognized text and shows only the PDF file.
Info
Settings: Allows plugin-specific configurations.
Help: Provides documentation and, if applicable, contact options in case of problems.
About us: Contains information and contact options for the project team.
Settings and customization
Before you start text recognition, you can select your desired font and language under “Settings”.
Font settings
Language settings
Workflow
PDF Import
To import a PDF, click on “Import file” and then select your file.
To correctly scale the imported PDF, select any dimension in the drawing and draw a line that corresponds to the length of the dimension.
Then execute the “Align” command, select the drawing as the source and set the first two alignment points to the start and end points of the dimension line. Skip the third alignment point by pressing the spacebar and confirm the scaling.
Calibrate font sizes
To recognize the text in the drawing, you must first calibrate the font sizes.
In the ribbon under the “Font sizes” group you will find three fields for font sizes. To the right of each field you will find a calibration button. After clicking it, select the upper and lower point of a character in the text area you want to calibrate.
Run text recognition
To perform text recognition, click on the desired text recognition option. Then select two diagonal points around the text.
This draws a rectangle around the text. The text will now be recognized.
After successful text recognition, you will receive a message from the AI, and you can optionally adjust the text size.
Afterwards, the recognized text will be attached to your cursor and can be placed freely.
Font size calibration
Select text 1
Select text 2
Text successfully recognized
Recognized text placed