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Manual / DWG/DXF files

Import DXF, PDF, Point Cloud and LandXML

Import DXF, vector shapes from a PDF (PDFIMPORT), point clouds and LandXML into the current drawing.

What it does

Command Alias Syntax Meaning
Import (DXF) – Ribbon/menu Imports a DXF as a sketch.
PDFIMPORT PDFIN PDFIMPORT [file] [page] Converts the vector lines and text in a PDF into editable objects. (For a PDF that is a scanned picture, use IMAGE instead.)
POINTCLOUDATTACH POINTCLOUD, PCATTACH POINTCLOUDATTACH [file] [max points] Imports points from XYZ/PTS/CSV/TXT (the default maximum is 250,000 points).
LANDXMLIMPORT LANDXML LANDXMLIMPORT [file] Imports points, surfaces and alignments from LandXML.

Where to find it

  • Ribbon: Output › Interchange › Import / PDF Import
  • Ribbon: Insert › Reference › PDF Import / Point Cloud / LandXML
  • Menu: File › Import DXF to Sketch... / Import PDF...

Insert tab, Reference group
Insert tab, Reference group

Steps for PDFIMPORT

  1. Type PDFIN and press Enter, then choose the PDF file (or PDFIMPORT C:\Drawings\part.pdf 2 for page 2).
  2. The result reads PDFIMPORT: part.pdf page 1 - N object(s) ... - check the scale with DIST before dimensioning.
  3. Measure a known distance with DIST. If it does not match, adjust with SCALEREF.

Vector shapes imported from a PDF, every line editable
Vector shapes imported from a PDF, every line editable

Note: If the PDF has no vectors, the program reports has no vector geometry - a scanned drawing is a picture, use IMAGE ATTACH.

Try it: Bring a balcony railing from a supplier's PDF into your drawing

Scenario: a supplier sends a balcony railing drawing as a PDF, but you need to change the number of balusters to fit a 2 m balcony. Import it as editable lines.

  1. Type PDFIN, press Enter and choose balcony-railing.pdf.
  2. Read the Status bar: it says how many objects were imported and reminds you to check the scale with DIST.
  3. Type DI and click from the floor to the top of the handrail. A standard railing is 1100 mm high. If you get another value, fix the scale with SCALEREF. See SCALE.
  4. With the scale right, delete or add balusters just like lines you drew yourself. Balusters at 125 mm centres leave gaps under 105 mm.

2 m balcony railing, 1100 high, imported from a PDF
2 m balcony railing, 1100 high, imported from a PDF

Challenge: If the PDF is a scan, the program tells you to use IMAGE ATTACH instead. Place the picture underneath and trace over it. See Images and PDF Underlays.

See also