[REQ] PDF Importer
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So you can use a free tool [or free online service] to make a vector PDF into a DXF.
Sketchup will import that DXF - pro does it natively OR in free use one of the script-based DXF importers - or keep v7-free for this...
Then you have an component containing the imported geometry inside your SKP...
IF it were to be a 'single tool' it would be only slightly less convoluted...
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Personally I already use dxf anyway. It would only be better for me if it improved the resulting geometry.
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You guys...Adam is scanning hand drawings...he can't use a PDF to DXF converter.
@unknownuser said:
we generally scan all of our hand drawings into a plotter and it creates a .pdf.
Adam, I bet there is a setting on the scanner to make a JPG rather than a PDF. What kind of scanner/plotter is it?
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Good point...
Hand drawn scans will never be vector PDFs...
My scanner offers PDF/JPG/PNG options.
You still need to insert the Image, group it scale it inside the group with the Tapemeasure tool to a known dimension etc; and then overdraw the edges but it misses out a PDF-to-anything conversion step...... -
to convert images to dxf in the past I've successfully a trial of wintopo http://wintopo.com/pricing.htm (US$340)
and more recently have had better mileage using http://vectormagic.com/home which allows two free conversions and has a monthly US$8.00 fee - I use it mainly when %^&*ing house designers refuse to send me a .dwg file or when councils refuse to release the data from their GIS and I have to get it from a screen shot.the results usually need cleaning up a bit but is a lot faster than hand tracing - and if i remember rightly wintopo will split out coloured lines into diff layers even with the free version (http://wintopo.com/wintopo-free.htm).
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@d12dozr said:
You guys...Adam is scanning hand drawings...he can't use a PDF to DXF converter.
@unknownuser said:
we generally scan all of our hand drawings into a plotter and it creates a .pdf.
Adam, I bet there is a setting on the scanner to make a JPG rather than a PDF. What kind of scanner/plotter is it?
Good point. I'll have to check on that. Technically I guess it's not a plotter, just a 36" printer / scanner made by Ricoh.
I know the scans are raster pdf's and don't expect to glean vector lines from them. I have Vector Magic as well, but for what we do, it's faster to trace.
I work with .pdf files generated in CAD though as well.
I guess the whole thread was an attempt to not let Mac users feel special.
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@unknownuser said:
Acrobat reader doesn't even convert a .pdf to an image
If you select the Snapshot tool and press CTRL+A and then CTRL+C then in PhotoShop
File > New > From Clipboard > CTRL+V
This works for other Image Editors also.
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Good tip Rich. Thanks!
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Maybeis to late, but, perhaps still work for you http://www.imsidesign.com/Products/CADCompanionProducts/pdf2cad/tabid/1722/Default.aspx?cid=422390
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This one is no longer available on their website, so I thought that the information should not be lost; it works only up until SU2023 (inclusive).
It imports raster and vector.pdf2skp_23 Softtech_EinsteinConcept.zip
I apologize if i made a mistake by uploading an executable in this forum. -
SketchUp 2026 on Winodws imports PDF files natively. No need for an extension.
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@Dave-R SU 2026 imports only raster, no vector.!
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@FlorinAp that's exactly the same as it's been on Mac forever. The developers have indicated that vector import is on their roadmap.
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