Importing PDF Files as Blocks

Use the ImportPDF command to insert content from Adobe® PDF files as Blocks into your drawings. You can insert all or selected pages from multiple page PDF documents.

If the PDF file contains vectors, they are converted to drawing entities such as lines, circles, ellipses, and splines. Text lines are converted to text entities using the same fonts (presupposed the fonts embedded in the PDF file are available on your system). Raster graphics in a PDF file are stored as image files on the hard disk which are then referenced as images in the drawing where you import the PDF file.

You can also convert large number of files automatically using the batch processing feature.

This topic discusses

• how to import PDF files as Blocks,
• how to set preferences for the convertion of PDF files to drawing Blocks, and
• how to convert PDF files to DXF files in a batch operation.

To import PDF files as Blocks:

1. Click Insert > PDF Import (or type ImportPDF).
2. Type ImportPDF.
3. In the dialog box, under Mode, select Insert as Block.
4. Under PDF File, click Browse.
5. In the dialog box, select a PDF file, then click OpenOK.

   In the dialog box, under PDF File:

   • File Path. displays the complete path and name of the PDF file you selected.
   • Reference Path. displays the complete path to the image files referenced in the Block you create from the PDF file.

     Click Browse to select a different folder for referenced files.

6. If the PDF file contains multiple pages, select the pages to insert as Blocks from the icons list:
   • Click an icon to select a single page.
   • Click an icon and, while you hold down the Shift key, click another icon to specify a range of continuous pages.
   • Hold down the Ctrl key, and click several icons to specify multiple non-continuous pages.
7. Under Scale, type a scale factor, or select Specify later to specify the scaling on screen after closing the dialog box.
8. Under Rotation, for Angle, type a value or select Specify later to set the rotation angle in the graphics area during insertion.
9. Under Scale & Rotation specify:
   • Under Scale, type a scale factor, or select Specify later to specify the scaling on screen after closing the dialog box.
   • Under Rotation, for Angle, type a value or select Specify later to set the rotation angle in the graphics area during insertion.
10. Click Options to set preferences for the convertion of PDF files to Block insertions (see below for details).
11. Click OK.
12. In the graphics area, specify the insertion point(s) for the Blocks originating from the specified PDF file pages.
13. Specify scale factor and rotation angle if needed.

Note: To break the Block you inserted into its component entities, use the Explode command.

^ Top of Page

To set preferences for the convertion of PDF files to drawing Blocks:

1. Click Insert > PDF Import (or type ImportPDF).
2. Type ImportPDF.
3. Click Options.
4. In the dialog box, activate or deactivate preferences for the conversion of PDF files:
   • Intelligent recognition. Specifies whether the converter attempts to recognize objects in the PDF file that represent circles, arcs, or ellipses, to create Circles, Arcs or Ellipses in the Block that is inserted into the drawing. Otherwise, these objects are converted to Splines. Note, that intelligent recognition enabled is more time consuming.
   • Ignore Image objects. Specifies whether raster images are converted. Raster images are referenced in the Block inserted into the drawing as externally stored files. Use the Reference command to manage Image References in the drawing.
   • Ignore Path objects. Specifies whether vectors are converted and inserted into the drawing. Vectors (such as lines, arcs, and splines) become part of the Block that is inserted into the drawing.
   • TrueType text. Specifies whether text entities that use TrueType fonts are converted and inserted into the drawing. If possible, drawing text uses the same fonts as PDF text. If a corresponding font is not available on the system, the active TextStyle is used in the drawing.
   • Ignore white fills. Specifies whether closed boundaries contained within the geometry of the converted file are filled white by a solid hatch.
   • Maintain LineStyle. Specifies whether the line style properties of the imported entities is retained or ignored.
   • Maintain LineWeight. Specifies whether the lineweight properties of the imported entities is retained or ignored.
   • Use PDF Layers. Specifies whether layers are created from the layers stored in the PDF file. If the PDF file contains no layers, entity layers are created.
   • Create entity layers. Specifies whether layers are created according to the entities imported from the PDF file. For example, PDF_Text, PDF_Images.
   • Use current layer. Specifies whether all specified PDF entities are imported to the current layer.
5. Click OK or Cancel.

   The settings from the Options dialog box are maintained until you change them.

6. Close the dialog box.

Access

Command: ImportPDF

Menu: Insert > PDF Import