Topic: Autocad help (Read 6245 times)

goBulawayo · « **on:** September 24, 2012, 09:49:59 pm »

Hi All, are there any Autocad experts here? I am looking to get some hull lines drawn up in Autocad from the PDF plan that I have - I need these to create frames for my stand off scale yacht and whilst I have basic Autocad skills I don't have enough to create the initial hull lines.

Thanks for any help

Wayne

Fifie · « **Reply #1 on:** September 25, 2012, 08:08:54 am »

Not a problem
I can convert your PDF file into Autocad DXF file
You can then scale it to suit
Or if there is a means to obtain a linear dimension I can scale it at 1=1 and the rescale to the scale you actually want
Fifie

F4TCT · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2012, 04:05:26 pm »

How do you actually do it? Use some sort of scanning software etc?

Dan

Fifie · « **Reply #3 on:** September 26, 2012, 08:04:19 am »

Dan

40 years CAD experience
Fifie

Kim · « **Reply #4 on:** September 26, 2012, 08:48:30 am »

I think we need a little more info first –

Yes a .pdf can be converted to .dxf/.dwg. (In most cases, more info needed.)

If it is just a line plan drawn in a Vector based application & saved as .pdf and not a scan of say a magazine or book article. (Ignoring copyright for the purpose of this discussion)

1.   Do you need the drawing re drawn completely & frames produced?
2.   Can you not print the .pdf to create the templates for the frames?
3.   Do you plan to use a CAM (computer Aided Manufacturing) facility.. if CAM then they should be able to do the conversion for you, assuming it is a suitable .pdf
4.   Does the drawing (as Fifie has said) need re scaling? If so do you know what scale the .pdf is (if a scan of a magazine or book article this should be double checked)

Perhaps an attached image of the .pdf would get you the exact info you’re looking for.

Regards,
Kim
Edit - I should say I'm talking about direct conversion and not the use of trace function.

Fifie · « **Reply #5 on:** September 26, 2012, 09:43:12 am »

Kim

I agree with you
It doesn't matter how I convert the pdf file,(simply to say it takes two mouse clicks)
I am able to do a direct conversion from the pdf file, providing it is suitable. as you know pdf files have no history
I do not re scan or trace from the pdf file as I have found that certain scanners do not scan at 1=1 or any preset scale
If Wayne can let us see the files I am sure that he can be helped with his request
As for scale the way I go about is to create a dxf file , load it into Autocad scale it the actual size of the original boat, ( if this known or can be established)
Then scale to whatever is required, this will then automatically generate the files for the cam process, usually standard Autocad dxf or dwg format

Regards
Fifie

goBulawayo · « **Reply #6 on:** September 26, 2012, 11:28:40 am »

Hi Kim, as mentioned in the first post, I want the hull lines converted to CAD, I have sufficient CAD knowledge to draw up the frames myself - I have hand drawn the frames already (all 22 of them) but decided it would be more accurate to create frames in CAD (the drawings are of the full size yacht not a model so there are no frame outlines, though there are a few sections through the hull which may be an idea to convert as well). The PDF files are scans of the original 1975 drawings supplied to me by the designer, the drawings are 1/15 scale and are scanned full size. Had not thought of using CAM, will have to look into it, it will still be cheaper for me to draw out the frames first anyway.

Wayne

Fifie · « **Reply #7 on:** September 26, 2012, 11:39:04 am »

Wayne

is there on the plans a table of offsets
If there is these could be put into Delftship and a model created
from this your Autocad files could by various means be created

There is a member on this site that will take your cad files and water jet cut the frames for you (CAM)

Regards
Fifie

Kim · « **Reply #8 on:** September 26, 2012, 12:20:12 pm »

Hi Wayne,
Good news & bad I’m afraid –

Your .pdf … As it is a scan will not convert directly to a useable (in cam) .dxf / .dwg drawing. :((Good news is you can ‘cheat’ & use the scan as a background image to trace / draw onto. (Remove the drawing before save) hours of fun …

Another question can you import .pdf directly into your cad software?
If not then send the drawing over and I will convert to a suitable file for you.
(Let me know what type & version of software)

Hope that helps.
Regards,
Kim

Fifie · « **Reply #9 on:** September 26, 2012, 03:35:05 pm »

Wayne & Kim

I have just scanned a drawing and saved it as a pdf file using an HP desktop scanner

My soft ware will do both of the following,
Open, vectorise and convert a pdf into a dxf file or
scan, vectorise and save within itself to dxf format
i have double checked this afternoon and depending on the quality of the pdf file I don't foresee a problem in achieving a result
I.E A usable Autocad drawing

The proof is in the pudding (as they say), so I look forward to seeing the pdf files and seeing what i can do for you

Regards
Fifie

Kim · « **Reply #10 on:** September 26, 2012, 04:36:52 pm »

Fifie,
I mentioned trace function earlier but assumed given the drawing was done in 1975 you'd be lucky to get a 'clean' drawing.
Regards,
Kim

goBulawayo · « **Reply #11 on:** September 26, 2012, 04:48:31 pm »

I have fwd the pdf to Fifie, I reckon it is not clean enough, anyway will see what he can do

wayne

Fifie · « **Reply #12 on:** September 27, 2012, 11:50:54 am »

Wayne
I have loaded the pdf files and run a quick clean up process then
They are quite bad but never the less
I have converted the pdf files to dxf ,

In Autocad I have checked the scale size accuracy
The hull measures 935.1888mm
The legends say the plan is of a 14mtr yacht
Therefore 14/15=933mm, near enough wouldn't you say
The lines are separate and in some cases doubled, so its necessary to clean them up, then extend-trim-convert to polylines-smooth them. (Very time intensive)
I dropped a centre line in and mirrored the transom port side to complete the whole frame
I took a copy of this and superimposed it on the imported data
If you load the Transom drawing you can check it out for yourself

So in conclusion it is possible to use the pdf files that you have for the generation of the CAD frame profiles
I will do the 2 files as dxf files send them and the transom drw/dxf to you today or tomorrow
You can then decide what yo want to do from here
If you have Autocad confidence you should be able to generate to the frame profiles yourself, its not that difficult
I can explain it over the phone

By the way what version of Autocad are you running

Regards
Fifie

goBulawayo · « **Reply #13 on:** September 27, 2012, 04:26:39 pm »

Hi Fifie

Thanks very much for your help, much appreciated - 935 vs 933 is fine enough for me

The Autocad I have access to is 2012

Regards

Wayne

Fifie · « **Reply #14 on:** September 28, 2012, 12:02:45 pm »

Wayne

Three files sent 12.00pm today
See if they are any good to you
Regards
Fifie

grendel · « **Reply #15 on:** September 28, 2012, 12:11:05 pm »

sounds fun, if it is a raster (scanned) pdf/ jpg / tif file then I would use a piece of software (scan2CAD)to convert the drawing to CAD, this also allows to clean up the background before scanning. (the only downside is that although it can in theory sort out the text, all of these types of software are notorious for turning the text to absolute gobbledegook).
Grendel

Fifie · « **Reply #16 on:** September 28, 2012, 12:22:01 pm »

Grendel
The files in question are too bad for even Scan2Cad
Fifie

grendel · « **Reply #17 on:** September 28, 2012, 12:48:12 pm »

ouch - I've never encountered that before, mind you I did have my copy tweaked to match our large format scanner, then I could work with just about any document.
Grendel

goBulawayo · « **Reply #18 on:** September 28, 2012, 04:02:22 pm »

Thanks very much to Fifie who has very kindly given up some of his time and experience to convert my PDF drawings to CAD files and given me some guidance on how to sort them out and come out with a half decent drawing - I am most grateful for his help - It is this sort of generosity that makes this forum so great.

Wayne

F4TCT · « **Reply #19 on:** September 28, 2012, 06:17:13 pm »

Is this scan2cad software freeware or at a price?

Dan

grendel · « **Reply #20 on:** September 28, 2012, 06:21:49 pm »

not freeware I am aafraid, but not the most expensive on the market either - ouch just checked $249 cheap for a business, but there is a fully functional free trial.
http://www.scan2cad.com/free-trial-overview/
Grendel

Kim · « **Reply #21 on:** September 28, 2012, 11:56:13 pm »

Quote from: F4TCT on September 25, 2012, 04:05:26 pm

How do you actually do it? Use some sort of scanning software etc?

Dan

Yes, and before you go investing in a stand alone programme you might want to save your pennies to buy an all in 1 package!

Fifie, you have way to much time on your hands and i have boxes of plans, do you fancy helping? ... lol
Regards,
Kim

Fifie · « **Reply #22 on:** September 29, 2012, 08:31:08 am »

The expertise involved is knowing how to deal with poor pdf Scan2Cad conversions.within Autocad
As I have just demonstrated to Wayne some things are possible,
MIRACLES ARE NOT.
Kim
Yes I have time on my hands
I am nearly 70 years old, retired, had a stroke and do this work to keep the brain alive.
Fifie

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Author Topic: Autocad help (Read 6245 times)