AutoCAD 2017: PDF Data Import by Choosing a File (Part 1)

AutoCAD 2017 is here and with it comes the ability to import geometry and text directly from a PDF. No longer will you have to draw over PDF lines to create the PDF line work in a drawing. Now, you can import a PDF directly into a drawing and the data will automatically be generated. There are, however, two methods: you can import an entire PDF by choosing the PDF from a file, or by choosing PDF data from a PDF Underlay. 

For this post, I will focus on importing data by choosing a PDF from a file, and discuss the various settings options. Please do watch out for my next post which will address importing PDF data from an Underlay.

To get started You can type PDFIMPORT to start the commandor you can find the "import PDF" command on the insert tab of the ribbon, as seen below.

Additionally, you can find the PDF import command under "Import" on the application menu, as seen below.

Press "Enter" to open the browser dialog box. Browse to the PDF you want to import and select it. Once you've selected the PDF, the following Import PDF dialogue box will pop up.

The Import dialog box options are straight forward for the most part, however, a few options warrant additional explanation.

Choosing the page to import

If you have a multi-page document, you can select an individual page from the full document to import. A preview area shows the pages. To select the page that you want to import, left click on the preview. The page highlighted is the one that will be imported. If you want to only view the page to be imported, you can select the single page preview button. 

Scaling, Inserting, Rotating

Scaling can be tricky as AutoCAD does not automatically scale the PDF geometry. In order to scale properly, you have to understand the size of the PDF and factor it into the import. There is a box in the Import PDF dialog box specifically for the scale. Additionally, you can choose to rotate the data upon importing.

If you do not choose the Specify Insertion Point on the screen options, the lower left corner of the PDF is inserted at (0,0) in the DWG. Since PDFs do not have world coordinate systems and scales as part of their information, you will need to insert the PDF by choosing the insertion point option, then move the data once the line work is imported. I recommend importing as a block to make moving and scaling easier. Once you have moved and scaled the block, you can explode it to access the individual geometry, text and images.

PDF Data to import

You must choose as least one of the three data import options in order to import: vector geometry, true type text, and/or raster images.

All lines, hatches, arcs, non-true type fonts and other geometric objects are considered vector geometry. Hatches are brought in as individual lines and not as an AutoCAD hatch pattern. The background shading is brought in as a solid hatch, when the solid fills option is selected. If the solid fills option is not selected, the shading within a hatch pattern will not be imported.

It’s worth noting that unless text is true type font, all text comes in as polylines and not text. This means you cannot edit the text using the AutoCAD text editor because it is considered geometry. Currently, there is no way to convert the polylines representing text to actual text.

"Raster images" refer to any images contained in the PDF. Images are imported and saved in a PDF image folder. You can find the PDF image folder in the options dialog box.

The PDF creation method determines how the data is imported. If the PDF was created from an AutoCAD file, the line work comes in as AutoCAD line work. However, if the PDF is an image or a free hand drawing, it comes in as an image and not as line work.

Layers

There are three factors that determine what layer objects will go in the drawing. Layer management is dependent on the layers that are in the PDF, which is dependent on how the PDF was created. If it was created from an AutoCAD file it has the layers from the drawing file. This is convenient because you can choose the Use PDF Layers option to create the same layers that were in the original AutoCAD drawing. This option will create the exact same layers, but add a PDF_ at the beginning of the layer name. A layer that was originally called chairs, will now be called "PDF_chairs."

If you choose to Create Object Layers during import AutoCAD will create new layers specific to PDF object types. The object types and their corresponding new AutoCAD layer names are in the table below.

Object Type	Objects included	New AutoCAD layer name
Geometry	Lines, arcs, polygons, polylines etc.	PDF_Geometry
Solid Fills	Fills created from hatch patters	PDF_Solid fills
Text	Text	PDF_Text
Raster	Raster	PDF_Images

Additionally, if you import multiple PDFs with this option selected, a number will be added to the layer to indicate which PDF the layer is from. For example, PDF1_Geometry, PDF2_Geometry, etc.

The last option for layer creation is Current Layer, which places all objects created on whatever layer is current.

Import options

When you import as a block, all objects (geometry, text and raster) are combined together as one object. When imported, the block will be on the current layer while the components within the block follow the layer management options you set in the layer section of the import box.

Join line and arc segments options join contiguous objects into a single polyline wherever possible.

Converting solid fills to hatches converts 2D solid objects to a hatch. Wipeout objects and wide polylines are included as fills. 2D solids that are inferred to be arrow heads will not be included. Solid fills are imported with a 50% transparency so that you can see objects below it.

Apply Lineweight properties will take the lineweights from the PDF.

Lastly, there is the infer linetypes from collinear dashes option. This will create dashed linetypes. Without checking that box, each dash will be imported as an individual line.

After you’ve hit "OK" and started the import process, it may take a few minutes to import the data, so be patient. A progress bar shows up at the bottom right of the screen to indicate how far along in the process the import is. 

In summary, the PDF Import command is an easy way to obtain geometry, true type text, and raster images from a PDF. Again, I definitely recommend importing a PDF as a block using the specify insertion point option and then rotating and moving the block to position where you need it. From there, you can explode the block to obtain access to the imported data. There are several layer management options for the imported data. There are also additional import options including joining arch and line segments, applying lineweights, inferring lines from collinear line segments and others.

To review this information in more depth, please watch my corresponding video AutoCAD 2017 PDF Data Import by Choosing a File (Part 1).

I encourage you to play around with this new exciting command and see what it can do for you.

For more information on AutoCAD, as well as training and consulting for the various products Ideate services, visit our website.

---

Kate Ming
AEC Application Specialist 
Kate is a California licensed civil engineer with a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UC Berkeley. Prior to Ideate, she worked at a multinational company for four years doing general civil design on large infrastructure projects. She is versed in roadway, rail, utility design and site development. She also has experience with utility demand analysis and Low Impact Development plans. As a Civil 3D Autodesk Certified Professional Kate provides training and support for Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and InfraWorks.

Playing Nicely with Navisworks Manage

Working with both AutoCAD MEP and Navisworks Manage, we always want to make sure to utilize all the data built into AutoCAD designs in the Navisworks model.  However, when exporting from AutoCAD MEP, some information seemed to get lost in translation. Recently, an Ideate Inc. customer contacted us about this exact issue. Thankfully, the Techs at Ideate along with Autodesk were able to resolve this issue.

AutoCAD Plotting – What Happened to the Colors?

As the Support Dispatcher at Ideate Inc. I have seen a surge of cases that center around printing in AutoCAD. In particular we have customers who are unable to print because their .CTB files are missing. Usually this has been caused by the drawing being set to use .STB files for printing instead of .CTBs. Here are the differences between the two and the particulars of switching a drawing from one type to the other.

CTB Plotting

Most users are familiar with .CTB files, or ‘color-dependent plot style tables’. These files process the drawing when printing and assign lineweights and other plot settings to printouts based on the color of the objects, which can have properties that reference the object properties.

STB Plotting

In 2000 Autodesk added an alternative print style that used .STB files called ‘named plot styles’. In this style the plot settings are assigned to a name and that name is applied to layers or specific objects. Some of these settings can be set to ‘By Object’. These will then look to the object properties, which is often set to ‘By Layer’. In this setup the colors in the drawing only affect the default color the object prints as when ‘By Object’ is specified for color in the named style.

Since the named styles can be applied to specific objects, the way that an object looks in the drawing may not reflect how it looks when printed. This requires test plotting or plot previews to catch problems with drawing appearance.

Starting New Drawings

There are two versions of each template shipped with the program, each associated with a different plot style. When creating new drawings, be sure to use a template that reflects the style that you want to use. The process of switching styles can become complicated in a drawing file that contains a lot of objects. We see this in support when users don’t notice the discrepancy until they try to print after making significant progress in a drawing.

Converting Colors to Named Styles

There are two steps to converting a drawing from .CTB to .STB

1. CONVERTCTB
   AutoCAD needs a .STB file to use to convert the plot settings when the drawing is converted. This .STB file must have been converted from a .CTB file, preferably the main one used in the drawing that is to be converted. This associates a color mapping to the .STB file. This conversion process is independent of the drawing that is open, converting all the colors in the CTB and consolidating them into unique styles
   (Note that a .STB file that has color mapping will not be fully editable as long as the mapping remains. It can be removed in the editor, but it will then no longer be able to convert files.)
2. CONVERTPSTYLES
   When converting a drawing, styles are applied to the layers based on their color automatically. For objects that have a color different than ‘By Layer’ the named style for that color is applied directly to the object. Objects in a converted drawing retain all of their properties.

Converting Named Styles to Colors

There is no actual conversion applied to a drawing when it is changed from .STB to .CTB. The drawing will not remember any of the named style settings. Any object that was set to a specific named style will revert to printing based on the color property. These objects will print differently and it can be difficult get the drawing to print the same as before the conversion. As a result it is recommended that these objects be identified before the drawing is converted and their color changed to match the .CTB file that will be used after the drawing is converted.

Sharing Drawings

As always, it is best practice to include the file(s) you use to plot whenever you send out a drawing. When receiving these files, use the STYLESMANAGER command to copy them into your plot style folder.

Related Command List

STYLESMANAGER – Opens the folder location of the .CTB and .STB files which should also include a link to the creation wizard. Plot tables can be edited by opening the file.

PSTYLEMODE – reports which style the current drawing is using. (1=.CTB, 0=.STB)

CONVERTCTB – converts a .CTB plot file into an .STB plot file. It is not possible to convert a .STB into a .CTB

CONVERTPSTYLES – converts the current drawing between .CTB and .STB.

PLOTSTYLE – controls the style that is applied to new objects in .STB style drawings. In most cases it is recommended that this be set to ‘By Layer’ (CPLOTSTYLE is the command prompt version.)

DEFLPLSTYLE – controls the plot style that is applied to existing layers in a pre-2000 .dwg or for ‘Layer 0’ when not using a template. (1=.CTB, 0=.STB)

DEFPLSTYLE – controls the plot style that is applied to existing objects in a pre-2000 .dwg or when not using a template. (1=.CTB, 0=.STB)

PSTYLEPOLICY – controls the plots style that is applied to existing objects in a pre-2000 .dwg or when not using a template. (1=.CTB, 0=.STB)

---

Jesika DiGregorio
Support Intern
Jesika received her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon where she worked on construction of a student-designed structure. Her work experience includes Junior Designer at an award-winning firm specializing in architecture and land planning, and Intern Architect at a firm that provides services in planning, design, construction documents and construction administration for projects of all sizes. Jesika provides online and phone technical support to Ideate clients from the Ideate Authorized Training Center in Portland, Oregon.

Get it. Know it. Use it.

Performance Diagnostics Tools for Revit Architecture

Recently we had a question come through support if there was some type of diagnostics tool available to judge the performance of Revit. Well, there are several internal tools available for determining performance.

1. Review of Warnings.

• In Revit Architecture 2010, they are located in Modify Tab>Inquiry Panel>Warnings. Excessive warnings slow project performance.
• In Revit Architecture 2011, they are located in Manage Tab>Inquiry Panel>Warnings. Excessive warnings slow project performance.

2. In Autodesk Subscription Center>Access Your Subscription Benefits>Product Enhancements, there is a program called Autodesk Revit Model Review.

• For Revit Architecture 2010, is included as part of the “Subscription Advantage Pack for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010” package in the subscription center.


• For Revit Architecture 2011, it is a separately downloadable file named: Autodesk Revit Model Review 2011.

3. Additionally, Ideate provides a service called “Revit Health Check.” This provides a detailed analysis of the model, what can be done with the model to make it run better, and best practices moving forward to the next project. Please contact Sales (888.662.7238) for further information.

Additionally there are a number of resources on the web that list specs for your hardware, reviews of hardware, and recommendations for configuring your hardware for use with Revit.


Ron Palma
AEC Solutions Application Specialist
Ron has 23+ years of experience in the AEC industry as a designer, lead project designer, trainer and CAD manager. His instructional background includes Autodesk Certified Instructor, trainer, support technician, educator at Portland Community College and Clackamas Community College, and a U.S. Army certified instructor. Follow Ron @RonPalmaAEC.

Get it. Know it. Use it.

AutoCAD 2012: New Content Explorer

This is Derek Wielkopolski, Support Manager and AutoCAD Application Specialist for Ideate, Inc. I always love to see new features that save me time when working. I love the new Content Explorer for AutoCAD 2012. It’s a powerful search interface built right into AutoCAD, and allows me to search and insert design objects from my .dwg files including blocks, layouts, layers, even text and dim styles.

The Content Explorer is installed under the new AutoCAD Plug-ins tab on the ribbon.



Clicking the Explore icon launches the Content Explorer palette. From here you have complete access to local and network folder locations.



By default it includes two folders with sample content You can also add your own folders by clicking the “Add Watched Folder...” button and browsing to the folder you want. Or you can add a folder by dragging and dropping one from Windows Explorer. The folder’s contents aren’t copied into the Content Explorer, but instead indexed and looking at that location.

The Search bar is a keyword search and allows you to quickly find what you’re looking for. It also uses operators such as wildcards (*) to further broaden or refine your search. Search results can be further refined by using the filters such as, Layers, Blocks, Layouts, Text Styles, Dim Styles, etc.

To add an object from your search results into your current drawing is easy, simply drag and drop the object from the palette on to your workspace.



Another great feature of the Content Explorer is its ability to not only search through local and network folders but it can also search through the Autodesk Design Center and Autodesk Seek, a free online manufacturer’s content service.



Clicking the pull down arrow to the right of the Home button will toggle the results to Autodesk Seek. The same search functionality can be used to find content or you can browse through the folders. And the best part is all of this can be done without ever leaving AutoCAD!

After using the Content Explorer I was amazed at how much time it saved me searching for objects throughout a myriad of drawing files. No longer do I have to hunt through Windows Explorer looking through multiple project folders in multiple locations, opening and closing drawings to find that one piece I was looking for. The Content Explorer is an excellent addition to AutoCAD 2012 and I know you’ll love it as much as I do.

Don’t forget to look through other great features our Ideate Technical Team has found in the new 2012 releases for Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, Revit Structure, Civil 3D, Navisworks and more: ideateinc.com/2012

Derek Wielkopolski
Technical Support Manager/Application Specialist
Derek holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Roger Williams University, Rhode Island. He is experienced working within the AEC industry from concept design through construction administration for both small and large scale projects. As Ideate’s Support Manager he ensures a timely and quality response to support requests and questions. Follow Derek on Twitter: @dwielk

Get it. Know it. Use it.

Tell Us What You Think – Customer Satisfaction Surveys

Ideate Customers,

I want to hear what you think of Ideate and Autodesk’s products and services. In the coming weeks you might be asked to share your thoughts and suggestions by taking a brief survey. I encourage everyone to participate as it’s a great way to provide feedback for us as well as Autodesk. I want to know what we do really well, and where we could use some work. Remember, the more detailed the feedback; the better products and services we can provide.

Thanks,
Derek Wielkopolski
Ideate Support Manager

Derek Wielkopolski
Technical Support Manager/Application Specialist
Derek holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Roger Williams University, Rhode Island. He is experienced working within the AEC industry from concept design through construction administration for both small and large scale projects. As Ideate’s Support Manager he ensures a timely and quality response to support requests and questions.

Quick Tip: Revit Revisions

Forcing Revision Visibility on Sheets

Ever wanted to show the Revision Schedule on a Sheet even if no Revisions are present?

Well it’s rather simple:

First Create your Revisions :



Once you have your Revision Schedule populated, all you need to do is use a little known property of the sheet:

Properties > Revisions on Sheet



By toggling any Revision in the dialog Box, you will force the Title block to show the toggled revisions:



I have been asked about this a few times and it is standard practice with some firms to show all revisions on every sheet in the set. This is the fastest, cleanest way I have seen within Revit.

Matthew Nelson
MEP Solutions Application Specialist
Matthew has a deep understanding of Autodesk products. He studied Mechanical Engineering at SUNY Stony Brook. He has been a BIM manager and CAD manager for a leading international consulting services firm utilizing AutoCAD MEP, Civil 3D and Revit MEP. During that time, he focused his skills on understanding the dynamics of inter-discipline coordination on large scale civil and building engineering projects. At Ideate, Matthew provides training and support for Revit MEP, Navisworks and AutoCAD MEP. @MNelsonIdeate

Get it. Know it. Use it.

Autodesk Revit Architecture: Area and Volume Computations

In a recent technical support case a Revit MEP user opened a Revit MEP file in Revit Architecture to find that the spaces added in Revit MEP were not recognizing the ceiling boundaries and floors in Revit Architecture, but in Revit MEP they were! The user had spent hours and hours trying to figure out what was going on before contacting our support desk. It turned out to be a simple setting – we were able to get back to him immediately.

It was checking the ‘Compute Areas and Volumes’ option ‘Areas and Volume Computations’ of the ‘Room and Area’ Settings in Revit Architecture!



Shruti Harve,

LEED AP, AEC Solutions Application Specialist
Shruti holds a Master of Science degree in Architectural Computing from University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom and is LEED accredited. Her experience includes working in Architecture and Construction firms in India and the United Kingdom as well as Structural Engineering firms in the Bay Area providing design, 3D modeling and drafting services. At Ideate, Shruti provides training and support for Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, 3ds Max, Ecotect and AutoCAD Architecture.

Get it. Know it. Use it.

Autodesk Revit MEP Tip: Render Ductwork Based on System Type (Supply vs. Return)

Question:
We are working on an interior rendering of an office studio that has exposed ductwork that we plan to paint in different colors (supply vs. return). How do we apply different materials to the ductwork based on duct system type in Revit MEP? We tried object styles but that changed all the ductwork, and the ‘filter’ tool only allows us to apply a color (not material).

Answer:
Very Simple! Just add a Project Parameter called ‘Duct material’ from under Manage>Project Parameters, and then select all the supply/return ducts and apply the materials needed.




Shruti Harve,

LEED AP, AEC Solutions Application Specialist
Shruti holds a Master of Science degree in Architectural Computing from University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom and is LEED accredited. Her experience includes working in Architecture and Construction firms in India and the United Kingdom as well as Structural Engineering firms in the Bay Area providing design, 3D modeling and drafting services. At Ideate, Shruti provides training and support for Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, 3ds Max, Ecotect and AutoCAD Architecture.

Get it. Know it. Use it.

What information do I need to submit when logging a Support Request to Ideate, Inc?

Derek Wielkopolski, Support Manager, offers these suggestions for Ideate, Inc. customers.

Many times in Ideate Support, we'll start with basic questions in order to better troubleshoot your technical support case. Submitting the answers along with your initial support request will help us resolve your problem even faster. So what should you provide?

Software and Computer
Start off with the software you’re using and your computer information, i.e. I’m working in Revit Architecture 2011 on Windows 7 64 bit with 8GB of RAM. An easy way to provide system information is by using the System Information Utility in Windows or the System Profiler on a Mac. These utilities allow you to save your hardware and software information to a single file that can be attached to an email. It includes information like computer manufacturer and model, processor, memory, video card, drivers, and much more. Take a look at the links below for instructions on how you can get these.

Obtaining a System Information file (NFO) for diagnostics and troubleshooting

Using the System Profiler

Picturing the Problem
Next, you’ll want to provide a clear description of the problem or issue. Include any critical steps, commands, and information that may be linked to the problem. An even better way to provide information is to submit screenshots or a quick video of the problem. In Ideate Support, we use Jing, a free program developed by TechSmith, available for both Windows and Mac. It's a great little app that allows you to capture screenshots and video. Screenshots can be saved or copied to the clipboard and placed directly in emails. Videos can even be uploaded and saved at an URL rather than having to send large files. Check it out here:

http://www.techsmith.com/jing/

What's Your Number?
If you’re having a licensing or activation problem, provide the serial number of the software product you’re using. And if it’s a network licensing issue, provide the license file and system information about the computer where the license server is installed. Also, take a look at our Network License Manager Installation and Setup Guide. Chances are, the license issue you’re having can be answered in a document we've put together:

Autodesk Network Licensing Guide by Ideate, Inc.

Finally, provide any troubleshooting you’ve done so far so that we don’t suggest anything you’ve already tried. Typically we start out asking questions like: Does the problem occur on other user’s computers? Can the issue be repeated at will and if so how? Does the issue persist even after logging on to the machine with another user’s login and profile? We try to isolate the issue and rule out any variables. Many times a problem can be associated with a specific file or drawing. If it can be, and the file is smaller than 10MB, attach the file to your support request. For larger files we’ll send you a link to our secure dropbox where you can upload it.

Remember, the more information you provide the quicker the issue is resolved and you’re back up and running!

- Derek

Derek Wielkopolski
Technical Support Manager/Application Specialist
Derek holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Roger Williams University, Rhode Island. He is experienced working within the AEC industry from concept design through construction administration for both small and large scale projects. As Ideate’s Support Manager he ensures a timely and quality response to support requests and questions.

Ideate Support Services - Let Us Exceed Your Expectations

Success in today's rapidly changing marketplace means that you are developing complex solutions and getting them to market ahead of the competition. Because flexible, responsive support is critical, Ideate offers a portfolio of support services and tools to help you achieve your goals.

However, it is not simply enough to provide these options, it is important to have a skilled team available for you. Ideate's technical team stays on top of today’s issues through their off-site consulting work, classroom training, and continuing education in their respective professional fields.

In reviewing survey feedback for the last 1,000 Support Service cases, we're routinely Above Expectations for our customers in:

• Technical skill of the representative
• Response and Resolution Time
• Courtesy and professionalism of the representative

Among last month's comments:

• WE HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF IDEATE. WE WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED.
  
• Shruti made me a custom video to answer one of my questions...WOW! it was helpful. I could play it back multiple times.
  
• Yahoo! Much better training than XXXxxxxxxx [competitor's name removed]! Thanks Gaurav!
  
• Nancy was very professional and very helpful! Thank you, Ideate.
  
• Ron provided superb knowledge and service as always.
  

Our full-time Support Manager, Derek Wielkopolski, ensures that our support and delivery systems run smoothly and strives for the highest degree of customer satisfaction. A selection from Derek's rave reviews last month:

• Derek helped me resolve a problem with AutoCAD LT 2009 created by a virus. I was shut down for over two weeks trying to get support directly from Autodesk. One call to Derek and the issue was resolved quickly and professionally. AutoCAD is a critical tool for me in my consulting business, and if it wasn't for the support of Ideate, Autodesk would have lost a customer.
• Superb assistance, as usual!
  
• I emailed my Account Manager and had a response very quickly from tech support. Well done.
• My initial email support request resulted in a[n] emailed answer that did not address my question. However, Derek called me back with a simple (not documented) answer to my simple question. Overall, a great experience for this new Ideate customer and left me considering upgrading to telephone support.
• Derek is a pleasure to work with.
  
• Excellent service as always.

Contact Ideate today and let us exceed your expectations!