Drawing tools

[marc8]

Hi all
sorry if this has already been covered does anyone know a product where I already have PDF drawing & want to overlay my designs on to the floor plans?

 

[ian.settle1]

Pencil

 

[tazz]

Most drawing files including AutoCad will convert to PDF....but converting PDF back into any other file is a problem. PDF is a secure file, hence the reason most quotes and invoices are sent in PDF to stop people editing or tampering with it.

 

[telectrix]

all my designs are done on a smoke packet. can traced and overlay onto a beermat without too much trouble.

 

[amlu]

just checked with GIMP I got installed here, it has an option for importing PDFs...

 

[tazz]

If your going into commercial, then the only way is AutoCad, which is layered for each section of install.....any other format is a waste of time

 

[Marvo]

I'd agree with Tazz, the drawing will have been originally created in a different file format by a CAD program before it was converted to PDF for distribution to others. If you want to edit it or add a layer then firstly you need the drawing in the original file format and secondly you'll need the same program installed on your PC that created the drawing or maybe a similar CAD program that can deal natively with the particular file format.

 

[Silly Sausage]

Most drawing files including AutoCad will convert to PDF....but converting PDF back into any other file is a problem. PDF is a secure file, hence the reason most quotes and invoices are sent in PDF to stop people editing or tampering with it.

I've always assumed that PDFs are distributed because PDF Reader is freely available, but has no editing functionality.
If you buy the full version, then they are editable.

 

[Marvo]

When a pdf file is created you can specify what security it has. You can prevent editing if you want to.

 

[tazz]

As Above...once locked, never editable....always send you quotes, invoices or final drawings in PDF

 

[Silly Sausage]

As Above...once locked, never editable....always send you quotes, invoices or final drawings in PDF

I come from the age where you'd type things out in triplicate with two sheets of carbon paper between them

 

[tazz]

I think most of us are, even with old dot matrix printers......but today we email everything, drawings, quotes and invoices....and no matter what software you use, having pdf printer or converter installed, prevents tampering.

 

[Silly Sausage]

I think most of us are,

Going on that recent poll, us old farts are a minority...but time will tell!

 

[snowhead]

I come from the age where you'd type things out in triplicate with two sheets of carbon paper between them

Luxury..

 

[Billythekid]

Hi all
sorry if this has already been covered does anyone know a product where I already have PDF drawing & want to overlay my designs on to the floor plans?

It depends how the original file was created: if it was created as a raster image it's easier to CAD from scratch - if Vector, then most CAD software will allow you to utilise the existing PDF as an underlay/baseplan. There are claims from some software companies that they can do all sorts of things but it just ends in a mess. You then spend much to long trying to join lines, patch holes, etc.

HTH

Billy