Q: Is a License Key Needed for Evaluation?
Will I need a license key to install an evalaution version?
A:
Not anymore! We listened to feedback and have done away with the watermarked eval. Now, you can try a fully-functional version of any product for 30-days. Once it expires, it must be purchased or it will no longer operate.
Q: What is pdf2cad?
What is pdf2cad?
A:
pdf2cad is a software program that converts files from the Portable Document Format from Adobe (PDF) into the CAD Drawing eXchange Format (DXF) for use in AutoCAD and other CAD/CAM/CNC systems. It also converts PDF to HPGL. Running on Windows, you can easily generate an editable CAD file in three steps. Just select a PDF file, set options and convert via a straightforward wizard-type interface. pdf2cad was developed to help engineers, architects and other types of users to reuse graphics stored in PDF file format. Companies use it for architectural drawings, maps, floor plans, mechanical designs, electronics schematics, artwork and more.
Q: Scale of CAD drawing is not correct
The DXF drawing looks fine but it is not to scale. Can this be improved?
A:
The DXF file format does not define physical dimensions using absolute measurements from a ruler. Instead it uses units which the user defines. When you create a PDF file from a CAD drawing, it is transformed to paper/print dimensions and the original CAD unit definitions are lost in the process. As a result, pdf2cad does not have information available to restore the intended dimensions but it does preserve the scale. This means that you can calculate a scaling factor to apply during the conversion to achieve the size drawing you want. By default, pdf2cad uses 1mm in the PDF = 1 unit in the DXF. You can change this under the DXF Options tab. You can also scale the DXF after import into your CAD application.
Tip: Sometimes pdf2cad delivers better precision and more accurate coordinates if you change one of the values in your pdf2cad.ini file. Please try setting the ctm_scale to 10.0 instead of 1.0 (default) in the pdf2cad.ini file. If this does not help, please send us the file to diagnose.
Q: Text is not editable in AutoCAD
I can’t edit the text when I open the DXF file in AutoCAD. Why not?
A:
If the PDF file contains characters, pdf2cad will convert them and map them as MTEXT objects in the DXF file. Unfortunately, when creating a PDF file from a CAD drawing, the text is not always retained. Sometimes it is "plotted" as pen strokes or turned into curves. When this happens, the intelligence is lost. There is nothing that pdf2cad can do about this - it can only reproduce the curves (=SPLINES entities) in the DXF file. What looks like text in the original file is actually just an object, comprised of a series of pen strokes that looks like a word.
By default 1 DXF unit = 1 mm. The DXF file uses mm and decimal as units (INSUNITS , LUNITS). There is an configuration setting under Options ... DXF tab where you can specify that Paths (= SPLINES) should be rendered as polylines/polygons.
Tip: to see if the text in your PDF drawing is still searchable, open the PDF file in Acrobat (Reader) and use the Text Select tool. If you cannot highlight any words, the text is already outlined to curves. If a PDF file contains searchable text, pdf2cad will reproduce it as searchable/editable text MTEXT in the DXF file, preserving the fonts and styles.
Tip: To create a PDF with searchable text from AutoCAD, make sure to use TrueType fonts in the drawing and ensure that your printer driver is set to retain text as text instead of converting it to curves. See how to create a PDF file with searchable text from CAD Digest.
Tip: to create a PDF file with included text from AutoCAD, make sure to use TrueType fonts in the drawing and have your PS/PDF printer driver set to keep text as text instead of graphics. Text can be lost in either of these two steps in creating a PDF file.
Tip: if your PDF files contain non-Roman font text (such as Chinese, Arabic or Cyrillic), or if the text looks garbled in the DXF output, try using the "Convert characters to curves" option in the General tab of the Options menu of pdf2cad. This outlines the text during conversion to ensure WYSIWYG rendering (not editable).
Tip: To create a PDF with searchable text from AutoCAD, make sure to use TrueType fonts in the drawing and ensure that your printer driver is set to retain text as text instead of converting it to curves. See how to create a PDF file with searchable text from CAD Digest.
Tip: to create a PDF file with included text from AutoCAD, make sure to use TrueType fonts in the drawing and have your PS/PDF printer driver set to keep text as text instead of graphics. Text can be lost in either of these two steps in creating a PDF file.
Tip: if your PDF files contain non-Roman font text (such as Chinese, Arabic or Cyrillic), or if the text looks garbled in the DXF output, try using the "Convert characters to curves" option in the General tab of the Options menu of pdf2cad. This outlines the text during conversion to ensure WYSIWYG rendering (not editable).
Q: Is my PDF file a vector or a bitmap?
How can I tell if my PDF file is a vector or a bitmap?
A:
As easy way to see if your PDF file contains vector or bitmap content is to magnify the drawing to more than 800%. If you see smooth curves and straight lines, it's a vector file and the conversion results will be successful. If what you see on screen looks jaggy or ragged, it is a bitmap file and you will only be able to create a drawing template t aid in redrawing the file in your engineering application.
Q: Blank page when opening results from pdf2cad in AutoCAD
When I open the DXF file that pdf2cad created in AutoCAD, I just get a blank page – where’s my drawing?
A:
Your drawing is probably scanned. This process flattens it into one bitmap, or raster, image which removes all the information about how the drawing was created or what it even is. As a result, it can not be redrawn or exploded into objects by pdf2cad. The most we can do with scanned image files, is to create a high-quality copy to be used as a tracing layer in your CAD program.
If you look in the directory where the file was saved, you’ll notice that two or more files were created – a DXF and at least one TIFF or JPEG image. The DXF references the images and assembles them on-screen when loaded. They must be in the same directory as the DXF file or the DXF file will look empty. This will also occur if or if your CAD package does not support raster images
If you want to try to create vector objects from a scanned drawing, you need a different class of software called “raster to vector”. This is an extremely difficult thing to do well and we can recommend two companies that do the job as well as can be expected – www.softcover.com and www.trixsystems.com.
Q: Evaluating FLY SDK or FLY Batch
I want to try Fly Batch or the Windows SDK, but the download only gives me the desktop version. How can I get the API?
A:
The desktop version of each product uses the same DLL engine as the API and command line developer versions, so evaluating an end-user version provides a reliable indication of the core functionality and output quality. The standard Windows download also allows testing of the command line, which is a straight-forward interface for many development environments. Contact us for instructions on how to use it. Evaluations of the API are available upon request. Please contact support@visual-integrity.com for more information.
Q: UNIX and LINUX versions of software
You support Red Hat Linux. Will the software also run on UNIX and other Linux Versions?
A:
Yes. Red Hat is our development platform and it is the only Linux distribution that we officially support. We have had customers report successful installations on other Linux versions such as FreeBSD and SuSe (64-bit AMD). If you are running a different Linux version than Red Hat, please do try to install the Linux version and let us know how it works. In addition to Linux, we also have versions available for Sun Solaris, HPUX and IBM AIX.
Q: Conversion does not complete
The software shuts down, hangs or returns an error without completing my conversion. What’s the problem?
A:
We can not assess the problem without seeing your file. Your file could be corrupt or our conversion engine might not be able to digest it properly. Please send the file to support@visual-integrity.com for analysis, and let us know what product and version you are using.
Q: Unknown Fonts
Why do I get a warning about unknown fonts at the end of the conversion?
A:
This warning is to let you know that your PDF file uses non-standard fonts or font names. When this happens, you'll probably notice that the text in your output file may look different than in the PDF when you open it in your target application. This not an error – just a reminder that some fine-tuning may be required, Please see the other entries on fonts and visit the Help system in the software for more detail.
If needed you can turn off the font messages, by adding the line: font_warnings(0) to the ini file of the application.
Q: Converting Multiple Files
How do I select more than one file for conversion?
A:
Converting multiple files is also called batch mode and most of our products support it. To specify more than one file, use the "Add" button. Only pdf2picture does not support batch conversion. To convert several files with pdf2picture, when you finish the conversion, choose New Conversion to select another PDF file for conversion. If you want to regularly convert more than one file per run with pdf2picture, you may want to upgrade to PDF FLY which offers batch conversion and more conversion input and output formats.
Q: Why can't I find my files to convert?
I am sure that my files are PDF files but I can not find them to convert. Why not?
A:
pdf2image, pdf2picture and pdf2cad only display files with a .pdf extension. If the file you want to convert has a different extension, but you are sure that it is a PDF file, you should rename it to include a .pdf extension. Because PDF FLY also converts PostScript files, it expects files with a .pdf, .ps, .eps or .prn extension.
Q: Conversion Options
Where can I learn more about the using the different conversion options?
A:
In the Help file that is included with the software. Just click on the Help button found in the bottom right corner of the software dialog. A new screen will open, with a table of content for all the topics that the Help file contains. You can expand the outline to find the section on Conversion Options or search the index using the Find command.
Q: Using the program
How do I use the program?
A:
The software has been designed to be very easy to use and involves four simple steps and sometimes less:
- Select the PDF file you want to convert
- Change or review settings by clicking on the Options button
- Change the name and location of the output file, if desired
- Convert!
Q: Can I use pdf2cad in a batch process?
Can I run pdf2cad as an automated batch process on a server?
A:
pdf2cad will convert a "batch" of files when requested by the user. It's as easy to convert an entire directory of files as it is to convert one file. Tat said, sometimes, companies want to use a watch folder or use scripts to automate conversion. When this is required, you'll want to use FLY Batch. PDF to DXF is one of the modules in FLY Batch, a command line driven batch conversion engine that’s easily scripted for automated, central, high-volume or real-time processing. It runs on Windows, Linux and UNIX platforms.
Q: Adding Adobe Type 1 Fonts to the conversion engine
How can I add Adobe Type 1 fonts to the software engine so they will be saved for next time?
A:
In order add Adobe Type 1 fonts to the conversion engine, you need to follow four steps.
- First, you need to place the Adobe Type 1 PostScript fonts into the C:/Program Files/Visual Integrity/PDF FLY v7.0/fonts/etc directory. These font files have the extension .t1 (example: Frutiger-ExtraBlackCn.t1). Note: PDF FLY should be changed to the correct product name (such as pdf2picture).
- Second, you need to register the font with the engine by adding the font name at the end of the ../fonts/etc/fonts.dat file using notepad or another simple text editor.
- Third, you must also add the font name in the ../fonts/etc/dvrdef.dat file.
In case of pdf2image you can also add Windows True Type Fonts as described above.
Q: How do I choose between FLY Batch and FLY SDK?
What's the difference between the two developer components - FLY SDK and FLY Batch and how do you choose which one to use?
A:
Visual Integrity offers two different approaches for accessing and integrating our conversion framework into a process or application. Depending on which is more appropriate for your needs, you'll either use:
- FLY Batch to call the batch executable via the command line
- FLY SDK to make VB/C++ API calls to the DLL engine
FLY Batch is used via the command line to automate conversions as part of a larger process or work-flow. It works without user intervention based on scripted calls or watch folders. It supports many standard image and vector output formats as well as text. Output can be highly customized using intelligent filter options which are applied as part of the conversion.
The API developer tool, FLY SDK, calls the DLL engine from a VB/C++ program is a separate file containing LIB and header files and sample source code. It requires a license code to be unlocked. The DLL can be used to convert specified files or via Windows GDI calls.
For both the FLY Batch (command-line) and FLY SDK (API/DLL), all filter parameters such as rotation, resolution and font mapping are defined in the tgc.ini file. An overview of the options and their use is available in PDF format below. These options are checked and applied during conversion to the output format.
Developers need to download and install the current version of PDF FLY or META FLY, which is the same product that end users download. This includes all developer interfaces and the DLL's as well. It also includes all of the command line scripts. When called from the command line, the software will run in evaluation mode by default stamping a watermark on every output file. The license key file received upon purchase removes the watermark.
Q: Using the command line in FLY Batch
Can you please help me understand the syntax of the FLY Batch command line and how to apply filter options to the conversion?
A:
FLY Batch is for process automation, integration and server-side automation. The powerful batch executable allows you to invoke the DLL engine via the command line. The functionality is embedded in the standard PDF FLY and META FLY downloads for evaluation.
In order to enable the batch conversion engine for use via the command-line, you must add the installation path for the software to your %path% variable. This can be done via the Control Panel -> System -> Advanced->Environment
Variables: %path% variable
Variables: %path% variable
By default PDF FLY is installed in C:/Program Files/Visual Integrity/PDF FLY
This installation path must be added to the %path% directory.
On the command line you can do this by:
Set path=%path%;"C:/Program Files/Visual Integrity/PDF FLY v__" (fill in version number)
This installation path must be added to the %path% directory.
On the command line you can do this by:
Set path=%path%;"C:/Program Files/Visual Integrity/PDF FLY v__" (fill in version number)
FLY Batch for PDF and PostScript (Adobe PostScript, EPS and PDF input)
• To convert PDF files, run pdf2xxx. Settings for pdf2xxx are defined in the pdf2xxx.ini file.
• To convert PS or EPS files, run ps2xxx. Settings for ps2xxx are defined in the ps2xxx.ini file.
FLY Batch for Metafiles (WMF and EMF input)
• To convert WMF files, run wmf2xxx. Settings for wmf2xxx are defined in the wmf2xxx.ini file.
• To convert EMF files, run emf2xxx. Settings for emf2xxx are defined in the emf2xxx.ini file.
General Usage:
• See the “options” PDF file for an overview of the variables and their use. You can open and edit the .ini files with a text editor like Notepad. The pdf2xxx.ini file is used for PDF and the ps2xxx.ini file is used for PostScript and EPS.
• The extension of your source file determines which conversion filter will be invoked.
So to convert myfile.eps to for example myfile.svg run: ps2xxx myfile.eps myfile.svg.
To convert myfile.wmf to for example yourfile.jpg run: wmf2xxx myfile.wmf yourfile.jpg.
To convert foo.pdf to for example foo.gif run: pdf2xxx foo.pdf foo.gif
Need help? Call us or email support@visual-integrity.com.
Q: Will Visual Integrity software convert all my files?
Will the software convert any PDF file that I throw at it?
A:
All products from Visual Integrity are designed to convert all well-formed PDF files. If a PDF file was created in an application, it should convert successfully in either vector or image mode. However, if a PDF file was created by a scanner and has already been reduced in the process to a flat image, it will only convert in image mode.
Q: What are vector and image modes?
Can you explain what vector and image modes are and when I should use them?.
A:
There are two basic formats for graphics - vectors and images. Vector graphics are made up of lines, curves and text while images are made up of a collection of dots or pixels. Images are also referred to as bitmaps or rasters.
Visual Integrity can convert most PDF files into either vector or image formats. It's important to know which is best for the job you are doing.
If you need to break a PDF file down into objects and text for editing, then you want to choose a vector format. The vector formats supported in our software are PDF, PS, EPS, SVG, WMF, EMF, CGM, HPGL and MIF.
If you do not need to edit the file and simply want a sharp copy to insert into a document or to publish on a web-site, you'll want to go with image formats. The image formats that we support are TIFF, GIF, PNG, JPEG and BMP. If you will be printing the graphic on a laser or inkjey printer, convert at 150 dpi resolution. If publishing to a web-site, use 96 dpi for best screen dispaly.
Note! Scanned images can not be transformed with vector mode into lines, text and other vector objects because they re not vector source files. Instead, you will get an exact replica of the PDF as an image that can be used as a tracing layer which aids in the duplication effort. To convert scanned images into vector objects, you need a special class of software called "raster to vector".
Q: What do I do with the License Key file that I received?
When I purchased the software, I received an email with a license key. What do I do with it?
A:
Most customers purchase online and receive their fully licensed download link immediately. There's nothing more to do. However, if you purchase via selected resellers or directly from Visual Integrity with a purchase order or check, your order is manually processed. In this case, an email with a license key is sent which unlocks the software for permanent use. If you have lost the instructions or your license key, please email support@visual-integrity.comand we will be glad to assist you.
Note! If you are expecting a manual confirmation and have not received it, please check your spam filters and firewalls to ensure that they have not blocked the mail containing the license key.
Q: Starting the Program
How do I start the program?
A:
As with most other Windows application, there are several ways to start the software:
- By double-clicking on the product icon on your Windows desktop
- Via Start > Programs > Visual Integrity > pdf2image (or other product)
- Directly launch the program from the installation folder using Windows Explorer by finding and double-clicking on pdf2xxx.exe
- By dragging a PDF file onto the product icon on your desktop or in Windows Explorer
Q: Tech Note: Font Mapping
This Tech Tip explains how Visual Integrity software handles fonts in general.
A:
For fonts to appear correctly in a vector output file, the same font with the same naming convention must be on both systems. Sometimes, any mismatch can be resolved through font mapping. If you need support on adding fonts to your environment please contact support@visual-integrity.com. Custom font mapping is available as a service but is not covered by the standard Advantage Support Subscription.
By default the fontname used in the PostScript or PDF file is used also as fontname in the vector output file. Using the Font Mapping dialog you can change this by creating a mapping between the original fontname and the fontname you want to use in the vector output file.
Fonts are not embedded in the vector output formats. Most of the vector output formats do not support embedding of font data.
For SVG only we have hooked in the font embedding option for PDF files which has the embedded fonts. Please contact us if you want to know more about this option.
Q: Licensing an Eval Version
I love this software and want to buy it. Can I unlock the version I already have installed?
A:
Yes. We can send you a license key to unlock it. Just give us a call. Alternatively, if you place your order online, you will be presented with a fully serialized and licensed version. You can burn it on a CD for your archives and then install it to ensure that you have the latest version. There is no need to remove the previous version although it is a good idea from a housekeeping perspective.
Q: Fills and Patterns Not Rendering Correctly in Output File
When my PDF file was converted to a WMF vector file, the output had the lines and fills in the wrong places. Why?
A:
Several of the vector formats such as WMF, CGM, DXF or HPGL do not support cropping. This is the act of cutting away and discarding the uneccesary portions of the picture such as extraneous fills and other elements. PDF and PostScript, both very robust and complete formats, do support it. To bridge the gap, Visual Integrity has developed a proprietary method to simulate cropping. When applied during conversion, the resulting file will appear cropped just like the original.
To apply it, select the "Emulate PS/PDF cropping" feature in the General tab of the Options menu.
Q: How do I Download and Install the Software (Windows)?
How do I download and install the software for Microsoft Windows?
A:
When you buy a license or register for evaluation, we will provide you with a “Download Now” link for your product. Click on the link to start the download. We recommend that you save this file to your hard-disk (choose location) and then simply double-click on it to start the installation process. Follow the instructions until installation is complete.
For Batch Automation Only (FLY Batch): In order to enable the batch conversion engine for use via the command-line, you must add the installation path for the software to your %path% variable.
Q: Download Problems
I’m having download problems. What can I do?
A:
There are a few reasons why a download may not go smoothly:
- Try downloading again directly from our product site (for example, www.pdf2image.com). It may have just been a temporary Internet connection problem.
- Check with your system administrator to see if you are allowed to download .exe files from the Internet. Your company firewall or security policy could be preventing you from getting the download.
Should problems persist, please contact support@visual-integrity.com for assistance, an alternative download location or download method. If needed we can also send you the software via email.
Q: 16 Bit Windows Subsystem error
My computer gives a 16-Bit Windows Subsystem error during installation. Now what?
A:
This is an old issue and will be resolved simply by removing any previous versions from your system and downloading the most current version from the Visual Integrity web site.
History: On some older PCs running Windows NT, an error was encountered during the installation process: "16 BIT WINDOWS SUBSYSTEM. C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM32\\AUTOEXE.NT. THE SYSTEM FILE IS NOT SUITABLE FOR RUNNING MS-DOS AND MICROSOFT WINDOWS APPLICATIONS. CHOOSE 'CLOSE' TO TERMINATE THE APPLICATION".
Q: Where are the programs located on my PC?
Once the installation is completed, where is the program located?
A:
By default, our software is placed in C:/Program Files/Visual Integrity unless you specified a different location during installation. The Visual Integrity folder will have a subfolder for each product, for example, pdf2image, pdf2picture, PDF FLY, etc, which contains all the installation files. The .exe file with the name of your product (for example, pdf2picture.exe, pdffly.exe, etc) is the actual conversion program. Double-clicking on it will launch it.
In addition during installation, you are asked if you want icons placed on your desktop and you quick launch bar. To revisit this, just reinstall the software.
Q: Is pdf2cad available as a DLL or SDK?
Is there a DLL or SDK version to integrate PDF to DXF conversion into my application?
A:
Yes. With FLY SDK, You can make calls to the conversion engine via the command line or, on Windows, through VB/C++ API calls. A Java wrapper is also available. To integrate and distribute our software with your own (internal or commercial) application, a Developer License must be purchased. See www.visual-integrity.com for more information.
Q: Fonts affected during conversion
When I converted my file, the fonts loked all wrong in the resulting vector file. How can I get them to translate properly?
A:
If the characters are converting but not displaying properly, you likely have a font mapping issue. To comply with the licensing regulations of font suppliers, our software can not embed fonts in the vector output formats. Instead, we reference the fonts by their names. If the fonts, with the same names, are on the target PC, the file will open and display perfectly. If the same fonts are not on the PC that opens the file, which is much more likely, the text will not display properly. To complicate things, often, one font may go by several different names. Arial Bold, for example, may be referenced as "EHJPKB+Arial-Bold" in the original file. This font may be normal Arial Bold but the target application does not know it unless you tell it. This is known as font mapping. If the font is not mapped correctly, the closest font will be substituted. In this example, "EHJPKB_Arial-Bold" must be mapped as "Arial" with font style "Bold". In order to learn more, please read the Tech Note: Font Mapping
In case of SVG or EMF as output format we support kerning. Please contact us if you need more information how to configure thus. Turning this option on could improve the WYSIWYG of the text strings.
Q: What is the difference between WMF and EMF
What is the difference between WMF and EMF?
A:
WMF, orWindows Metafile, is the original 16-bit metafile format. It is the native vector graphics format for the Microsoft Windows platform. It is also the standard format for scalable graphics in Microsoft Office and many other Windows applications. Even though it has been enhanced and extended as a 32-bit format (EMF -Enhanced Metafile), WMF is still the most widely used and supported metafile format on the Windows platform.
Q: Is pdf2cad also available for Linux or UNIX?
Is pdf2cad also available for Linux or UNIX?
A:
Although pdf2cad is not available for UNIX or Linux, the PDF to DXF conversion capability is part of PDF FLY which is available on Sun Solaris, HP-UX, IBM AIX and Linux (Red Hat). The Red Hat Linux version also runs successfully on other Linux implementations, such as FreeBSD and SuSe. For all of the UNIX/Linux platforms, the PDF to DXF functionality is accessed via is a straightforward command line tool, offering the same core functionality as pdf2cad on Windows. For more information, visit www.pdf-fly.com.
Q: Differences in pdf2cad and PDF FLY
What is the difference between pdf2cad and PDF FLY - both convert to DXF, right?
A:
PDF Fly has all of our input and output modules and costs $395. It converts PDF, PostScript and EPS into:
vector: WMF, EMF, SVG, CGM, EPS, PDF, PS, DXF, HPGL
image: TIFF, GIF, JPEG, PNG, BMP
text: stripped ASCII text, text with palacement
pdf2cad is designed especially for CAD users and costs just $195. It conversion PDF into DXF or HPGL.
Q: Is there a DLL or command line tool for pdf2image?
Is there a DLL or command line tool for pdf2image?
A:
Yes. All of the Visual Integrity products are based on the same powerful engine. Each has an optional programmatic interface to the engine to allow integration into applications and to automate batch processes. Fly Batch offers command-line scripting. FLY SDK offers command line scripted calls to the engine as well as a Windows DLL. FLY Web Image Server is a low-cost image server for driving transformatin of PDF into three web image formats - JPEG, GIF amd PNG. If you have questions or want to evaluate the developers tools, you can ask us of have a look at our developer page.
Q: Can I edit PDF files in Visio?
Can I edit PDF files in Visio?
A:
Contrary to what you may have heard, it is definitely possible to edit PDF files in Visio! It involves just a few simple steps:
- Convert the PDF file to WMF or EMF (see which format produces the best results for your file) using pdf2picture. WMF and EMF are the native vector graphic formats for Microsoft applications. Note: if you have previously tried using pdf2cad to convert your PDF file for use in Visio, you might want to try pdf2picture now. The results are much more compact and efficient compared to the often large DXF interchange files. Even better, pdf2picture is an inexpensive utility costing just $59.
- Open the new WMF file in Visio. You can do this by "right-clicking" on the file and choosing "Open with Microsoft Visio" or by selecting "Open, File" (choose files type Windows Metafile (WMF). > details (PDF)
- Adjust your drawing. You should see your file on the screen now. Adjust your paper size and orientation if necessary. Ungroup the Drawing. Select "Shape, Grouping, Ungroup..." to explode the drawing into individual editable objects and you are ready to make any changes that you want.
- Save as Visio Drawing. That's it. Once you save the drawing, it is now in the native .vsd format and ready to share with your colleagues if necessary
A Few Words of Caution
- Is your drawing scanned? Before converting, make sure that your PDF file in not a scanned image. If it is, it can not be edited at the object level using this approach. To see if your file can be converted or not, open it in Adobe Acrobat and magnify it to 1000%. If the lines look smooth, you'll have success. If the lines look jagged or boxy, it is scanned and you will need to use a different approach. > more on how to determine what type of PDF file you have.
- Text as curves. Sometimes, when drawings are originally authored in CAD systems, the text is "plotted" when it is saved to PDF. This means that the text is converted to a series of pen strokes or "curves" and the character information is lost. In this case, you will not be able to edit the text but you will have a graphical representation of it that you can use or replace in context. If you just find that the font does not match the original file, you may need to use the font mapping feature during conversion.
- Objects or shapes? When the drawing is saved to PDF, all information about pre-defined shapes is lost. When opened in Visio, an octagon is eight lines which can be grouped or ungrouped.
- Mind your Memory. Because of the large number of objects in many Visio drawings generated from PDF files, you'll need a bit of power on your desktop. Every file is different so it's hard for us to make general recommendations. If you find that the file is opening slowly or takes a while to refresh, you'll need more memory. It's not unusual for a converted PDF file to be comprised of more than 50,000 individual objects. This may sound intimidating but pdf2picture makes quick work of it!
- Ask for Advice. If you try to convert a PDF but are not getting the results you expect, ask us to troubleshoot it for you. It's free and we are happy to help you achieve optimal results. Just send your PDF file tous along with a brief description and your contact info. The most complete requests are handled first.
Q: Tip Sheet - Using pdf2picture with MS Office
Once I open the converted PDF file in MS Office, do I need to do anythng more with it?
A:
Normally yes, especially if you plan to edit the converted file. When converting to the scalable, vector formats WMF or EMF, you will need to ungroup the file before editing. We've made a tip sheet for each application Please download the ones that are of interest to you:
Q: Can't edit file after conversion
I've converted my file but I can not ungroup and edit it - why not?
A:
Most Visual Integrity products are designed to generate editable files (vector files). The success depends, however on the type of PDF input. There are two types of PDF file - vector and bitmap.
Vector PDF files contain all of the file information as algorithms and are scalable. No matter how large you maginfy them, they will look great. Our software will convert these files into editable vector files.Bitmap PDFs are usually created by scanners and all of the file information has be flattened into one image comprised of dots. When magnified, a bitmap PDF file looks very jagged. Our software will convert bitmap PDF's in image mode and you will get a high-fidelity reproduction which can be inserted into your document or presentation but which can not be edited.
Once you know what kind of PDF file you have, you will know whether it will convert into an editable vector file or not. If you are interested in converting a scanned drawing or bitmap PDF into vectors, you need to look for a different class of software. Try searching for "raster to vector" or raster2vector" in a search engine to find potential products.
Q: Is there a DLL or developer kit for pdf2picture?
Is there a DLL or developer kit for pdf2picture?
A:
The answer to this question depends on at what point in your workflow you need to support the Windows metafile format. If you need to import metafiles (WMF or EMF), you need to look at META FLY SDK or META FLY Batch. If you are loking at converting files or print streams into theWindows Metafile format, you need to look at PDF FLY. In one way or another, we are sure to have a DLL or command-line tool to help convert your metafiles.
Q: Unable to edit text after conversion
Why can’t I edit the text in my Office application?
A:
After conversion, if you can not edit text, chances are that the text was already stored as graphics in the PDF original. It was probably converted to curves or plotted as pen strokes when the PDF file was created. It is no longer text, just vector curves that look like text. This often happens for example with PDF drawings are created from CAD, EDA or GIS applications as well as with print advertisements from a DTP-package to ensure font display accurately. Text is often converted to curves to ensure accurate print results and to protect against font incompatibilities. Once the text has been turned into curves, there is no way for pdf2picture to retrieve it as real text. If the text is still searchable in the PDF file, we can produce it as editable text in the conversion output.
Tip: To see if the text is searchable and convertable or not, open your PDF file in Acrobat Reader and try to "Select" some text. If you can mark it, you can convert it.
Q: Why should I choose your PDF output engine?
Why should I choose your PDF output over all the others out there?
A:
PDF has been added as an output format. Unlike other technologies which use printer-driver-based solutions to create their PDF-file, we have developed a core engine to create the PDF-file directly from either a PostScript or EPS file. Because the engine powering all Visual Integrity products includes a PostScript output engine, PDF can be created more efficiently from Windows via the WMF and EMF formats as well as on Linux and UNIX.
Q: Can I operate at the object level in the PDF file?
Can I add or delete objects in the PDF file during cnversion?
A:
The FLY SDK API has been extended with a powerful, new option to parse through a list of text, vector and image objects in a PDF-file and then edit, delete or add objects to the page. This page can then be generated as a PDF file or any of our other output formats which include DXF, HP-GL/II, WMF, EMF, CGM, MIF, SVG, ASCII, TIFF, BMP, JPEG, GIF, EPS, and PostScript. This new feature has great importance in the regulation and compliancy markets, among others, where you could identify and remove privacy-related information from files.
Q: Can I program stamping or watermarking during conversion?
Can I program stamping or watermarking during conversion?
A:
The new "Merge & Mark" feature allows you to add any PDF, EPS or PS file during your conversion as a background, watermark or stamp to the files that you are converting. This new merged file can then be fed to the conversion engine and output in any of the supported vector and image formats.
Q: Don't see the answer you need? Ask it now!
Don't see the answer you need? Ask it now!
A:
We are usually just minutes away... Use this link to ask us your question now. If we have a specialist free, you will enter a live chat session. If no one if free, you will be able to pose your question as a message and it will be ansered as soon as possible, usually within a few minutes. Clisk Above on "Ask a Specialist".
Q: How easy is it script calls to the FLY SDK engine?
How easy is it script calls to the FLY SDK engine?
A:
FLY SDK is very powerful conversion engine yet simple to integrate into your application code. You just need to customize your conversion profile (.ini) and then hook into the engine. Only two API calls are needed to convert to any of the vector or bitmap output formats, Below are some examples:
Convert 4dbar.ps to 4dbar.wmf using the ps2xxx.ini configuration file
VgPsLoadOptions(PS2XXX, "ps2xxx.ini");
VgPsConvert("4dbar.ps", "4dbar.wmf", PWMF, NULL);Convert 4dbar.pdf to 4dbar.png using the pdf2xxx.ini configuration file
VgPsLoadOptions(PDF2XXX, "pdf2xxx.ini");
VgPsBitmapConvert("4dbar.pdf", "4dbar.png", PNG, NULL);Convert 4dbar.emf to 4dbar.svg using the emfxxx.ini configuration file
VgPsLoadOptions(EMF2XXX, "emf2xxx.ini");
VgEmfFileFlowTo("4Dbar.emf", SVG, "4Dbar.svg");
Q: Can an Expired Eval be Extended?
Can an Expired Eval be Extended?
A:
Evaluation versions of all Visual Integrity products operate with full functionality for 30days, after which they time-out. It is not possible to extend them. They can however, be unlocked upon purchase. If you still need to test a product, we are happy to convert sample files for you and will send the results back to you by email.
Q: Using converted PDFs in PowerPoint
Can I use pdf2picture to convert PDF to PowerPoint?
A:
pdf2picture converts PDF files into the native vector graphics format for Microsoft Windows. This means that, normally, you will be able to edit the text and modify the lines and other graphic objects within PowerPoint. pdf2picture supports two modes - vector and image.
If you want to edit text or modify the graphic, you'll want to choose a vector format - either WMF or EMF. Once you have your scalable file, follow the instructions to insert it onto a slide as editable objects. If you notice any problems with the appearance of your text, please see our font troubleshooting tips for how to map them. The fonts defined in the original file may not be on the target system or have a slightly different name.
If you want a true replica of the original file and do not have a need to modify the information, then choose image mode (BMP). It will create a smaller file with high-fidelity.
In pdf2picture, WMF or EMF should be chosen if any of the following are of primary importance:
- scalability
- editability
- ability to magnify with losing sharpness
In the following case, image mode (BMP) should be chosen when:
- No further editing is required
- Image will not be scaled up in size
- An absolutely identical match is required
In some cases, if you are publishing to the web or doing newsletters or brochures, you may also need pdf2image. The two products, pdf2picture and pdf2image, are used for very different purposes. It is often the case that users need both capabilities. In this case, we offer a value bundle at just $99 for both products. If you have questions or want advice of which of the two products will suit your unique requirements best, please email us.
Q: Example: Converting PDF to MusicPad Pro
Can you explain how I can convert my PDF's into sharp images MusicPad Pro can digest?
A:
PNG is the native format of the MusicPad Manager so you would first need to use pdf2image to convert all your music to this format. Once you have generated all of the PNG's, you should be able to import them directly by opening the MusicPad Manager application. Then just select File/Import.
MusicPad Pro expects the files that are imported to be 600x800. This can be set by choosing width = 600 pixels under the "Options" button during conversion in pdf2image.
If you have any trouble converting your music, please email a sample PDF file to support@pdf2image.com and we will return it to you in PNG format ready to import along with any special settings that you need to select.
Q: Can I convert to or from other file formats?
Does Visual Integrity also have tools to convert to or from other file formats?
A:
pdf2cad only converts from PDF to DXF and HPGL. You can upgrade at any time to our compreshesive suite called PDF FLY which offers extended input and output formats. With it, you can convert PDF as well as PostScript and EPS. Output formats include:
Vector formats: PDF, PostScript, DXF, HPGL, CGM, WMF, EMF, EPS, SVG, MIF
Bitmap formats: TIFF, GIF, JPEG, PNG and BMP
Text formats: ASCII text, stripped or with placement
Q: Does pdf2cad require Acrobat or GhostScript to run?
Does pdf2cad require Acrobat or GhostScript to run?
A:
No. pdf2cad is a standalone tool and completely self-contained. It is not a plug-in of any sort. It is a very robust and powerful framework developed and extended over the past fifteen years. Everything that you need to run it on your desktop or to use it for you development is included in your delivery download.
Q: Can I use pdf2cad to convert PDF into a DWG or DGN file
I want to convert PDF into a DWG or DGN file. Can I use pdf2cad?
A:
Yes, indirectly. pdf2cad uses DXF as its intermediate format since it is widely supported as the industry standard exchange format for CAD drawings. You can open DXF files in most CAD/CAM/CAE packages including AutoCAD for viewing and editing. When saving, the native format should be used which will reduce the file size greatly. The native format for AutoCAD is DWG and forMicrostation, it is DGN.
Q: Convert circles to circles rather than to a string of short lines
Looks good, but is there a way to convert circles to circles rather than to a string of short lines that look like a circle?
A:
We are developing a intelligent mechanism to "recognize" circles/ellipses out of a set of polylines or bezier curves.Please contact us if you want to receive more information about this feature.
Q: Some converted files open and some do not
It seems like files that convert from true vector files actually work better in my host program....the ones that are converted from rasters don't even open in the program.....why?
A:
pdf2cad is designed to convert PDF files, generated as scalable files from an application, into editable CAD objects. Since scanned drawings have been flattened and reduced to bitmap images, we can not reassemble them into objects. We do however convert them into a tracing layer which is referenced in the DXF file and supported in programs such as AutoCAD. If you need to create a vector file from this file, you can use the tracing layer as a guide for redrawing the file or use a different class of software called raster-to-vector to try to generate objects. An example of this type of software is Scan2CAD. These are the files that either will not open or show up as blank files in your target software. In order to see or use the tracing layer, your target application must be able to open DXF files and display referenced images. Our conversion of a scanned PDF produces a blank DXF file and one or more image files in either the TIFF or JPEG format. They referenced images must be located in the same directory as the DXF file to be displayed.
Q: Converted Image Looks Fuzzy
My image, especially the text, looks blurry, What can I do to improve this?
A:
There are two important issues at play here.
First - make sure you choose the correct image format for your file type. If your PDF file is mostly text, you should choose GIF or PNG since they render images with few colors sharply. JPEG is better suited for photographic images which use many colors.
The second consideration is resolution or "dots per inch" (dpi). The resolution you choose determines the quality (and the size) of the output. Although a high resolution will yield a super-sharp image, it will also product a large file size which may impact performance. The rule of thumb is to use the lowest resolution which delivers the quality you need. Some guidelines are:
- For screen display (web or office) - use 96dpi.
- For images that will be printed on laser or inkjet printers - use 150 dpi
- For images that will be printed professionally - use 300 dpi
If you want to adjust the resolution, simply increase the dpi setting in the Options menu.
Q: Can objects be rebuilt during conversion?
Is there a way to rebuild objects during conversion so that I get circles and not just a collection of curves or rectangles instead of lines?
A:
In order to achieve the best rendering of objects, you need to check the option for "Path as Polylines/Polygons on the DXF Options tab. This will logically assemble objects from lines and curves.
Q: Improving quality of sheet music for MusicPad
I need to be able to scan printed music into my computer, improve the image, and then download it into the MusicPad - can pdf2image do this?
A:
pdf2image is perfect for the job since it outputs PNG, the native format for MusicPad. By setting the width for conversion at 600 pixels, you can generate a file which will be accepted using the MusicPad Pro import feature. It can be used to convert any PDF music file.
Q: pdf2image or pdf2picture?
I want to edit the PDF in my MS Office application. Do I need pdf2image or pdf2picture?
A:
pdf2picture would be the best choice in this case. It operates in both vector and image mode and you can choose which you want at the time of conversion. Vector mode explodes the file into all of the objects that make it up while image mode makes a sharp copy of the file in the MS Office friendly format BMP.
pdf2image only operates in image mode but offers more formats for web and print than pdf2picture. It is used when you need to produce high-fidelity images for websites or printed publications like newsletters, brochures and customer bulletins.
In both cases, to use the graphics produced by either pdf2image or pdf2picture in MS Office, you use Insert > Picture > From File… to open the converted graphics into your document. If you used vector mode, you can now edit text and graphic elements using the Office drawing tools.
Note: Neither pdf2image or pdf2picture are for converting Word documents heavy in text.
Q: Font Mismatch upon Conversion
The text looks different when I convert my file with pdf2picture. Can this be improved?
A:
Probably. The file format used by Microsoft Office does not embed fonts. Instead, it loads fonts based on reference when the file is opened. If the font specified does not reside on your system, the closest will be substituted. To add to the challenge, it expects the fonts on you system to use exactly the same name as the fonts in the file which is often not the case. Two different applications may define the exact same font with slightly different names. When you want to ensure a great match, you need to create a font mapping.
Q: What are the 35 atandard PostScript fonts?
What are the standard fonts are supported in Visual Integrity Software and which need mapping?
A:
All products fully support the 35 standard PostScript fonts. They will always display properly upon conversion. Any other font needs to be available on the system which will be using the converted files. If it is available, the definition can be mapped so that it is specified in the conversion. Otherwise, the closest fnt from the following list will be substituted.
35 Standard PostScirpt fonts:
AvantGarde, NORMAL,
AvantGarde, ITALIC,
AvantGarde, BOLD,
AvantGarde, BOLDITALIC,
Bookman, NORMAL,
Bookman, ITALIC,
Bookman, BOLD,
Bookman, BOLDITALIC,
Courier, NORMAL,
Courier, ITALIC,
Courier, BOLD,
Courier, BOLDITALIC,
Helvetica, NORMAL,
Helvetica, ITALIC,
Helvetica, BOLD,
Helvetica, BOLDITALIC,
Helvetica-Narrow, NORMAL,
Helvetica-Narrow, ITALIC,
Helvetica-Narrow, BOLD,
Helvetica-Narrow, BOLDITALIC,
NewCenturySchlbk, NORMAL,
NewCenturySchlbk, ITALIC,
NewCenturySchlbk, BOLD,
NewCenturySchlbk, BOLDITALIC,
Palatino, NORMAL,
Palatino, ITALIC,
Palatino, BOLD,
Palatino, BOLDITALIC,
Symbol, NORMAL,
Times-Roman, NORMAL,
Times-Roman, ITALIC,
Times-Roman, BOLD,
Times-Roman, BOLDITALIC,
ZapfChancery, ITALIC,
ZapfDingbats, NORMAL
Q: Text appears broken in output file
The text looks broken-up or condensed when it comes out of pdf2picture. Why?
A:
Try deselecting the “Convert Characters to Strings” option in the General tab of the Options menu. Doing so will carefully place every character individually in the output instead of trying to recreate the actual words as objects. This option is turned on by default to combine individual characters into words and words into lines during conversion. This is a nice option to ease editing when it works but is dependent on the perfect alignment of inbound text. When turned off, every character will be placed precisely as it was in the original.
Q: How can I use the vector formats but get a perfect font match?
I don't want to worry about fonts and I need a perfect match for printing - What can I do?
A:
If you do not need to edit the text, you can create a perfect vector object for each character. You can choose this by checking the “Convert Characters to Curves” option in the General tab of the Options menu. Every character will then be rendered with curves as a graphical representation of the character using the font information stored in the PDF. If a font was not embedded in the PDF, pdf2picture will refer to the /fonts/ directory in the pdf2picture installation folder. You can add Type 1 or TrueType font to this folder as needed to ensure a perfect match. To outline only specific fonts during conversion, email support@pdf2picture.com for instructions.
If you do not need to edit the file at all, another option is to use the bitmap mode in pdf2picture or use pdf2image which creates a high-quality image of the file in four popular web and publishing formats..
Q: When converting a CAD drawing, can I preserve the layers?
When converting a CAD drawing, can I preserve the layers?
A:
When a CAD drawing is saved as a PDF file, it is flattened. When converting, pdf2cad looks at color attributes to create layers. If the option to recognize layers is turned on, pdf2cad gathers all objects with same color and put them on one layer. It is then easy in AutoCAD to turn off a complete layer. This setting can be found in the Options->DXF tab of PDF FLY or simply under Options in pdf2cad.
Q: PostScript: Creating a PostScript file
How can I create a PostScript file from an application on my PC?
A:
It is easy it is to create a PostScript file from virtually any application on a PC. Most PC's are likely to have a PostScript printer driver configured in its printers settings. If not, you must Install a PostScript Printer Driver before going any further.
- Open your file within your application and then select "File...", "Print"
- Choose your PostScript printer. Note that you can use any PostScript driver included with Microsoft Windows without having the actual printer since you will simply be printing to a file.
- Press "OK" to print to file. Note that the PostScript tab under Properties should be set to Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) for best results.
- You will be prompted for a file name and location. If you do not assign .ps as the extension, the default in Windows will be .PRN. Both are valid input extensions.
- Open your Visual Integrity software and when prompted for a PostScript file to convert, go to the location chosen in Step 4 and select the new .ps or .prn file for conversion.
TIPS:
- The extension does not matter - Some systems give printer files a default extension, like .prn or .plt. This does not matter. If the file has been created using a PostScript printer driven, the result will be a PostScript file that Visual Integrity software can convert.
- Watch out for PCL: Most HP printers use a printer language called PCL. The default mode on HP PostScript printers is usually PCL. PCL can not be converted by TGC. Be sure that your HP printer is in PostScript mode to ensure a successful conversion.
- Save directly as PostScript or EPS files - Many applications allow you to save your files as PS or EPS through their "Save as…" menu. A few even produce PostScript by default. This results in good input for our conversion engine.
- Fonts - Try to use standard PostScript fonts like Helvetica and Times New Roman. Non-PostScript fonts, such as Type 1 fonts and TrueType fonts should be embedded so that the text data is available in the PostScript file. This gives our software the best chance to preserve the fonts during conversion.
Q: Removing dimensional lines
My DXF file consists of Polylines with various thicknesses which I have to convert to zero thickness. Can this be set to happen during conversion?
A:
In order to give the objects no line weight (dimension) change the following entry in the
pdf2cad.ini file, which is located in the installation directory of pdf2cad, as follows:
pdf2cad.ini file, which is located in the installation directory of pdf2cad, as follows:
change zero_linewidth(0) to zero_linewidth(1). Then, rerun the conversion.