How Do You Convert DWG to PDF?
You convert DWG to PDF by adding the AutoCAD drawing to QuickCatPDF's DWG to PDF converter, choosing the paper, and clicking Convert to PDF. The drawing is redrawn as a vector PDF, so lines stay sharp at any zoom, with its layer colours, text, blocks and hatches, on A4, A3, Letter or the drawing's own size.
You don't need AutoCAD or any other installation. It's free, with no sign-up and no watermark.
How to Convert AutoCAD to PDF With QuickCatPDF
Converting an AutoCAD drawing takes four steps.
- Click Select DWG files or drop your drawings on the page (DXF works too).
- Choose the Paper size and Orientation, or keep the drawing's own size.
- Choose Colours: as in the drawing, or black on white for printing.
- Click Convert to PDF, then download the PDF.
How Does the Conversion Work?
DWG is AutoCAD's own binary format. QuickCatPDF reads it on our server with LibreDWG, an open-source DWG reader, which turns it into a DXF drawing. The DXF comes back to your browser, and the PDF is drawn on your device with the same engine as our DXF to PDF tool.
In our test, sample drawings saved by AutoCAD R14, 2000 and 2018 all converted. The 2000 drawing (lines, polylines, arcs, an ellipse, splines, text, dimensions, blocks and a hatch) became a vector A4 PDF in about 1.2 seconds. Two drawings at once came back as a ZIP.
Some DWG files contain a few stray objects far away from everything else, which would shrink the real drawing to a dot. QuickCatPDF leaves those out and tells you how many; in our test sample there were five.
Which AutoCAD Versions Work?
DWG files from AutoCAD R13 to 2018 and later releases that still save in the 2018 format (AC1012 to AC1032) are supported. Files from AutoCAD R12 and older get a clear message; save them as a newer DWG or as DXF.
Can I Print to Scale?
Yes. Choose Drawing's own size and the PDF page is made at full size from the drawing's units (millimetres, centimetres, metres, inches or feet), up to the PDF limit of 200 inches. On A4, A3, Letter or Tabloid, the drawing is scaled to fit.
What Isn't Supported?
3D solids, external references, images inside the drawing and paper-space layouts aren't drawn; the PDF shows the model space. Line weights and dash patterns are drawn as thin solid lines. MicroStation DGN files aren't supported.
Frequently asked questions
Is DWG to PDF free?
Yes, free with no sign-up and no watermark. There's a fair-use limit of 60 drawings an hour.
Is my drawing kept on your server?
No, the DWG is sent over HTTPS, read, and deleted right after, and never kept more than 1 hour. The PDF itself is made on your device.
Is the PDF vector or a picture?
Vector: lines and text are real PDF lines and text, so they stay sharp when you zoom in or print large.
Can I convert DXF files here too?
Yes, DXF files are drawn in your browser without uploading. Other files convert on Convert Any File to PDF, and PDF to DXF goes the other way.
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