How Do You Convert a PDF to DXF?
You convert a PDF to DXF by adding it to QuickCatPDF's PDF to DXF converter, choosing the units, and clicking Convert to DXF. The lines, curves and text of the PDF drawing become DXF entities on separate layers, ready to open and edit in AutoCAD, LibreCAD, DraftSight or any CAD program.
The PDF is converted in your browser and never uploaded. It's free, with no sign-up and no watermark.
How to Convert a PDF Drawing to DXF With QuickCatPDF
Converting a PDF drawing takes four steps.
- Click Select PDF files or drop your PDF drawings on the page.
- Choose the Units, and a Scale factor if the drawing is to scale.
- Type a range in Pages to convert only some pages (one DXF per page).
- Click Convert to DXF, then download the DXF file or the ZIP.
Which PDFs Convert Well?
PDF to DXF works on vector PDFs: drawings exported from CAD software, plans, diagrams and technical drawings, where the lines are stored as lines. Each line becomes a LINE entity, every other path a polyline, and curves become polylines that follow the curve closely. Text becomes TEXT entities with the right position, height and rotation.
Scanned drawings are pictures, not lines, so there's nothing to convert; the tool tells you when a PDF has no drawing lines.
In our test, a landscape A4 drawing with a frame, a dividing line, a circle, a curve, a title and a rotated note converted in under half a second to a 4 KB DXF. A CAD library read it with every line and both text items, at the correct size in millimetres.
What Are Layers, Units and Scale?
The DXF has three layers so you can switch them separately: LINES for stroked lines, FILLS for filled shapes and TEXT for text. Millimetres converts the PDF's points so a line 1 cm long on paper is 10 mm long in the drawing. Points keeps the PDF's own units (1/72 inch). For a drawing printed at 1:100, enter 100 as the Scale factor to get real-world sizes.
What Doesn't Carry Over?
Arcs and circles become polylines rather than true arc entities, line weights and dash patterns become plain lines, and colours aren't kept. Pictures in the PDF aren't included. The DXF is in R12 format, which every CAD program can open.
Drawings saved in AutoCAD's own format convert the other way on DWG to PDF, and a sharp vector picture of a page for documents is on PDF to SVG.
Frequently asked questions
Is PDF to DXF free?
Yes, free with no sign-up, no watermark and no limit on the number of files.
Is my drawing uploaded?
No, it's converted in your browser, so design files stay on your device.
Can I convert a multi-page PDF?
Yes, each page becomes its own DXF file, and several files download as a ZIP.
Why does my scanned plan not convert?
A scan stores the drawing as a picture, which has no lines to convert. Redraw it or trace it in CAD software.
Can I turn a DXF into a PDF?
Yes, use DXF to PDF. For pictures of a PDF, use PDF to Image, and every other format is on the PDF Converter.
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