Converting *.PDF files to *.bmp, *.tiff, etc.
07-29-2018, 09:52 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Converting *.PDF files to *.bmp, *.tiff, etc.
After coming back to the hobby after a 15 year absence I have found that there are a vast number of
model plans out on the net. Most of the sites like Outerzone and AeroFred use the *.pdf format.
I need to get the files into an image format so I can vectorize them for CAD work. I have tried about
a half dozen of the freeware conversion programs but am having trouble with a high failure rate. In about
2/3 of the *.pdf files I try to convert the conversion program crashes or just outputs a blank image as the programs
don't seem to be intended for documents as large as a scanned plan. I've been using both a Windows 7 PC and a Windows 10
laptop with the same results.
Could anyone suggest a conversion program/method that is working well for them?
Thanks,
MarkD
model plans out on the net. Most of the sites like Outerzone and AeroFred use the *.pdf format.
I need to get the files into an image format so I can vectorize them for CAD work. I have tried about
a half dozen of the freeware conversion programs but am having trouble with a high failure rate. In about
2/3 of the *.pdf files I try to convert the conversion program crashes or just outputs a blank image as the programs
don't seem to be intended for documents as large as a scanned plan. I've been using both a Windows 7 PC and a Windows 10
laptop with the same results.
Could anyone suggest a conversion program/method that is working well for them?
Thanks,
MarkD
08-04-2018, 07:02 PM
#5
The real problem is that many pdf files are simply image files planted on a pdf format document.Therefore you cannot reduce the line widths to make vectors,usually at .0 line width.I would love to find a program that converts a image line to a Single width vector line>the image line whether jpg,tiff,bmp is usually an anti aliased line (shading intensity)of about 5 pixels wide,when you blow it up to size.
08-05-2018, 06:19 AM
#6
My Feedback: (125)
The real problem is that many pdf files are simply image files planted on a pdf format document.Therefore you cannot reduce the line widths to make vectors,usually at .0 line width.I would love to find a program that converts a image line to a Single width vector line>the image line whether jpg,tiff,bmp is usually an anti aliased line (shading intensity)of about 5 pixels wide,when you blow it up to size.
IMO, any of the current raster->vector programs are a fool's errand for any sort of CNC cutting. They were never designed to have that level of accuracy, nor will they ever have it. The vector files produced are a complete mess and while perfectly fine for their intended purpose, one spends more time cleaning them up than simply redrawing the parts in CAD. I will redraw parts in CAD and often find errors in the hand drawn parts. Some designers are better than others, but no one was infallible.
Last edited by Hemikiller; 08-05-2018 at 06:29 AM.
