CAD creates precisely-scaled technical drawings in a digital platform. These digital outputs allow easy sharing, easy editing, better documentation and preservation. This is perhaps why a lot of AEC Firms are choosing to covert old paper drawings to digital drawings. Paper to CAD conversion can be done on Site Plans, Floor Plans, Elevations, Sections, Exterior, Foundation Plans, Electrical Plans, HVAC etc. One of the most effective methods of doing that is by converting scanned paper drawings to CAD.
When would paper to CAD conversion be used?
There are in fact several instances where paper to CAD conversion becomes necessary. Weather it is for rebuilding, refurbishment or remodeling CAD drawings are necessary to get approval from the government and for the construction process to begin. By utilizing Architectural CAD Drafting Services, the firms can convert old drawings into CAD formats and edit them according to their requirements. Today companies can also, instead of digitally remaking these drawings, can simply scan the paper drawings and convert them into digital drawings. These drawings can then be edited as per the project requirement. This can be done by the more recent version of AutoCAD or with the aid of a software that converts Raster format to Vector.
Below we highlight certain points for converting Scanned Paper Drawings to CAD:
1. The need for conversion Software:
Whenever a drawing is scanned either on a computer or by Scan to CAD it is saved as a raster file or a TIFF file. These files lack structure and it is not possible to edit them without affecting the whole image. Thus, they need to be converted into CAD compatible vector format such a DXF or DWG. They are capable of holding large data and allows better resolution. These vector graphics makes it possible to edit individual entities without it affecting the whole image.
2. Which drawings can be scanned?
Any software is only able to work and augment on the data it has been provided with. Thus, while determining if any paper drawing is suitable for scanning two things need to be noticed: size and clarity. Some drawings are too old, too faint, have obscured lines or overlapping texts to produce credible scans. This is even more true when it comes to MEP CAD Drafting Services because some minute components like wires or pipes are too difficult to capture. Here, the drafter must manually create these elements.
3. The method of Vectorization:
The are two methods of vectorization: there is manual tracing and automatic tracing. Tracing here refers to drawing over raster images with vectors. With technology a skilled drafter can understand the design effectively and trace over it with a mouse. However, this is time consuming and error prone. There is raster to vector software which give precise and accurate images. The vector formats can be of many types but the more common are DXF or DWG. DXF format is supported almost universally by CAD programs, while the DWG format is native to AutoCAD and is more ideal to use if all parties involved are using AutoCAD. However, DWG format can be converted to DXF format or vice versa at a later date.
4. Post-vectorization:
Once the files have been converted to a format suitable to CAD, they can be imported onto the CAD software and edited as per the project requirements. It allows to create as many layers as needed and can place different elements of technical drawings like dimensions, description, or text on separate layers.
Conclusion:
To convert Paper Drawings into CAD is not a simple task it requires expertise and is time consuming. That is perhaps why it has grown into a specialized outsourcing service. We at Tesla CAD UK digitize multiple formats such as pdfs, hand-drawn sketches, images and scanned pdfs into high quality and detailed AutoCAD Drawings. Our services can be utilized by architectural firms and companies who are looking to shift from the more traditional mode of drafting into modern digital construction.
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