autocad

14
Jun
2018
Converted tattered old site plan to AutoCAD

This old blueprint was converted to a AutoCAD DWG file

This service is a difference maker

We had a customer come to us with a very old, tattered blueprint that he wanted to have converted to AutoCAD. This happens a lot, and many times, the customer is unsure if it can even be done., well, it can be done! I took the old plan, and scanned it on our black and white scanner, and had one of our expert drafters redraw it in AutoCAD to a DWG file. As you can see in the image above, the plan on the left is the original scan of the blueprint. The image on the right is the resulting AutoCAD file. The customer was very pleased with the result, and was able to start his design project right away.

Fast

This service is normally a 3-business day turnaround. We also offer 24-hour turnaround for only an extra $30 per sheet. You will not be able to hire a drafter for less than our prices. Our service is fast, and accurate. We guarantee our work, if the result is not what you expected, we will make the changes for free. We do more than residential, we also do commercial, retail, government, medical, municipal, utility, golf courses, hotels, parks, roads and bridges.

Money and time saved

Our customer was very happy with the result. He was able to start the remodel design on the home, and sent the AutoCAD file to his landscape architect to begin designing the new landscape. Using the topography lines, he was able to add in trees, a deck, and retaining walls. Instead of redrawing plans, you can send the work to us, giving you more time to design. If you would like to use this service, contact us today. We can answer your questions, and get you a fast quote.

Posted by Michael Mellor
25
May
2018
Most used AutoCAD keyboard shortcuts

Most used AutoCAD keyboard shortcuts

Here are the most commonly used AutoCAD 2018 keyboard shortcuts.

Get more work done!

Keyboard shortcuts help you do navigate AutoCAD much quicker than clicking with the mouse. Get to know these commands to speed up your productivity. Print up this chart of keyboard shortcuts for AutoCAD 2018. We can save you more time by converting PDF plans to DWG AutoCAD files. From there, you can simply edit in AutoCAD. Contact us for a free quote.

PDF to CAD

Send over your PDF plan to have it converted to fully layered vector CAD file.
Send Your PDF
KeypressCommandDescription
F1HELPCalls for Help screen
F2TEXTSCRToggles the Text screen display
F3OSNAPToggles Object Snap mode
F43DOSNAPToggles 3D Object Snap mode
F5ISOPLANEToggles Isoplane mode
F63DOSNAPToggles 3D Snap to Plane mode
F7GRIDMODEToggles Grid mode
F8ORTHOToggles Ortho mode
F9SNAPToggles Snap mode
F10POLARToggles Polar mode
F11OTRACKToggles Object Track mode
F12DYNMODEToggles Dynamic Input mode
Ctrl+SaveQSAVESaves the drawing
Ctrl+OpenOPENDisplays the Select File dialog box
Ctrl+PPLOTDisplays the Plot dialog box
Ctrl+Tab Switches to the next open drawing
Ctrl+PgUp Switches to the next tab in the current drawing
Ctrl+PgDn Switches to the previous tab in the current drawing

For more shortcuts, visit the AutoCAD website.

Posted by Michael Mellor
22
May
2018

From hard to read, to blueprint scans, to clear, legible AutoCAD files

Here is an actual conversion we did for a customer. As you can see, the original scan is a hard to read floor plan, with lots of noise, and dark spots. This is common when scanning old blueprints. Our customer is doing a remodel on the house, and instead of redrawing the whole house from scratch, they saved a lot of time by having us convert their PDF to an AutoCAD DWG file. Now they can make changes to the walls, doors, windows, and fixtures. This service is also good for elevations, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, structural, and landscape plans. You can then work on it with AutoDesk AutoCAD, or any other CAD program that accepts DWG files.

Here’s the scanned blueprint floor plan

Original PDF scan that we used to convert to PDF

Original PDF scanned floor plan that we used to convert to PDF (click to enlarge)

As you can see, the scan is difficult to read, many lines are light, and there are a lot of blurry text. We took the scan, and redrew it in CAD.

Here is the AutoCAD DWG file

DWG AutoCAD file we were able to return to the customer so he could begin the remodel.

DWG AutoCAD file we were able to return to the customer so he could begin the remodel. (click to enlarge)

Layered

As you can see, this is a drastic difference. Our customer was given a professional, vector image, that is broken down into layers as  you can see in the image below:

Colored PDF with layers

Colored PDF with layers (click to enlarge)

The customer was extremely happy with the final product. The conversion took 24-hours, and the cost was less than $200. The customer is an architect, and said that “this would have taken me much longer, and cost me a lot more money.” We are happy to help out the construction industry take on more work. If you are interested in using this service for your construction or printing/reprographics company contact us.

For printing and document services, check out Del Mar Blue.

Posted by Michael Mellor
14
May
2018
How Converting to AutoCAD Can Save You Money

Who doesn’t want to save money?

As they say, “a dollar saved, is a better than a dollar earned.”  This is very true for converting your files to AutoCAD. Here’s the ways using this service can save you money.

We know you are in this business to make money. Hiring a drafter is expensive, and you often have better things to do than to redraw old plans for a remodel or addition. Here’s a few reasons why this service not only can save you money, but can make you money.

  • Drawing one page from scratch can take 4 to 24 hours, that can cost you a lot of money.
  • Average hourly rate of an architect is $35 to $75 per hour.
  • We provide fully layered AutoCAD DWG files, that you can begin your remodel design right away.
  • This can be used for architectural, structural, engineering, plumbing, mechanical, shop drawings, as-built, calculations, details, kitchen, landscape, topographic, elevations, floor plans, sections, and any other type of plans you may have. We work in both imperial, and metric measurements.
  • We can also work with you to make design changes to plans, and a rate of only $30 per hour.
  • You can concentrate on design and business development, instead of redrawing plans.
  • Reprographics companies can offer this to their customers with a special rate.
  • Take on more jobs by having us handle a lot of the drafting.

As you can see, this service can help your company by giving you a jump start on your design and remodel projects. This service has helped out hundreds of our customers. Have the advantage over your competition. We can convert PDF, PLT, TIF, JPG, GIF, and even paper plans to fully layered AutoCAD DWG files. If you would like a free quote, Email us now.

Convert2AutoCAD is a small business residing in Del Mar, California. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Posted by Michael Mellor
18
Apr
2018
We can convert MicroStation to AutoCAD

We can now convert MicroStation to AutoCAD

We now have the capability to convert to, and from MicroStation files from Bentley Studios. This includes these options:

  • DGN to AuotoCAD DWG
  • DNG to TIF
  • Adobe PDF to DNG
  • DNG to Adobe PDF
  • AutoCAD DWG to DNG
  • DNG to PLT

PDF to CAD

Send over your PDF plan to have it converted to fully layered vector CAD file.
Send Your PDF

MicroStation is a drafting standard that is used by millions worldwide, but is not compatible with AutoCAD. If you are working with someone who need these converted to AutoCAD, we can help you with that. Contact us with any questions you may have, and give us the opportunity to help you. Our staff have been working with architects, engineers, and designers for over 30 years. If you just have one small drawing, or hundreds, we have the capacity to handle all jobs, large and small. Convert2AutoCAD is a family business, that is independently owned, and offers impeccable customer service, with emphasis on quality.

Submit your files for a free quote today.

Posted by Michael Mellor
06
Jun
2017
Converting to AutoCAD can save you a lot of money

Converting to AutoCAD can save you a lot of money

Hiring a draftsperson or architect to convert your plans can take 8 to 24 hours, at $100 to $130† per hour.  That’s a total of $800 to $3,120! Typically, we can do the same for $100-150 for the whole page, and can return the file to you in 24-hours!* This can end up saving you lots of money, and many thousands of dollars over a year.

†drafting service costs from costowl.com
*rush 24-hour service available for an additional $30.

Posted by Michael Mellor
03
Apr
2017
Conversion with layers

Conversion with layers

At Conver2AutoCAD, we will convert your files and keep everything in separate layers.  Keep your title, walls, landscapes, dimensions, text, structural, and landscape all on separate layers with colors using best practices.

Posted by Michael Mellor
05
Apr
2017
How do we convert to AutoCAD?

How do we convert to AutoCAD?

How do we convert to AutoCAD?

Hint: it’s not just done in seconds with software

One of the most common questions is, “how do you do it?” We take your file and redraw each line in AutoCAD.  This is much much more complex than simply using software to convert the the image to vector.  This ensures a quick, and accurate AutoCAD file, that can be manipulated just as it was designed by an architect or engineer. We can convert any type of plan, including architectural, landscape, interior, engineering, plumbing, electrical, and schematics.  This is also a good way to clean up hand drawn plans.

How this saves you money

Some people will say, “well I can do that on my own”, and that is true, but we do it for only $85 to $150 per page. That rate is very affordable for a project that can take you many hours. You cannot hire a drafter to redraw your plans for the price that we charge. This gives you more time, and higher profits. We can also do this for large jobs. We can have them done in batches of 100 for you, every month.

We convert the following types of plans:

  • Architectural
  • Structural
  • Engineering
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical
  • Grading
  • Landscape
  • Mechanical
  • Shop Drawings
  • Topographic Maps

We work with the following industries:

  • Construction
  • Building
  • Surveying
  • Health Care
  • Government
  • Education (Universities, K-12, Colleges)
  • Biotechnology
  • Software Development
  • General Contracting
  • Defense
  • Coastal Commissions
  • Airports

We work in all Autodesk applications. Convert2AutoCAD is a small, independently owned company located in Del Mar, California. No job is too small or too large. Contact us for a fast quote today.

Posted by Michael Mellor