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topic: 3366Importing a .pdf file.
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posted: 12 Dec 2018 11:54

from:

Gordon A
 
 

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I have been given a track plan on two .pdf files.
I would like to know if it is possible to import a .pdf file into background shapes without changing the file format.

Unfortunately my cad package has lapsed due to lack of use and failing to renew.

I have tried the Alt / Print screen approach saving the file into Photoshop. 
Unfortunately the resulting plan loses a lot of definition.

Gordon A

posted: 12 Dec 2018 14:39

from:

Phil O
 
Plymouth - United Kingdom

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Hi Gordon,

I have just had a quick look at background shapes and the only formats currently acceptable are PNG,GIF,JPEG, BMP and Metafile images. Martin may be able to add pdf.

Phil.

posted: 12 Dec 2018 15:03

from:

Bruce A Wilson
 
Barrie - Ontario Canada

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There are a number of on-line converters

http://www.google.com/search?q=convert+pdf+to+image&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b

Last edited on 12 Dec 2018 15:03 by Bruce A Wilson
posted: 12 Dec 2018 15:04

from:

Martin Wynne
 
West Of The Severn - United Kingdom

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Gordon A wrote:
I have been given a track plan on two .pdf files.
I would like to know if it is possible to import a .pdf file into background shapes without changing the file format.
Hi Gordon,

Sorry no, Templot doesn't have a direct PDF import. You can probably extract the trackplan from it and import that separately, but there is a lot to explain:

The important question to decide first is -- when viewing the trackplan in the PDF reader, does it go fuzzy when you zoom in? You need to know that before you know how to extract it.

A PDF file is just a container. It can contain all sorts of things and embedded files. When viewing a PDF file on the screen, it is not always obvious what you are seeing.

If you can see a track plan in a PDF file, it might be:

1. a vector drawing. This is the type of PDF file created by Templot's own PDF export, and by many CAD packages. Each line, curve, rectangle, etc., making up the drawing is a separate element in the PDF file.

2. an EMF metafile. This is essentially the same as above, but embedded in the PDF as a Windows metafile image. This is not very likely, although it may be the method used by some CAD programs.

You can tell if the trackplan is one of the above, because as you increase the zoom in the PDF reader, the trackplan remains crisp on the screen and doesn't go fuzzy. It will be large and bold but with sharp edges.

If it doesn't go fuzzy, see A below.

If it does go fuzzy, it means the trackplan has been embedded in the PDF file as:

3. a bitmap image. This is the most usual way for JPG photos, PNG screenshots, etc., to be included in a PDF file.

If it does go fuzzy, see B below.


Most paid-for PDF programs can export the contents as image(s). At one time the free Nitro PDF Reader would also do it, but that seems to be no longer available. However, the Pro version of Nitro can be installed for a 14-day free trial, download from:

 http://install.nitropdf.com/pro11/nitroreader/nitro_pro11.exe



A not fuzzy. In this case the trackplan can be exported from the PDF as a single large image file (or one for each page), in much higher resolution than can be obtained from screenshots.

In Nitro open the PDF and go to the Convert > To image menu item. To use the exported file in Templot's background picture shapes select PNG as the file type and set the DPI to at least 300, preferably 600. If it's a smallish trackplan you could even try 1200 DPI for the best zooming sharpness in Templot.

(If you have a PDF program which can Save As or export to image as EMF files, you are laughing. Those can be imported into Templot's background picture shapes with no loss of sharpness at all, at any zoom setting. The old Windows EMF metafile format seems to be falling out of favour, which is a shame because it is brilliant for our purposes.)



B fuzzy. In this case the image files contained in the PDF can be extracted as separate image files.

In Nitro open the PDF and go to: Convert > Extract images menu item.

You will end up with the original image files which were used in making the PDF. If you are lucky, they may be much larger than when they appear on the page in the PDF.



Having obtained the image files from the PDF, they can be imported into the Templot background picture shapes in the usual way.

cheers,

Martin.

posted: 16 Dec 2018 14:27

from:

Gordon A
 
 

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Thanks for the replies chaps.
I will give Martin's suggestion a try.
Gordon A

posted: 16 Dec 2018 15:06

from:

Martin Wynne
 
West Of The Severn - United Kingdom

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Hi Gordon,

Since writing the above, I found an online converter to EMF which does a great job of converting PDF files created by CAD programs:

 http://cloudconvert.com/pdf-to-emf

When importing into the background shapes, select the metafile option.

This is a great way of getting drawings from CAD programs into Templot picture shapes. The previous 20-year-old method of importing DXF files directly is a bit primitive in comparison.

cheers,

Martin.

posted: 16 Dec 2018 19:06

from:

Gordon A
 
 

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Thanks Martin,

I tried Nitropdf and it has worked a treat.

I know have another problem for which I will create a separate post.

Many thanks.

Gordon



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