Importing PDF Files

The Import PDF command allows a PDF file to be imported into a Vectorworks file, where each PDF page becomes an independent PDF Page object that can be useful for displaying company logos, contractor drawings, and other graphics. Create a reference to the original PDF file, if the original file may change, and you want to keep the imported pages up to date.

To import a PDF file:

1. Select File > Import > Import PDF.

Alternatively, click the file to import and drag it into an open Vectorworks file.

2. Select the PDF file to be imported, and click Open.

The Import PDF dialog box opens.

►    Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter	Description
Import Range	Specifies which portion of the PDF file to import
Pages	Imports the specified range of pages from the PDF file
All Pages	Imports all pages in the PDF file
Reference	References the original PDF file (master file), so that the imported PDF pages can be updated when the master file changes. See Workgroups and Referencing for more information.
Absolute path	Stores the absolute file path of the master file. Select this option when the location of the master file will not change in the future, or if the master file is on another volume.
Path relative to current document	Stores the file path of the master file relative to the target Vectorworks file; this option is available only if the master file is on the same volume as the Vectorworks file. Select this option if the target file and the master file may be moved to another volume in the future.
Save referenced cache to disk	Saves copies of the referenced PDF pages in the target Vectorworks file; if deselected, the target file is smaller, and the PDF pages are automatically updated when the target file is opened
Automatically update reference during file open	Updates the PDF pages from the master file each time this target file is opened, if the PDF pages are out of date

3. Click Import. Each PDF file page becomes a separate PDF page or referenced PDF page in the Vectorworks file.

The PDF page can be resized, moved, or rotated with the Modify > Rotate > Rotate command or the Rotate tool, scaled with the Modify > Scale Objects command, printed, and exported. You can snap to geometry in the PDF page by selecting Snap to Geometry from the Object Info palette.

A referenced PDF file can be opened with the default application associated with this file type. To open a referenced PDF file, use one of the following methods:

●    Right-click the referenced PDF page in the drawing area, and then select Open.

●    Right-click the referenced PDF file in the Navigation palette, and then select Open.

●    Select the referenced PDF file in the Navigation palette, and then select Open from the Navigation menu.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Snapping to and Scaling Imported PDF Files

Cropping Imported PDF Files

Was this page helpful?