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 incorporated into the drawing. 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.

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during file open	Updates the PDF pages from the master file each time this target file is opened, if the PDF pages are out of date
PDF Settings
Snap to Geometry	If the PDF originated from an application that creates vector graphics, creates snappable geometry on import (see Drawing with Snapping); this setting can be toggled in the Object Info palette. If the PDF and drawing file are not the same scale, Scaling an Imported PDF Object may be needed before snapping the geometry to drawing objects.
Show Annotations	Displays annotations to the PDF object, if there are any, in the imported PDF Page object; this setting can be toggled in the Object Info palette

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

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 file in the Navigation palette, and select Open.

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