Converting Dwg To Pdf In Trueview

Autodesk AutoCAD is one of the most popular CAD (computer-aided design) application used by architects, project managers and engineers to produce models, plans, designs etc. AutoCAD stores drawings in binary file format that identifies .dwg file extension (DWG is abbreviation for 'Drawing').

Autodesk DWG TrueView is a free program that allows users to read AutoCAD and other DWG files. DWG is a file extension used for drawing programs, such as CAD software. DWG TrueView is just a viewer so you cannot change the drawing, but you can print the files and convert DWGs between AutoCAD formats.

If somebody sent you drawing stored in DWG format, you don't need expensive AutoCAD to open it. Your solution is called DWG TrueView. The program can be used to view DWG drawings stored in version DWG 2000 and higher. It is also able to convert AutoCAD drawings to DWF (Autodesk Design Web Format) files and PDF (Portable Document Format) files. The big advantage of DWG TrueView is that it is free.

How to convert AutoCAD DWG files to PDF format

Step 1 - Download and install DWG TruView

Converting Dwg To Pdf Free

You can downloadDWG TrueView from Autodesk's website. It is available for 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows. Select your system version and download it. Wait until the download process is finished and open installation package and install application to your computer.


DWG TrueView main window

Step 2 - Open DWG file

After successful installation, the application will be associated with DWG files and you can open them by double click.

Converting dwg to pdf

Another way is to run application → Click onD icon in the upper left corner of main window → Open Drawing and select DWG file. Now you are able to view AutoCAD drawing, zoom in or out, rotate, print it etc.


DWG TrueView Open DWG drawing

Step 3 - Convert DWG to PDF

If you need to convert AutoCAD drawing to Portable Document Format (PDF) → click onD icon in upper right corner → selectExport option and click onPDF option. Now you can navigate to directory, where you want to save a new PDF file → Fill the file name box and click onSave button.


DWG TrueView export DWG drawing to PDF document

After the conversion is finished, DWG TrueView will automatically open Adobe Reader, or other PDF viewer installed in your computer to preview converted data.


Adobe Acrobat Professional view converted DWG

Issue:

You want to convert a PDF file to a DWG file using AutoCAD.

Solution:

Converting Dwg To Pdf

Prior to AutoCAD 2017, it was not possible to convert a PDF file to a DWG file using AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT. PDF files could only be inserted as underlays (external references). The content could then be traced and scaled to known dimensions, if desired.
With the release of AutoCAD 2017, using the PDFIMPORT command, it is now possible to import PDF content directly into AutoCAD drawings. Lines will become editable geometry and text will become editable text. The accuracy of the resultant AutoCAD content is largely dependent upon the quality of the original PDF, so results may vary. Additionally, PDF underlays in drawings created with previous AutoCAD releases can be converted into editable drawing geometry using the PDFIMPORT command.
Using PDFIMPORT with PDFs created from scanned images/documents will result in the creation of a raster image file, which is then attached to the drawing as an xref. The raster imagery will not be converted into editable geometry.

See Also:

To learn more about importing PDF into AutoCAD, see the recorded tutorials:
How to handle PDF Import in AutoCAD 2017 | AutoCAD (YouTube Video)
AutoCAD 2018: PDF Enhancements | AutoCAD (YouTube Video)
To learn more about working with PDF documents, see the AutoCAD Help documentation:
PDFIMPORT (Command)
About Importing PDF Files
PDFATTACH (Command)
About Attaching Files as Underlays

Products:

AutoCAD for Mac; AutoCAD LT for Mac; AutoCAD Products;