Quick Summary: Outsourcing PDF to CAD services gives customized solutions and enhanced work efficiency that helps architects and designers.
All the people who are present in the AEC industry agree to the point that CAD is the most efficient way to communicate any design. This is because of its ability to visualize every room with details, colors, and proportions.
This also provides a platform for designers to develop their design process into something meaningful. There is also a question if they should convert their PDFs provided by builders and the government into CAD versions in-house or outsource.
Many offices may think getting the work done in-house can bring some authenticity. But, this can end up spending the time in generating drawings rather than creating a design.
Outsourcing PDF to CAD services is a cost-effective solution that works closely with the designer and the architect to cater to their needs. They provide the facility to also convert and alter the drawings based on the office systems.
In the process of conversion, it is much more than the transfer of file formats. It requires a team of people who format the material based on architectural knowledge and provide high-quality drawings.
There is a typical process of converting PDF to CAD drawings. It starts with file analysis and the extraction of PDF content. The service provider understands the brief given by the architect and later scales the drawings as per the requirement. This is followed with the help of layer management.
The benefit of outsourcing services is that they prepare the file in the format requested by the architect. Later, the file goes through cleaning and editing along with quality assurance. Once the file is ready for delivery, it goes through a final check and then submitted to the client. This makes sure the entire process is clean, transparent, and streamlined for both parties.
Why Online Tools are Not Efficient?
When the architect or designer uses the cheaper/ free option of converting their PDFs online, they may not get the desired result. The files may be broken, not in scale or a single layer.
This in turn takes more of their time to clean the drawings and organize them according to their need. Hence, it is not recommended to use these online conversion tools specifically for PDF to CAD conversion assignments.
On the other hand, when the designer invests some of the money into paying for the tools, the yearly or monthly subscription may not suffice based on their requirement.
This as a result is converted into their liability. The architect may not use this specific service on a very frequent basis because of the specific use, but this software may lead to an incurring cost to the company.
All the online tools come with a certain set of workflow and methods of working. When the architect buys the online conversion tools, they need a learning curve to understand the software, its method, and the time taken for performing. In this process, there are high chances that they do not get the desired results.
Some tools convert the PDF to CAD for free or very less rates. But, when there are drawings that require complex geometries and forming different layers. In such cases, online conversion software tends to underperform. This can kill more time and money for the architect to redo all the drawings in a composed manner.
Advantages of Outsourcing PDF to CAD Services
When we understand the downside of using online conversion tools, it is important to find an alternative that cancels its liabilities. This is when there is a use of outsourcing CAD services that are positively impacting businesses and professionals.
There is a team of professionals that are set up to provide you with desired customizations and match your requirements. As they are hired for the role of conversions, they are reducing the operational costs of the task. As the work delivered is tailor-made and specific to the architect or designer, outsourcing also eliminates the overhead expenses of hiring and training employees.
This becomes an upper hand for the designer to only focus on the design stage rather than the production of drawings.
Outsourcing the drawings also exposes the designer to engage and know a wider medium of professionals who have experience in CAD modeling and drafting. As the team is equipped with these skills, it helps the offices to meet the project demands under tight deadlines.
This also allows the offices to focus on internal resources and develop their niche through the form of strategic initiatives. Upon this, when the outsourcing service providers deliver the file, they give you the liberty of modifying and editing as per office standards. This includes layer management and being compatible with all the formats of CAD.
When the drawings are made, it is also ensured by the outsourcing services to take up the project with a non-disclosure agreement. This makes sure that all the files of the architect and designer are secured and that there is no leakage or disclosure of sensitive data.
Read also: Role of PDF to CAD Conversion in the AEC Sector: 2024 Outlook
Range of Services Offered
PDF to CAD conversion offers multiple options that can be customized based on the scope of work. CAD conversion includes converting it into 2D plans (architectural, electrical, structural drawings), 3D visualizations (product designs, architectural renderings), and dimensioning of the projects. It can also have customization on line types, layer organization, dimensioning, and accuracy checks.
Line-type customization is used to match the original design aesthetics and representation of the offices. Layer organization helps in making the file usable directly for design in the architect’s office. This helps in reducing the time of the architect by providing visual consistency and clarity in drawings.
Conclusion
Outsourcing PDF to CAD conversion instead of online converters can help businesses streamline their design methodology and working process for strategic objectives with greater precision. It is recommended that in the case of the conversion of PDF to CAD drawings, outsourcing opens up new avenues and ensures that the work is completed with satisfaction.
