Solutions to Convert DWG to PDF with or Without AutoCAD

User Query: “We need to share the CAD drawings as PDFs, but most of our stakeholders don’t have AutoCAD. What is the best solution available here?”

This is a common challenge faced by design firms, contractors, and project teams, especially when dealing with non-technical clients. As the default format for AutoCAD, DWG files are practically unreadable without the respective software. This not only delays decision-making but increases other risks and issues as well. Fortunately, you can convert DWG to PDF, allowing easy data access without AutoCAD. This blog briefs on the DWG Converter and other free solutions for accurate and secure conversions.

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Requirements to Convert CAD to PDF

Before jumping to the procedures, it is essential to understand that all DWG to PDF conversions are not the same. They differ based on your industry, such as:

IndustryPDF Needs
ArchitecturePreserve rich-vector drawings of A4-A3 size without affecting the scale.
EngineeringEnsure to maintain high-resolution plot designs and others with full layer visibility.
ManufacturingKeep the original scale, color consistency, and image clarity for distribution intact.
GovernmentSecure digital signatures, embedded timestamps, and layout with password-protection for legal evidence.

Why This Matters?

Because some generic converters only rasterize the image and ignore line accuracy, paper size, or layers embedded within it. It mostly happens if you open DWG files without AutoCAD. This invalidates blueprints, distorts dimensions, and creates other problems, resulting in compliance risk or project delays. So, it is necessary to get a reliable and optimal solution.

How to Quickly Convert DWG to PDF Format?

AutoCAD (Computer Aided Design) creates 2D and 3D design models for increased design productivity and quality. Created by Autodesk, it saves data in the DWG/DXF formats. But they are best shared and printed in a PDF file format. This section states the effective manual and autonomous ways for DWG image to PDF conversion.

Traditional Methods to Convert AutoCAD to PDF

While some users do not have AutoCAD, some use it without any worries. So, here, find the free ways to convert DWG with and without AutoCAD into PDF as follows:

Method 1: Save DWG as PDF with AutoCAD

  1. First, open the DWG drawing in the AutoCAD application.
  2. Then, move to the Output tab or in the command box, input PLOT.
  3. Further, in the Printer/Plotter column, choose PDF.
  4. Select your desired paper size, orientation, layout, and scale.
  5. After that, press Preview to check, and finally, OK/Plot to change to PDF.

Method 2: Convert DWG to PDF by Adobe Acrobat

  1. Start Adobe Acrobat and move to the Tools tab.
  2. There, press Create PDF and choose Single/Multiple files.
  3. Next, choose a .dwg file from your machine and proceed with the export.
  4. Lastly, press Create and save the new PDF at your desired location.

Method 3: Convert DWG File to PDF Without AutoCAD

  1. Download a free viewer (say, Autodesk DWG TrueView or LibreCAD).
  2. Then, open your .dwg file in the opened viewer.
  3. Afterward, with the Print/Export option, choose the saving format (PDF).
  4. Adjust the page settings, layer visibility, and other orientations.
  5. In the end, click Export to save the AutoCAD DWG file to PDF.

Shortcomings of the Manual Method

  • The methods are not very suited for batch conversions of DWG files.
  • Resultant output may flatten the layers or ignore the CTB styles.
  • There are limited control options for customization of the output.
  • Some users may find it difficult to follow the given methods.

Therefore, we will proceed to another convenient alternative for the conversion.

Conventional Converter Tool to Convert DWG to PDF

For organizations dealing with hundreds or thousands of DWG drawings daily, automated tool like DWG Converter offers great value. It retains the vector integrity and handles large CAD drawings on all versions of Windows OS. Additionally, it needs no additional tools and convert CAD to PDF and other formats without difficulties. Moreover, it has a demo version for evaluation and which converts upto 4 files for free.

Get to Know How a Construction Firm Automated 500+ Daily DWG Conversions

Situation: A construction consultancy firm with around 150 engineers across 5 branches needed to send CAD designs to the project approval committee and clients. However, only 20% of them had a CAD file viewer.

What They Did: They decided and use the DWG to PDF Converter, which:

  • Reduced daily manual conversions by 80%.
  • Saved in the standardized PDF format with original structure.
  • Also, converted drawings securely and accurately.


Outcome Achieved:
Weekly project approval turnaround time of the firm was reduced by 30% and client satisfaction increased significantly.

Steps to Convert DWG to PDF Without AutoCAD

  1. Download DWG File Converter from the website and run it.
  2. Then, from the left, click either Add File or Add Folder.
  3. Select .dwg files and upload them to the utility with the Open button.
  4. Further, check the name, size, and path to validate them and click Next.
  5. At last, pick PDF from the menu, set destination, and tap on Convert to save.

For large firms, the automated tool didn’t just save time, effort, and cost, but it also prevents layout mismatches and approval setbacks.

Conclusion

To sum up, here we learned the manual ways and the professional solution to convert DWG to PDF with or without AutoCAD. While the manual methods are suited for one-time exports, enterprises may benefit from the scalable and advanced software. For all your automated CAD exports, get in touch with our tech consultant and secure data to PDFs at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How to convert AutoCAD to PDF A4 size?

Ans- Use the AutoCAD DWG Converter, and it automatically saves your AutoCAD files to PDF A4 size. You do not need any extra settings for the desired layout.

Q. How to export AutoCAD to PDF in color?

Ans- You can use the AutoCAD application or the AutoCAD Converter to export DWG to PDF in color.

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About The Author:

Suman Rawat is a technical content writer and expert in the fields of email migration, data recovery, and email backup. Her passion for helping people has led her to resolve many user queries related to data conversion and cloud backup.

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