Guide

How to convert a DXF to PDF at the right scale

Most DXF-to-PDF converters squeeze the drawing onto the page at whatever size fits, so nothing on the printout can be measured. To get a PDF you can scale from, set the paper size and the scale yourself.

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Step 1: import the DXF

In BenCAD, open the side menu and tap IMPORT DXF. It opens in a new tab, converted to millimetres from the units saved in the file. Check a known length with a dimension; if the file had no units set and came in at the wrong size, fix it with scale.

Step 2: open the print-ready sheet

Tap the print-ready download button in the side menu. Choose A4, A3 or A2, portrait or landscape.

Step 3: choose the scale

Pick 1:50, 1:100 or any scale from 1:5 to 1:2500. Drag the drawing inside the viewport to frame the part you want.

Step 4: add a title block

Tap TITLE BLOCK for the drawing title, notes, date and revision. Add a north arrow if it is a plan.

Step 5: save the PDF

Tap PDF. The PDF is the exact paper size. Print it at 100% and it measures true.

Questions

Why does my PDF not measure correctly?

It was probably printed with "fit to page". Print at 100% or actual size.

Is this free?

The print-ready sheet is part of BenCAD Pro. The free version downloads PNG images.

Tools for this

DXF import PROOpen DXF files from other CAD Print to scale PROTrue-scale PDF with a title block Scale PROBigger or smaller, by factor or length DimensionsLinear, angle, radius, diameter