what is "enhanced PDF support"?

[digitalcarbon]

i know one can import a pdf as an image but this seems like a new thing to replace dwg/dxf. comments?

[Christiaan]

PDF export now supports PDF layers amongst other things. As for import I think it does a little more than simply import as an image (maybe it remains resolution independent and respects scale? not sure) but the impression I got from the meeting in London recently is that sophisticated PDF import (such as importing as vector data) is being looked at by the programmers.

[Ray Libby]

In 12.5 an imported PDF is a "PDF Page" in VW. Images in the PDF are still images, but vector info and text will remain sharp on zoom and resize.

From the manual:

The PDF page object can be resized, moved, rotated with the Modify > Rotate > Rotate command or the Rotate tool, scaled with the Modify > Scale Objects command, printed, and exported.

[Ken]

I think NNA's "replace DWG/DXF" suggestion (as mentioned in the recent eDispatch?) is only administrative and marketing propaganda -- not technical or operational.

[alanmac]

Here is a quote from the recent eDispatch in case you don't subscribe

"One of the most exciting new features in VectorWorks 12.5is the result of our collaboration with Adobe? and their technology partner Datalogics: enhanced PDF support.As projects get more complex and more specialists get involved, PDF has become the most efficient way to transfer information without shipping delays or DWG translation questions. Although Macintosh? customers have had access to some limited built-in PDF support, we wanted to create higher quality drawing sets more quickly. In addition, the import of PDF files (also without translation worries) allows you to import somebody else's drawing and draw right on top of it to communicate everything from simple comments to complete designs. This is just the first release of what should be a growing collaboration technology for future releases of VectorWorks."

Alan

[ErichR]

It does seem to be a bit of hype because if you ungroup the PDF, you are left with a bitmap image. I don't believe you can do anything more with the imported PDF than you can with the resulting bitmap image. Therefore, this import function appears to be identical to that of importing a JPG, or any other image file.

Now, to be truly finctional the imported image would be vectorized, but it's not.

[Ray Libby]

Unlike an image, text and vector info remains sharp. Adobe Illustrator will open PDFs and export .dwg files.