Prevent a pdf from being converted to dwg

[maahee]

I need to prevent a PDF from being converted to a DWG. I have used some methods, but they do not effectively work.

[SLW210]

There are a few threads around here on this topic.

 

Basically, you can't 100%, as it can still be traced and or duplicated from the dimensions if there are any, etc., best way is to make it as hard as possible.

 

A well worded contract on not reusing your information will go along way to prevent conversion/reuse, just get legal services on specifics.

 

Preventing our PDFs From Being Imported into Acad as Autocad Entities? - AutoCAD Drawing Management & Output - AutoCAD Forums

 

PDF/ JPG file conversion threat. - AutoCAD 2D Drafting, Object Properties & Interface - AutoCAD Forums

[nod684]

plot your file to Image using PublishToWeb plotter. Convert the Image to PDF

[Steven P]

Not a lot you can do, if the project time and budget allows we can always create a DWG from any supplied data, PDFs included.

 

You could make it a hassle to convert, use anything apart from true type fonts might get converted as lines. Explode dashed lines, centre etc to individual parts. Explode all blocks, polylines, texts, mtexts, delete hatch boundaries, offset all lines a very small amount in any direction, flatten the drawing to layer 0, set a few random entities at a Z value other than where they should be, convert arcs, circles, polyline bulges to straight line equivalents, Insert specific drawing styles, names and so on that identify you as the drawing owner (sheep as a full stop are my favourite). You could convert such a PDF back to CAD but make it very tricky to work with.

 

A these steps can be automated if necessary, remember don't save the drawing once it is messed up.

 

How far you want to annoy anyone wanting to convert the PDF is up to you, all you are doing is slowing down the conversion, maybe to an extent that it isn't worth it. It can always be converted back though.... even if it is redrawn 99%

[SLW210]

Everything possible to thwart basic attempts is mentioned in the links I posted.

 

But, too add:

 

Be sure to make the drawing a block and apply different scaling in the x and y directions to add a reproduction difficulty and then explode, make it an image (with just the minimum resolution to be of use and no more, etc. 

 

With the ability for AutoCAD to reconstruct exploded Texts/Mtexts (PDFSHXTEXT) using a difficult font to recreate would help (the above mentioned x/y scaling could help), if what's in the texts are important enough to be concerned.

 

I can make a PDF an Image and use Raster Image on it fairly easily on standard Raster PDFs, so remember that when making the PDF.