Scan2CAD raster to vector conversion Hints and Tips

Most of the Hints and Tips on this page are also available in PDF format by going to Scan2CAD's Help Menu, then selecting Hints and Tips.

General

Scanning a drawing for optimal raster to vector conversion results
Scanning a physical part like a gasket or similar for profiling

Is your raster image suitable for vectorization?
Is the text on your raster image suitable for OCR text recognition?

Using Scan2CAD to convert logos
Using Scan2CAD to outline shapes on photos

Why you should avoid JPEG and GIF files

Converting PDF files to DXF

How to add white space around the edges of a raster image

How to scroll through an image screen by screen

Editing raster text
Typing vector text over poor quality raster text

How to tell whether a polyline is closed

Editing DXF from poor quality scans

If you have a problem reading Scan2CAD's DXF into AutoCAD ...
Using Scan2CAD to load raster images into AutoCAD LT

How to use Scan2CAD

A brief step-by-step guide to using Scan2CAD

Better, use Andrea's Real World Guide to Vectorization, a PDF document written by Softcover's Andrea Tribe. Andrea has used Scan2CAD to vectorize hundreds of images of different types and quality. The Real World Guide tells you how to handle less than perfect scans and how to tweak vectorization settings. It will help you to get the best possible vectorization from any vectorizable image.

The Real World Guide can be accessed by going to Scan2CAD's Help Menu, then selecting Real World Guide.

If Scan2CAD isn't giving you the results you expected ...

  1. Work through the Raster Quality Checklist.
  2. Work through the Raster Text Quality Checklist.
  3. Look at the number after the file name at the top of the screen.
  4. Check that the vectorization settings are suitable.

Alternatively, work through Andrea's Real World Guide to Vectorization. The Real World Guide can be accessed by going to Scan2CAD's Help Menu, then selecting Real World Guide.