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How do I move a PDF in AutoCAD?

Published in AutoCAD PDF Manipulation 3 mins read

To move a PDF that has been imported into AutoCAD, you'll essentially be moving the PDF object as you would any other object within your drawing. Here's how:

  1. Select the PDF Underlay: Click on the PDF underlay directly within your AutoCAD drawing. The entire PDF should be highlighted.

  2. Activate the Move Command: There are several ways to do this:

    • Command Line: Type MOVE or M into the command line and press Enter.
    • Ribbon: Go to the "Home" tab, find the "Modify" panel, and select the "Move" icon.

  3. Specify the Base Point: AutoCAD will prompt you to "Specify base point or displacement." Click on a point on the PDF underlay that you want to use as a reference point for the move. This could be a corner, a center point, or any other identifiable feature.

  4. Specify the Second Point: AutoCAD will now prompt you to "Specify second point of displacement or ". Click on the location where you want to move the base point you selected in the previous step. This second point defines the new location for the PDF underlay. You can also enter a distance and direction (e.g., 5,5 to move it 5 units in the X and Y directions).

  5. The PDF is Moved: The PDF underlay will now be repositioned to the location you specified.

Important Considerations:

  • PDF as an Underlay vs. Imported Objects: These instructions assume the PDF is an underlay, meaning it's a referenced file displayed within AutoCAD. If you imported the PDF as editable AutoCAD objects (using the PDFIMPORT command), moving it is the same as moving any other AutoCAD entities (lines, arcs, etc.). Select the desired objects and use the MOVE command.

  • Object Snaps: Using object snaps (endpoint, midpoint, center, etc.) can help you precisely position the PDF underlay relative to other objects in your drawing. Make sure the desired object snaps are enabled (right-click on the Object Snap button on the status bar and select your preferences).

  • Scale and Rotation: The MOVE command only affects the position. If you need to change the size or orientation of the PDF, you'll need to use the SCALE and ROTATE commands separately.

  • Importing PDF Data: As mentioned above, you can use the PDFIMPORT command to convert the PDF into editable AutoCAD objects. This can be useful if you need to modify the geometry within the PDF directly within AutoCAD. To do this:

    1. Type PDFIMPORT in the command line and press Enter.
    2. Select the PDF file.
    3. Adjust settings in the Import PDF dialog box as necessary.
    4. Specify an insertion point.
    5. The PDF data will be converted into AutoCAD objects.

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