In this tutorial we will learn to create a PDF File from an AutoCAD drawing. There are four possible methods to bring an AutoCAD drawing into an Adobe Illustrator file.
Method 1. To directly place an AutoCAD drawing in the Illustrator file.
Method 2. Converting an AutoCAD drawing into a PDF format and placing the PDF in the Illustrator file.
Method 3. Copy and paste (only to be used if 1 and 2 are not successful)
Method 4. Save as an EPS

Method 1 is the simplest, as one can simply place the AutoCAD drawing in the Illustrator file by using the place command. However in this method the drawing is not at any particular scale and needs to be scaled manually using a scale bar as a reference. This process can be tedious and not highly accurate. Method 2 involves one extra step of making a PDF file out of the autocad drawing. The advantage in using this method is that the output PDF can be at the required scale. Thus when we place the PDF into the Illustrator file it is at the required scale and requires no further adjustments in terms of scale.

Creating a PDF:
Note: Adobe PDF writer / Acrobat distiller are required to be able to convert a drawing from AutoCAD to a PDF. Creating a PDF is similar to printing from AutoCAD, the only difference is to selection of the Adobe PDF writer or Acrobat distiller as the printer.

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