CAD OCR: editable text from scanned drawings to DXF
Extract drawing text into DXF with native PDF text extraction and automatic OCR. See what needs review before using engineering labels and dimensions.
Can scanned drawing text become editable CAD text?
Scan2CAD.online attempts to turn readable text in PNG, JPG and a selected PDF page into editable DXF text. Native PDF text is extracted first; raster text is processed with local OCR. Uncertain areas can remain outlines. This is useful when a drafter needs to revise labels on an archived 2D drawing, but recognition is not a guarantee that every number or symbol is correct.
How does automatic language recognition work?
The current converter attempts to detect the writing system and choose an installed OCR dictionary. Available dictionaries cover English, simplified and traditional Chinese, Japanese, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Arabic. Installed language support does not guarantee that automatic detection selects the right dictionary for every drawing, especially short or mixed-language labels. Compare the actual preview with the original.
Which DXF layers should I review?
Native PDF text is placed on TEXT_PDF. OCR text is placed on TEXT_OCR_REVIEW to signal that it needs checking. Fitted geometry uses GEOMETRY or DOTTED_GEOMETRY; unresolved boundaries use TRACE_OUTLINES. Layer names describe the conversion source, not an engineering approval.
Are recognized numbers editable dimensions?
A recognized number is text, not an associative CAD dimension. Check decimal points, minus signs, diameter symbols and tolerances against the source. Measure the geometry separately, calibrate scale and create or correct dimension objects in CAD. Do not use an OCR label alone to approve a manufactured part.
How do I try drawing OCR?
Use the free converter with a PNG, JPG/JPEG or PDF up to 1 MB. Select the required PDF page, convert, compare the actual preview and download DXF within 30 minutes. Guests get 1 daily conversion per IP and signed-in accounts get 3. For ambiguous labels or layer cleanup, request a drawing-specific refinement assessment.
The free tool accepts PNG, JPG/JPEG and PDF files up to 1 MB, processing one selected PDF page per conversion. Guests get 1 conversion per IP per day; signed-in accounts get 3. Allowances reset at 00:00 China Standard Time (UTC+8); failed jobs return the allowance. Network abuse-prevention limits also apply.
Online source files, results and previews are deleted 30 minutes after task creation. Private review copies are deleted after 48 hours. Download and keep your own copy in time.