Suitable source material
- Scanned architectural plans
- Printed drawings and archive copies
- Old blueprints or blueprint-style documents
- Photos of existing paper plans
- Damaged or faded drawings that remain partly readable
Scans and old drawings
Scanned plans and old drawings to CAD
Bring old architectural plans and scanned drawings into a CAD workflow. Readable geometry, dimensions and notes are redrawn as editable linework, with the limits of faded, skewed or incomplete sources agreed before drafting.
What gets redrawn
- Visible plan geometry and openings
- Readable dimensions, notes and room labels
- Existing elevations or sections supplied as scans
- Organized CAD linework suitable for future updates
- PDF reference output when required
Before / after
Source information and clean CAD linework.
The diagram below is an illustrative placeholder. Approved client project images are not yet available.
Illustrative placeholder · client imagery pending
Scan to CAD
- Source
- Scanned archive plan
- Output
- PDF / PLN / DWG / DXF
Workflow
From source review to digital delivery.
- 01
Send source material
Upload the scans or photos at the highest available resolution.
- 02
Review and scope
PlanToCAD reviews source quality, readability and required outputs.
- 03
Scope and quote
Receive a quote with the scope and any source-quality exclusions recorded.
- 04
CAD redrawing
Readable information is redrawn into CAD with organized linework.
- 05
Digital delivery
Files are delivered in the agreed CAD and reference formats.
Deliverables
Editable files and reference sheets.
Output formats
- Drawing sheets for reference and printing
- PLN
- Archicad file, with version and content agreed
- DWG
- Editable CAD drawing
- DXF
- CAD exchange file
- Other
- Additional formats subject to confirmation
Drawing information
Architectural plans, custom built elements and technical details: geometry, dimensions and annotations to the agreed level of detail.
Agreed before drafting
Confirm suitability, formats, software/version, units, sheet scales, layers and content before quoting. Not every format suits every project. A PDF is not an editable CAD file; requesting PLN does not automatically include a complete BIM model.
Source quality
What determines the scope and accuracy.
Scan resolution
Send the highest-resolution original available. Compressed images can merge fine lines and make dimensions unreadable; sharpening cannot recover information that is absent.
Paper and lens distortion
Folded paper, skewed scans and angled photographs can distort geometry. Known dimensions help check the drawing basis, but a photograph alone is not a measured survey.
Faded and missing areas
Damaged blueprint or archive sheets may leave gaps. These are identified for clarification or excluded from the agreed redraw rather than reconstructed as fact.
FAQ
Questions before redrawing begins.
Can you work from old scans or photographs?
Yes, when essential information remains readable. Faded areas, distortion and gaps are identified during review. Photos should show the complete sheet and, where possible, a known dimension; absent details cannot be recovered automatically.
Digitizing scans and archive plansWhat happens if dimensions are missing?
Missing information is not invented. If dimensions or building details are unclear, the scope records clarification questions, exclusions or assumptions for your agreement before they are used.
Floor plan scope and source qualityCan you redraw elevations and sections?
Yes, when elevations or sections are included in the source material and the required level of detail is agreed before work begins.
How long does a redraw take?
Turnaround depends on project scope and source quality. A realistic schedule can be provided after reviewing the drawings.
Quote request
Need something drawn?
Send a sketch, reference, dimensions or existing documentation. From architectural plans to custom technical details, we review whether the task fits our drawing workflow and confirm scope and compatibility before quoting.