Raster-to-Vector Conversion

By Sara Ferris

Softcover International (Cambridge, UK)  updated its Scan2CAD raster-to-vector conversion software to support Microsoft Vista. Scan2CAD v7.6 also adds improved automatic color reduction and updated raster file support. The Pro version of the software converts PDF files (image only) to DXF format and saves scanned images to PDF format. It can also batch-save archived raster files to PDF format.

An image-only PDF is one scanned from a paper drawing. Unlike vector and hybrid PDF files, it contains no drawing intelligence such as layers. Scan2CAD Pro opens raster PDF images and only the raster components in a hybrid PDF file. If a hybrid PDF file contains vector and raster data like photos, scanned maps, and a logo, etc., Scan2CAD allows the user to step through the raster components to select each image individually for conversion.

Scan2CAD Regular opens monochrome, grayscale, and color raster images but saves only monochrome DXF files. Scan2CAD Pro adds conversion to color DXF, OCR (optical character recognition) tools for font training, and on-the-fly OCR text editing. It also provides raster cleanup tools that can be used individually or automatically in a batch process.

Upgrades to v7.6 are free to current Scan2CAD v7 users. A fully working seven-day trial is available from the Softcover Web site.

To learn more about Scan2CAD’s capabilities, read Converting Old to New from the January issue of Desktop Engineering.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.