Preliminary AutoCAD PDF/DWG Preparation for the Language Translation of AutoCAD DWF Files

Translators usually need to perform an advance word count in accordance with EN 15038 in order to deliver a quotation for language translation, then the file delivery format is important.

Step into the process either at 1. or 2., and please perform the following preliminary preparation steps:

Required work package information: What file format is provided, what CAD text code characteristics (more below) exist within the drawing, and what is the specified file delivery format?

1. If AutoCAD PDF is provided and PDF is to be delivered

1.1 Use the following PDF conversion service providers for MS Word counting:

CometDocs.com

http://www.cometdocs.com/

ABBY PDF Transformer 3.0 (shareware)
http://www.pdftransformer.com/

OCR Terminal: Online Conversion of *.pdf and *.jpg to *.doc
(25 pages per month and registration)
http://www.ocrterminal.com/

Free PDF to Word Conversion (browser-based)
http://www.pdfonline.com/pdf2word/index.asp

1.2 And use the sticky notes function of PDF Exchange Viewer for translating:

PDF Exchange Viewer (freeware)
http://www.angusj.com/pdftkb/

2. If AutoCAD PDF* is provided and DWF is to be delivered.

2.1 Word counting is achieved by conversion of PDF to DWG, then DWG to DWF, then use of TranslateCAD*:

PDF2DWG (shareware)
http://www.autodwg.com/pdf-to-dwg-converter/

* Whereas, the source drawing must use MTEXT or DTEXT objects for CAD text coding in order to deliver a word count, and not just drawing objects, like curves, lines, and hatches, else OCR treatment is necessary.

DWG2DWF (shareware)
http://www.autodwg.com/DWG_DWF_Converter/

- Text Inspection of the DWF

Freewheel (Web 2.0 browser-based viewer)
http://freewheel.autodesk.com/dwf.aspx

AutoDesk Design Review (DWF freeware)
http://dwfcommunity.autodesk.com/learn/downloads-and-plug-ins.html

- Text Extraction to TXT, then word counting

TranslateCAD** (shareware)
http://www.translationtospanish.com/cad/

** Whereas, the source drawing must use MTEXT or DTEXT objects for CAD text coding in order to deliver a word count, and not just drawing objects, like curves, lines, and hatches, else this path is not feasible.

2.2 Translation is processed in two ways:

2.2.1 By using the Review function of Autodesk Design Review

Check the AutoCAD DWF Community Website for more about design and translating review processes...
http://dwfcommunity.autodesk.com/learn/downloads-and-plug-ins.html

2.2.2 Or by using the previously extracted TXT file of TranslateCAD***, translating the TXT file with Word and a Translation Memory TM, then reinserting the TXT into the DWF file via TranslateCAD.

*** Whereas, the source drawing must use MTEXT or DTEXT objects for CAD text coding in order to deliver a TXT file, and not just drawing objects, like curves, lines, and hatches.

Do you know some more tips and tweeks in the area of AutoCAD?

- From Google Sketchup Pro 8 (Pro 6+7) To Second Life
http://e-i-consulting-second-life.blogspot.com/2008/10/from-google-sketchup-6-pro-to-second.html

Further discussions about the Collaborative Translation of AutoCad Files are here:
http://collaborative-translation.grouply.com/message/64

Update 2010-10-01: Check Immersive World Engineer & Information Consulting on Facebook for new mesh technology developments in virtual worlds!

...