What CAD conversion involves
Automatic translators move geometry, but rarely intelligence. A DWG opened in MicroStation keeps its lines but loses consistent levels; a STEP file opened in SolidWorks has no feature tree; an AutoCAD plan imported into Revit is just a picture of walls. Our conversion service does the translation and then the clean-up or rebuild that makes the result usable.
Typical jobs include converting a project archive from DGN to DWG (or the reverse for a DOT client), rebuilding imported STEP parts as native, editable SolidWorks features, migrating Inventor libraries, and turning AutoCAD plans into proper Revit models. We remap layers or levels to your standard, fix text and dimension styles, and purge junk.
Converting from paper or PDF instead of a CAD file? See PDF to CAD conversion and CAD digitization. Converting 2D drawings to 3D models is covered by 2D to 3D conversion.
Deliverables you receive
- Converted files in the target format and version
- Layers, levels or object styles mapped to your standard
- Fixed text, dimension, hatch and line type styles
- Rebuilt native features or families where needed (not just dumb geometry)
- Purged, audited files with consistent units
- A conversion report listing anything that could not be translated
What we need from you
- Source files (DWG, DGN, RVT, SLDPRT, IPT, SKP, STEP, IGES…)
- Target software and version
- Target CAD standard or a sample file
- Which items must stay editable (e.g. dimensions, families, features)
Who orders this service
- Engineering firms switching platforms
- Contractors working for DOTs on MicroStation
- Manufacturers migrating legacy CAD libraries
- Architects moving archives into Revit
Software and file formats
DWG/DXF (AutoCAD), DGN V7/V8 (MicroStation), RVT/RFA (Revit), SLDPRT/SLDASM (SolidWorks), IPT/IAM (Inventor), SKP (SketchUp), 3DM (Rhino), IFC, STEP, IGES, Parasolid, STL and PDF.
CAD Conversion Services standards in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia
We set up every project on the standard of the country where it will be built or manufactured. These are the references we work to most often:
| Country | Standards and codes we draft CAD conversion services to |
|---|---|
| USA | Agency CAD standards for DGN/DWG deliverables, NCS layering, ASME Y14 drawing practice for converted mechanical drawings |
| UK | BS 1192 / ISO 19650 naming on converted archives, BS 8888 for product drawings |
| Canada | Provincial transportation CAD standards (DGN where required), NCS-based layering |
| Australia | State road authority CAD standards, AS 1100 drawing conventions after conversion |
How our CAD conversion services process works
- 1Send your files
Upload sketches, PDFs, markups, photos, scans or a model through the quote form. Tell us the standard (US, UK, Canada or Australia) and the deadline.
- 2Fixed quote in hours
We review the scope and reply with a fixed price, the deliverables list and a delivery date. Nothing starts until you approve it.
- 3Drafting & modeling
Your project is drawn in AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, SolidWorks or the software you use, on your title block, layers and templates.
- 4QA check
A second drafter checks dimensions, annotations, layer standards, sheet numbering and cross-references against your input before anything is sent.
- 5Delivery & revisions
You receive native files plus PDFs. Comments come back as markups and we revise them quickly until the set matches the brief.
Turnaround and pricing
Simple batch conversions run at dozens of files per day; conversions that need native rebuilding are quoted per file or per hour after a sample. Every job is priced as a fixed quote after we review your files, so you know the cost and the delivery date before work starts. See how our pricing works, or send your files through the quote form for a quick estimate.
Related services
CAD Conversion Services projects often need PDF to CAD conversion, CAD digitization services and 2D to 3D CAD conversion as well. You can order them together on one quote, or browse every option in our CAD services.
