Redrawn by hand
An engineer reads the views and the dimensions and models the part again from the start, line by line.
CUTL MBD Studio
Turn a PDF drawing of a sheet-metal part into a STEP model
Upload a vector PDF of one sheet-metal part and get a STEP model, the flat pattern as DXF and a 3D preview. PDF to STEP is in beta, so contact us first for early access.
A PDF drawing is not a 3D model
Customers often send only a PDF. To check fit, share a model for review or build an assembly, someone first has to rebuild the part in 3D.
No flat pattern for bent parts
A bent part drawn only in views has no flat pattern DXF. Someone has to unfold it before it can be cut.
Unclear drawings get guessed
Units, scale, projection or sheet thickness are not always clear on the drawing. A wrong guess gives a wrong part.
PDF to STEP Beta
Turn a PDF drawing into a 3D STEP model
Upload a PDF drawing of a sheet-metal part and get a 3D STEP model back, usually in 10 to 30 minutes. No tracing and no setup. Close the page if you like: we email you if we need you.
perforated-tube.pdf
perforated-tube.step
Reads the drawing like an engineer
Finds the views, measures the outline and holes, reads dimensions and fold lines. Units, scale and projection are detected for you.
The conversion finds the views and works out how they relate, measures the outline and the holes, reads the dimensions and the fold lines, then builds the solid from a fold recipe. Units, scale and projection are detected from the drawing itself. If you already know them, declare them up front and skip the guesswork.
Asks instead of guessing
If a drawing is unclear, the run pauses and asks one specific question. Answer in the browser and it carries on.
When a drawing is genuinely unclear, the run stops and asks one specific question rather than handing you a wrong model: ambiguous units, a missing scale, two section views that contradict each other, unreadable fold lines, an unproven thickness. You answer in the browser and the run continues where it paused. Every reading it made is there to inspect alongside the drawing before you approve it.
Lands in your STEP library
Ready to view, nest, price and quote, and to enrich with PMI.
The result lands in your STEP library, ready to view, nest, price and quote, and to enrich with PMI. A drawing nobody can read stays a question rather than becoming a bad part.
From PDF drawing to STEP model
01
Upload the drawing
Open PDF to STEP and add a vector PDF of one sheet-metal part, up to 40 MB.
02
Set what you know
Confirm millimetres and the projection. Add the drawing scale only if you are sure of it, and the run has fewer questions to ask.
03
Answer questions
A run takes 10 to 30 minutes and carries on if you close the page. If it needs your input, CUTL emails you and you answer on the run page.
04
Download the results
Download the STEP model and the DXF files for each part, and check the part in the 3D preview.
What PDF to STEP does for you
An AI interpreter reads the drawing, builds the part and checks its own work. When the drawing alone cannot settle something, it stops and asks you.
Reads the drawing like an engineer
It finds the views, reads the dimensions and fold lines, works out units, scale and projection, and builds the solid from a fold recipe.
Asks instead of guessing
When units, scale, projection or thickness are unclear, the run pauses. You confirm the reading, accept its best assumption or end the run with a reason.
Three checkpoints
The run checks itself at a drawing review, a build check and a final review, and each part in the results shows its build-check badge.
STEP, DXF and a 3D preview
Each part comes back as a STEP model (AP242, in millimetres), the flat pattern and views as DXF files, and a 3D preview.
Correct the reading before the build
At the drawing review you can fix a bend angle, a bend direction, the inner radius or the thickness. The part rebuilds in seconds.
Your files stay out of AI
Drawing files are never sent to AI providers. AI features receive extracted metadata and raster images of the drawing.
Built for shops that get PDFs, not models
Sheet-metal job shops
A customer sends only a PDF drawing. Get a 3D model to check fit before you quote and cut.
Engineers and CAD teams
Get the flat pattern DXF of a bent part that was drawn in views only, without modelling it again.
Teams that review with customers
Turn the PDF into a model you can share for review or place in an assembly.
Questions about PDF to STEP
PDF to STEP is in beta and is being rolled out step by step, so it may not be in your account yet. Contact us for early access before your first run.
A vector PDF exported from CAD, in millimetres, with one sheet-metal part, dimensioned views and a title block with units, scale and projection symbol. Dimensions must be real text. It builds folded parts with parallel bends and trays. As a beta, it does not convert every drawing.
Scanned or photographed drawings, PDFs where the text was turned into curves, drawings in inches (re-export them in millimetres), hems and teardrop bends, and assemblies or several parts on one drawing.
You need a CUTL account, and a new account gets 10,000 coins free. A PDF to STEP conversion costs coins. The current price is in the price list in the app.
Drawing files are never sent to AI providers as files. AI features receive extracted metadata and raster images of the drawing. We sign a DPA and an NDA on request.
Turn a PDF drawing of a sheet-metal part into a STEP model
Upload a vector PDF of one sheet-metal part and get a STEP model, the flat pattern as DXF and a 3D preview. PDF to STEP is in beta, so contact us first for early access.