In this in-depth presentation we discuss the ways you can convert your JPG images to vector DWG. This process is typically used for converting raster images to a CAD format.

1. Ultimate Guide:
JPG to DXF

2. Contents...
What is a JPG file? 3
What is a DWG file? 5
Why convert from JPG to DWG? 7
How to convert JPG to DWG 10
Problems with JPG to DWG conversion 14
How to get the best results 18
Using Scan2CAD to convert JPG to DWG 22
Features offered by Scan2CAD 25

3. What is a JPG file?

4. What is a JPG file?
A JPG (or JPEG) is one of the most well-known raster file formats. JPG
files have a 24-bit color depth, and use lossy compression, which
means that they are typically small in size. This makes them a good
choice for digital photography, as a memory card can store images
in JPG format than is possible with other formats.
However, lossy compression also means that JPG images degrade in
quality when edited. They are particularly badly suited to images with
sharp, defined edges—including architectural or engineering
drawings.
In addition to these JPG-specific problems, they also suffer from issues
that are common to all raster images. For example, it's impossible to
scale or zoom into a JPG file without losing definition, and there is
no way to edit individual elements within the image.

5. What is a DWG file?

6. What is a DWG file?
With a history stretching back almost 4 decades, DWG (or Drawing)
files have become ubiquitous across the CAD industry. Best known as the
native file type for AutoCAD, you can now view and edit DWG files
using a wide range of programs—including Scan2CAD.
Unlike JPG, DWG is a vector file type, which means that it is made up of
paths (straight or curved lines) rather than pixels. DWG files are
infinitely scalable and easy to edit. This makes DWG a suitable
format for storing technical design data.
DWG is a versatile format: it can store 2D and 3D data, vector entities,
maps, and even photos. Essentially, any information you enter into a CAD
program can be stored in a DWG.

7. Why Convert From
JPG to DWG?

8. Why convert from JPG to DWG?
● To digitize a hard copy of a drawing: you can scan a drawing (e.g.
electrical/architectural plans) into Scan2CAD and then convert it to a
DWG to begin editing it in a CAD application.
● For infinite scaling: JPGs, like other raster file types, are made up of
pixels, which makes them resolution dependent. This means that you
can't scale a JPG without a loss in quality. In contrast, DWGs are made
up of paths, which are mathematically defined and can be replicated at
practically any scale.
Check out our article covering the differences between raster and vector
images for the full details.

9. Why convert from JPG to DWG?
● For editing: working with a raster image is a little like painting: you can
blend colors to create gradients and transitions, but you can't edit specific
elements of your image—any edits you make will affect the image as a whole.
Vector images are completely different: you can easily edit individual vector
paths, including changing their color, thickness and position. It's also easy to
copy elements from one DWG file and reuse them in another.

10. How to convert JPG
to DWG

11. How to convert JPG to DWG
There are two options for converting a JPG to a DWG:
Manual Tracing
Traditionally, the only way to produce a vector representation of a raster
image was to manually trace over the image with vector lines. This
involves creating a new vector layer on top of the existing image, then
tracing over the lines by hand using a mouse or graphics pen.
This method is still useful, as a human looking at an image will understand
what it represents. A computer program, meanwhile, is only able to work
off the lines and edges it detects. This means that you can manually trace
any image, regardless of its quality. However, the process is extremely
time-consuming. As a result, many designers prefer to use a faster solution.
Image source:
graphicdesign.stackexchange.com

12. How to convert JPG to DWG
Automatic Conversion
When you convert your JPG image automatically, your chosen software
will work to detect the lines and edges present in your raster image. It
will then redraw these as vector lines, curves, polygons, and other vector
entities. Some advanced conversion programs, such as Scan2CAD, can
also recognize raster text within an image using OCR (Optical Character
Recognition) tools before redrawing it as vector text.
The downside to automatic conversion is that a program can never have
the same understanding of an image as the person who created it. The
image must be very clear for the process to work well, and the user will
still need to undertake some pre- and post-processing work.
Nevertheless, automatic tracing can reduce conversion times from
hours to just seconds, and can produce great results.

13. How to convert JPG to DWG
Automatic Conversion
Whilst there are many conversion programs around, choosing the right one is essential.
Using a free, online tool can cause a host of issues—sticking to a reputable, high-quality
program is the best way to ensure great results and keep your files secure.
For more information, check out our article covering the differences between manual
and automatic tracing, or take a better look at the process by learning how to
automatically trace an image.

14. Problems with JPG
to DWG conversion

15. Problems with JPG to DWG conversion
Whilst automatic tracing can dramatically speed up your conversion, it requires a
high-quality image to work successfully. Unfortunately, JPG images can suffer from a
number of issues which can hamper your chances of getting optimal vectorization results.
Some of the most common problems can be seen in the image below:

16. Problems with JPG to DWG conversion
Trying to convert the wrong type of image
Whilst automatic tracing is incredibly useful for many kinds of image, it's
important to be realistic about what you can and can't do using vectorization
software. Photos, for example, are not well-suited to conversion. Good
candidates for conversion are synthetic images with few colors and clean
lines. These include images such as technical drawings, logos and cartoons.
Compression artifacts
Since JPG files are compressed using lossy compression, they lose quality
when edited and saved. This leaves compression artifacts on the image,
which are the visible signs of the distortion caused by lossy compression. They
make the image appear blurry and undefined. These artifacts make it difficult for
the software to detect the lines of the image, making it harder to convert.

17. Problems when converting JPG to DWG
Black and white images being saved in grayscale
The most common use of vectorization software is to convert technical drawings,
which tend to be black and white. JPG does not deal well with these images, as it is
created to deal with photo-realistic images featuring color blends. As a result,
JPG will often try to soften the contrast between the foreground and background,
leaving the image blurry, with many shades of gray. As a result, conversion
software finds it harder to detect which parts of the image form the foreground
and background, making it very difficult to convert.
Failing to address these issues prior to conversion means that your vector output
is unlikely to be of a high standard. Luckily, there are some helpful tips you can use
to optimize your raster image and improve your conversion results.

18. How To Get The
Best Results

19. How to get the best results
Use a better format than JPG. The simplest way to avoid the
problems associated with the JPG format is to save your raster image in
another format in the first place. As we've previously noted, JPG is not a
suitable format for drawings, text or solid graphics. For optimal
conversion results, Scan2CAD recommends saving your raster image as
a TIFF. TIFF offers lossless compression and high resolution, making it
perfect for vectorization.
However, sometimes, the choice of file format might be out of your
hands—for example, if a colleague had sent you a JPG image to work
with. In this situation, you can take additional steps to improve the
quality of your JPG file, and get better vectorization results.

20. How to get the best results
● Scan2CAD offers thresholding tools, enabling you to divide your image cleanly
into black and white pixels, eliminating the issues caused by grayscale images and
compression artifacts. There are two available thresholding tools in Scan2CAD:
○ Simple thresholding, which applies the same thresholding settings to the
entire image, or
○ Adaptive thresholding, which applies different thresholding settings to
different parts of your JPG file.
For most images, simple thresholding should suffice. To access thresholding tools,
click on the Load menu, then click Raster Effects > Threshold , and choose either
Simple or Adaptive.

21. How to get the best results
● You can also take advantage of Scan2CAD's range of cleaning
tools. These can help combat many of the issues affecting JPG
images, including:
○ Fix broken or dithered lines using thicken lines
○ Remove holes or speckles
○ Use the smooth tool to remove rough or "hairy" edges
around lines
For best results, check out our top 10 raster effects to optimize your
vector conversion.
Even if you think your image is perfect, you may still miss some hidden
issues which could affect the quality of your conversion. Make sure to
follow our Raster Quality Checklist for best results every time.

22. Using Scan2CAD to
Convert JPG to
DWG

23. Using Scan2CAD to convert JPG to DWG
Think it takes hours to convert from JPG to DWG? Think again. With Scan2CAD, the
conversion process takes seconds—and it couldn't be simpler.
● Start by loading your JPG file in Scan2CAD. This is just like opening a file in any
program: just click File > Raster > Load and select the JPG file you want to convert.
● Next, choose the right settings for your image. Scan2CAD includes a variety of
vectorization settings, each of which is tailored to produce optimal results for a
specific type of image. Select the most appropriate setting for your image using the
options available in the Type menu.
○ Tip: Not sure which setting is right for your JPG file? Check out our handy
guide to all of Scan2CAD's vectorization settings.

24. Using Scan2CAD to convert JPG to DWG
● Convert your image in a single click.
○ To convert raster images to vector lines, curves and shapes, click .
○ Click to convert raster text to vector text.
○ To convert your entire raster image—including lines, curves, shapes and
text—to vector entities, click .
● Finally, save your vector file as a DWG. From the file menu, simply click Vector >
Save As.

25. Features Offered by
Scan2CAD

26. Features offered by Scan2CAD
Scan2CAD's primary focus is the conversion of technical
drawings—such as engineering drawings, architectural drafts, and site
plans—to usable and editable vector images.
In addition to its innovative conversion tools, it also comes complete with
an extensive raster and vector editing suite, so you can fully optimize your
image before and after conversion.
It supports no fewer than 33 file types, and offers market-leading OCR
software. With batch processing, flexible licensing and 24/7 support,
Scan2CAD is the complete package.
Interested in converting from JPG to DWG? Try out Scan2CAD's free
14-day trial and make use of its full range of professional features—with no
watermarks, no limits, and no obligations.

27. Scan2CAD converts your images
for CAD & CNC
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