Engineering and digitisation
Convert a 2D drawing into a 3D model
The drawing exists — on paper, as PDF or as a 2D CAD file — but your current process needs a 3D model: for CAM programming, for simulation, for an assembly, for a supplier's quote. We build the model from the drawing and derive a new, clean manufacturing drawing from it.
A 3D model from a 2D drawing is not created by conversion but by design: the views and sections are read, the features recognised, and the part rebuilt in the CAD system — parametric, with regular geometry and the dimensioned nominal values. From the finished model the drawing is then derived to standard, instead of tracing the old one. The result is a model that can be manufactured, modified and used in assemblies.
Why a 3D model is more than three views with depth
A 2D drawing shows the part as the designer chose to represent it back then: three views, a few sections, dimensions where they were needed for manufacturing. A 3D model has to contain everything — including the areas that were visible in no view, and the relationships between features that existed on paper only in the reader's head.
| 2D drawing | 3D model with derived drawing | |
|---|---|---|
| Completeness | Shows what the designer considered necessary — hidden areas remain interpretation | Every face exists; contradictions surface during the build, not in manufacturing |
| Changes | Redraw every view individually, adjust dimensions by hand | Change one dimension — all views and sections follow |
| Manufacturing | CAM programming by hand from the drawing | Model straight into CAM, simulation, 3D printing, supplier's quote |
| Assembly | Fit only checkable in your head | Collisions, fits and motion checkable in CAD |
| Drawing | As old as the standard it was drawn to | Newly derived to the current standard, consistent with the model |
| Sharing | PDF for viewing | STEP for any system, native format for yours |
There are cases where the 2D drawing is enough — a sheet-metal part that is laser-cut needs a cutting contour and no depth. That is what the DXF pages are for. The 3D model pays off as soon as the part is milled, turned, cast or built into an assembly — or as soon as you want to change it again in the coming years.
What you get
- A parametric 3D model as STEP — and on request in the native format of your CAD system with design history.
- A manufacturing drawing derived from it to the current standard, with dimensions, tolerances and surface finishes from the source.
- For assemblies: the individual parts, the assembly with mates, and a parts list.
- A reconciliation log: every point where the old drawing was incomplete or contradictory, and how it was resolved.
- On request, DXF cutting contours in addition for sheet-metal parts within the assembly.
What we need
The drawing — in the best quality there is. Everything else speeds up the work and reduces queries.
- The 2D drawing as scan, PDF, DWG or DXF. Several sheets for one part preferably together.
- The target system and the required version: SolidWorks, Inventor, Fusion, Siemens NX, Creo — or simply STEP.
- Whether a design history is needed or a plain solid body is enough.
- For assemblies: the parts list or an overview of which sheets belong together.
- Photos of the real part, if available — they resolve hidden areas faster than any query.
How it works
Four steps from drawing to model. No costs arise until you approve the quote.
Enquiry with drawing
You send the drawing and name your target system — via the form or in reply to our confirmation email.
Review
We check the drawing for completeness and contradictions and clarify in advance what cannot be read unambiguously from the views.
Quote
You receive a fixed-price quote with a named scope: model, drawing, format, history yes or no.
Build and delivery
After approval the model is built, the drawing derived and both delivered. If something does not fit, it is corrected.
What does it cost?
The price depends on the number of features and on how much interpretation the drawing demands — not on the sheet size. A flange with a bolt circle is modelled in an hour; a housing with twelve sections, two of which contradict each other, is not. That is why it starts with the review and then a fixed-price quote.
- Features: number and type — holes, pockets, fillets, threads, free-form surfaces.
- Quality of the source: a clean CAD plot is read faster than a hand-annotated blueprint.
- Scope of delivery: model alone, model with drawing, with or without design history, native format.
- Assemblies: number of parts and mates, parts list, motion check if required.
Enquiry and review are free. The quoted price is a fixed price; billing by prepayment, invoice with VAT shown separately.
Enquire about a projectFrequently asked questions
Which views does the drawing need for an unambiguous model?
For a simple part, two views and the dimensions are often enough. It gets difficult with hidden internal contours, free-form surfaces and anything that would only be visible in a missing section. After the review we tell you which areas are unambiguous and where we would have to make an assumption — and we prefer to ask beforehand rather than guess silently. A photo of the real part resolves most of these questions.
Parametric with history or just a solid body — which do I need?
A solid body (STEP) if the model is to be manufactured, quoted or built into an assembly and will not change again. A parametric model with history if you want to develop the part further: then a diameter can be changed, and hole pattern, fillets and drawing follow. We build the history in the native format of your system; STEP cannot carry it.
In which format is it delivered — STEP or my CAD system's format?
STEP always, because every system opens it and it will still be readable in decades. Additionally the native format if you need history or parameters. We work in common systems; tell us yours and the version, and we clarify before the quote whether native delivery is possible or STEP remains the better route.
Dimensions in the drawing contradict each other. What happens then?
That is common with older drawings — a dimension changed later, a forgotten section. When building in 3D such contradictions inevitably surface, because otherwise the model cannot be closed. We do not decide silently: every contradiction is listed with our interpretation in the reconciliation log, and where the function is affected, we ask before delivery.
Does this also work for entire assemblies with parts lists?
Yes. Every sheet becomes a single part, the parts are assembled with mates into the assembly, and the parts list is generated from the assembly. The added value lies in the check: parts that fit together on paper sometimes do not in the model — and you see that before manufacturing. Standard parts are inserted from libraries, not modelled anew.
Related
It is not about one sheet but an entire archive? Then archive digitisation is the frame for it. And for the basics to read up on: