Digitizing Architectural Plans
Construction and as-built drawings as an editable CAD basis for your renovation
Hand-drawn plans, old paper printouts, or existing scans and PDF files can be vectorized and recreated as editable CAD drawings.
Digitizing Architectural Plans: For a renovation or remodeling project, you need reliable digital blueprints. We take existing paper plans, hand-drawn architectural plans, or scanned documents and create CAD files that are built exactly according to your specifications and neatly structured, allowing you to edit them directly.
When digitizing and vectorizing your architectural drawings, lines, dimensions, text, and components are professionally captured and organized into the appropriate layers. Related floor plans, sections, and elevations are checked across all drawings and coordinated with one another.
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Digitizing Architectural Plans
Construction and as-built drawings for remodeling and renovation
When it comes to a remodel or renovation, the existing construction plans are often available only on paper or as scans. Digitization transforms these into editable CAD plans created exactly according to your specifications—including floor plans, sections, and elevations—which serve as a reliable foundation for your further planning.
Dimensions, labels, and components are transferred from your templates into the CAD drawing and organized logically into layers. Related drawings are coordinated with one another. This allows you to reuse the existing drawing documents in your CAD system and build your planned changes upon them.
Digitizing Architectural Plans—From Paper Plans to CAD Files
A scanned drawing consists of many small pixels—similar to a digital photo. Lines, dimensions, and text are visible on it, but cannot yet be edited as individual CAD elements. During vectorization, this content is reconstructed in CAD as editable lines, dimensions, and text.
At digitalgut, the contents of the plans are carefully reconstructed in CAD. In addition to the visible lines, dimensions, annotations, and relationships are also taken into account. Your existing layer structure can be carried over upon request.
When you have architectural drawings vectorized, therefore, it is not just visual accuracy that matters. The result should be logically structured and usable for further planning.
For more information on the general process , see " Digitizing and Vectorizing Paper Plans."
Architectural Plans for ArchiCAD in 2D and 3D
Do you need your design documents specifically for ArchiCAD? Depending on the project, existing documents can be converted into 2D drawings or a 3D building model. The appropriate format depends on your source files and the intended use.
To learn more about the options available, see "Digitizing Plans for ArchiCAD in 2D and 3D."
What types of architectural drawings do we digitize?
Depending on the construction project, we digitize and vectorize individual drawings or complete, related sets of drawings. These include, in particular:
- Floor plans for individual floors or the entire building
- Sections showing floor heights, building components, and other plan information
- Facades and Elevations as a Basis for Renovations and Remodeling
- Construction and as-built plans from existing plan archives
- Detailed and construction drawings for further processing in CAD
- Site and area plans, provided that suitable templates are available
Related plans are reviewed across all plans and coordinated appropriately.
Free Trial Plan
Would you like to check the quality of our drawing digitization first? Send us a representative sample. We’ll digitize a section free of charge so you can directly assess the layout, accuracy, and layer structure. You’ll typically receive the test section within 1–2 business days.
Here's What You Can Expect When Digitizing Your Architectural Plans
Since 1992, digitalgut has been creating precise and well-structured CAD files from paper blueprints, scans, and PDFs for remodeling, renovation, and other planning projects.
Built exactly according to your specifications
Existing dimensions, labels, components, and other drawing information are carefully transferred to the CAD drawing.
Coordinated across all plans
Related floor plans, sections, and elevations are reviewed and coordinated appropriately.
Layer structure according to your specifications
We can adopt existing layer structures upon request. Alternatively, we can structure the CAD files to suit your project and its intended use.
CAD files that can be edited directly
After reviewing your documents, you will receive a transparent quote with the agreed-upon delivery date. We bill most orders at a fixed price. For larger planned quantities, we offer tiered pricing.
Clear quote and agreed-upon delivery date
You will receive clearly structured CAD files that you can edit directly in your CAD system and use as a basis for remodeling, renovation, or further planning steps.
Confidential and Reliable Processing
We handle your planning documents and project data with the utmost discretion. We reliably meet agreed-upon deadlines and delivery dates.
Revisions within the agreed scope of services are included
If corrections are required after delivery within the agreed scope of services, we will carry them out at no additional cost.
Flexible Delivery, Pickup, and Return
You can conveniently submit digital files online. Send paper plans by mail or drop them off in person. For larger sets of plans within Switzerland, we’ll pick them up from your location by arrangement. We’ll provide the finished CAD files digitally. You’ll receive your original plans back via the agreed-upon method once the project is complete.
Templates and Output Formats
Appropriate Templates
The following are suitable as a basis for digitizing plans:
- Paper and Transparent Maps
- Existing scans and image files in PDF, JPG, or TIF format
- Microfilm cards
- Existing CAD files for editing or conversion
Output Formats
You will receive the digitized architectural plans in the agreed-upon CAD format:
- DWG and DXF for AutoCAD and other CAD systems
- PLN, PLA, or DWG for ArchiCAD
- DWG files optimized for Vectorworks
- Other CAD and file formats available upon request
The appropriate output format depends on your CAD system and the intended use.
Digitize Architectural Plans – Request a Quote
In many cases, scans, PDFs, or clear photos of your plans are sufficient for an initial assessment. Please submit the documents to us using the online form. We will review the scope, quality of the documents, desired CAD structure, and output format.
You will then receive a clear quote—for most jobs, at a fixed price and usually within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Digitizing Architectural Plans
What types of architectural plans does digitalgut digitize?
Among other things, we digitize floor plans, cross-sections, elevations, building and as-built plans, detail and construction drawings, as well as site and neighborhood plans. Suitable source materials include paper plans, transparencies, scans, PDFs, photos, and existing CAD files.
Do you also edit individual floor plans, or only complete sets of plans?
We process both individual floor plans and complete sets of drawings. For related floor plans, sections, and elevations, we review the visible connections across all drawings and coordinate the CAD files appropriately.
Are digitized as-built plans suitable for remodeling and renovation?
Yes. Existing construction and as-built drawings can be rebuilt as editable CAD templates for renovations and retrofits. Changes to the building that are not documented in the existing drawings must be reviewed separately.
How exactly are architectural plans digitized?
The accuracy depends on the quality of the source document as well as the available dimensions and plan information. Lines, dimensions, text, and components are transferred to the CAD drawing exactly as they appear in the source document and are then verified. Plan digitization does not replace an on-site survey or measurement.
Are floor plans, sections, and elevations coordinated with one another?
For sets of related drawings, we review floor plans, sections, and elevations across all drawings. To the extent that the relationships are clear from the source documents, the drawings are structured consistently and coordinated with one another.
In which CAD formats are the architectural plans provided?
Depending on the project, we deliver CAD files in DWG or DXF format for AutoCAD and other CAD systems, in PLN, PLA, or DWG format for ArchiCAD, and in DWG format optimized for Vectorworks. We can arrange other formats on a project-by-project basis.
Are architectural plans also available as ArchiCAD files or 3D building models?
Yes. Depending on the source material and intended use, we create architectural plans as 2D drawings or as 3D building models in ArchiCAD. We explain the options and requirements in detail on our page “Digitizing Plans for ArchiCAD in 2D and 3D.”
Can plans from different years or individual parts of plans be combined?
Yes. Floor plans, sections, elevations, or individual drawing components from different drawing versions can be compared and compiled into a unified CAD basis or a cohesive set of drawings. This requires that sufficient dimensions, reference points, or other matching drawing information be available. We will clarify any differences or conflicting information with you before incorporating them into the new drawing.
Do you also make changes to digitized architectural plans?
Yes. We will incorporate clearly indicated changes, additions, or corrections into newly created or existing CAD drawings. These may be based on, for example, marked-up drawings, sketches, or specific instructions. If a change requires new dimensions, a structural assessment, or a design decision, we will need the relevant information from you or the responsible designer.