CAD Blocks

How to turn a furniture photo into a DXF

Use a tool that draws the piece at its true size, not a converter that traces the photo's pixels. CAD Blocks (cadblocks.app) reads a furniture photo and the width, depth and height you give it, and makes a DXF with the plan, front and side as clean lines. The file opens in AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp Pro, Vectorworks and Chief Architect.

Why an image converter isn't enough

An image-to-DXF converter traces the edges in the photo. You get one view, at no known size, and shadows, fabric folds and the background can become lines too. A CAD block needs the plan and elevations, at true size, with clean outlines.

From photo to DXF

  1. Add the product

    Paste a link to the product page, or drop in a photo, a screenshot from the maker's website or a PDF spec sheet. You can add up to four images of the same item.

  2. Give the size

    Type the width, depth and height from the spec sheet. Every view is fitted to those three sizes, so the plan and both elevations agree.

  3. Download the DXF

    The plan, front and side arrive as three named blocks, drawn true size in millimetres or inches. Insert them into your drawing.

Which photos work best

A straight-on product photo on a plain background gives the most accurate drawing, and a screenshot from the maker's website works well. Add a second photo from the side, or a PDF spec sheet, and the side elevation improves. Busy room shots work if you say which item to draw in the notes.

What's in the file

One DXF holds three blocks: the plan, the front and the side. The outline is on layer 0 with ByBlock colour, so each block takes the layer you insert it on. Detail lines are on I-FURN-DETL and dashed hidden edges on I-FURN-HIDN, so you can switch either off.

The description, maker, model and sizes travel with the block as attributes, ready for your FF&E schedule.

Questions

How accurate is the drawing?

The overall size is exact when you enter it, because every view is fitted to your width, depth and height. The proportions inside, such as arm height or leg spacing, follow the photo. Check the block against the maker's spec sheet before you issue drawings.

Can I use a screenshot from the maker's website?

Yes, a screenshot works well. You can add up to four images of the same item, or a PDF spec sheet.

Does it work with SketchUp?

Yes. Download the DXF for SketchUp: it's the same block, with a surface in every closed area so you can paint it. You need SketchUp Pro on the desktop, because the free web version can't import DXF. See how to import it.

More guides

Can't find your exact product?

Draw it from a photo. Drop in a product photo or a screenshot from the maker's website, give the size, and CAD Blocks draws its plan, front and side as a DXF. Your first three blocks each month are free.

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