At TR Trades, our CAD Conversion service ensures your hardcopy originals are transformed with precision. We scan your documents and have our trained experts redraw them in AutoCAD. Whether it’s architectural, engineering, plumbing, electrical, or HVAC drawings, we convert them into accurate, multi-layered vector files.
Convert any drawing into a precise and accurate multi-layered vector file!
Architectural
Engineering
Plumbing
Electrical
HVAC
Expertise: With decades of experience, TR Trades offers top-notch raster conversion services.
Time and Cost Efficiency: Outsourcing to TR Trades saves you time and money, eliminating the hassle of in-house conversion efforts.
Editable Layers: Each element, such as text, hidden lines, centerlines, or other specified layers, is converted into new, editable layers.
Flexible File Formats: We convert from scanned originals, PDFs, TIFs, JPGs, GIFs, and other file types. New files are typically delivered as DWGs (AutoCAD Drawing Files) but can be exported to DXF, MCD, AI, INDD, and more.
Accurate Measurements: Measurements and property dimensions are preserved and placed on their own layer. Blocks are used for entities such as doors and windows.
New layers generated for each element, such as text, hidden lines, centerlines, or any other layer that you require.
Conversion can be done from a scanned original, PDF, TIF, JPG, GIF, or other file types. New files are typically requested as DWGs, but can be exported to DXF, MCD, AI, INDD and others.
Measurements and property dimensions are intact and on their own layer. Blocks are used for entities such as doors and windows.
Raster graphics, such as PNG files, lack the necessary functionality for CAD software. They are static images made of pixels, which limits their scalability and editing capabilities. Vectorization converts these raster images into editable and scalable vector graphics, solving these issues. Vector graphics are the backbone of most CAD systems, allowing for precise and efficient design work. The most common file type is the AutoCAD Drawing File, or DWG. TR Trades can generate accurate DWG files from your hard-copy drawings or flat layered PDFs.
Here are some key differences between raster and vector graphics specific to CAD printing:
Raster images cannot be scaled without losing quality, making precise adjustments difficult.
Rasters do not offer the same level of editability as vectors, restricting design flexibility.
Converting raster graphics to 3D CAD models is impractical due to their pixel-based nature.
Adding details to raster images can result in inconsistency and blurriness.
Vector graphics can be scaled infinitely without losing quality, allowing for precise adjustments.
Vector graphics are fully editable, providing greater design flexibility.
Vector graphics can be converted into 3D models, facilitating comprehensive design representation.
Vector graphics make it easy to add clear and consistent details, such as annotations and dimensions.
When it comes to efficient raster to vector conversion and comprehensive CAD support, TR Trades stands out. Our friendly and professional team is a trusted resource for engineers, architects, and design professionals in architecture and development. Let us help you bring precision and clarity to your projects.
Senior Account Manager
McKenzie joined the TR team with a solid foundation of experience in the print industry. His career began in production, where he developed his skills in maintenance, operations and finishing. Quickly recognized for his talent, initiative and charisma, McKenzie was promoted to Production Lead. At the helm of the production team, he proved a natural leader and infected the team with his positivity and work ethic.
After building his knowledge leading the production team, McKenzie progressed into the Sales department, honing his sales skills under the leadership of Carla Duncan and TR’s customer focused approach. His natural penchant for customer service and dedication to quality assurance proved an ideal fit for the TR sales team where McKenzie now functions as Account Manager.
Never one to rest on his laurels, McKenzie enhanced his knowledge with sales courses at BCIT and can regularly be seen applying his skills throughout the shop. Don’t be surprised to find him supporting the finishing department, assisting clients at the front desk, or onsite ensuring installations surpass customer expectations.
Also goes by: Mac
Interesting fact about McKenzie: he can be found on Wikipedia
Best described in three words as: loyal, funny, and stubborn
Cannot live without: his back massager
Quote to live by: “When you look at someone through rose-coloured glasses, all the red flags just look like flags” – Wanda the Owl
CAD & eProject Manager
When you meet Bruce you automatically know he is a seasoned professional in the reprographics industry. Starting out as a driver for Hughes Owens Printing in 1978, he eventually transitioned to Trimen Blueprinting where he acted as a reprographics technician for 13 years. With the onset of the digital era in 2000, TR Trades hired Bruce as CAD Manager. Since then he has been an invaluable asset to the company and anyone who has questions regarding CAD plotting. When Bruce is not overseeing others in the CAD department, he spends countless hours troubleshooting client issues, unearthing customer print errors, and providing eProject software support. He is regularly looked to for printing advice by both coworkers and clients.
Bruce is also well versed in troubleshooting onsite issues and participating in client presentations, having assisted Carla and TR sales staff in many client meetings. If you’re looking for a history lesson on the print industry or if you want to optimize your drawings for print, you’ll want to call on Bruce. Many may not know, but Bruce is a musician at heart! He originally studied engineering and math, eventually realizing it was not the career path he wished to pursue. Following this, Bruce went on to complete both a music program and a piano technician program through Douglas College. During his spare time, you’ll find him creating music or acting as a vocalist in several bands. When he is not playing the guitar and recording music, you can find Bruce tinkering around on one of his computers or watching hockey.
Also goes by: Stretch
Best described as: Humble
Favourite place in Vancouver: Minnekhada, Coquitlam
Guilty pleasure: Audio software
Favourite TV show: Hockey
Ideal meal: Mac & cheese (with ketchup)
Cannot live without: Music
President
Having worked in the family business since before she can remember, Carla has a natural talent for helping clients reach their printing goals. Always an advocate for education, Carla completed the Marketing Management course at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and then obtained a degree in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University with a double major in Management Technology and Human Resources. And all of this is in addition to sales and marketing courses at BCIT!
Combining her extensive education with a lifetime of experience, Carla is a driving force behind the success of TR Trades. On a daily basis, she can be found anywhere in the shop, always striving to enhance client satisfaction. Her familiarity with our systems, equipment, and services make her uniquely capable of ensuring clients benefit from every possible way that TR Trades can help businesses grow.
Favourite place in Vancouver: None. She would rather be off the grid camping!
During her free time you can find her: riding her atv or dirtbike, camping in the wild, fishing off the West Coast, fishing in a river, or in her garden.
Ideal meal: steak and double stuffed potatoes
What gets her motivated in the morning: coffee and coming to work!
“If you’re looking for an alternative option to your current print supplier, please call my cell at 604.376.7803. I would love to speak with you about how we can help your business.