PROJECT

Technical drawing processing software for faster fabrication data

Custom software development, PDF data extraction, DWG and DXF processing, CAD file conversion, Production drawing generation, ERP integration, Offline Windows workflows

  • Industry: Metal fabrication
  • Slovakia Location: Slovakia
  • Delivery time: 16 weeks
  • Technologies: Python, JavaScript / TypeScript (Node.js)
4+ months

This client’s metal fabrication work depends on turning customer drawings into usable manufacturing information, but manual interpretation takes time and creates room for rework. The software reads PDF, DWG, DXF, STEP and image files, extracts dimensions and properties, and returns production drawings, CAD files and reports. It gives the client’s engineers and fabrication team one place to prepare manufacturing outputs and related ERP records.

Summary

Problem

The client spends time interpreting technical drawings and preparing manufacturing files and documentation by hand.

Solution

The solution became a local drawing-processing workspace that reads common CAD and document files, extracts their data and prepares production outputs.

Result

The software is made to reduce manual work, repeated file preparation and avoidable rework in fabrication operations.

Client story

The client is a metal fabrication company from Slovakia. It receives customer drawings and related inquiries for fabrication work, then uses the information for measurements, detailing and production documentation.

Manual interpretation takes time because dimensions, properties, annotations and geometry have to be extracted before the team can prepare manufacturing files or update business records.

The request was simple: process common technical-design inputs and produce manufacturing-ready CAD files, documentation, reports and structured exports in a local workflow.

The solution was shaped as a modular desktop workspace with a file queue, drawing inspection, revision comparison and production export. Special attention was paid to local and offline use, batch processing, validation and the client’s own file and documentation rules.

The client asked for

  1. Generate CAD, documentation, reports, bills of materials and cutting lists
  2. Process PDF, CAD, image, BIM, sketch and inquiry inputs
  3. Create drawings and models from existing technical sources
  4. Work locally on Windows, offline and in batches

Why ready-made software did not fit

Ready-made construction drawing products focus on drafting, revision, sharing and collaboration around construction plans. A custom tool can extract structured technical and geometric data, prepare production files and apply the client’s own rules and export requirements.

Project overview

The solution was designed around a local file queue for PDF, DWG and DXF files. It also accepts STEP, image files and inquiry attachments.

To handle this, a drawing viewer and property table were provided for dimensions, materials and annotations. Engineers can measure lengths, widths and angles, then edit dimensions and angles before export.

A separate comparison area was designed for drawing revisions. It places versions side by side, highlights changed elements and prepares a difference report for review.

The production area validates generated outputs and prepares production drawings, adjusted DXF files and DWG exports. It also supports STEP files, PDF drawings and compliance reports.

The system was planned as modules so later additions such as ERP records, cutting lists, estimates and further integrations can be added without rebuilding the whole workspace.

Key features delivered

  • Batch upload and processing queue
  • PDF, DWG, DXF, STEP and image intake
  • Technical data and dimension extraction
  • Drawing measurements and editable angles
  • Revision comparison with highlighted changes
  • Production drawing generation
  • DXF validation and adjustment
  • STEP, DWG and PDF export
  • Structured JSON, XML, XLSX and CSV exports

Can be added

+ ERP article creation and updates + Bills of materials + Weight reports + Cutting lists + Fabrication estimates + Logo removal from drawings + Information-page PDF exports + Compliance reports

Who else can use this solution

Other businesses with a similar drawing-to-output task can use the same solution after adapting its rules, templates and exports.

A steel fabrication business

Task It turns technical drawings into detailing information, takeoffs and fabrication documentation.
How the solution helps The solution extracts drawing data, prepares production outputs and supports checks before fabrication.
Metal fabrication

An engineering and design business

Task It extracts dimensions, properties, geometry and annotations from drawings and CAD models.
How the solution helps The solution brings file reading, measurements, revision review and structured exports into one workspace.
Industrial consultants

A construction estimating business

Task It needs measured takeoff data and manufacturing-ready 2D or 3D deliverables.
How the solution helps The solution processes drawings and models, then exports reports and production files for further estimating work.
Construction services

Technology stack

Python

CAD and PDF processing

Python supports the drawing parsers, measurements and file-processing services.

JavaScript / TypeScript (Node.js)

Viewer and file tools

JavaScript and TypeScript support the file viewers, browser tools and structured export features.

ezdwg

Read DWG drawings

ezdwg (a library that reads DWG files without AutoCAD) supplies readable DWG drawing data.

ezdxf

Create and edit DXF

ezdxf (a library for creating and manipulating DXF drawings) prepares and adjusts DXF outputs.

pdfplumber

Read PDF layout

pdfplumber (a library that reads PDF text, lines and shapes) extracts information from PDF drawings.

ifcopenshell

Process IFC models

ifcopenshell (a toolkit for working with BIM files) supports IFC model processing.

pyautocad

Automate AutoCAD

pyautocad (a library that controls AutoCAD from Python) supports configured AutoCAD workflows.

PDF, DWG, DXF, STEP, IFC

Input and output formats

These formats carry the drawings, models and production files processed by the solution.

Integrations

ERP system

The solution creates or updates ERP articles and attaches processed drawings to them.

AutoCAD

pyautocad connects configured processing tasks with AutoCAD automation.

BIM programs through IFC

IFC files let the solution exchange model information with BIM programs.

Email attachments

The file intake accepts related inquiries and their attached documents for processing.

Excel through XLSX or CSV

Structured results can be exported for use in spreadsheet-based business processes.

The result

Bring drawings into one processing queue

The first screen supports drawing intake for the fabrication team. It accepts common technical files and related inquiry attachments, then shows validation messages and processing status.

Batch processing keeps multiple inputs together while the queue makes the current state of each file visible.

How it works

  1. The upload area receives PDF, DWG, DXF, STEP, image and inquiry attachment files.
  2. The file-type filters identify the available input formats.
  3. The batch queue shows the processing status of each file.
Drawing intake and file queue

Drawing intake and file queue

Functions on this screen
Upload construction drawings Read CAD (dwg/dxf) and PDF files Process PDF Files

Review extracted data before production

The second screen turns a drawing into usable technical data. Engineers see dimensions, materials and annotations beside the drawing.

Measurement tools support lengths, widths and angles, while editable controls allow dimensions and angles to be corrected before export.

How it works

  1. The drawing viewer displays the processed technical drawing.
  2. The property table shows dimensions, materials, annotations, coordinates and tolerances.
  3. Measurement tools and editable controls provide measurements and adjusted dimensions or angles.
  • Review extracted properties
  • Measure geometry
  • Edit dimensions and angles
Extracted properties and measurements

Extracted properties and measurements

Functions on this screen
Extract Data from Drawings Perform measurements Edit dimensions and angles

Spot revision changes before export

The comparison screen helps the client review drawing revisions before manufacturing files are prepared. Side-by-side views and an overlay make changed elements easier to inspect.

A change list and difference report provide a clear record for the next production step.

How it works

  1. The version selector identifies the model revisions shown in the comparison.
  2. The side-by-side views display the drawing versions together.
  3. The difference overlay highlights changed drawing elements and supplies data for the difference report.
  • Compare drawing versions
  • Review highlighted changes
  • Export a difference report
Note: The comparison focuses attention on changed elements before production documentation is exported.
Revision comparison and highlighted changes

Revision comparison and highlighted changes

Validate and export manufacturing files

The final screen brings production export and validation together. The fabrication team sees DXF and production drawing previews, checks validation flags and prepares the required files.

The output area supports manufacturing documentation such as DWG, STEP and PDF files, together with adjusted DXF files and compliance information.

How it works

  1. The output-format selector identifies the requested production formats.
  2. The DXF and production drawing previews show the generated manufacturing files.
  3. Validation flags present completeness and compliance information alongside the export controls.
  • Prepare production drawings
  • Generate STEP files
  • Export validated or adjusted DXF files
Production export and validation

Production export and validation

Functions on this screen
Generate Production Drawings Generate STEP files Export Designs as DXF

What the solution gives

With this solution, the fabrication company can:

  • Process technical drawings and related files in batches
  • Extract dimensions, properties and annotations for review
  • Compare drawing versions before production
  • Prepare validated CAD and documentation outputs
  • Export structured data for reports and business systems
  • Keep drawing processing local and suitable for offline work

In the end

In the end, the solution was made to take manual work out of the path from a customer drawing to a manufacturing file and related business record.

FAQ

Thinking about building a similar system? Read the answers below to see how a drawing-processing workspace can be shaped around your files, rules and production outputs.

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