How to convert a floor plan image to CAD

Updated 13 July 20266 min read

A floor plan image — a JPG or PNG — is just pixels, so you can't edit or measure it like a drawing. Converting it to CAD means rebuilding those pixels as real vector geometry you can export as DXF or DWG and open in AutoCAD or Revit. You can do it by tracing manually, or let AI detect the plan and export the CAD file for you.

Why you can't just "open" an image in CAD

An image stores color values in a grid of pixels. A CAD file stores geometry — lines, arcs, and layers with real coordinates. Dropping a JPG into CAD gives you a picture to look at, not walls you can edit. To get editable geometry, the shapes have to be reconstructed. That's the raster-to-vector step.

Method 1 — Trace it by hand

Insert the image into CAD as a scaled reference.
Calibrate scale from a known dimension.
Draw walls and openings on proper layers over the image.
Export as DXF/DWG.

Reliable but slow, and it depends on your CAD skill.

Method 2 — Detect it with AI

Upload the JPG/PNG.
Detection finds walls, rooms, and openings automatically.
Refine in the browser and confirm the scale.
Export layered DXF/DWG — or a full 3D model.

Turn your plan image into editable CAD

Upload a JPG or PNG and get clean, layered DXF/DWG — plus 3D and renders — without a CAD license.

Get early access →

Tips for accurate results

Use the highest resolution you have. Sharper lines detect and trace better.
Prefer high contrast. Dark lines on a clean background beat a faded or shadowed photo.
Crop out clutter. Title blocks and legends can confuse detection.
Set a real scale so the CAD file measures correctly. See also turning a scanned plan into 3D.

Frequently asked questions

Can you turn a JPG or PNG floor plan into CAD?

Yes, but not by copy-paste — an image has no geometry. You rebuild it as vectors, either by tracing in CAD or with AI detection, then export DXF/DWG. Higher-resolution, high-contrast images convert most accurately.

What's the difference between a floor plan image and a CAD file?

An image (JPG/PNG) is a grid of pixels you can't edit as geometry. A CAD file (DXF/DWG) stores real vector lines on layers you can move, measure, and scale. Converting means turning pixels into editable geometry.

Do I need AutoCAD to convert an image to CAD?

No. An AI tool such as Extruda detects the plan in the browser and exports DXF/DWG; you only need CAD software if you want to keep editing the result afterward.

How do I keep the scale correct?

Set the scale from a known dimension on the plan during conversion. Without a reference measurement, the geometry will be proportionally right but not tied to real-world units.