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Plot Files to PDF
Tip# 3853 By Danny Korem On 26-Mar-2012
5
 Rated By 1 users
Categories : Styles
Software type : AutoCAD 2012
Rename File To : No Files to download.
Turn your AutoCAD files into PDF files instead of printed documents.

Frequent contributor Danny Korem discusses plotting an AutoCAD drawing to a PDF file instead of to paper.

"Sometimes you won't be able to plot directly to a plotting device from within AutoCAD. Instead, you can plot with the DWG to PDF device using the same parameters (paper size, scale, resolution, etc.). Whether your print jobs are normally sent to a local device or a distant one, it's OK; the results will be similar. In any case, you should consider plotting or printing using the media spec as defined in the DWG to PDF."

Notes from Cadalyst Tip Reviewer Brian Benton: This is the process by which AutoCAD files are turned into PDFs. They are printed to PDF just as if the PDF pc3 file was a printer. Once created, any PDF reader can view and print these files. They are also easy to transfer, and they make archival files of drawings.
 

Average Rating:
5


User comments
Comment by Amacher,Brian
Posted on 2012-03-26 13:49:51
We have found at our office DWG to PDF sometimes will not print correctly or can make a hugh file. We will plot using CutePDF or make the plt file and then convert it to PDF. No matter which way you need to go PDF's are a lot smalerl to send around or archive!
Comment by Garand,Robert
Posted on 2012-03-26 18:22:30
We have experienced trouble with the DWG to PDF device. The degree symbol, plus/minus symbol and diameter symbol (%d, %p and %c) will produce multiple solid "dots" instead of the expected symbol. When using the Adobe PDF device, which is installed during the installation of Adobe Acrobat Pro, this problem seems to go away. Are any of you experiencing this problem as well?
Comment by Garand,Robert
Posted on 2012-03-26 18:22:40
We have experienced trouble with the DWG to PDF device. The degree symbol, plus/minus symbol and diameter symbol (%d, %p and %c) will produce multiple solid "dots" instead of the expected symbol. When using the Adobe PDF device, which is installed during the installation of Adobe Acrobat Pro, this problem seems to go away. Are any of you experiencing this problem as well?
Comment by Garand,Robert
Posted on 2012-03-26 18:22:42
We have experienced trouble with the DWG to PDF device. The degree symbol, plus/minus symbol and diameter symbol (%d, %p and %c) will produce multiple solid "dots" instead of the expected symbol. When using the Adobe PDF device, which is installed during the installation of Adobe Acrobat Pro, this problem seems to go away. Are any of you experiencing this problem as well?
Comment by Webster,Rich
Posted on 2012-03-27 04:34:34
RE: Garand,Robert comment about "DOTS" I found this to be a pain, special when clients spot them, you or your hasn't, most annoying, I found a fix, it's a little long winded but it fixes the problem in autocad goto "File" - "Plotter Manager" An explorer window will appear, double click “DWG to PDF.pc3” file “Plotter Configuration Editor – DWG to PDF.pc3” appears with 3 tabs click “device and document settings” in here you should see “Custom Properties” click this, look toward the bottom of the same windows there will be a button “Custom Properties” click this Another windows pops up (told you it was long winded, but we’re nearly there), under “font handling” check “Capture All” this will stop the dreaded “DOTS” you can remove the tick in the “include layer information” check box, only do this if you don’t use the layer information the final PDF’s, to finish Click “OK”, “OK” Close the explorer window and you will be able to plot to your hearts content without any DOTS Rich Webster