AutoCAD 2010/2011/2012 DWG Format
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3D plotting question
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I have finished drawing a 3D of a building using the combination 3dsolids, 3dfaces and exploded text and extruded to certain height. I am using AutoCAD 2012, set up to shaded with edges, setup the dwg to pdf.pc3 to 12oo dpi. When I plot the drawing, the output seems to be pixelated when viewed by adobe reader. Plotting to a colored printer seems to be okay. How can I plot 3D drawing to pdf with smooth edges?
Re: 3D plotting question
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Are you using a visual style or Plot Shademode other than 2D Wireframe? You may need to open Visual Style Manager. Select the visual style you are using. Set the Edge Settings > Show, change it from Facet Edges, to use Isolines. The Facet Edges, looks great on screen, but causes the plots to have poor resolution.

Joshua Benoist, PE
Senior Support Specialist
Product Support
Autodesk, Inc.
Re: 3D plotting question
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I have tried almost all of the options and combinations in the Visual Syles, and still get the same pixelated pdf.
I even adjusted the pdf setting to maximum 2400dpi. Plotting to a 300dpi printer is okay
Is 3D plotting printing the drawing displayed on the screen and not the drawing itself?
Re: 3D plotting question
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Supposedly the default DWF6 driver will do what you want, try it as a test.
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