.PDF's take forever to plot

[BBP-Arch]

ACA2011

Every time I try to plot something with a PDF embedded it takes a very long time to spool and plot. Additionally, a PDF in the drawing slows it down so significantly it's almost not worth using...  This happens whether the PDF is less than 1 MB or 50 MB...no difference. Has this been fixed in 2012? Why to PDF's do such a drain on system rescources when they're such small files to begin with?

Scott

[pendean]

There is no compression, so plot files are huge in comparison (but all the end user sees is "longer spool/plot times"). As a test, plot to FILE with and without a PDF in the same file and compare. Faster connections and devices with harddrives help there.

What PC specs and OS are you using? There is no specific improvement in ACA2012 for on screen performance but it can be less of an issue if your PC is not at the bare minimum end of the system requirements scale.

[BBP-Arch]

Thanks for the response...my machine is old: xi Computer: 2.8 GHz, 3 GB RAM, NVIDIA Quadro FX 550 Video Card.

[MichaelBussiere2 · Accepted solution]

In this case and per these system specifications you may notice some problems with overall functionality/performance.  In the current configuration you can increase the virtual memory by activating the 3Gig switch per the link below but with only 3 gigs installed you may not see night and day improvements.  What we have seen is the best performance gains from this switch are gained with 4 gigs installed on the 32x O.S. 

3Gb Switch: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=9583842&linkID=9240617

Additionally the graphics card you have listed with the 2011 product line in your environment may need one of the latest certified drivers listed in the screen shot link below.  To download one of these drivers please use the second link to navigate to the certified hardware list. 

Graphics Card 550 FX listed:  http://screencast.com/t/4xuC2KL7PxW5

Certified Hardware:  http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/cert?siteID=123112&id=16391880

[BBP-Arch]

Thanks for the info! I'll see what I can do with that.

[Anonymous]

Your machine IS old, and not quite up to the task.  Don't despair!  If you have photoshop (or whatever), and can open your PDF/s and check the "image" parameters, you can likely reduce the resolution.   I've scanned in documents at 600dpi, that choke my computer, but reducing the PDF down to 150 dpi, or even 96 dpi, you can still get quite good quality, and your computer will be much happier dealing with multiple PDF's in a drawing.   It not only makes the drawing smaller (physically), but it reduces the file size.     It does take some trial and error to determine the sweet spot for dpi for your PDF's, but doing so will make your life much happier.