AutoCAD LT

[#1]

I've tried setting "Options" > "Plot and Publish" > "Use as default output device" to both "Default Windows System Printer" as well as "HP Officejet blah blah blah".

I've double checked that my printer is in fact set as the default windows system printer.

Nonetheless, every single time I print, "Printer/plotter" is set to "None" and I have to select my printer manually.

This is perhaps my biggest single Autocad pet peeve.

[#2 · Accepted solution]

Have you tried PAGESETUP yet?

Or right clicked the Modelspace or Layout (when active) tab and set the Printer yet?

Please mark any response as "Accept as Solution" if it answers your question.
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[#3 · Accepted solution]

First time AutoCAD user? Or first time out on your own? Or it's been a while since you used AutoCAD, or a recent upgrade from a very old version that had everything set for you?

FACT: AutoCAD never has and does not allow you to set a default printer like other programs for every file you open.

Never. Plot settings are stored in each file, in each tab, separately from the system. Whether you have that printer/plotter that is defined in that file's tab or not. The file creator, or "author", has sole control. Basic AutoCAD 101.

So how does the OPTIONS setting work? Tap the HELP button on that pop-up and find out. It's very limited.

Post back and explain whether the file you are trying to plot from came from someone else, or is one you started, or one of your older templates, and if you recently changed PCs or LT versions or printers/plotters so that we can understand where you are, in order to help you get to where you need to be.

[#4]

>>FACT: AutoCAD never has and does not allow you to set a default printer like other programs for every file you open. Never. Plot settings are stored in each file, in each tab, separately from the system. Whether you have that printer/plotter that is defined in that file's tab or not. The file creator, or "author", has sole control. Basic AutoCAD 101.

Thanks for this, I understand now. Though "First time user?" "AutoCAD 101" felt a bit more condescending than necessary. AutoCAD has so many zillions of settings - and inexplicably hides so many of them, for example by not linking to PAGESETUP from the PRINT menu or even the OPTIONS > PLOT AND PUBLISH menu - that one hardly needs to be a n00b to be unaware of some.

I think this is a bizarre way of setting things up. It's just begging for conflicts; begging someone to set PAGESETUP to their specific printer instead of "default windows system printer" and then send it to someone who has a different printer. System-wide is 100% the right way to do default printer settings.

Oh well, I got around the problem by changing the PAGESETUP option on my default template.

>>So how does the OPTIONS setting work? Tap the HELP button on that pop-up and find out. It's very limited.

Very interesting. Sounds like PAGESETUP (or equivalent) option from pre-2000 formats isn't read correctly by modern versions and this option corrects that...

I think they need to rename it, though. It sounds like it does what PAGESETUP actually does.

[#5]

That's what Page Setup is for at the top of the dialog.

And it is easier to respond if we have a better understanding of your comfort with the program.

[#6]

it's hard for a reader not to add emotion to something they read: no insult intended on my part, just making it clear this is a core 20+ year way AutoCAD does things.

Autodesk does a pretty good job of adding HELP buttons on all pop-ups that go directly to the required page to explain features a user that select: and unless you turned it off, there are also pop-ups that appear explaining items if you hover for more than 0.5-second over them all around the interface. I'm honestly not sure what more they can do to get a user to look things up. If you've got any, do share.

I noticed in your reply you missed a crucial point: Autodesk through AutoCAD gives total control to the DWG file creator/originator, not the recipient, when it comes to output. That's the correct method IMHO. The trick becomes is how to get the file originator to create templates and pagesetups (separate from PAGESETUP command) to manage his/her actions and files: I think this is were training (classes, or good books, or online tutorials) come into play.

Training: vital in today's business climate.