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Batch plot to PDF - How To Request

18 REPLIES 18
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Message 1 of 19
techdef
868 Views, 18 Replies

Batch plot to PDF - How To Request

Hi there, 

 

I've searched & searched and only found other stumped folks - can someone please take a few minutes and write the missing help file for how to batch plot to PDF?

 

The help files only get you so far about:

 

1. Only have one layout per file

2. Make sure the template file has valid page setups

 

I guess what's missing is the instructions on how to create the page setup for PDF?

 

This is the common error: 

Sheet: A-21 - Error(s) Did Not Plot

 

File: /Volumes/xxxx.dwg

Category name: 

Page setup: 

Device name: 

Plot file path: 

Paper size: 

 

ERROR: The PMP folder was not found and is required for custom paper size creation. 

 

ERROR: Internal error attempting to create custom paper size. 

 

ERROR: Unable to create the requested media size as a custom size.

18 REPLIES 18
Message 2 of 19
maxim_k
in reply to: techdef

Hi,

It seems in order to avoid such errors you need to check Page Setup each Layout you want to plot. I think you don't have custom paper size saved in the drawing on your System, so prior to use Batch Publish you need to create custom paper size and assign it to each Layout you want to publish via Page Setup manager.

Suppose you have DWG file created on different machine (Mac or PC). The Layout(s) in this file was created with custom paper size which is not present on your Mac. Then when you start Batch Publishing on your Mac AutoCAD start to search for paper size defined in DWG, can not find it and report an error.

Maxim

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Maxim Kanaev
Architect
MARSS

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Etiquette and Ground Rules of Autodesk Community
Message 3 of 19
techdef
in reply to: maxim_k

Maxim, thanks for your interest!

 

but... this is exactly the response I was expecting (given my searches).

 

We have only one Page Setup, all from same .dwt file, assigned to one layout per file. They all print just fine to the HP plotter and are ArchD size (24"x36" chosen from the available paper sizes, not custom).

 

We would like to use this exact same setup for PDF. If we print to PDF manually, each file, it works wonderfully. How come it fails as batch?

 

Is it because it is a standard paper size in the printer, and not for other printers (PFD??)? The help files indicate that we're supposed to create an "override" file, but have no instructions on how to do so, or where it is supposed to be, other than in a PMP file, which seems very un-macintosh!

 

How do we create this override file in order to assign a standard page size from one printer into the PDF world?

 

thanks again,

j-me

Message 4 of 19
techdef
in reply to: maxim_k

A few follow up images to help process our error:

 

1: Typical Page Setup of one of the layouts in Batch

2: Showing where the paper size is selected for all layouts in batch

3: what Batch Publish thinks of the file before doing nothing helpful

Message 5 of 19
maxim_k
in reply to: techdef

Strange thing...

I can not reproduce your issue on my side:

Screen Shot 2014-06-04 at 9.29.12.png

Screen Shot 2014-06-04 at 9.28.49.png

Maxim


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Maxim Kanaev
Architect
MARSS

MacACAD | Linkedin

Etiquette and Ground Rules of Autodesk Community
Message 6 of 19
techdef
in reply to: maxim_k

I believe you - this seems to be  a sporadic anomaly on the internet. Mostly affecting folks who never used autocad on a PC 🙂

Can I send you a file to test?

Message 7 of 19
maxim_k
in reply to: techdef

Could you post your VIEWPLOTDETAILS window with error messages?

Maxim

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Maxim Kanaev
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MARSS

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Message 8 of 19
maxim_k
in reply to: techdef

>>>Can I send you a file to test?
Sure

Maxim

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Maxim Kanaev
Architect
MARSS

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Etiquette and Ground Rules of Autodesk Community
Message 9 of 19
techdef
in reply to: maxim_k

Maxim,

 

Here is the detail window

Message 10 of 19
techdef
in reply to: maxim_k

Maybe more helpful if you could send me a file that prints correctly, or is this a system problem?
Message 11 of 19
maxim_k
in reply to: techdef

I think will be better if you send me your file, my e-mail is:
mkanaev at yandex.ru

And one more question: do you have another printer in your System?

Maxim

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Maxim Kanaev
Architect
MARSS

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Message 12 of 19
techdef
in reply to: maxim_k

Sent via email - thanks!

 

We have 3 other printers in our network (and on system). 3 small format inkjet and one HP wide-format plotter.

Message 13 of 19
maxim_k
in reply to: techdef

Hi Jamie,

 

I tested Butch Publish to PDF with your drawing and everything was OK - no error messages, PDF was created successfully.

 

On your side I think that the problem could be in HP printer software, to be more precise, the case could be in incorrect parameters of default paper sizes that comes with HP printer software.

Could you try this:

 

- install Gutenprint drivers from

http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php

for some of the large format plotters (for example HP DesignJet 450, which I use):


These drivers doesn't require physical device. Configure the plotter as network device with "localhost" network address.

 

- create Page setup using this Gutenprint plotter (HP DesignJet 450)- use arch-D paper size from predefined list

- try to Batch Publish.

 

Maxim


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Maxim Kanaev
Architect
MARSS

MacACAD | Linkedin

Etiquette and Ground Rules of Autodesk Community
Message 14 of 19
techdef
in reply to: maxim_k

Maxim,

 

Thanks again SO much for your help.

 

Installed Gutenprint & made a 'fake' HP Designjet 450 @ localhost. Made page setup using Arch D from that new printer called "PDF Only".

 

Same result.

 

What am I missing? What is this "pmp folder" and do I need one? What's the "Override" file that the help says you need, but has no discussion of how to create?

Message 15 of 19
maxim_k
in reply to: techdef

Jamie,
Don't think about PMP folder and overrides - these are words from AutoCAD PC world, on Mac printing process goes in different way.
Anyway, there are a lot of areas you need to chek to identify the roots of problem. What you can try?
- Create custom paper size with the same parameters as in arch-D and use it in Page Setup
- Try to use different paper size - A1, for example. It will cut your drawing, but let it go just for test,
- try to use different Plot Style table, for example: monochrome. BTW- you forgot to send your custom plot style table to me.
- Create new user account (temporary, just for testing) and try to Batch Publish from it.

Maxim

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Maxim Kanaev
Architect
MARSS

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Etiquette and Ground Rules of Autodesk Community
Message 16 of 19
techdef
in reply to: maxim_k

Thanks Maxim,

 

To make sure I understand - do I create the custom paper size in the template file, the layout file or both?

Message 17 of 19
maxim_k
in reply to: techdef

You can create Custom paper size almost in every application on Mac OS, even in TextEdit, you create it once an then can use everywhere in Print dialog. Custom paper size is not tied to the document (DWG or DOC) it is printing system property.

Maxim

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Maxim Kanaev
Architect
MARSS

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Etiquette and Ground Rules of Autodesk Community
Message 18 of 19
techdef
in reply to: maxim_k

Maxim,

 

Thank you - this is finally working!

 

Here's what I've learned:

  1. Use the Gutenprint driver.
  2. Make a custom page size, same as page size you want (ARCH D in my case). The default Arch D page size didnt work.
  3. Open the .dwt template file and set that page size as the current/default & adjust layout accordingly. Save & close .dwt file.
  4. Quit Autocad.
  5. Re-open CAD, open project manager, make new layout using freshly revised .dwt template.
  6. Viola!
Message 19 of 19
maxim_k
in reply to: techdef

I think something happened with default paper sides in your System, so AutoCAD can not use them,
Glad to hear that I can help you.

Maxim

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MARSS

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Etiquette and Ground Rules of Autodesk Community

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