Black box appearing on xref images when plotting

[dylan_stoddard]

Hi All,

I am running AutoCAD LT 2016 for mac (Version M.48.M.617 Update 3) on macOS Sierra (10.12). I upgraded my MacBook Pro's OS to Sierra when it was released recently. Since updating when I plot layouts in paper space any raster images that were attached to XREF files appear as black boxes. The issue does not occur when printing the same raster images from the reference file in model space.

I've attached an image capturing the issue, a screen shot of my page setup, print dialog, and also pasted below the Plot and Publish Job Complete dialog.

Job: - Plotted

Job ID: 1
Sheet set name:
Date and time started: 9/29/16 12:37:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Date and time completed: 9/29/16 12:37:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time
UserID:
Profile ID: <<Unnamed Profile>>
Total sheets: 1
Sheets plotted: 1
Number of errors: 0
Number of warnings: 0


Sheet: - Plotted

File: /Users/dylanstoddard/Google Drive/Pershing Projects/IDB 2014/Andres Bello et al/CAD/SHEETS/AV-001-OTHER SPACES-CAFE-DINING.dwg
Category name:
Page setup:
Device name: HP Photosmart C3100 series - plotted to file
Plot file path: /Users/dylanstoddard/Downloads/test.pdf
Paper size: ARCH E1

[dylan_stoddard]

I did a little more testing. The issue occurs only in the paper space, even if the file is attached directly to the layout. The same image attached in the model space of the same drawing prints without any issues.

[maxim_k]

Hi,

AutoCAD 2016 is not officially supported on macOS Sierra for the moment. So this issue could be the result of incompatibility.

Maxim

[john.vellek]

Hi @dylan_stoddard,

Please attach your files or samples that demonstrate this issue. I will install Sierra today to see if I can duplicate what you are seeing.

Please also tell me your process to create the PDF.

It appears that you are not applying a pre-defined Page Setup. Is this correct?

[dylan_stoddard]

Hi John,

Thanks for getting back to me. I've attached a .ZIP file which contains a typical file we use to print from layout, the associated XREFs and two sample plots, one created by opening the print dialog, and selecting "Save as PDF", and the other using "Batch Publish". We would typically use Batch Publish for plotting sets of drawings to PDF.

You are correct that we don't normally use a pre-defined page setup. We have experimented using it without success while troubleshooting this issue. 

[john.vellek]

Hi @dylan_stoddard,

I have confirmed that your files print properly to PDF when using AutoCAD 2016 on El Capitan.

I will try this again tonight (on a different MacBook with Sierra installed) and report back.

Please note, that AutoCAD 2016 has not yet been tested on Sierra.

[john.vellek]

HI @dylan_stoddard,

I installed Sierra on my Macbook Pro and then ran a SaveAs PDF in AutoCAD 2014 and 2016 and was able to duplicate what you are seeing with your image files printing as black boxes.

Currently Sierra is not a supported platform so I don't have any workarounds but will work to see if I can find something that will make this work for you.

Thanks for your patience on this issue.

[eduardedy]

Same problem here.. AutoCad 2016 & macOS Sierra. When i try to publish, even when i try preview to save a single page PDF, every image is covered by a black box. I guess the best option is to downgrade to OS X El Capitan but apple won't let users to downgrade  (officially) so this will be a bit difficult. 

[john.vellek]

Hi @eduardedy,

I agree that this is going to be troublesome. I have logged the issue and I hope that a workaround will be available shortly.

[maxim_k]

I'm afraid that in this situation it is impossible to find a workaround. Only Update which will address compatibility issue can solve the problem.

Maxim

[john.vellek]

Hi @dylan_stoddard,

I think I have found a workaround.  When I use the Publish command in AutoCAD for Mac 2016, the image attached to my drawing prints to PDF properly.  Let me know if this works for you too.

It does not work with Xref attached images though. - little steps. I will continue to work on this.

[dylan_stoddard]

John,

Thank you for the workaround and your continued exploration of the issue. I will try it on my computer to confirm, but it isn't totally practical for us as a company because our workflow relies heavily on XREFs. We are eager to have an update from AutoDesk. It may be worth noting that plotting using the public beta of ACAD 2017 seems to work properly.

Sincerely,

Dylan

[john.vellek]

Hi @dylan_stoddard,

I concur that the 2017 beta (public) seems to publish properly.

The development team has been notified of this defect.

Thanks for you patience.

[john.vellek]

Hi @dylan_stoddard,

I re-visited this just a bit ago.

If I use publish in 2014, 2016, and 2017 public beta, I can get the images to print properly with or without XREFs. To test this I created a clean new dwg and attached the images. I then when through each software and produced a PDF using Plot and then with Publish.  All the PDFs created using PUBLISH worked properly.

I then created another drawing and Xref'd the first drawing into it. Again, using each application I ran a plot and then a publish. In all cases the publish worked properly.

If this does not happen with your drawings that you sent it might be due to the proxy objects in the file.

Please try the same test and post your results.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[eduardedy]

Hi John,

I tried your suggestions but no luck for me.. Only way is to take screenshots, transform to PDF and compile multiple pages into single one pdf file. Obviously, this option is not practical because the  drawing will not be plotted at the correct scale, should be  for information only. I hope an update will be out asap. 

[john.vellek]

Hi @eduardedy,

Can you attach a couple of files for me to try?  I have the Sierra on my home MacBook so I would be able to test tonight and get back to you tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

I'm having the exact same issue after installing OS Sierra.

Do you know how long it will take for there to be an update to the Autocad software or do I have to re-install el-capitan ?

...It just so happened to be the busiest day of the year for me, and it really screwed me up, sod's law. I had to delivery ugly looking files to clients and explain

[john.vellek]

Hi Petros,

Is the Publish command not working for you? Can you attach some sample files for me to examine?

[Anonymous]

Hello,

It’s ok now. I had to restore the old OS (el capital) and then re-insall AutoCAD.

This was absolutely a huge time waste and it cost my business a lot of money


Kind regards,
Petros Nicolaou
Architectural Technologist
petros@pnndesign.com
07519237550




www.pnndesign.com

Architecture - Interiors - Planning - Building control

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[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

Thanks for the update. I am sorry that you had to go through this process. New operating system releases can wreak havoc but I am glad that you have been able to get back up and running.