topic Re: When plotting using AutoCAD PDF, can I turn off selectable objects? in AutoCAD Forum

When plotting using AutoCAD PDF, can I turn off selectable objects?

jamieq — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 13:35:18 GMT

For many years I've used a third party PDF writer to plot to, but recently switched to the built-in AutoCAD PDF (High Quality) plot configuration. The problem with this is, the resulting PDF allows all kinds of objects to be selected, such as text and block attributes. They can't me modified in any way, but can be selected. This causes issues with some PDF viewers when trying to click to drag the view around, because often an object is selected instead of the page being grabbed to drag around. Is there a way to prevent selectable objects when using the AutoCAD PDF plotter?

Re: When plotting using AutoCAD PDF, can I turn off selectable objects?

natasha.l — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 23:22:25 GMT

Hello @jamieq,

Please provide visual information, a file or a screenshot of your plot settings so we can better understand what you are referring too.

I would rather not assume but this seems to be a workflow related question. The standard method to plot vs. non-plot is to make these adjustments to your object layer properties, disabling the plot icon below for the non-plot object layer.

Thank you.

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

Re: When plotting using AutoCAD PDF, can I turn off selectable objects?

jamieq — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 11:51:37 GMT

I don't mean plot vs non-plot. I mean, in the resulting PDF after a plot, I don't want to be able to select any objects in the PDF. I've attached two screen snips, one from Adobe Reader and the other from Bluebeam Vu, of an object selected in both those programs. I don't want this to be possible. When I used a third party PDF writer this never happened. Only since I switched to the AutoCAD PDF writer. I've also attached screen snips of my page setup and PDF options.

Re: When plotting using AutoCAD PDF, can I turn off selectable objects?

pendean — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 12:27:12 GMT

AutoCAD creates vector PDFs: if you want to create raster PDFs (nothing is selectable./convertable) you will need to use a 3rd party PDF driver that creates that variation.

Re: When plotting using AutoCAD PDF, can I turn off selectable objects?

jamieq — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 12:30:21 GMT

Thank you. The answer I was looking for. Of course, now I'm torn. I only switched to the AutoCAD PDF writer because the company I now work for has a logo with a lot of solid hatch, and all the raster PDF writers make it look horrible with all kinds of triangle shapes in it. AutoCAD's PDF writer makes it look correct, but then I get all the vector objects (which are inconsistent, too, which is weird). Probably stick with the vector PDFs for now anyway.

Re: When plotting using AutoCAD PDF, can I turn off selectable objects?

thosford — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 05:10:17 GMT

I think the system variable you are looking for is PDFSHX (EPDFSHX in 2016 SP1). If this variable is ON (1) AutoCAD creates comments from text objects that use SHX fonts. Turning PDFSHX OFF (0) prevents comments from being created when using AutoCAD's builtin PDF creator.

PDFSHX from the AutoCAD 2020 Help File.

Hope that helps.

Re: When plotting using AutoCAD PDF, can I turn off selectable objects?

jamieq — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 15:27:05 GMT

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! That did it!!!

Re: When plotting using AutoCAD PDF, can I turn off selectable objects?

jevnof — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 08:31:52 GMT

Thank you!!!!