topic dwg to pdf: plot documents in cad and the result is an image, not a vector file in AutoCAD Forum

dwg to pdf: plot documents in cad and the result is an image, not a vector file

emiranda948 — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 15:43:58 GMT

I work on autocad and I plot the drawings to pdf so I can work on illustrator. Time ago when I used to import the pdf files to illustrator the lines were vectors and I could edit them, now i plot the file and the result is only a rastered image, and I can't edit it properly.

I know is something on cad, maybe the configuration or something, but I don't know what to do!
Please help me!

Re: When I plot documents in cad the result is an image and not a vector file

chriscowgill7373 — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 15:44:46 GMT

if you are plotting with transparency or have the check box marked, you'll get a raster image, not vector.

Re: dwg to pdf: plot documents in cad and the result is an image, not a vector f

john.vellek — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 16:47:50 GMT

Hi @emiranda948,

I believe that @chriscowgill7373 is correct that transparency has probably been turned on.

When I send DWGS to Illustrator I don't even bother with the PDF. I save a copy of the drawing down to an older version [EDIT (2007 in my case)] and then open the resulting file directly in Illustrator.

Another method is to use EPSOUT to create an encapsulated Postscript file.

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

Re: dwg to pdf: plot documents in cad and the result is an image, not a vector f

gotphish001 — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 16:19:37 GMT

What does saving down to an older version do? Just make objects blocks?

Re: dwg to pdf: plot documents in cad and the result is an image, not a vector f

rkmcswain — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 16:37:35 GMT

john.vellek wrote:

.... I save a copy of the drawing down to an older version (2077 in my case) and then open the resulting file directly in Illustrator.

You may need a flux capacitor to get there however....

Re: dwg to pdf: plot documents in cad and the result is an image, not a vector f

chriscowgill7373 — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 16:40:45 GMT

Obviously I'm not John, but Illustrator may not be able to open the newer dwg formats yet, saving down gets by that.

Re: When I plot documents in cad the result is an image and not a vector file

emiranda948 — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 15:45:11 GMT

Thanks for your answer, but I plot without plot transparency and i still have the same problem 😞

Re: dwg to pdf: plot documents in cad and the result is an image, not a vector f

emiranda948 — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 15:49:09 GMT

Hi!
Thank you for your answer.

I don't have activated the transparency when i plot, and there is the same problem

i've never tried to import to illustrator directly from dwg, i'll try it now, also the encapsulated file

but i guess something is wrong with Autocad, because i used to plot like that time ago and it worked, maybe with the update something went wrong 😕

Re: dwg to pdf: plot documents in cad and the result is an image, not a vector f

john.vellek — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 15:57:57 GMT

HI @emiranda948,

What driver are you using to create your PDF when you plot? Can you etransmit a sample file for me so i can try it too?

Re: When I plot documents in cad the result is an image and not a vector file

chriscowgill7373 — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 15:58:37 GMT

what driver do you use to plot your pdf? could you post some screenshots of your plot dialog box and settings for the pdf plotter?