topic Re: Can you generate a plot file but have it saved / printed to a PDF rather than a plot file in AutoCAD Forum

Can you generate a plot file but have it saved / printed to a PDF rather than a plot file

steve_dininger — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 17:00:48 GMT

When generating a document using AutoCAD is it possible to generate a PDF file rather than a plot file? If I generated a plot file can this be opened by AutoCAD and then printed to a PDF

Re: Can you generate a plot file but have it saved / printed to a PDF rather than a plot file

RSomppi — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 17:09:37 GMT

Yes, you can generate a PDF in a number of ways. Is that what you really want or do you want plot files or both? It's very hard to tell from your description.

Re: Can you generate a plot file but have it saved / printed to a PDF rather than a plot file

tboehler — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 17:27:26 GMT

Are you simply wanting to print to a DWG to a PDF from AutoCAD? In the PLOT window select the "DWG to PDF" or one of the 5-built in PDF drivers. You can also create your own custom plotter setups (ps3 file).

Re: Can you generate a plot file but have it saved / printed to a PDF rather than a plot file

RSomppi — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 17:13:30 GMT

@tboehler wrote:
Are you simply wanting to print to a DWG to a PDF from AutoCAD? In the PLOT window select the "Microsoft to Print PDF".

Isn't the DWG to PDF driver a lot better?

Re: Can you generate a plot file but have it saved / printed to a PDF rather than a plot file

pendean — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 17:21:38 GMT

@tboehler if I may ask, why "Microsoft to Print PDF" and not any one of the 5-built in PDF drivers that behave way better?

Re: Can you generate a plot file but have it saved / printed to a PDF rather than a plot file

pendean — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 17:23:57 GMT

Greetings @steve_dininger
May I ask, are you unaware of the ab8ility to create PDF files in AutoCAD is built-in https://www.thesourcecad.com/how-to-print-autocad-drawing-to-pdf/#:~:text=To%20plot%20a%20drawing%20to,Select%20DWG%20to%20PDF.
and you can use PDFs to print to any paper service later?

Or is there something you forgot to add to your post?

Re: Can you generate a plot file but have it saved / printed to a PDF rather than a plot file

paullimapa — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 03:30:07 GMT

if your plt file is generated from a printer driver that creates following formats: HPGL, HPGL/2, HP-RTL and KIPGL then ViewCompanion can even batch convert multiple PLT files to PDFs.