AdobePDF.pc3 setup for collaborating with PC colleague - LT For Mac 2017

[tuskey]

I am working on a project with colleagues who use the Windows version of AutoCAD LT. I understand that the Mac does not need an Acrobat "printer" or pc3 files, but I'd like to set up new page layouts to be configured so the Windows users won't get error messages when opening these layouts. Is there any way to do this on the Mac or would the new layouts need to be created from a Windows machine?

As an aside, to anyone reading, how do you set up your layouts that you'll always be plotting to PDFs? Do you just use one of your local printers for the setup even though you'll never (or rarely) use it?

Thanks

..bt

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

Hi,

For collaboration with AutoCAD for Windows users you can add "special" printer in macOS System Preferences and give it the name exactly the same as the name of .PC3 file. For example if on Windows side you have "AdobePDF.pc3" printer configuration file, you need to give one of the printers in MacOS System Preferences exactly the same name - "AdobePDF.pc3" (without quotes).
You can add new printer or create a copy of the existing printer, or even rename one of the existing printers.
Now when you want to create Page Setup for the Layout, use this printer for it. If you will open such Layout in AutoCAD for Windows you will not get an alert.

Another way is to create two separate named page Setups for each layoutt-shirt one for PC and the other for Mac and switMac between this Layouts when you need.

About printer software for creating PDF in AutoCAD for Mac - in 2017 version you can use new printing system when you Batch Publish or export to PDF - it is exactly the same as in AutoCAD for Windows, even the names are the same.

Maxim

[tuskey]

Thanks Maxim. This makes sense and I'll give it a shot. As for batch plotting/publishing, I've been on Autocad for over 15 years and never learned this feature. I guess it's time I did!

Thanks

..brian

[maxim_k]

Batch Publish in Acrobat on Mac is much more easier than on PC. I believe you can learn the workflow quickly.
The only one one thing you need is properly configured Page Setups for Layouts.

Maxim

[tuskey]

Can you point toward info for setting up a "special" printer in Sierra? The setup isn't obvious to me and I'm not finding anything with web searches.

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

As I wrote before you can create a copy of the existing printer in Print & Scan pane of Mac OS System Preferences, than rename this copy to "XXXXX.pc3", where XXXXX is the name of Print configuration file on PC.
Copy and renaming can be accomplished via right click context menu.

Maxim