Batch printing to printer in AutoCad LT for Mac 2016

[mzarchs]

Ever since I upgraded to AutoCad LT for Mac 2016 (from 2015, I know slow steps forward...) I've not been able to batch print to our network printer from the Project Manager.  I am able to print individual layouts separately, and I've been able to batch print to PDF using the same Page Setup.  In the same time frame, I also upgraded our operating system from OS 10.10 Yosemite to OS 10.12 Sierra.  Does anyone have any insight to what the problem might be?  Thanks.

[maxim_k]

Hi Mark,

Can you provide more details about how exactly you are trying to batch publish to network printer (all steps, your workflow)?

[mzarchs]

I've got a Page Setup called "MZA 11x17" (see the first attachment).  I can Batch Print to PDF without any difficulty (see the second attachment).  But when I try to Batch Print to the printer (see the third attachment), the printer does not respond.  I can however, send an individual layout to the printer without any problems.  I'll include a forth attachment in a separate post.

I had no problem Batch Printing to the printer in AutoCad LT of Mac 2015 (and OS 10.10 Yosemite).  The problems started  in AutoCad LT for Mac 2016 (and now OS 10.12 Sierra).

[mzarchs]

... and the fourth attachment.

[maxim_k]

Are you able to print multipage PDF file from Preview app to your network printer?

Just for test:
After unsuccessful attempt to batch print from AutoCAD use command VIEWPLOTDETAILS:
What do you see in the Print details window?

[mzarchs]

That was interesting....  The ViewPlotDetails (see the second attachment) indicates that the it's not sending the Batch Print to the printer but to individual .PDF files in my Documents folder.

[maxim_k]

Yes, that is interesting. I should try on my side (I've never tried Batch publishing to printer directly from AutoCAD, as usually I always create PDF at first).

Will report here about results.

[maxim_k]

Just tried on my side - AutoCAD 2016 for Mac, macOS Mojave, DesignJet 500 attached to network via Print Server.

Everything works fine - I can batch publish to printer specified in Page Setup 2 Layouts:2019-02-19_12-13-41.png

Even though the 2016 version is not supported on Mojave officially.

So, I think you need to check plot device you are using in Page Setup. When you Publish individual layout - the name of the printer is "HP 5000", but when you Batch Publish several layouts - the name of the printer is "HP_5000". Why?

[mzarchs]

I don't know about the difference between "HP 5000" and "HP_5000" other than the underscore seems to be just a place holder.  I tried to Batch Publish to Printer the same file in AutoCad LT for Mac 2015 and it did print (see the attached).  

So it's not the OS per se, but how LT 2016 is communicating with the OS?

FYI, I just tried to Batch Publish to Printer in LT 2017 and it failed (see attached).  It worked to Batch Publish to PDF in LT 2017.

[maxim_k]

How do you collect layouts to Batch Publish window?
Do you use Project manager? Or you simply use menu File -> Batch Publish...

[mzarchs]

I use Project Manager.  Interestingly, when I tried it in LT 2017, I also tried the File -> Batch Publish with the same result.

[maxim_k]

If you use Project manager, then verify if you use Page Setup overrides in it.
Can you show also Print &Scan pane of macOS System Preferences? How many printing devices do you have installed?

[mzarchs]

Not sure what you mean by "Page Setup overrides" in Project Manager?  I couldn't find any choice or preference in a variety of locations to verify that.

I've got three printing devices installed.  The HP 5000 is the default.

[maxim_k]

2019-02-19_23-36-22.png

But looks like it is not the case of the issue.

As I wrote before - I don't have problems with your scenario.

 Sorry, I don't have any more ideas for the moment.....

[mzarchs]

Thanks for your help.  If something comes to mind in the future....  Thanks again!

[maxim_k]

Do you have 2015 version installed on your Mac now (actually 2015 version with Update 4 is compatible with macOS Sierra)?
If yes, can you confirm you still able to Batch Publish from it to your network printer?

[mzarchs]

I do have the LT 2015 version on the iMac and I can successfully Batch Publish to the printer (just not in LT 2016 or LT 2017).  I could go back and forth between the versions if needed, it's just a little more cumbersome.  Thanks.

[maxim_k]

Do you have the same OS on iMac as you have on the machine where you have troubles?
The same version of Printer software for HP LJ 5000?
The same settings (if any) inside this software?

[mzarchs]

These have all been on the same iMac.  I have a Desktop Subscription which allows three versions.  I have hesitated to upgrade the OS beyond Sierra because of other software compatibility.

[mzarchs · Accepted solution]

After a session with Autodesk Support, we found the problem!  The Page Setup that I was using was migrated from the AutoCad LT for Mac 2015 version to the 2016.  The solution was to just create a new Page Setup with exactly the same settings, even using the old in the "Start From" drop-down window (and if you care, delete the old and rename the new to match the old).

So simple, yet so elusive.