PDF files created in AutoCAD for Mac show unexpected black areas when plotted to a physical printer

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I found previous similar posts but none had a solution only workarounds which do not work for my situation.

I am using Autocad 2021 for Mac. PDF's saved in Autocad show correct on screen but when I (or my clients) print them at home, black areas show up around some objects.

I use a lot of hatches/gradients and blocks. I also re-use blocks quite often because most of my drawings are just simple quick layout for visual purposes.

The black ares seem to show up around the blocks and some hatches, mainly gradients.

Proposed solutions I've tried so far:

- Recreate blocks and hatches few times from scratch but it didn't help.

- I've changed PDF printers - initially used AutoCAD PDF (General/High Quality/ ect.) then tried PDF preview save. Next I tried changing to my printer (HP Photosmart 5524) and used "Save as PDF" button. This worked for a while but now it seems the problem came back at point, and I am not sure where since I dont print out every drawing.

- I tried both solutions from Autodesk Support page: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-for-mac/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticle...

- re-installing AutoCAD, changing versions (currently on 2021) 

- re-installing PDF Printers

Not sure what to do now. I know there are work-arounds such as saving drawings as JPEG's but in my scenario I need to issue the drawings as a PDF to a client and they print out most of the drawings themselves.

I am hoping someone can suggest a working solution rather than a workaround. I dont seem to have that problem on PC. 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[pendean]

So those are the gradient hatches, correct?

Which printer are you printing to?

Do you have all the updates for 2021 installed?

Which PDF reader are you using?

What are your PDF Reader's print settings exactly (like the print black/white option on some)? Or your printers drivers set to econo-mode or B/W only?

TIA

[maxim_k]

Hi @Anonymous ,

I explained the case of the issue and workarounds here:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-for-mac-forum/solid-black-blocks-printing-on-paper-copies-of-pdfs-created-on/m-p/9917825

and here:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-for-mac-forum/printing-from-mac-preview-and-black-boxes-are-showing-up/m-p/9170035

Try to use Acrobat Reader for printing PDFs, created in AutoCAD or convert PDFs to JPEG images before printing.

[Anonymous]

Hi @pendean 

Thank you for your reply,

Answers to your question below:

1. yes thats correct, it seems to be these 3 in this drawing. Every drawing has a different issue... Sometimes it catches larger gradient and nearly whole page turns black. 

2. PDF - I select my physical printer (HP Photosmart 5524) and use "Save as PDF" button. I used in the past preview and save as, as well as plotted to Autocad PDF printer. Same result every-time. 

PHYSICAL PRINTER - mine is as above but the same issue comes up on other, various printers too

3. Yes product is up to date.

4. I am using Mac ''preview'' but again my clients use most likely Adobe Acrobat reader.

5. Standard coloured settings, didn't make any special adjustments. Not using B&W or eco setting.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Hi @maxim_k 

Thank you for your reply,

I've seen both of your posts in other topics but neither solution is ideal... I tried using Acrobat reader to save PDF's (same issue occurred) and I can't really ask every client to print JPEG images every-time I send a drawing... these are small drawings and I send a lot of them daily...

So while JPEG is a workaround it's not a solution in my opinion (thats what I've been doing so far since the issue happened again)

I guess, I find it hard to accept that every user of AutoCAD for mac has the same issue and is ok with it... because if thats not the case what setting do I need to change to not have that problem?

Also I thought that there might have been an update on the issue since last year 

Thanks,

[pendean]

I'm not sure you tried the different workflow from @Anonymous-k since it appears you only do "...select my physical printer (HP Photosmart 5524) and use "Save as PDF" button..."

Here is the workflow change again, a known limitation in MacOS's use of the Previewer App:

"There is a bug in Preview app (in macOS High Sierra and later releases) which resulted in black areas on hard copy, when you print PDF files created in AutoCAD with solid hatches with transparency.

When AutoCAD creates PDF with its build-in PDF "printers" from drawing with such solid fills, it creates raster image with transparency areas. Such areas are invisible in PDF, but they exist and Preview app prints them as black areas.

Workaround is to print using Adobe Reader or other application which doesn't use macOS PDF engine. Or convert PDF to raster image before printing."

To let Autodesk know you want something else instead (which may appear in a future version in a 1-2-5 years), start here https://www.autodesk.com/company/contact-us/product-feedback

Good luck.

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

I think it is rather Preview app bug and Apple fault.

Here is how @Anonymous PDF looks like when printing from Preview app:

The same FPF printed from Adobe Acrobat DC with default settings:

@Anonymous , you can instruct your clients to use Adobe Reader instead of Preview app for printing. I think it will not be difficult for them.

Meanwhile you can leave your feedback here:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/macos.html