Plotting PDF have shaky lines not connected

[Anonymous]

Hello, 

My PDFs plotted from AutoCad produce ragged lines for ovals and curves. Also curved lines do not connect with straight lines. Circles and straight lines seem more consistent, but do not always join up. I am using ‘object snap’ and the lines do appear connected in AutoCad but not when plotted as a PDF. I did also try poly lines but the result is much the same, with shaky facetted lines. 

I am using AutoCad LT for Mac with OSX version 10.8.5 

Look forward to your help. 

Gordon 

[dbroad]

That’s a function of the printer settings. During the printing process the plot is rasterized. You have several solutions. Print your output larger so that pixelation is less noticeable ( use a larger paper size) or print to a vector format.
There is a separate AutoCad Lt forum and one for Macs.

[maxim_k]

Hi Gordon,

Please specify your AutoCAD version.
What printing device you are using in Page Setup when you create PDF files?
If you are using AutoCAD 2017 or 2018, you can try to use Autodesk PDF (High-quality) printing device.
Or you can try to output to larger paper size (you can create Custom paper size for that) and then use Preview application to "print" to PDF to usual paper size with Fit option.

[Anonymous]

Dear Mr D Broad from Nash Community College, 

Thank you for your advice and the possibility of printing a PDF to vector format. I read something about the AutoCad function "import PDF" in relation to producing a PDF in vector format. However my mac version AutoCad LT 2015 does not seem to have the "import PDF" function. 

Certainly I would be very grateful if you can explain how I can produce a vector format PDF (not sure if I am using the correct terminology). 

Many thanks 

Gordon 

[Anonymous]

Dear Maxim Kanaev 

Thank you very much for your reply. I am using AutoCad LT 2015 for Mac with OSX version 10.8.5. 

The printing device I am using is Epson Stylus Photo R3000. 

How do I find or obtain an "Autodesk PDF (High Quality) printing device"? I am not sure if the Mac version of AutoCad is yet available as a "2017 or 2018" version? (perhaps this is only available for the windows version of AutoCad?). 

Your help is much appreciated. 

Gordon

[Anonymous]

Dear Mr D Broad from Nash Community College, 

Thank you for your advice and the possibility of printing a PDF to vector format. I read something about the AutoCad function "import PDF" in relation to producing a PDF in vector format. However my mac version AutoCad LT 2015 does not seem to have the "import PDF" function. 

Certainly I would be very grateful if you can explain how I can produce a vector format PDF (not sure if I am using the correct terminology). 

Many thanks 

Gordon 

[maxim_k]

Hi Gordon,

You can obtain Autodesk PDF printing device on Mac only by upgrading to 2018 version of AutoCAD for Mac. And yes, 2018 version is available for AutoCAD for Mac:

http://blogs.autodesk.com/autocad/autocad-2018-for-mac/

BTW PDF output in AutoCAD for Mac is always in vector format.

[Anonymous]

Hello Maxim K,

Thank you for your advice, about obtaining an Autodesk PDF printing device on the 2018 version of AutoCad for mac which I greatly appreciate. I just wanted to check with you, whether this Autodesk PDF printing facility is available on "AutoCad LT for mac 2018", or is it only available on the full version "AutoCad for Mac 2018" (which I suppose is more expensive than the LT version)?

Many thanks,


Gordon

[maxim_k]

It is available in LT version too.
If you cannot afford 2018 version now, you can try workaround described here:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-for-mac-forum/problem-export-pdf/m-p/5066702

[Anonymous]

Hello Maxim, 

Thank you very much for your solution involving large scale pdfs and then scaling down to improve quality. 

With regard to the 2018 LT version, does this now produce "vector PDFs" (please correct my terminology if wrong)?

If so perhaps I should go ahead and buy this if it provides an easier solution to producing good quality PDFs? 

I am currently subscribing to AutoCad LT 2015, so I wonder is it possible to upgrade easily to 2018 LT? 

Many thanks for all your help. 

Gordon 

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

>>>>>With regard to the 2018 LT version, does this now produce "vector PDFs"?
Yes, of course.

>>>>I am currently subscribing to AutoCad LT 2015, so I wonder is it possible to upgrade easily to 2018 LT?
It all depends on your subscription plan. What kind of subscription do you have?
If you have current annual subscription you should have access to latest AutoCAD LT version (2018) in your Autodesk account:
https://manage.autodesk.com/cep
You can also look here:
https://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/ltglobal/lt-subscriptions-choices
https://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/maintenance-to-subscription#
to learn more about subscription.

[Anonymous]

How do I find or obtain an "Autodesk PDF (High Quality) printing device"? I don't know that?

[maxim_k]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi Fenton,

It is avaliable in Batch Publish window in since 2017 version and in Print window (and Page Setup manager) since 2018 version.
Which AutoCAD for Mac version do you have?

[Anonymous]

You can obtain Autodesk PDF printing device on Mac only by upgrading to 2018 version of AutoCAD for Mac.