Autocad 2018 batch plot - plotter read-only error

[brendashearon]

I got a new computer and installed Autocad 2015 and Autocad 2018 on it. I have been drawing in Autocad 2015 on my old computer and the batch plot works on my new computer for Autocad 2015. In Autocad 2018 when trying to batch plot to create pdf files I keep getting 3 errors:

ERROR: The plotters folder is read-only, Unable to create custom paper size.

ERROR: The Plotters directory is read-only and must be writable to make custom paper sizes.

ERROR: Unable to create the requested media size as a custom size.

My support path is reading to the correct folder. I have copied all pc3 and other files from the Autocad 2018 folder to our network folder which we specify for our files.

I have attached 3 screen shots of the error and my batch plot options.

[john.vellek]

Hi @brendashearon,

Is it possible to verify that this works locally before putting things on the network?  I would like you to create a new PC3 with one of the built in drivers and first verify that you can create a single plot to a local target. Then repeat using Publish.  Do those steps work?

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[brendashearon]

I printed to the Autcad PDF (General Documentation).pc3 file. When doing so it ask for my specific paper size of 30X42, I added and resaved the pc3 file. Then I went to batch plot and picked the Autocad PDF (General Documentation) and it worked. I also added the paper size for 24X36.

[john.vellek]

Hi @brendashearon,

If all this works properly local then I suggest that there is a permissions error with the network location.  Is it possible to allow Full read-write permission on the network share?

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[brendashearon · Accepted solution]

The pc3 file was on my network, all permissions were already set before I had the problem. It seemed to just needed to be plotted straight from the plot command and added the sheet size to the pc3 file and now it is working.

[LyleHardin]

Same thing is happening here but to only one size. Arch D 36x24, and only when publishing multiple sheets.

I can publish all other sizes (17x11, 12x18, etc)

I can PLOT a drawing to Arch D 36x24 and I can PUBLISH (from SSM) a single sheet to 36x24.

I cannot PUBLISH from SSM or from the layout tabs, multiple sheets to 36x24.

This seems to have just cropped up today and in AutoCAD 2018.

I've checked and edited custom paper sizes and I've used standard paper sizes and I still get the errors.

It's worth mentioning this only happens with Autodesk's DWGtoPDF driver. Our Acroplot driver works just fine.

[LyleHardin]

Well, for now I fixed it by selecting Arch D 24x36 instead of Arch D 36x24. (or similar).

Weird. There must be something odd about that particular page size description.

[Anonymous]

We've come across the same issue. It's an AutoCAD Bug even if no one at Autodesk has identified it as an AutoCAD bug......And this is very easy to reproduce.....

I had an HP plotter setup with a 24x36 sheet size in the page setup manager. Print, works fine.

change the printer driver (pc3) to the AutoCAD PDF driver (anyone of them, doesn't matter) and the AutoCAD says it does not have a matching paper size. So I picked "previous paper size", added it to the pc3 file. Now I can switch back and forth with no issues. 

Here's the kicker.... If you look at the AutoCAD PDF driver, there is a 24x36 sheet in there - AutoCAD just refuses to see it or use it when you are switching from a different printer....   So this is the key/problem to the batch printing problem. 

When you do the batch printing, and you pick the AutoCAD PDF drivers, it refuses to pick the right sheet size (even if it is in the list) and the batch print fails. 

This is not rocket science. This is a 2018 issue as 2017 does not have this issue/problem.

So until Autodesk fixes the problem (if ever, as they are not well known for fixing their problem), the work around is to manual add all the sheet sizes that you need to the AutoCAD PDF driver..... It's a workaround, not a proper/permanent fix....

This is not a permissions issue as previously suggested.... I've tried this with drivers on the local drive vs the network drive and we have the same issue/results.

M