AutoCAD 2020 won't open PDF after plotting (yes I checked custom properties)

[Anonymous]

I recently upgraded from 2018 to 2020 and on 2018 it would always open my PDF files in Adobe Reader after I plotted - but not anymore. After doing some research the only solution I could find is to make sure the "show results in viewer" box is checked when I go to "Device and Document Settings" > "Custom Properties" in the .PC3 file. That box is already checked and the weird thing is that when I use the "PUBLISH" command, it does open the PDF in Adobe Reader successfully - just not when I hit the "Export to PDF" button or use the "PLOT" command. I'd rather not have to use the publish command and have to deselect all the model spaces and layouts that I don't want to plot at that time.

Any ideas?

[pendean]

There are 5 PDF drivers from Autodesk in 2018-2019-2020 (and LT), which one are you using exactly?

In 2018-2019-2020 (and LT), that setting is on the PLOT and PUBLISH pop-ups on a button called PDF OPTIONS if you select on of those PDF drivers, and on the4 EXPORTPDF pop-up it is a box you need to check.

Start posting screenshots of you have no idea after reading the above, let us see what you see.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply, but yes I've tried that. See attached screenshot. I'm not sure what you mean by drivers but I'm using the AutoCAD PDF (High Quality Print).pc3 but I have the same issue with the other .pc3's as well.

[pendean]

Oops, wrong reply to this post. I apologize.

Did you by chance use the Migration tool to move content from older versions of AUtoCAD to 2020?

[Anonymous]

No problem. And no, I just imported my old profile.

[Anonymous]

So If someone used Migrate Settings and got this issue. What might that have to do with the finished plots not opening?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I just ran into the same problem.  If "Publish in background" is checked when you are in the Publish dialog box, the "Open in viewer when done" option is greyed out.  Uncheck publish in background & then you should be able to check the option to open in viewer when done & the pdf should open.  These options should be held so you won't have to change them again.

[wwkdesign]

I've just ran into this problem in 2022. It was printing fine and opening them, all of a sudden it stopped opening a pdf after printing.

[pendean]

@wwkdesign
"... Uncheck publish in background..."

[wwkdesign · Accepted solution]

It was all unchecked. Thanks though!

I figured it out. My file path was too long for windows. You know the 255 characters deep issue in windows 10? It that corrected in the latest version of windows?

[DavidBQ7AW]

This worked for me, had an issue with another drafters computer not publishing to a network. Turning off publish in background forced it to create and save the PDF in the required location. Thank you for the help.

[smuthu7HAN4]

"Try this option: just set the BACKGROUNDPLOT value to 0. I hope this solves it."

[karina_aldava]

thank you, this one solved my problem and now it opens pdfs before plotting 🙂

[karina_aldava]

thank you!! this one solved my problem, now it opens pdfs after plotting just like before 🙂