AutoCAD has poor(er) quality raster images when printed to PDF

[Anonymous]

I've got a project I am working on.  It uses a large 2000x2000 image with very bold details that I would like to stay crisp and sharp.  I've also been using transparent hatches in this project because they are exactly what I need.

But here's the problem.

Option A.) CAD to PDF mangles the image (a .tif file), but it retains and works with the transparency in hatches.

 I've tried raster image size quality 150, 400, and 4800 when printing but it doesn't seem to affect the QUALITY of the rendered image. The 4800 quality PDF does load slower, but the quality is **** near to the 400 quality image. I think that the engine that is pulling the image has a maximum quality size somewhere that is limiting my output.  Does anyone know what engine AutoCAD uses to render these images when printing to PDF's?

Option B.) Adobe PDF handles the image output beautifully, but it doesn't recognize transparent hatches. The difference between CADtoPDF 4800 vs Adobe PDF is night and day.

What can a man do?  I'd really like to be able to use the built in AutoCAD PDF tool. But how do I tell it to do a better job?  If AutoCAD can't do a better job, will any other PDF drivers recognize transparent hatches from AutoCAD?

I know you like to see the files, so I have made an example setup using a Casino Royal wallpaper that I have laying around here on the computer.  Its not the same as the project I am working on, but I hope it gets the same point across.

See attached:

 - Drawing file

 - Image which is a relative xref

 - Comparison image i put together from windows snipping tool, and gimp.

[pendean]

Options C) you are using the wrong program for your posted/noted task. Try Adobe Illustrator or InDesign instead, or freeware like Inkscape or Canva even.

[Anonymous]

Autocad is my weapon of choice. I like the layer control, freezing layers in viewports, paperspace, linetypes, co ordinates, scaling, stretching, hatching.

The quality also affects my high resolution satellite photos in site plans, and elevation views when making Arch D size presentations.  Presentation boards look fine for cars passing on the highway, but I can tell the difference when clients, customers, & investors are allowed to walk right up to the presentation board on display.

This other project I am working on is more like a site plan.  The James Bond image was just used to shine a light on the issue and find a solution.

[pendean]

>>>... I like the layer control, freezing layers in viewports, ...., linetypes, co ordinates, scaling, stretching, hatching....<<<
The other programs specifically deigned for a mix of raster/vector + high quality output do all of that as well.

Sadly, you seek something in AutoCAD that is not there if you are unwilling to compromise of quality, but do try the free-with-subscription AutoCADMAP3D for your high-res satellite needs, it is better suited for the task than plain AutoCAD (the topic of this forum). Also grab the free-with-subscription RasterDesign add-in to do more with raster images in both programs.

Good luck.

[jggerth]

One thing i've noticed is that .PNG format rasters seem to plot better than TIF files.  You might try converting your TIF to PNG and see if that offers better results.