Clipped xref pdf not plotting as expected

[Luke_Daniels]

I've been tasked with creating a series of basic half joint outlines with transparent record drawing info shown within their borders. My approach has been to xref a pdf into my .dwg file and trace the outline of the required joint as a PLINE before then using this as my clipping boundary. All looking well in the .dwg file but unfortunately when plotted as a final .pdf the transparent record drawing appears to be corrupted in some way. How it previews in page set up manager in autocad and then once created in adobe acrobat (with the issues described) is shown below. Can anyone offer advice as to how I might fix this issue or I'll need to rethink my entire approach. cheers Luke

[nesosimic98]

Not sure to understand what you're aiming for. What each of your screenshots represent from your issue ?

From what I get, you want your xrefed .pdf to have a frame and want it to plot.

Instead of a manual spline the edges, autocad offers a reliable way for xrefed .pdf to be framed;

Select the xrefed .pdf -> PDFFRAME  -> and chose between 0 to 2
0 -  .pdf have no frame at all

1 - .pdf have a frams that plots

2 - .pdf have a frame that doesn't plot

Does that solves your post ?

[ChicagoLooper]

Instead of adding a PDF to your drawing, use PDFIMPORT instead. <<Depending on how the original author created the PDF, the resolution might be better.>>

Furthermore, an alternative to tracing an outline on your Xref is to create a polygonal viewport on your layout tab. You may even create multiple polygonal viewports on a single layout tab.

Easy way to create a polygonal VP:

1. Draw a polygon on your layout tab.
2. On Ribbon, go to Layout Viewports=>Select Polygonal from the dropdown
3. Click directly on the polygon you just drew.

[Luke_Daniels]

I did originally try to import the .pdfs using the PDF Import tab but was unable to do with the pop up message from autocad saying that there was no objects in the pdf file?

[ChicagoLooper]

@Luke_Daniels 

You cannot and should not expect sharper resolution what you're getting.

This is why I hate adding PDFs as an xref when creating a deliverable. They're lousy. I'd rather redraw/recreate. I know it's not always feasible but using experience and know-how I will recreate to uphold quality output. Yes, understood, adding a PDF as an xref is common, way, waaay too common, but it's not acceptable in high level firms despite being a popular workflow advocated on the Forum.   

[paullimapa · Accepted solution]

Looks like your pdf hold no vector data and just contains a raster image. If the pdf / raster image originally generated is of lower resolution then your result will always be that. Your solution is to obtain a higher resolution pdf from the author.