Epilog Print Driver issues in Autocad 2016 and up... Help Needed...

[Anonymous]

This is my last ditch effort to get this resolved before I have to start looking for a solution form a different company. I really love Autodesk AutoCAD but if I can't get it working it is worthless to me. 

Our group has been using AutoCAD for our laser engraving projects (Epilog Helix 60W) for several years. We had no issues clear through AutoCAD 2014. The Helix driver/screen work flawlessly with AutoCAD. However, our group recently upgraded to AutoCAD 2016 and now AutoCAD will not accept the settings as set in the Helix print driver/screen interface. I have even found several posts in this exact forum that are seeing the same issues. NONE of them appear to have ever gotten a satisfactory resolution. 

When answering this post, please keep in mind the fact that the issue arises with the newest versions of AutoCAD. I am running the latest drivers from EPILOG. And as stated they work flawlessly in Autocad 2014 and earlier. I am positive that the issue lies with the AutoCAD software and whatever changes were made to the plotting functions in the newer versions of AutoCAD.

What can I do to get AutoCAD 2016 to play nicely with the Epilog print driver/screen???

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

welcome @Anonymous!

>> and now AutoCAD will not accept the settings as set in the Helix print

>> driver/screen interface

Can you describe what you mean by "will not accept the settings"? Please show screenshots and let us know what you try and why you think that AutoCAD does not accept settings.

>> However, our group recently upgraded to AutoCAD 2016

Have you installed the latest service packs? If you start AutoCAD 2016 ... command _ABOUT the version shown should be (for now):
M.107.0.26 AutoCAD 2016.0.10

>> I am running the latest drivers from EPILOG

Is that a printer driver or a driver for AutoCAD or a plugin for AutoCAD?

Can you please show a link about what you have installed exactly?

>> keep in mind the fact that the issue arises with the newest versions of AutoCAD

The newest version of AutoCAD (currently) is AutoCAD 2018, not 2016. Does that mean you already have tried release 2018?

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

---

>> Can you describe what you mean by "will not accept the settings"? Please show screenshots and let us know what you try and why you think that  AutoCAD does not accept settings.

It would be alot easier to see it in a video. I tried to attach it but it would not allow me. If there is a way for me to send it let me know...

>>Have you installed the latest service packs? If you start AutoCAD 2016 ... command _ABOUT the version shown should be (for now):
M.107.0.26 AutoCAD 2016.0.10

Currently it shows M.49.0.0 AutoCAD 2016. However I have no control over updates/patches. That is completely regulated through our corporate IT group, so sadly I have no control over that.

>>Is that a printer driver or a driver for AutoCAD or a plugin for AutoCAD? Can you please show a link about what you have installed exactly?

It is a Epilog Laser Engraver Driver (Basically a print driver) directly from EPILOG. The link is https://www.epiloglaser.com/tech-support/mini-helix-drivers.htm. It would be the Epilog Mini/Helix Driver 9.03.

>>The newest version of AutoCAD (currently) is AutoCAD 2018, not 2016. Does that mean you already have tried release 2018?

Again I have no control over what software is supplied. I do not have access to AutoCAD 2018. However I did get access to AutoCAD 2017 with the same results. It literally quit working after AutoCAD 2014.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> It would be alot easier to see it in a video. I tried to attach it but it would not allow me

By default attached files here in the forum are working, only attachments in mails don't.

So use your internet browser to create a reply to this thread ... there you find the attach button below of the text input area.

If all fails, upload your video to A360 (or other cloud services) and show us the link to download the file.

>> Currently it shows M.49.0.0 AutoCAD 2016. However I have no control

>> over updates/patches. That is completely regulated through our corporate 

>> IT group, so sadly I have no control over that.

Then please inform your IT-group that you need to get the update installed because of issues.

(they also install service packs in their servers, so that is nothing bad)

>> Does that mean you already have tried release 2018?

A lot of people are already in AutoCAD 2018.

(but not having your Epilog device)

>> However I did get access to AutoCAD 2017 with the same

>> results. It literally quit working after AutoCAD 2014.

Had you already tried to get support from the vendor of that device/drivers? I guess they will have experience with their software and newer AutoCAD releases.

When you say AutoCAD 2014 was the latest release working ... does it work today too? ... on the same workstation?

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

>>By default attached files here in the forum are working, only attachments in mails don't.

So use your internet browser to create a reply to this thread ... there you find the attach button below of the text input area.

If all fails, upload your video to A360 (or other cloud services) and show us the link to download the file.

Yea it would not send the video, I will have to try a different way to get it uploaded...

>>Then please inform your IT-group that you need to get the update installed because of issues.

(they also install service packs in their servers, so that is nothing bad)

I understand that and will be in contact with them again on this issue. However, the powers that be have final say and I can do nothing about that .

>>Does that mean you already have tried release 2018? A lot of people are already in AutoCAD 2018. (but not having your Epilog device)

No I have not tried release 2018. I do not have access to that release. 

>>Had you already tried to get support from the vendor of that device/drivers? I guess they will have experience with their software and newer AutoCAD releases. When you say AutoCAD 2014 was the latest release working ... does it work today too? ... on the same workstation?

Yes I have tried Epilog support. Because they only work with the print driver itself and not a specific software set, they were unable to assist (being that the driver works in other programs). Even they are saying that the incompatibility appears to the on the AutoCAD side. They have had multiple complaints on this too, stating that the last known stable version was AutoCAD 2014.

And yes AutoCAD 2014 was working perfectly on my current workstation before the company pushed out AutoCAD 2016. Sadly they removed AutoCAD 2014 from my system so I can not go backwards or I gladly would.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

thank you for your info.

The last chance (from my side) is to see your video so we get the info what exactly happens (or does not happen).

Another chance is if someone here read that post who is using that driver. Let's see...

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

>>thank you for your info. The last chance (from my side) is to see your video so we get the info what exactly happens (or does not happen).

While I try and figure out how to get the video uploaded and sent to you, a similar post has some screenshots of the same issue. 

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-forum/printing-issues-on-epilog-helix-60w/m-p/7047927#M877027

He has the same issues where AutoCAD is not accepting the changes from the Epilog Print Driver Screen. The first sign that AutoCAD did not accept the changes from the Epilog screen is the fact that the page size does not change and stays at a default 8.5 x 11. Because it did not change that, It most likely did not save any of the other settings, which is why the forum user was having so many issues. As you can see on that forum, the issue was never resolved there either... 

I will also add a link when I get the video uploaded...

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> the fact that the page size does not change and stays at a default 8.5 x 11

Have you tried to create your own paper format definitions?

Also worth to try (just as idea) ... how about plotting to PDF and then printing the PDF to the device?

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

>> the fact that the page size does not change and stays at a default 8.5 x 11 Have you tried to create your own paper format definitions?

With all the different settings such as (practically unlimitied) material sizes, resolution, tool paths/types (Color Mapping), etc. It is not exactly practical to create my own paper format definitions. Every print job is unique and specialized. (Hence the use of the Epilog Print Driver to set up each print job individually.)

>> Also worth to try (just as idea) ... how about plotting to PDF and then printing the PDF to the device?

I have not tried this but will definitely do so. Not the most convenient but a possibility worth looking into. Will get back to you on that one.

The best way that I had to get the video to you was upload it as unlisted on youtube. The link is below. Let me know if it does not work...

https://youtu.be/Rn7eW6LuoFs

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

Can you please try ... after defining the format in the device-driver to find this defined special format in the list of paper-sizes:

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Sorry for the delay in the reply, I was out of office for the last several days...

>>Can you please try ... after defining the format in the device-driver to find this defined special format in the list of paper-sizes:

After setting up the print job it does show "Custom Size", however it is set to 8.5 x 11 and I can not change it in any way.

>>Can you print it as a PDF and then send it to the engraver...

I can not set up the proper "material" size here either.

So long story short, I am still not able to send print jobs with AutoCAD. To me it seems that in AutoCAD 2016 I am limited to only the sizes that are preset. It will not allow for true custom settings.

[Anonymous]

Were you able to get this to work? I recently redid my setup (after a couple of years in storage) and I think I have it working. First couple of tries, AutoCad tried to keep overriding my page sizes. AutoCAD 2018 running on Windows 10, printing to an Epilog Mini 24 that's shared from a different computer (Windows 7). First thing - check on your Epilog Printer Preferences, that you're set to 24 x 24 (or your long bed dimension) Save your configuration AutoCAD, Page Setup - either edit the default or create a new one. Select your printer First set your Paper Size to Custom THEN go to the Printer Properties. From there, go to Custom Properties (mine is a little different on my Win7 or Win10 computers) If the settings you just set up aren't there, you can load the file you just created. Okay out of that SAVE YOUR CONFIGURATION AS A PC3 FILE. (See image) The AutoCAD layout thingamajig should now be showing 24x24 Your Plot Area is Window (I have a non-plotting layer that's 24" x 24) Plot offset - I had to do a -.25 on the Y axis, but I think that's a setting that I saw somewhere else and can change. Plot scale is 1 inch = 1 unit Drawing Orientation is Portrait Plot Style table, none. Close out of the Page Setup Now when you go to Plot dialog, it should all have "stuck"...(I think the PC3 part is the key)

[wrightjA43Q8]

rmstitanic25 - I am also having the same problem.  Even after I adjust the size of the print in the Epilog Engraver WinX64 Properties, it stills defaults to 8.5x11 in AutoCAD.  Never had this problem with AutoCAD 2013.

Alfred.NESWADBA - I did try to export to PDF and print from that.  That did work for what I needed.  But I feel that is one extra unnecessary step.

[Anonymous]

Sadly I was never able to get it to work. I wish that Autodesk would actually listen and find a solution other then adding extra steps that were not needed before such as creating PDFs and completely defining custom pages. None of this was neccessary in version 2014 or lower... 

I was able to convince my IT group to reinstall AutoCAD 2014 for the time being, but I am not sure how long that will stay a valid option. 

If I ever find a real resolution to this issue, I will gladly post it here for everyone that was just as frustrated as me...

[Anonymous]

Are you guys trying to print from different files, or from a 'Template' file? I've been successfully using 2017 (on Win7) to print to my Epilog since my last post. I'm including my template here - not sure if it'd be helpful to send my pc3 file, but I can. 

It defaults to the last print settings, which is why I use the Template file, instead of having to recreate the settings each time. 

Let me know what info would help you guys! 

[Anonymous]

Creating a template works of some types of jobs but not others. We use MULTIPLE types of layouts and it is very time consuming to create templates for each and every type. What no one seems to be listening to is the FACT that this was not necessary in 2014 and below.

The Epilog print driver WAS able to directly handle ALL of the necessary functions to properly function WITHOUT additional steps (2014 and before). With your method (which is yet another additional step) you are assuming a SPECIFIC plot area the FULL size of the laser bed. This does not properly work with many of the print jobs our company deals with. Being forced to work with templates would mean that all our print jobs would need a new template created for EACH type of job and then multiple operators trained on all the additional steps necessary. 

I am not saying that it will not work. I am saying that it is not a truly viable option in the way that we run our system. 2014 and below DID NOT NEED THESE ADDITIONAL STEPS.

[robert.turek]

I have had this issue as well, and finally figured out a work around. I found that if I set my page size in the Model Tab > Page setup WITHOUT selecting Epilog Engraver as my plotter, then it offers an option to bring in that page size as a custom page size when actually plotting. It's a little clunky, but it works. Unfortunately, the default ARCH C has some pretty wide margins (I have a 18x24" Epilog bed), so I'm currently looking into how to remove those margins, or just use a larger pages size and move my artwork into place once in Epilog's Print Manager.

Here's a workflow I created for my students:

STEP 1: PAGE SETUP

Look towards the lower left corner of AutoCAD

>right-click "Model" tab

>select "Page Setup".

Printer/plotter:

None

Paper Size:

ARCH C (24.00 x 18.00 Inches)

or larger (the margins might cut off larger plots)

Plot area:

Window (click "Window <" and click to create a box around artwork to send to laser)

Plot scale:

1:1

STEP 2: PLOT

CTRL+P (press and hold CTRL then tap "P")

Printer/plotter:

Epilog Engraver

Paper Size:

A window will pop up asking if you want to use a custom page size - select the custom option to bring in the option you selected for Model Space. This is the only way possible to get anything other than an 8 1/2 x 11 plot area.

Plot area:

Window (click "Window <" and click to create a box around artwork to send to laser)

Plot scale:

1:1