EXPORTPDF and -EXPORT not using Current Page Setup

[CodeDing]

Basic Info:

- Windows 10

- AutoCAD 2018

- When plotting our section uses "Adobe PDF". (not one of AutoCAD's defaults: "DWG to PDF", "AutoCAD PDF (High Quality Print)", etc...)

When using EXPORTPDF, AutoCAD is not using the "Current" page setup. How can this be fixed? Am I missing a system variable or something? I start here...

Output tab, PDF export, Current page setup as default...

...then the save location dialog pops up with these options...

It appears to be defaulting to the "DWG To PDF" option...

...I am not able to choose my desired PDF Preset...

the dropdown list

...here is my current page setup for all layout sheets...

page setup for "Adobe PDF"

I really hope I have made this as clear as I can.

Any help is appreciated.

Best,

~DD

[imadHabash]

Hi,

PDF presets are named groups of settings that control the PDF creation process and are saved as plotter configuration files (*.pc3). Presets let you balance the file size with quality and functionality, depending on how you want to use the PDF files. The predefined PDF presets listed address most typical usage scenarios. However, if you have specific requirements that a predefined preset cannot meet, customize an existing preset and save it as a *.pc3 file with a different name.

it's appeared in Preset menu list ..Notice the extension .pc3

BTW ... Thanks for the way that you prepare your question , it's help me a lot . 🙂 

Regards,

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> When using EXPORTPDF, AutoCAD is not using the "Current" page setup.

Just one sentence to that which might help to understand this. What should AutoCAD do when you want to create a PDF but in the page-setup a plotter like "Epson" is defined? So as every layout may have a different output device the EXPORTPDF command needs to overwrite/modify the page-setup.

- alfred -

[RobDraw]

I never use those presets.

Use the DWG to PDF. It will utilize the current page set-up.

[pendean]

PLOT command if you want total control over all aspects of creating a PDF.

[CodeDing]

@imadHabash ,

I already have a .pc3 file in that location. Why does yours show on your PDF Preset dropdown list and mine does not?

@Alfred.NESWADBA ,

While I understand that overrides are definitely a necessity, this would not explain why AutoCAD would provide the "Page Setup: Current" option if it's going to automatically override them every time?

@RobDraw ,

By default, since the EXPORTPDF command is not using my page setup, it is defaulting to the "PDF Preset" which, in this case, is already the "DWG to PDF" option... which is not what we want (and is not using the default Page Setup).

@pendean,

We are trying to create a single PDF of ALL layout sheets. This cannot be done by using the PLOT command.. And to provide further insight, we are trying to get the EXPORTPDF command to work because ultimately we want to simplify some plotting processes. We currently highlight all layout sheets then use the PUBLISH command, which is definitely too slow. So, to wrap this up, I would really desire a solution to my initial question of "How can I get EXPORTPDF to use either my current Page Setup OR default to the Adobe PDF option?"

Thank you for all of the responses.

Best,

~DD

[RobDraw]

I use publish along with the DWG to PDF plotter and can either use the current page set-up or import and apply the one I need. I have complete control of all the settings including publishing to a multi-sheet PDF. I don't like using presets. Modifying presets is a definite nonstarter for me unless I want to use one as a template and plan on saving to a different name. Using modified presets under the same name is only asking for them to get overwritten.

But hey, that's just me.

[pendean]

Third party merge-single-pdfs software has been around for decades now, most are free, since you are doing one at a time with EXPORTPDF anyway.

PUBLISH command set to use saved pagesetups that produce what you are desiring is the way to go. Also remember to turn off bakcground publishing too. PUBLISH is not slow then.

Would you like help doing that with PUBLISH command? We all do this all the time, we meaning every AutoCAD user responding to your post and everyone else that is not. Post a screenshot of your PUBLISH command pop-up ready to go here and we can help you get started if you are not familiar with this functionality.

[CodeDing]

@RobDraw& @pendean ,

Thank you for your replies. I currently use, and am very comfortable with, the PUBLISH command and dialog box. I understand that using that method allows me to plot effectively and also use the default Page Setup for each sheet. I also am familiar with sheet sets, and sheet set manager, etc. These are not my issue.

While I appreciate the alternative methods that are being suggested, they do not suit our needs. We will not use sheet sets since out total # of layout sheets will vary within the drawing. We will also not be using a third-party software to create a single, multi-page PDF, when AutoCAD already has this capability.

I feel confident in my approach to use EXPORTPDF since it suits all of our current desires that PUBLISH currently falls short on. And to be clear, I would be proposing alternative methods if I was in your position also.. But I would REALLY appreciate if my original overlying question could be answered.. 

"How can I get EXPORTPDF to use either my current Page Setup OR default to the Adobe PDF option?"

Thanks again. Best,

~DD

[pendean]

I wonder if you are using the wrong terminology altogether, since EXPORTPDF defaults to the current pagesetup all the time here, or you have a bad setup (AdobePDF is created when you import from an older version normally), or your 2018 is not fully updated, or perhaps just never noticed since I do not see it in your screenshots at the top of the thread...

 

You continue to describe features in PLOT and PUBLISH only otherwise, not alternatives, jut the correct tools for what you describe as a need (along with SSM etc.).

[CodeDing]

@pendean ,

The method you have proposed will ONLY show those options when you are currently in the "Model" tab. And this method ONLY plots the Model tab (no layout tabs).

When using that same method from any layout tab to plot "All Layouts", that option disappears and it publishes using the "PDF Preset" instead...

Does somebody know how to add the "Adobe PDF" to your PDF Preset list, as @imadHabash did? I believe knowing this may solve my issue.

Best,

~DD

[RobDraw]

---

@CodeDing wrote:

I feel confident in my approach to use EXPORTPDF since it suits all of our current desires that PUBLISH currently falls short on.

---

Other that being too slow for you, how does publish fall short for you? This is the go to method for far too many people. I've been using it since 2002 and I find it hard to understand what it might be missing that export to PDF provides.