Lineweight Plotting Inconsistently

[Anonymous]

Having an issue with my plotting and lineweights. No matter what I do, every view port plots with what seems to be a random value for lineweight. Here is a link of an image where the same object is shown, in two (as far as I can tell) identically configured view ports printed on the same layout. (https://imgur.com/a/YfupF7H) Note that sometimes it also will print a viewport with very thin lines that look almost grey.

Every single object in my model space has the default setting for lineweight, and the same color. And everything looks fine in the layout view (nice crisp lines, all the same thickness and color).

I've tried changing every setting I think might affect this (viewport shading, toggling on/off scale lineweights in the plot dialog box, changing .ctb files, etc.). I've deleted all the viewports and started over with new ones. I've tried using match properties on all the viewports, I've started from a single viewport and copied it in hopes to keep any settings consistent. This also happens no matter what device I print to; my various office printers and all the options to create pdfs. I've also resorted all settings to default. I even tried reinstalling and using AutoCAD 2015 to open the drawing.I am currently using AutoCAD 2019.

One thing that looks funny is the Plot Style drop down menu lists ED-CTB-COLOR.ctb as missing, and gives me an error if I tried to use it. But it still prints, and has the same issue/appearance.

Anyone have any ideas? This is really frustrating and I've spent hours combing through forums.

Thanks!

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> Anyone have any ideas?

Yes, please upload the dwg-file and a PDF that you get when plotting to device "AutoCAD PDF (General Documentation).pc3" where we can see the result having different lineweights in the PDF that should be equal.

- alfred -

[RobDraw]

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@Anonymous wrote:

One thing that looks funny is the Plot Style drop down menu lists ED-CTB-COLOR.ctb as missing

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This could be the source of your problems. From the rest of your post, it sounds like you also need to do some studying on plotting with AutoCAD.

[Anonymous]

See attached, its especially noticeable on the second sheet where the lineweights come out really thin. Thanks for your help.

[Anonymous]

Thanks I will look into the missing .ctb file. And yes I am sure I could use some AutoCAD studying. I just spent 7 years working as an engineer for a company that had a team drafters using Microstation... now I serve as an engineer/drafter for a small company.

It's been 8 years since I used AutoCAD on a regular basis, and that was the 2005 release...have some catching up to do. I'm sure its something simple, which is why its especially frustrating I can't figure it out... 

[Alfred.NESWADBA · Accepted solution]

Hi,

First at all please change your visual styles to "2D Wireframe", these are set to "Realistic" which shows them in a renderes style like 3D objects with materials ... better?

Then please use the Autodesk PDF output, not Adobe as that can create additional issues.

And take care about lines in light grey can look lighter (and thinner) compared to black lines.

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Awesome, seems to have done the trick. Might be the default for our template as the other guy here typically does 3D work. Knew it was something simple. Thanks for your help!