Model is low quality when plotted through a viewport set to "As Displayed"

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

I've been having a problem with plotting. Whenever I use a viewport in paperspace and the viewport is set to As Displayed (when the model space is set to Realistic, Hidden, or Shaded), the image of the model comes out in poor quality. I've created a test drawing based on a model that I tried to print, and it's attached to the forum post along with an image of the model in model space and an image of the plotted model using the named plot setup that I use. There's a stark difference in readability for the model space text plotted through the viewport and the paper space text. The text on the yellow background is in model space and plotted through the viewport. The model is set to Realistic and the viewport is set to shade the plot As Displayed.

I've looked around on the AutoCAD forum posts, and I've tried increasing the vector and raster image quality options (default is 2400 dpi for vector and 600 dpi for raster) but the image quality doesn't change no matter how I change those options. I also tried changing the quality of the shaded viewport from 100 dpi (normal) to a custom higher dpi, but that also did not change the image quality. As a last resort, I downloaded the latest version of AutoCAD on a completely different computer and tried to plot and had the same issues. So I'm wondering if there is a setting in the file itself that is overriding some plot style or setting?

Attached are the model, and two images detailing the problem. Please help!

[pendean]

Post your PLOT command parameters for each for us to see what you are doing: also note that your DWG file was not ready to plot to your driver and you did not include the missing plot style table, and have not given us any details about your exact driver and settings in use.

TIA

[dmfrazier]

Is there any difference in the "page size" setting between your Model space plot and your Paper space plot?

[ChicagoLooper]

You are using 3D mode in your viewport and given the elements in your drawing and how you have chosen to display them, the 3D mode is totally unnecessary. You can clearly see 'REALISTIC' in the upper left corner of your VP when it's activated and that visual style will have an impact on your text font. You can use another text font such as simplex, or you can forego 3D mode and opt for 2D mode instead.

For 2D, try this:

1. Instead of using a 3D solid, use a 2D rectangle that has been hatched.
2. Put the rectangle and hatch on a brand new layer then turn off the 3D solid's layer.
3. Put the image on a dedicated layer, a layer that's totally devoted to an image(s). Don't let the image piggyback on a layer that's currently in use.
4. Switch the viewport's visual style to 2D wireframe.

[Anonymous]

Sorry about that, must not have saved after I changed the plot settings. I've attached an updated test dwg file with the plot settings and an image of the plot screen. Let me know if there's other files you need.

In regards to your question, the issue happens on the native AutoCAD drivers as well as the ones my company uses. I tried to plot this test drawing on a fresh install of AutoCAD 2021 (with no outside settings or plot styles) and still had this image quality problem.

[ChicagoLooper]

What other alternatives have you tried so far? How long have you been trying to improve the quality?

Compare resolution with image uploaded in opening post. 

[Anonymous]

ChicagoLooper,

This is a test drawing to illustrate the problem, most of my models contain proprietary info that I can't share so I chose one that I could simplify down. I'm well aware of how to circumvent the issue, and have done so on other occasions. My workaround is to use the FLATSHOT command in various angles and set the viewport to 2D wireframe, as you suggested. I've also used the projected drawing view and had no issues there. However, whenever I try to plot anything while using a viewport set to realistic, hidden, or shaded, the viewport portion of the plot is always in low quality. I could mock up a random 3D solid with a bunch of faceted edges, with no text whatsoever, and the model would still be in low quality. I'm trying to figure out a solution that doesn't involve redesigning every single model that comes across my desk, as my coworkers do not have this plotting issue. It's more noticeable in the plot preview, and the final plot seems ok from a cursory glance, but the pixels are still quite large when zoomed in. For intricate parts, the details near the edges will be blurry.

[Anonymous]

Chicago Looper,

I first noticed this issue on AutoCAD 2018, so 3 years. I've tried 2019, 2020, and 2021, with the same problem. I had just been sending all of the intricate parts to my coworkers to render, and that has worked so far. However, lately we're a bit understaffed so I wanted to post and see if there was a global setting that was getting flipped or something. Or if there was something I could do deep down in the plot settings or something.

[ChicagoLooper]

OK, if you must draw in 3D and so far you have not explicitly indicated 3D is a must (from what been posted it looks as though 3D is a choice, not a requirement) then you can use another way. If you have an open mind and you are willing to abandon your current work flow, then there's an easy way to resolve this issue. It may not be perfect, but neither is AutoCad.

To borrow from President Nixon, the program can accommodate all users some of the time, accommodate some users all of the time, but it can never accommodate all users all the time. The reality is, you gotta make adjustments.

In your uploaded image you have some annotation in paperspace and some annotation in modelspace. Try putting all your annotations in paperspace so they won't be subjected to the VP's visual style. That visual style is causing havoc on your text.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I try to plot anything while using a viewport set to realistic,

>> hidden, or shaded, the viewport portion of the plot is

>> always in low quality

Text is a 2D object, visual styles like "realistic", "hidden" and "shaded" are for 3D objects displayed as fast as possible on the display ... they are not built for the best quality on the print!

If you really want a high quality rendering then select your viewport and change the "shade plot" to "Rendered" ... but that will need time to achive the higher quality, so take care about this factor.

- alfred -