Plot works but Publish freezes

[Anonymous]

I have a 2,600 KB file with no xrefs and a bunch of layout tabs.  If I go in and print each layout using using the layout properties individually it plots fine.  But if I try to publish it crashes.  I backed the publish down to even just one layout (the same one as prints fine with the print command) it allows me to chose the file name and save location then it spins and spins and never gets anywhere.  The only thing that I can think of that might be complicating things is that I've got a bunch of multileaders with background masks applied.  But it prints fine...anyone have any ideas what might be bogging down my publish command?

Thanks

[helen.jobe]

Oops, I posted the question under the wrong user profile.

[Cadologist]

Which version of AutoCAD are you using (i.e.: AutoCAD 2017, 2019, etc.)? Are you printing directly to hardcopy or to PDF (or DWF)? If PDF, are you using updated PDF drivers that align to your current AutoCAD platform?

AutoCAD updated their PDF drivers in AutoCAD 2018 I believe, they renamed from DWG to PDF.pc3 to 4 different files:

• AutoCAD PDF (General Documentation).pc3
• AutoCAD PDF (High Quality).pc3
• AutoCAD PDF (Smallest File).pc3
• AutoCAD PDF (Web and Mobile).pc3

There is a batch plotting issue that related to using outdated PDF drivers in a newer version of AutoCAD which will cause publish to fail, and, as you mentioned in your message, single plots work file. Ensure the (4) PC3 files listed above are copied/placed within the same folder as your existing PC3 files. This resolved the batch plotting/publishing error we were dealing with. Worth a try.....

[Cadologist]

Additional information here:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-forum/batch-plot-to-pdf/m-p/8634737?advanced=false&collapse_d...

[helen.jobe]

Thanks for the quick response.  I tried the specific .pc3 file and the publish still failed.  I don't believe the issue is due to drivers though because the publish command works like a charm with different files.  I wish I could upload the file for people to experiment with but that's not an option.  It's a main background xref site file.  Unfortunately every job that this file gets xrefed into inherits this problem.

I'm suspicious that some type of object inside the file is ballooning the file size during the print to pdf, getting too big for the publish command to handle.  But I don't understand well enough the deeper differences between publish and print to be able to narrow down what object is causing the problem.  There's some wipeouts and some multileaders with background masks, which I've used for years and not had any problems until this file recently.  But I suspect that they're somehow related.  I don't want to just nix the objects though, they work fine in other projects.

[Cadologist]

Shoot... thanks for responding back to my message. I was hopeful this was a simple driver issue. Only option I can think of is to troubleshoot with a similar workflow below (although effort/time to do this - could take a while).

Create a new drawing --> LAYISO cut/paste into the new drawing (from the effected drawing with the issue) and attempt to determine where the issue is (which entity/entities are causing the publishing crash) --> Test Publish and see if it fails, etc. --> Repeat.

You could also try a simple new drawing and cut/paste everything from the effected drawing into the new one. Could potentially be a corrupt database/drawing issue as I've had this work in the past on several occasions where a drawing just needed a 'fresh start'.

Also, assuming you have already checked the AUDIT and RECOVER commands on the effected drawing. If you do identify what the issue(s) is/are with this drawing, please post back so that others can benefit when searching the Autodesk Knowledge Network. Sorry I was unable to be of assistance. Hopefully another user will post and be able to assist you, good luck!