Plotting sheet with same .CTB and setting produces diff results

[Anonymous]

I am experiencing an issue where AutoCAD 2014 and AutoCAD 2017 are producing different lineweights from the same plot styles/settings. AutoCAD 2017 lineweights are heavier.

I have tried re-installing AutoCAD 2014 and checked the plot setting of both computers runniing AutoCAD 2014 and AutoCAD 2017.

Attached is the Plot style setting used by both machine. It won't let me post the plot styles file but if you need to know anything specific about it let me know.

I've looked through this knowledge base and the similar topics I have found do not seem to relate to this.

Thanks in advance for any help.

-Luke

[tboehler]

Do you have the "Plot Object Lineweights" box checked in 2014 and 2017?

[WarrenGeissler]

Is this the result from plotting to a hard copy device (paper) or to a virtual device (PDF). I saw the PDF plot option selected in your screen capture. The PDF driver underwent a major re-haul recently and that may be the issue.

[Johanna_Esteban]

Hello @Anonymous, 

It is possible that the layers or entities drawn have a thickness DEFAULT, which has a predetermined thickness and is quite black for certain printing scales.

Ideally, everything you draw has a BYLAYER thickness and this thickness is assigned to the corresponding layer, it is easier to control from the LAYER PROPERTIES MANAGER window.

LayersOPTIONS

Likewise, leaving the elements in your layer and using BYLAYER colors and line types will make your life easier, for example with the LAYERS II layer (you have tried it).

I hope this resolves your problem, if it is not, could you please attach the file to review the problem?

Regards,

[Anonymous]

Yes they are bot plotting to virtual device, PDF. I just plotted the same page (with the same settings) on both AutoCAD version machines and the results are now identical. So from what you said it seems like the PDF drivers may be different. Is there any way to update / get the same?



Thanks you

[WarrenGeissler]

If it's working now I'd say call it good! But to avoid issues with different drivers in different versions I would recommend using a free PDF printer (like CutePDF) which you can use in both versions.

[Anonymous]

Printing directly to the printer has the desired outcome but we produce everything to a PDF first. It would be nice to just be able to use what we know (DWG to PDF) rather than adding another PDF printer. Is it possible to just use the same 2017 DWG to PDF printer drivers / config for AutoCAD 2014?



Thanks.

[WarrenGeissler]

Theoretically I'd say yes. In your OPTIONS - FILES tab you need to change the Device Driver Search Path as well as the Printer Support File Search Path.

I'm not entirely certain this won't cause adverse effects on your 2014 though.

[Anonymous]

Hey Warren,

Sorry for the delayed response. I tried using the CutePDF printer and I would much rather use the default DWG to PDF printer in AutoCAD, which prints select-able text and keeps the sheet numbering.

I would much rather all the machines have the same printer drivers. Do you know if instructions exist for setting up the DWG to PDF printer drivers? I do not want to start installing new drivers because of the concern of causing adverse side effects without having some sort of guide or proven method.

Thanks,

Luke

[WarrenGeissler]

I'm going to have to ping @john.vellek for this one as I don't feel comfortable enough to tell you to go ahead and have it destroy your computers (notice my signature line).

Hey John - can someone use the 2017 printing (HDI ?) drivers with an earlier version?

[john.vellek]

HI @WarrenGeissler,

I couldn't find any articles on this as I saw this thread earlier today.

My general suggestion is to make a new CTB for each version if necessary.  I don't ever like to re-use older versions and migration isn't my personal favorite either.

Having a specific CTB for each version also helps balance any difference in driver/PC3 versions and doesn't typically take very long to create.

If the OP decides to try it, I suggest a good backup of the original conditions and files and perhaps create a restore point just in case things go bad.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[WarrenGeissler]

Sorry John, I was really asking more about this from @Anonymous:

Printing directly to the printer has the desired outcome but we produce everything to a PDF first. It would be nice to just be able to use what we know (DWG to PDF) rather than adding another PDF printer. Is it possible to just use the same 2017 DWG to PDF printer drivers / config for AutoCAD 2014?

[john.vellek]

Hi @WarrenGeissler,

I would still suggest that a separate CTB be defined for the different version of the drivers.

I am waiting to hear back from one of my printer specialists to see if there is any known issue in moving a current driver to an older version of AutoCAD.

In theory I don't think it would cause any problems but I would make sure to save everything to a backup before trying. It doesn't hurt to be safe.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[WarrenGeissler]

Thanks for checking on this John. Just my luck I'd say "No Problem!" and it would melt his computer...

[Anonymous]

Ok thanks for looking into this. Let me know what you find out from the Printer Specialist.

Soo I see your point in setting up specific .CTB files but when multiple machines on different versions are working on the same project drawing it would be a pain to go in and change each sheets plot settings, unless there is a more streamlined/efficient method of quickly setting up the right .CTB settings across multiple pages I'd rather look into sharing the same driver settings.

Thank you both for you help!

Luke

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous

I am waiting to hear back from my specialist.

As far as easily switching plot configurations in a set of drawings, I like to have a page setup for each of my typical print setups.

For instance, I might have one for tabloid printing in B/W, one for D-size Mono PDF, one for D-size color PDF, etc.   I keep these in a template file on my network.  Then when I need to print a set, I like to use PUBLISH because I can use the "plotter named in page setup" option and then import the appropriate page setup and apply it to all the drawings in a single step.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[john.vellek]

HI @Anonymous,

I never recieved a definitive yes or no on this issue. So, I was going to try this on my computer but I find the AutoCAD General PDF is the same version from AutoCAD 2016 to 2018. If you want to send me an older version I am happy to test on my system and let you know if it breaks anything.

[Anonymous]

Sorry about the delayed response my work lately has been prioritized to active projects rather than keeping up with system preferences/workflow.

Alright, I need to explore setting up default page templates for different page sizes and formats. Usually I just do that per sheet's CTB file when I initially setup the sheets for a project.

Interesting thing happens when I do select "plotter named in page setup" and proceed to publish, AutoCAD does not prompt for a name and plots each sheet a seperate file in the default plot location. I checked and I do have the naming option set to "prompt for a name" in the publish options window. When I set the Publish to PDF it always prompts for a name. Anyway, that is a separate issue for now.

What files/drivers do you need from me exactly to test?

Thank you!

Luke

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

Thanks for coming back to the thread.  Why don't you use 2014 and produce a sample for me as the benchmark. Then use etransmit to zip up a project with your CTB and any necessary fonts.  I can then compare output from 2018 to the benchmark and hopefully then be able to make some suggestions.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.