Print raster PDF (not vector)

[JFN_KSH]

Is there any way, in AutoCAD, to print a drawing to PDF & being raster (as opposed to vector)? We would like to lock our PDF so that they cannot be converted back to DXF (or DWG)...

Thanks!

[TheCADnoob]

You can print to raster images directly. 

If you dont have a raster output you can start PLOTTERMANAGER and add one. 

http://lynn.blogs.com/lynn_allens_blog/2006/02/printing_to_ras.html

...but i guess you would have to convert the raster back to PDF is you needed a PDF as a deliverable. 

[JFN_KSH]

Nice... So far I've been using GIMP (Freeware) to convert pdf to raster... I was looking for a direct option from within AutoCAD (less manipulation when lots of pdf(s)...).

[RobDraw]

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@TheCADnoob wrote:

...but i guess you would have to convert the raster back to PDF is you needed a PDF as a deliverable. 

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FYI, PDFs can be either raster or vector. Vector being a newer option.

[TheCADnoob]

@RobDraw wrote:

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@TheCADnoob wrote:

...but i guess you would have to convert the raster back to PDF is you needed a PDF as a deliverable. 

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FYI, PDFs can be either raster or vector. Vector being a newer option.

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Yea, that was a rider as some clients may require a PDF format so the raster image might need to be converted to a PDF.

[pendean · Accepted solution]

From inside AutoCAD you need to do this https://www.cadlinecommunity.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/207585349-AutoCAD-2017-Protect-your-data-by-cre...

An alternate to GIMP being reported by others (I've not tried it): print your vector PDFs to a freeware PDF driver installed in Windows.

[dgladfelter]

I'm not trying to be "that guy", but I might I ask with the most objective intentions why the need to lock down your PDFs? During similar discussions with clients, I've found the question typically stems from a perceived liability about people nefariously reproducing their drawings.

While the convert PDF to DWG functionality was just introduced in AutoCAD 2017, it's always been possible to convert vector PDFs to an AutoCAD readable format. Inkscape, the open source vector graphics application, can export to DXF, whereas Adobe Illustrator can export straight to a DWG.

That functionality has existed for no less than 5-8 years. Have you encountered any issues with your drawings being stolen in that time?

To me the recent discussion about rasterizing PDFs as a way of locking them down is no different than the discussion about large format xerographic copiers when they were first released. Before xerographic copiers, blueprints were the only way to reproduce large format drawings. Being a light-sensitive process, blueprints required a transparent vellum or Mylar original to create. Since xerographic copiers could copy anything, many feared the repercussions of theft as they displaced blueprint machines that had some level of copy protection built in.

I understand the modern-day apprehensions of vector PDFs, but I firmly believe they are the best archival format we have available today. Vector PDFs are typically smaller than a raster equivalent, and have the additional benefit of producing a higher quality plot. It seems to me the benefits of vector PDFs far outweigh the perceived protection/reduction of liability of raster PDFs.

[JFN_KSH]

I just tried the above link & followed the instructions for plotting PDF raster. As soon as I change the shade plot setting from "As Displayed" to any other "Hidden" or "Realistic", it seems the plot style is no more applied (I get color PDF, which is not what I want). So, as far as I'm concern, theses instructions are not working (client does not want color, he want black & white).

[pendean]

Any reason you cannot remove color for this PDF output? Sure it's an extra effort, but you are asking for the extra effort.

But... as noted in Post#7, the entire planet has been converting PDFs to DWG files for about 10-years now so are you sure your sudden discovery of R2017's ability may be overly anxious?
BTW, for a few $$ more there are converters that will convert a raster PDF as well.

OR they can just paste your raster picture into the DWG and draw all over it. Everyone has been doing that for 30+ years now.

Good luck.

[JFN_KSH]

dgladfelter: I like very much your analogy between old xerographic copiers & raster PDF. I'm all with you on the benefits of vector PDF's but in my case, we are working with some sensible data & we need a lock down version. It's seems to be often used in my business (pulp & paper). Vendors drawings from guys like Metso or Andritz seems to be practising the raster pdf also...

[JFN_KSH]

This has nothing to do with the new feature of AutoCAD 2017 (just coincidence). Don't get me wrong, I do have a workaround... But to me, this should be implemented by Autodesk, as I'm sure, we're not the only one requesting a raster PDF plotter (black & white with plot style support). Additionally, if AutoCAD 2017 can bring vector PDF back to life then, IMOO, this should definitely be a feature for AutoCAD future release... I would like to add that I really appreciated all of your comments & thanks for the input!

[Anonymous]

"Locking down" a PDF is not the only reason to print to raster. Another major reason is plotting fidelity. Not all printers/plotters will render a complex PDF with large amounts of mixed vector and raster content the same, especially when you add things like shading/opacity of rasters, and scaling into the mix. Sometimes complex mixed vector PDFs won't print at all. Raster is just simpler and more reliable.

Another reason for Raster PDFs: Vector PDFs can be slow to use on-screen. Right now I'm looking at a 22x34 PDF from a client made with Civil 3D 2018. It has an aerial photo background as raster, elevation contours and proposed improvements as vectors. It has translucent solid colored hatches on top of the aerial photo. It is very slow to regenerate as I pan around. It's annoying and costs me time. I'm using Acrobat Reader DC. My computer is 4 years old, not new but not ancient.

Vector PDFs are great and have their place. We just want to retain the option of plotting to raster. And not just because we're Luddites. 

[Anonymous]

This is my issue too. I'm not concerned with security like some folks (legit concern!) but I like to use volume surfaces to display a color-banded "heatmap" for high and low spots for a construction client. It looks really cool and is super flexible but when plotted to PDF it is soooo sloooow. My 2 cents is that I produce multi-sheet documents so creating some kind of GIMP or third-party solution sounds painful too.

[Tommy2shoes]

Acrobat PDF files have various security attributes which could prevent lets say, the extraction of vector entities. That level security feature added to the Acad drivers should suffice.  Too many people today are wise to that free drafting option of extracting the entities produced by some other company.