"Plot to File": No .plt file created

[tiger4956]

I'm trying to "Plot to file" so that I can send the .plt file to someone else for printing.  Autocad will not create the plot file. It goes through all of the motions including the normal regeneration, but no output file is created.  I used config to change the default plot directory to a known location.  Furthermore, I used a program called "Search Everything" and confirmed that no plot file is being created on any hard drive on my computer.

I normally plot to my HP T520 successfully.  Keeping the same settings, I just check the box for "Plot to file" and click OK.  Autocad appears to be creating a plot file, but no file is created and no errors generated.  The plot log shows that the file was plotted.  Interestingly, there is no difference in the log entry whether I actually plot to the plotter or to a file.

I've also tried other system printers with the same results.  I can print to PDF to the same directory, so it shouldn't be a directory permissions issue.  Print preview shows the correct expected results.

The default plot file name shows correctly as "Drawing Name.plt", I've tried renaming to a single character with and without the file extension, no effect.

Thanks for reading!

Rob

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

which version of AutoCAD are you using (and update)? Please send us a screenshot of command _ABOUT.

And which operating system are you using?

>> I'm trying to "Plot to file" so that I can send the .plt file

>> to someone else for printing

You do know that a PLT file can then only be printed on devices you created the plot-file for (or compatible printer/plotter)? If you want to transfer a file that everyone else can plot, without any issues and independent from the device this other one has, use PDF (or maybe DWF).

- alfred -

[j.palmeL29YX]

Can you show us a screenshot of your "Plot and Publish Details"-window please.

cadder

[tiger4956]

I uploaded a screenshot of the "About Autocad" window.  Note that it's Autocad MEP 2017 SP1

[tiger4956]

Here's a screenshot of the Plot window.  If I uncheck "Plot to file" the file prints correctly to the HP T520 plotter.

I've also tried other printers, standard paper sizes, and print window instead of View.  Same results - no .plt file gets created.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> a screenshot of the "About Autocad" window

Please update your product, at least AutoCAD should show AutoCAD 2017 Update 1.2.

(I can't tell you anything about the other modules as I don't have MEP installed).

>> I've also tried other printers, standard paper sizes, and print window instead

>> of View.  Same results - no .plt file gets created.

Are these all HP devices?

Have you tried my suggestion to plot to "DWG to PDF.pc3"?

- alfred -

[j.palmeL29YX]

---

@tiger4956  schrieb:

Here's a screenshot of the Plot window.

---

Sorry, I meant some different:

After your plot is completed you should see in the lower right corner an information like shown in Pic_1. Now you should click at the marked link and get a window like shown in Pic_2. Here (also marked) you/we can see where the .plt-file was created/saved. That's is the information I was interested in. 

cadder

[tiger4956]

Below is the most recent result of "plot to file".  I used xxxxx  to redact some sensitive information, but the overall length of the file name is around 150 characters, well below the 256 character limit for Windows.  I checked the path shown and there is no .plt file. Job: - Plotted Job ID: 3 Sheet set name: Date and time started: 9/23/2018 11:34:40 AM Date and time completed: 9/23/2018 11:34:41 AM UserID: rob Profile ID: AutoCAD MEP (US Imperial) Total sheets: 1 Sheets plotted: 1 Number of errors: 0 Number of warnings: 0 Sheet: - Plotted File: D:\Dropbox (Tiger)\Acad\xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx\xxxxxxxx\CBOR6716 xxxxxxxxxxx\01 Current Working Drawings\CBOR6716 Corrugator Foundation.dwg Category name: Page setup: Device name: HP T520 Garage - plotted to file Plot file path: D:\Dropbox (Tiger)\Acad\xxxxxxxxxxxxx\xxxxxxxx\CBOR6716 xxxxxxxxxx\04 Drawings to Vendors\Job Set Plot Files\CBOR6716 Corrugator Foundation-Model.plt Paper size: 24x60

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> length of the file name is around 150 characters

Please try:

• plot to drive C: and a local folder, not to a DropBox folder
• plot to a folder and name that has less than 128 chars

I'm stil waiting for a test with "DWG to PDF.pc3", if you don't want to run that test, then please let me know why not, as I see that as valid information to isolate the source of the problem.

- alfred -

[tiger4956 · Accepted solution]

It worked!  Apparently the long file name over 128 characters was the issue.  I created a .plt file in both c:\trash and in a shorter directory name in Dropbox.  Odd that Autocad can't handle the Windows standard 256 character file name.

By the way, printing with DWG to PDF.pc3 has always worked and is may daily preference and long file names have not been an issue.  However, printing to PDF and then printing to the HP plotter just doesn't produce the same quality as printing directly to the plotter.  Line weights and colors seem to loose "fidelity".

Thanks for your help! Please reply and I'll mark it as solved.

[j.palmeL29YX]

---

@tiger4956  schrieb:
Below is the most recent result of "plot to file".

---

Thank you. I have no idea what causes the problem.

Two things I'd still test:

- choose another path

- test it with a smaller (an empty) drawing.

Maybe this will point you a direction how to avoid the problem (?).

Good luck

cadder

[Alfred.NESWADBA · Accepted solution]

Hi,

>> Odd that Autocad can't handle the Windows standard 256 character file name.

Not sure that it is AutoCAD which has issues, at least the file is created by the driver.

If a PDF file can be created with that long name would be a proof that it's not AutoCAD.

At least good to know you have found the issue and shown it to future readers here!

- alfred -