Raster Image compressing in PDF

[Anonymous]

Hi there,

We have used a jpeg raster image as a part of a dynamic block which we are using for our title blocks for external drawing packages.  We have several iterations of different sizes - but one of our 11x17's has a problem when we attempt to print to PDF.  It takes the jpeg logo and squishes it.  A square logo ends up looking like it is in a funhouse mirror.  The weird part is that if you place something just off paper space, this problem goes away.  but if the exterior border of the title block contains all of the elements of the title block, it happens again. 

We have this same raster image on other titleblocks A1, A0, a different 11x17 format, and two 8.5 x 11's.  It is working fine on all of them.

We have tried everything to change this - have built the titleblock from scratch - even deleting the paperspace tab to start again, but the problem remains and only in this titleblock.

Has anyone else had this happen?  What are we missing?

thank you for your time and condideration!

M.J. Madsen

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

welcome @Anonymous!

Which version of AutoCAD (and service pack) do you use?
Which driver for PDF-creation do you use?

In case of the preferred AutoCAD-internal driver ==> have you tried to change the settings for the raster output resolution?

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Oh hello Alfred! Thanks so much for your time and help. We use AutoCAD 2016 version 20.1.49.0.
We have Adobe Acrobat XI which has recently been updated. We haven't tried to use the AutoCAD internal driver (I'm understanding that is the built in PDF printing process) as we always use Adobe. The weird thing though is that we are using exactly the same raster image on all of the other title blocks without this same issue.
Looking forward to your response. Thanks again!
Mary Jo

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> We use AutoCAD 2016 version 20.1.49.0

That means you are not up-to-date ... download and install the latest service pack from >>>here<<<.

>> We haven't tried to use the AutoCAD internal driver

Please try it, it makes sense 😉

>> The weird thing though is that we are using exactly the same raster image

>> on all of the other title blocks without this same issue.

So if it depends on one special drawing (and the above suggestion using the internal driver does not work) please run command _ETRANSMIT (to create a ZIP from the drawing + the image) and upload it here. Then we can take a look into it (if it happens on our systems too and if we find some internals causing this issue).

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Holy cow. Thanks for all your help and your quick response in both instances. We will try the fixes and if they don't work will e-transmit the drawing to you.
Take care,
Mary Jo

[Anonymous]

Hello again!

We've tried the internal driver, installed the latest service pack and tried changing the setting for the raster output resolution.  None of these changed our results.  All of the title blocks are in the same drawing (not separate drawings), which is why this is so puzzling.  I'll be very interested to see if it does what I'm describing for you too!

I've uploaded the zip as directed, and the drawing opens on the title block that is having the issue.

Thanks Alfred - your help is very appreciated!

Mary Jo

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

please find my PDF, do you see that as ok or is there anything you think has to be better?

(I don't have Adobe Acrobat to do my own comparisons)

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Hi there!

Yes, the PDF looks exactly as it should (the logo is like all the other titelblocks).  Did you have the same issue we are seeing in the drawing?  If so, how did you resolve it?

Thank you!

Mary Jo

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> Yes, the PDF looks exactly as it should (the logo is like all the other titelblocks).  

>> Did you have the same issue we are seeing in the drawing?

I did nothing else then start AutoCAD 2016, open your drawing, started PLOT and used these settings:

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Hi!

When I try to do the same, I don't have access to the "PDF Options" in the plot dialogue box.  I've uploaded jpeg screen captures for you to see what I'm seeing.  The first is of the plot dialogue box I get, and the second is what I'm seeing in the print preview. 

Mary Jo

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

which version of AutoCAD do you have? I used AutoCAD 2016 SP1.

And have you had migrated settings from previous AutoCAD releases? ,,, could be a reason why AutoCAD does not show the PDF-options when you select an old "DWG to PDF.pc3".

You can try to copy my PC3 (attached in my previous post) into your plotter folder and select this in the plot-dialog then. Do you then see the PDF-options?

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Hi there,

I used your PC3 and got the button to add to the dialogue, and then matched your selection.  It's still printing the same!  It is as I'd feared.  I was afraid it would behave fine for you!  LOL.

I'm going to keep on trying things.  I feel it must be something peculiar to our system if you can't replicate the issue.

Thanks again Alfred!  Your obviously very skilled and your time and attention to this are very very appreciated.

Take care,

Mary Jo

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I'm going to keep on trying things.  I feel it must be something peculiar to

>> our system if you can't replicate the issue.

Create a new Windows user for your system, login with that account and try the same again ... but without doing any customization to your AutoCAD so you are using as fresh AutoCAD profile.

>> I used your PC3 and got the button

That makes me quite sure that you migrated settings from an older release of AutoCAD.

And that has sometimes issues, not all is ported well.

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Thank you! I'm pretty sure I've not migrated settings (not sure how to!) but that doesn't mean someone else didn't do that for me.

Take care Alfred, all the best.

M.J.