Why are my PDF Prints pixelated but the pdf itself is perfectly clear on screen

[shaunK7WBC]

Hello

I have been having this problem since I downloaded Autocad LT 2023 but is seems to have effected the 2022 version also. Is there a settings fix or are all my files old and new corrupted somehow?

[RobDraw]

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@shaunK7WBC wrote:

are all my files old and new corrupted somehow?

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That's a pretty big stretch from having a PDF that doesn't print right. In fact, it's highly improbable and unlikely that AutoCAD is the source of the problem.

Logic says the problem is the printer if the PDF is fine. You need to try the PDF on a different printer.

[shaunK7WBC]

Thanks for your response Rob

Yes I have tried this with the same outcome, also any other pdfs received from external sources print perfectly it is just those pdfs I have produced from the autcad documents I have produced, which I might add printed perfectly prior to the installation of Autocad lt 2023.

[RobDraw]

You should probably tell us what else you've tried before you shoot down any other theories. 

Please, also list all relevant information about how you make and print PDFs including print settings including AutoCAD plot settings and what program you use to print PDFs and those settings. Maybe by looking at them, you will "discover" the cause.

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @shaunK7WBC 

Is it possible to upload two screenshots?

1. The AutoCAD print dialog window showing your plot settings.
2. A screenshot of what you see on your monitor when you go to Print Preview.

Or you can upload your drawing for evaluation.

[shaunK7WBC]

Hi 

Please see a few screenshots of the pdf production process and then the print screen.

Really appreciate your help, i'm sure its probably something I am doing but over the last few months I have been asking Contractors not to print the drawings and to use tablets etc to view them but I cant continue like this.

Thanks again.

[RobDraw]

Have you tried a better PDF printer than a web browser that might have trouble with vector PDFs?

[shaunK7WBC]

Hi Rob

I have previously downloaded Adobe Acrobat reader with no luck and following your message I just downloaded pdfelement which was even worse unfortunately.

Just to point out if I print directly from autocad I have the same pixelation, so I would assume the pdf writer is not the issue?

[RobDraw]

Now you're telling us that? 

You didn't say that you were using AutoCAD to print a PDF to PDF. I understand that can be problematic. I haven't done it since AutoCAD was first capable of it.

I'm out.

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @shaunK7WBC 

Your PDF plots are going to OneDrive. What happens if you plot to a local drive, like your Desktop, or to your firm’s non-cloud drive?

Don’t be fooled, using ‘High Quality Print’ will offer little to no benefit if you are only dealing with black & white linework, unless you need high definition from rasters such as geotiff, MrSID, or J2000 format. Using High Quality on linework is like using a sledge hammer to pound a finishing nail. Try using the PDF driver shown below. 

 

Also, your plot drivers for version 2023 are in a different folder than the folder used by version 2022. By default, when 2023 goes to plot, it goes to the 2023 folder (unless, of course, you’ve overridden that folder location).

If the new driver in the new folder doesn’t work, you may try copying the old one and pasting it in the new folder, overwriting the new driver in the process (make a duplicate of the new v2023 beforehand for safekeeping). Using the old driver may, or may not, help you.

Since you’ve upgraded to 2023 you may, or may not, need to create a new PC3 altogether (Plotter Configuration File). 

[pendean]

@shaunK7WBC I wonder if you just need to select a different page size (or plot scale) is all you need to do instead, so you can avoid having a teeny tiny image on a big page that may get pixelated because your your chosen settings

[h_s_walker]

@shaunK7WBC just for your information and so you can get the proper help, the LT for MAC forums are in the link below

AutoCAD for Mac