Plotting with transparency causing issues

[AGomezCPSL]

I have been having issues plotting with transparency. First I could not print to our HP DesignJet T7100 with the "Plot Transparency" checked without the plotter printing lines through the entire drawing like its hatched. It would do this (example below).

I had given up plotting large maps and such with transparency.

No I am having another issue plotting to a Xerox AltaLink printer. It begins printing about 3/4" of the page then nothing, the rest of the page is blank.

Everything prints fine without "Plot transparency" checked on both printers/plotters.

[pendean]

Can you plot with no issue "with transparency" to PDF using one of the drivers in your MAP software?

[AGomezCPSL]

I can, and with normal printers it's just an extra step. But our large plotter, the HP, doesn't like large PDF's. It sometimes take hours to process and sometimes it just fails to print. These are network printers.

I thought maybe there was a setting somewhere I could change in CAD that could help. I don't have the privileges to change the printer settings and with everybody working remotely, troubleshooting seems like it would be a pain right now.

[ChicagoLooper]

There are different ways to make drawing entities transparent. Unfortunately you have not adequately described your issues. I'm sure you know what you want to be transparent but your post doesn't describe what you are trying to explain.

• What do you want transparent? Line work or hatch. If hatch, solid or pattern? You can skip the transparency effect and make a non-transparent pattern 'appear' as though it is a transparent-type of solid, but only if you know how.
• Is transparency applied directly to the hatch during the hatch procedure within the hatch command? Or is transparency applied afterwards, by applying it onto the hatch layer itself?
• Plotting from a PDF to hardcopy is typically easier compared to plotting directly from AutoCad plot command. Agreed, it is an extra step but it's  easier. Weigh the time you have already spent trying, without success, to plot by going directly from Cad to plotter compared with going from CAD to PDF, then from PDF to plotter.