I have a Plant Model, designed with AutoCAD 2019 and Autoplant. If I open it in Autocad Mechanical 2025 and try to print a PDF from Layout1 the Print needs hours. Way most time is used for "Hiding Lines"
As far It seems that AutoCAD only use around 13% of CPU and no GPU
The Layout1 has four viewports set up as print with "hidden" lines In visual styles (I changed the color of the Lines to White/black because we need a Monochrome PDF)
Autoplant user support forum is at another website for another software vendor over here
I know, But Bentley say, it is a AutoCAD Problem and Autoplant is deprecated. I may try it with the community but I suppose I get better AutoCAD related answers here.
Is this plot performance typical for other plant models?
Yes
Or is it limited to content created with Autoplant?
No tests with similar Objects, but not from Autoplant possible. Technically I assume Yes.
Did you try different PDF drivers yet? / How about plotting to DWF?
The Problems clearly came from the Process "Hiding lines". But Yes, I tested it with Autodesk PDF, Publishing PDF, Microsoft PDF Printer and a Custom PDF Printer and also with Publishing DWF
Do you have background plotting and publishing turned off yet? Found in OPTIONS.
Tested both with on and off. The differences are not big.
@michel_ketterle wrote:...But Bentley say, it is a AutoCAD Problem and Autoplant is deprecated....
Can you share your files here? Might as well get others to try them too.
So here is how the 'support' game is played with out-of-support 3rd party software.
- Bentley is not interested is supporting a deprecated software, that costs them money if a flaw is found.
- Autodesk will point to your 3rd party software and say it's not their problem, they only want to spend time and effort fixing their own software with their own content.
PLUS... no one here is Autodesk. But you can try reaching them by starting a support ticket at your Autodesk accounts page if you are a paying subscriber to MECH2025.
You can also try disabling the trigger for "hiding lines" (I'm not sure what plot parameters and choices you've made, same for view).
And while you wait for someone in here that has the same exact setup as you do to notice it, and assuming they want to get involved do, you should go out of your wait to ask in as many other forums and groups as possible to get noticed by a larger audience:
- Bentley's forum noted above.
- REDDIT if there is one autoplant/mech combo
- TheSwamp, CADTutor and AUGI forums come to mind as well.
HTH.
I never assumed this could be a Bentley problem. Bentley design the Object. the Objects are either a body, a surface or a mesh. but after generating that Autocad has to render it. I may blame Bentley for using Autocad for their Autoplant addon because Autocad could not handle such huge 3D-Models, but on the other side AutoCAD has their own Addon for AutoCAD calling "Plant 3D"
@michel_ketterle wrote:I never assumed this could be a Bentley problem. Bentley design the Object. the Objects are either a body, a surface or a mesh. but after generating that Autocad has to render it. I may blame Bentley for using Autocad for their Autoplant addon because Autocad could not handle such huge 3D-Models, but on the other side AutoCAD has their own Addon for AutoCAD calling "Plant 3D"
If you wish to rant, it's most fruitful is you do it where Autodesk looks for user feedback, PLUS they might just be able to help you dissect your software or system issues, here are the ways to open a support case with Autodesk if you are on subscription to seek out Autodesk Support's help:
https://www.autodesk.com/support/account/manage/use/support#:~:text=com/plans.-,Contact%20support,-S...
and
https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Contacting-a-techn...
Can't find what you're looking for? Ask the community or share your knowledge.