bluebeam vector vs raster

[samspade]

When we print a .pdf it is creating a raster file, we need a vector file. How do you affect this change?

Using AutoCAD 2020.

thanks

[Anonymous]

Have you tried Google or Bluebeam support.

[jeff_rivers · Accepted solution]

Which plotter driver are you using?  AutoCad Plot to PDF works for me and generates a vector-based PDF. 

[samspade]

yes thank you I started there.

[samspade]

I was using the bluebeam pdf. The lack of definitive information on this subject is disheartening. What is worse is the people who try to send me to google or bluebeam support as if I hadn't thought of that. Your answer, conversely, is helpful, and I absolutely appreciate it. 

Do you know if there is a definitive way to tell if a .pdf is raster or vector or do you just judge it by looking at how much you can zoom it?

thanks very much for your help sir, your generosity is great, and my gratitude immense.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

https://support.bluebeam.com/articles/raster-vector-and-text-whats-really-in-my-pdf/

[samspade]

Yes, I read this, but don't see where it tells you how to specify what kind of file you are plotting.

Basically,  we plotted a set and they are raster, not vector. It's a problem. I am trying to understand how it happened, how to fix it, and how to avoid it in the future.

thanks for your effort.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure you have gone threw all the property settings and PDF options when trying to plot.  Since Bluebeam would be considered 3rd party software, your options are limited since this is an Autodesk site.

An another note, how's the weather there? I lived in San Antonio for 5 years. Used to go to Bubba's Big Deck to have a drink or two until the river took it out.

[samspade]

you mean Bubba's on River Road in New Braunfels? I have been by on the bike but it's closed due to the pandemic. They just opened the river last week. It is HOT here, per usual. They are calling for a scorcher this year.

thanks, and have a great day. 

[jeff_rivers]

You're welcome.  And no, other than zooming in closely, I don't know of a different way.  The zooming in is pretty clear to me (even with my bad, old eyeballs).  A raster will get pixelated pretty quickly by, say, 400%.  

I think another way would be to insert that pdf into another new drawing, and if it is a vector, the linework and other entities will be individually selectable in cad, whereas with a raster it will be one monolithic image, just as a .jpg or .bmp is when inserted into cad.  

[BryGuy_AK]

Found this information, might also be useful.
https://support.bluebeam.com/online-help/revu2017/Content/RevuHelp/00--Command-Bar/04--Print/Advance...

[rl_jackson]

In my personal experience don't use bluebeam! It's not necessary and just an added unnecessary expense. 

[Shneuph · Accepted solution]

I just had a long email chain with Bluebeam support.  I just recently started having this issue, where bluebeamPDF plotter put out Raster instead of vector files. 

I just discovered it was because,  for a 1 off project, we had AutoCAD set to 'Plot transparency'.  This is an option in the Plot dialog.  Try unchecking if it's checked and see if that helps?

Also, there is a variable that overrides the check box setting in the plot dialog.  Make sure it's set to 1 or 0 and that the check box is unchecked.

AutoCAD 2020 Help: PLOTTRANSPARENCYOVERRIDE (System Variable)
https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2020/ENU/index.html?guid=GUID-38F03A2C-6D36-4AD9-BBE0-9CA574BEF21...

This was the solution to my issue with getting unexpected Raster output using Bluebeam.

[JimPfeffer]

This - Switching off 'Plot Transparency' In the print dialogue - worked.

[JOrtiz3LSGU]

Yes, this worked for me too, definitely best to uncheck the transparency. The PDF looks much better and like vectors when you turn of transparency.

Also for Bluebeam you will want to adjust your properties of the printer driver, and change the text to TrueType.

By doing that to the text you can search the PDF for text. 

Thanks for the help, it was quite difficult to figure this all out.

[Joe-Bouza]

I know this old but if you have found an answer yet. If you IMPORTPDF and it comes in as line work you got a vector otherwise raster