custom .pc3 not supported

[harimadhavan66]

Hi Everyone, Good day to all, Im a beginner with lisp knowledge

I'm trying to customize a LISP routine to create PDFs using my own .pc3 and ctb file — specifically, I'm using "Foxit PDF Editor Printer.pc3". I tried replacing the default printer and setting a custom paper size, but the code isn’t working as expected.

(defun c:PDF ( / cm )

   (setq cm (getvar 'CMDECHO))

   (setvar 'CMDECHO 0)

   (command "_.-plot" "_y"

       (if (= 1 (getvar 'TILEMODE)) "Model" (getvar 'CTAB))

       "AutoCAD PDF (High Quality Print).pc3" "ARCH D (24.00 x 36.00 Inches)"

       "_M" "_L" "_N" "_E" "_F" "_C" "_Y" "monochrome.ctb" "_Y"

   )

   (if (= 1 (getvar 'TILEMODE))

       (command "_A")

       (command "_N" "_Y")

   )

   (command "_N" (strcat (getvar 'DWGPREFIX) (vl-filename-base (getvar 'DWGNAME))) "_Y" "_Y")

   (setvar 'CMDECHO cm)

   (princ)

)

(vl-load-com) (princ)

When I replace the default .pc3 file in the LISP code with my own (Foxit PDF Editor Printer.pc3), instead of plotting automatically, it starts asking for every input again — like paper size, plot area, etc

 As below 👇 

Command: PDF

Yes or No, please.

Don't use Esc while using a Lisp commandWrite the plot to a file [Yes/No] <N>: y

Command: MOPRINT

Yes or No, please.

Don't use Esc while using a Lisp commandWrite the plot to a file [Yes/No] <N>:

Save changes to page setup [Yes/No]? <N>

Proceed with plot [Yes/No] <Y>:

Effective plotting area: 903.11 wide by 603.25 high

Plotting viewport 1.

Effective plotting area: 792.73 wide by 577.98 high

Plotting viewport 2.

Also, it would be awesome if we could add a feature where each layout gets plotted using a name format and save location pulled from an Excel file. That would seriously save a ton of time and effort. Thanks in advance, friends!

[harimadhavan66]

Hi Sir,

Then is there anyway to make the AutoCAD PDF (High Quality Print).pc3 line plotting same as Foxit.pc3. With same approach pltpdf AutoCAD PDF (High Quality Print).pc3 works as expected. The main issue is black color's boldness as we discussed earlier. Can we make the AutoCAD PDF (High Quality Print).pc3 vector line render config as same as foxit?

[paullimapa]

Each company may have their own methods of generating pdfs.

The built-in pdf devices provided by Autodesk for AutoCAD are developed to produce pdfs this way.

So the short answer is no.

[harimadhavan66]

Yeah Now, I came up with an end. I try other .pc3 of autocad. AutoCAD PDF (Smallest File).pc3 works as same as Foxit.pc3. Im going to stick with that. Since it is possible by only your assist sir. Thanks a lot.

[paullimapa]

glad you finally found a built-in pdf solution...cheers!!!