AutoCAD Tip: AutoCAD PDF and DWF Export Best Practices

Essential setup (once per template):

• Use proper page setups in your template (CTB/STB, paper size, plot area, orientation). Assign the “DWG To PDF.pc3” or “DWF6 ePlot.pc3” driver and save the page setup for reuse.
• Set lineweights and colors via your standard CTB/STB. Verify “Plot with plot styles” and “Display plot styles” for a trustworthy preview.
• Lock viewport scales and lineweight display before publishing to avoid accidental changes.
• Use monochrome.ctb for black-and-white packages; keep a separate page setup for color presentations.

PDF output: quality vs. size

• Driver: DWG To PDF.pc3 > Custom Properties:
  • Vector resolution: 1200–2400 dpi for linework; lower this for smaller files.
  • Raster resolution: 300–600 dpi for shaded or image-heavy sheets; reduce for drafts.
  • Include layer information: On for review, Off for smallest files.
  • Include hyperlinks and bookmarks: On for multi-sheet sets and navigability.
• Fonts:
  • Prefer TrueType fonts for searchable PDFs. Set “Capture fonts” as text when possible.
  • SHX text can export as geometry; if searchability matters, switch critical notes to TrueType.
• Transparency and line merge:
  • Only enable “Plot transparency” when needed; it increases plot time and file size.
  • Use “Lines Merge” for clean overlapping fills; switch to “Lines Overwrite” for speed.

DWF advantages (when to choose DWF):

• Smaller, faster, and retains object/layer intelligence for review.
• Best with Autodesk Design Review and round-tripping markups via Markup Set Manager.
• Use DWF6 ePlot.pc3; enable “Prompt for name” and “Multi-sheet” for packaged sets.

Batch publishing for consistency:

• Use Sheet Set Manager (SSM) to control page setups, order, and naming.
• PUBLISH from SSM:
  • Choose “Multi-sheet file” to create a single navigable PDF/DWF with bookmarks.
  • Or “Individual sheet files” with a file naming convention (e.g., SheetNumber_SheetTitle).
• Enable Background Publish to keep working while sheets export.

Quality control checklist before export:

• Audit layers: no frozen/locked annotation layers that should plot.
• Confirm viewport layer overrides are intentional.
• Purge unused styles and run OVERKILL on heavy details to reduce file size.
• Verify plot scale, north arrows, and scale bars after a test PDF/DWF.

Troubleshooting quick wins:

• Thick or fuzzy lines: increase vector dpi or ensure “Plot object lineweights” is on.
• Missing or garbled text: swap SHX for TrueType or adjust SHX-to-geometry settings.
• Huge PDFs: disable layers, reduce raster dpi, avoid transparency, and use monochrome.
• Slow plotting: switch to “Lines Overwrite” and limit high-res raster viewports.

Pro tip: Standardize all of the above into your office templates and share them with your team. Explore trusted software, training, and add-ons at NOVEDGE, and check AutoCAD solutions and bundles on NOVEDGE’s AutoCAD page to streamline your publishing workflow.