AutoCAD Tip: Shade Plot Options for Consistent Viewport Output

Control exactly how shaded and rendered views plot to keep output consistent, legible, and fast.

Where to set it

• Per viewport: Select a layout viewport > Properties palette > Shade Plot. Choose As Displayed, Hidden, Shaded, or Rendered.
• Per page setup: Plot/Page Setup > Shaded viewport options. This can override viewport settings during plotting.
• Visual style: Set the viewport’s Visual Style (e.g., Realistic, Conceptual, Shaded with Edges) to control the on-screen look when using As Displayed.

What each option is best for

• As Displayed: Plots the viewport exactly as you see it (best for Shaded with Edges or Conceptual). Use when screen preview equals your desired print.
• Hidden: Vector hidden-line plot from 3D geometry. Small PDF sizes and crisp lines; great for construction sheets.
• Shaded: Raster shaded output without full rendering overhead. Good for colorized 3D views in presentations.
• Rendered: Honors lights, materials, and shadows. Heaviest option; use for cover sheets or client visuals.

Quality, speed, and file size

• In Plot/Page Setup, adjust Shaded viewport quality/resolution (DPI or Presentation/Normal/Preview, depending on AutoCAD version). Increase for smoother gradients; decrease to speed plots and shrink PDFs.
• Hidden plots are vector and typically produce the smallest, sharpest PDFs. Shaded/Rendered views embed raster; expect larger files.
• For PDFs, “DWG To PDF.pc3” balances quality and size. If output is jagged, raise the shaded resolution; if files are too large, reduce it.

Edge clarity for shaded prints

• Prefer Shaded with Edges visual style + Shade Plot = As Displayed for clean outlines over fill.
• Tune edge color and lineweight in Visual Style settings for legibility on grayscale CTB plots.
• Alternate method: Stack two aligned viewports—top as Hidden (thin, dark lines), bottom as Shaded. Lock both viewports and manage plot order.

Best-practice workflow

• Set and test your viewport’s Visual Style in paper space.
• Choose Shade Plot per viewport (start with As Displayed or Hidden).
• Open Plot/Page Setup > Shaded viewport options; dial in quality and confirm the override behavior you want.
• Save as a Page Setup and store it in your project DWT so the team can reuse it consistently.

Troubleshooting

• Looks wireframe on print: Shade Plot likely set to Wireframe/Hidden; switch to As Displayed/Shaded/Rendered as needed.
• Colors wash out: Your CTB may remap colors. Use a neutral CTB or change the viewport to Shaded with Edges and adjust edge color.
• Huge PDFs/slow plotting: Lower shaded DPI, disable shadows, freeze heavy hatch layers, and ensure GPU acceleration is on.
• Missing materials/lights: Use Rendered and confirm materials/lighting in the current drawing.

Standardize this in your templates and share page setups team-wide. For expert guidance, licensing, and training resources, connect with NOVEDGE. Explore AutoCAD solutions and upgrades at NOVEDGE’s AutoCAD catalog, and check the NOVEDGE blog for additional tips.