PDF PRINTING

[spa_dup1]

I am experiencing strange output when printing to PDF printers. My files grow for example 575kb to 8.4mb. I am converting VW 12 files on PC xp home 3Ghz duo to PDF. Did anyone experience similar problems and have an advice on the good PDF printer or knows how to resolve it.

Kind regards

SPA

[jan15]

I've always been surprised at how small PDF files come out. Much smaller than the files they're created from. I use pdf995. http://www.pdf995.com/

And Foxit Reader to view PDF files, because it opens in a small fraction of the time that Acrobat Reader takes. http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php

[Don@Black Dog]

I am trying to print to PDF so I can sneakernet or email to a remote printing company. My page setup defaults to the 8.5 x 11 of my desktop printer, or goes to multiple pages when I default to Arch D. Any suggestions on prepping the file for offsite printing?

Thanks.

[Guest]

If you are using Adobe PDF, first create a custom page size, likable to the arch d sheet size. Then, select the custom page size as the paper size in the Print Setup/Page Setup menu.

In the print dialog box, rather than selecting Arch D as the paper size, set the paper size to One Page - this will ensure it prints on one page, rather than several letter size sheets.

[pwpla]

Katie:

Is there a maximum page size in Vectorworks? Printing an ArchD drawing is no problem, but I'm trying to print one that's 24" high by 135" wide. I follow the instructions in your post, but I don't see a paper size option in the print dialog. I selected One Page in the Set Print Area dialog, but if I try to change the page size to 24x135, it changes itself back to 24x125. If I don't try to change it, it just prints one 8.5x11 page of the drawing. Can you help, please?

[Guest]

Yes, there's a limitation and it depends on the DPI and sheet size length. The limitation is one of the PC, not VectorWorks.

If you need to print something 135" in length, you will need to reduce the dpi to a lower value in order to print that length.

[pwpla]

OK, I think that would be fine. Where and how would I reduce the DPI? In Windows or Vectorworks? Thanks!

[Guest]

It's in the "printer" preferences.

When go to File Print, go through properties and see if you can find the DPI setting. If not, refer to the Adobe help file as this is an Adobe printing question.

[Don@Black Dog]

Thanks for the help, Katie. Got the PDF conversion to work, although it did a small image on a 24x36 page. The printer (staff) can accomodate that, though.

I m getting very rough lines. letters, etc, almost like extreme draft quality. Is there a setting here (in VW) or is it a printer issue?

[Guest]

Are the rough lines after blowing up the small image on the 24x36?

What DPI did you end up using?

[Don@Black Dog]

No, they are rough, like a printer running out of ink, in any size image. I can't set the DPI, I use a commercial printer. They use a KIP Starprint 7000 or an HP 750.

[Don@Black Dog]

Sorry, In Document Preferences, it is set for normal resolution and 72 DPI for printing. No? I figured this was ok since it is a default.

[Guest]

Okay - I'm confused.

By the previous post I thought you were referring to the rough lines as showing in the PDF.

Does the quality look fine in the PDF by bad on the print out?

[Christiaan]

Sorry, In Document Preferences, it is set for normal resolution and 72 DPI for printing. No? I figured this was ok since it is a default.

No, as Katie said, you need to up the size of your DPI for printing. To at least 300 DPI. 72 DPI is for viewing on screen.

You're also going to have to create a custom page size and use that, as Katie mentioned.

[Don@Black Dog]

Thanks for the replies, both of you. The PDF looks good, but prints out week with lines looking like they were from a drying up pen. I will try up-ing the DPI in the print sequence and see if that works.

I did the custom page and believe it will work. Will let you know.

[Don@Black Dog]

I spoke too soon. Setting up the custom page gives me a small image on a 24x36 PDF page.

My settings: Doc settings: Print: 300DPI

Doc set up: layer scale 1:1

Page setup: 1 page horiz and vert.

Check boz:"page unavailable in printer set up", width 36, height 24

Print sequence: PDF995, size Arch D, Landscape.

Am I doing somthing obviously wrong? Thanks!

[Don@Black Dog]

Um, Never Mind. It printed to a full size PDF, don't know why, but I will take it. Thanks again.