Print a pdf with lines as vectors?

[ABu]

Hello,

When I print a pdf from a sheet file, the vector lines print as filled shapes.  How can I print the lines as vectors?

All the resolution settings are set at 300 dpi.

I am using File>Print, on a Windows machine.  I get a post-script pop up window after clicking print.

Thanks,

Alex

Edited February 21, 2021 by klinzey
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[Pat Stanford]

If they are bing filled, then they are not lines but rather probably polylines or polygons.

 

Select the object and set the Fill to None in the Attributes palette.

[ABu]

They're definitely lines, not polylines.  Please see the attached screenshot of the line selected in Illustrator - it shows as a shape with a black fill, rather than a simple vector line

[Pat Stanford]

Set the Line Thickness to 1 Point and you will only get a single vector line.

 

Or try Export rather than print.

 

Is it the printed image that is not what you want? Or is it when you import into a different application?

[ABu]

Hello,

Attached is an image showing my Line settings - the maximum thickness I have is 0.35.  (But I don't think this is the issue.)

The lines appear very thick on the pdf too.  However, whatever their thickness, the lines print as filled shapes not vectors - this is the problem.

Might it be something to do with the Windows print settings?

I can't export to pdf because the file isn't then editable using the Vectorworks Education edition.

Thanks

[ABu]

Hello,

It would be great to have a response on this issue, please.

Thank you

[Andy Broomell]

Exporting to PDF does not exhibit this issue for me. I can open a PDF in Illustrator and lines come in as a lines with a stroke thickness, not an outline shape like in your screenshot.

 

So it likely has to do with either Windows or 'printing' to PDF. Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

What is your end goal with what you're trying to do?

[ABu]

I would like to have line vectors which I can edit in Illustrator (so don't print as shapes).

If this is to do with the Windows printing to pdf function, how can I resolve the issue?

(I can't export from the education version of vectorworks as this generates a password-protected file)

Thanks

[ABu]

Hello, I haven't yet received feedback to solve this issue. 

It would be great if someone could help identify the issue?

Thanks

[unearthed]

Have you got file export pdf as an option in your student version - I find it makes a more useful file, at least on my prehistoric version.

[Andy Broomell]

Also if your goal is only to get something into Illustrator, you might instead try exporting to DWG or EPS (EPSF). Not sure what’s available in the student version’s Export menu, but those would transfer the actual vectors directly.

[ABu]

Hello, thank you for your reply.  No, I can't export in the student version as the output is an encrypted file that I cant edit

[unearthed]

@ABu By encrypted do you mean locked? You may still be able to explode the file back to lines in VW, it's a kludge but useful if it works.

[Jesse Cogswell]

When you export a PDF or use the Publish command on a watermarked drawing, the resulting PDF will be essentially read-only password locked.  So you can't combine it with other PDFs, open it in Photoshop or Illustrator, or do much of anything outside of viewing and printing it.  I used to run into this all the time when I was in graduate school, as most students are using Student Licenses.

 

Unfortunately, trying both Adobe and Microsoft's PDF printers resulted in lines being converted to filled objects in Illustrator, even when set to a line weight of 1 mil (smallest VW can do).

 

But the EPSF export (suggested by @Andy Broomell ), worked like a dream and should be able to be done from a student version.  In my quick bout of testing, all of the lines came in as vector paths from a watermarked file and without the unpredictable nesting that can happen with PDFs and DWGs.  Definitely give that a shot.

[ABu]

The EPSF export seems to work!

 

Thank you, I'm so grateful!