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Options abound for creating PDF files from CAD drawings
1 Oct, 2003 By: Cadalyst StaffIn the past year or so, Cadalyst
Newsline covered an assortment of options for PDF output from
CAD software. You can find this capability in other Adobe products,
in plotting software, and in a variety of add-ons, some designed
for any Windows application, others geared specifically to CAD.
ADOBE ALTERNATIVES
Other Adobe programs may provide PDF writing tools that will work
with AutoCAD. Adobe Photo Deluxe, for example, includes a PDF writer.
Unfortunately, Adobe just discontinued this program. Adobe PressReady
lets you plot directly to a PDF file. This software comes bundled
with the HP DeskJet 1220C/PS. Adobe also offers an online PDF conversion
service ($9.99/month for U.S. and Canada only). Uploaded files are
limited to 100MB and a processing time of 10 minutes. You can sign
up for five free conversions at: http://createpdf.adobe.com
Dennis DeCamillo uses the following method for converting drawings
with a great deal of text that becomes unreadable when he used raster-based
conversion methods. He reports that though it's a bit more complicated,
the output is of higher quality.
Open an AutoCAD DWG file in Adobe Illustrator. Change printer options
based on the drawing (he generally uses Adobe PDFWriter for the
printer and Landscape for orientation). Scale the drawing to the
margins by selecting all objects, then dragging the corners while
holding down the Shift key. Finally, save the file as PDF. Pick
the option that best suits your purpose.
CHECK YOUR CURRENT SOFTWARE
Plotting software may also include a PDF output option. An example
is M-Color plotting software for AutoCAD. From the M-Color menu,
select Settings/Format/PDF. You can define outline and fill styles
such as solid color, gradient, translucent, and bit-map texture
for AutoCAD layers. M-Color automatically uses the best possible
compression method when creating PDFs. You can download an evaluation
copy at: http://www.motivesys.com
Likewise, CADPlotServer can produce PDF files: http://columbus.arup.com/cadplot/
Brian Mickel took us to task for neglecting CorelDraw, the "illustration
program of preference for long-time CAD users." CorelDraw imports
and publishes PDF files, in addition to handling a variety of other
illustration and presentation tasks.
http://www.corel.com
PDF FOR CAD
OttoPDF is a free application available at: http://communities.msn.com/ottomagic/files.dca
Download is free, but you need to enter an MSN .Net passport user
id. With OttoPDF, you create the plot file from the DWG file, with
no need for AutoCAD. For best results, copy your drawing to another
file and change all line colors to black. Otherwise, you may end
up with a grayscaled PDF.
View Companion (US$49) from Software Companions produces a PDF file
from an HPGL file. You plot using a Hewlett-Packard printer driver,
then load the file in View Companion. The only drawback is that
bit-mapped objects, such as client logos, cause View Companion to
crash.
http://www.softwarecompanions.com
GENERAL PDF WRITERS
PDF995.exe installs as a system printer and produces PDF files up
to A3 size. You can use the software for free if you're willing
to put up with ads. The cost is US$9.95 for the ad-free version.
http://www.pdf995.com
The company also offers Signature995, which encrypts PDF documents
and lets you attach digital signatures. http://www.signature995.com
The Jaws PDF Creator (US$100) installs as a printer driver in any
Windows or Macintosh application. It supports Windows 95/98/NT4/ME/2000/XP
and Macintosh 8.5 through 9.x. The Jaws product is the successor
to 5D PDF Creator.
http://www.jawspdf.com/
PDF-XChange V2 (US$39.50) installs as a printer so you can print
from any program. An evaluation version is available at:
http://www.docu-track.com/
Win2PDF from Dane Prairie comes in Standard (US$35) and Pro (US$69)
versions. The Pro version lets you encrypt PDF files to limit printing
and copying. Stan Fuhrhop reports using the software for 8.5 X 11
design concepts, addenda, field correction sketches, and more. His
firm (consulting engineers for construction) also uses it to publish
specifications, reports, and spreadsheets for electronic delivery.
He says the PDFs are a big improvement over the old "print-and-fax"
method.
http://www.daneprairie.com
602Pro Print Pack (US$19.95) installs as a printer in any Windows
application. You can set custom page sizes and orientation, page
color, and different file resolutions. Download a trial version
at:
http://www.software602.com/products/printpack/
pdfFactory Pro from FinePrint (US$99.95) lets you encrypt documents,
create bookmarks, add live URLs, and resize windows. pdfFactory
is available for US$49.95. You can download a trial version at:
http://www.fineprint.com
PDF OPTIONS: GHOSTSCRIPT
First, install a PostScript printer on your system. Windows comes
with some, and you can also download them from the Internet. Set
this printer to print to file.
Next, install the latest version of Ghostscript. You can download
a free copy at:
http://www.ghostscript.com
Also download and install GSView: http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/gsview/index.htm
To create a PDF, open your AutoCAD drawing and print it using your
PostScript printer. One reader suggests setting pen widths to 0.001.
The file will have the extension PRN. Open the PRN file in GSView.
From the pull-down menu select File / Convert. Select the option
PDFwrite. In the file name and location box that appears, be sure
to add the extension PDF to the filename you enter. Click the Save
button.
The resulting PDF is viewable in Acrobat Reader 4.0 and 5.0. Any
hyperlinks in the original drawing don't carry over into the PDF.
In place of the GSView application, you can also use FreePDF, which
you can download at:
http://www.webxd.com/zipguy/freepdf.htm
As with GSView, open the PRN file from inside FreePDF and select
Configure. Direct the PDF Converter to wherever you installed GhostScript.
From the FreePDF main window, select Pick Input PS. Change Files
of type to All Files and find your PRN file. Select Save PDF As.
One more reader suggestion: as you download the free software, provide
support to the sponsors by selecting their links.
PDF RESOURCE SITES
http://www.planetpdf.com
http://www.pdfzone.com
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