Plotmaker PDF Output

[Vitruvius]

Hi,

I've been outputting PDF on both PC and Mac and have noticed that the Mac files aren't as fine a resolution as the PC Amyuni PDF files. This is the same AC project and PM layout?????

The platform setups are:

1. PC / Windows 2000 / AC 8.1 / PM 3.1
- files are PDF'd from Plotmaker using Amyuni PDF driver
- my default printer is an HP 5000 laserjet

2. MAC / OS 10.2.3 / AC 8.1 / PM 3.1
- files are PDF's using print command in Plotmaker
- my default printer is an HP 9300 inkjet

The PDF output has been printed on both printers - basically the PC files look nicer on screen and the printouts are far superior on both HP printers. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Many thanks!

Cameron

[Anonymous]

Wes,

You are a genius. Who woulda thought to go and read the manual?

Thanks for some definitely useful tidbits.

[Dave Jochum]

Weston wrote:
Also OSX help mentioned that if you "Preview" the image from the print dialog and then print the image from the preview window, you will lose resolution quality since you are essentially making a pdf from the pdf OSX created to show you the preview.

Any of those tips help?

Wes

Absolutely helps. I've wondered about this very issue, but never bothered to check the manual. Thanks!

[__archiben]

Vitruvius wrote:
BTW Ben - 5 cups o' java and skiing don't mix - you don't want to be drilling through 4 layers of clothing to answer nature's call at 8000 ft.....

point taken, vitruvius. point taken!

[Aussie John]

In regard to file size it is my understanding that graphics such as Jpgs tiff etc will produce a large file size using the macOS PDF printing, There are utilities that will compress the PDF further, but as I say is only an issue if using embedded graphics

[Anonymous]

Generally on this same topic, PDF. Recently I tried an export of a PDF from Plotmaker, then I loaded it into Adobe Illustrator, changed all lines to WHITE and then placed a dark blue square behind all the drawing elements, saved it again as a PDF, and created the old fashioned BLUEPRINT effect, without the ammonia.

You can also play with the filters in Adobe Illustrator to get scribble effects to your drawings.

Have Fun!

Mark Burginger

[Dave Jochum]

Burginger wrote:
Recently I tried an export of a PDF from Plotmaker, then I loaded it into Adobe Illustrator, changed all lines to WHITE and then placed a dark blue square behind all the drawing elements, saved it again as a PDF, and created the old fashioned BLUELINE effect.

I assume you use this for online viewing only--I can only imagine how many ink cartridges would be necessary for a set of prints. Anyway, it's a nice, old fashioned look.

Not to quibble, but this is a bluePRINT effect--the blueLINE being the standard current-day output of blue lines on white paper.

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

It's been awhile for me to be on the Talk forum. I used to get it back when it was email format. I'm glad to see it's grown up and I'll certainly start reading it daily again!

I don't mean to highjack the issue, but it seems so close to my question that I will jump in.

I would like to be able to make PDF files of ArchiCAD files. What's the best way to do this? I'm confused about which Adobe product I need, and I've read with interest the discussion about making PDF's from Plotmaker, which is exactly what I would like to do.

I'm sure this has been covered in other threads, but I searched and could not find much.

Right now I'm running ArchiCAD on both Apple and PC, but am switching to PC only pretty soon if that makes a difference.

Thanks for any help!

[Dave Jochum]

htra wrote:
I would like to be able to make PDF files of ArchiCAD files. What's the best way to do this? I'm confused about which Adobe product I need, and I've read with interest the discussion about making PDF's from Plotmaker, which is exactly what I would like to do.

Right now I'm running ArchiCAD on both Apple and PC, but am switching to PC only pretty soon if that makes a difference.

Too bad...On a Mac you can save to PDF directly from the print dialog box. Until we can publish to PDF, we're limited to a drawing at a time, but no other software is necessary. Sorry, but can't help on the PC side.

[Rick Thompson]

Dave wrote:

htra wrote:

Too bad...On a Mac you can save to PDF directly from the print dialog box. Until we can publish to PDF, we're limited to a drawing at a time, but no other software is necessary. Sorry, but can't help on the PC side.

There is a great freeware program called Combine PDF http://www.monkeybreadsoftware.de/ It does what is says. I use it to quickly and cheaply combine plot sheets

[Aussie John]

Dave wrote:
Until we can publish to PDF, we're limited to a drawing at a time

David I dont understand that. Print to PDF and all the drawings (after selecting plotmaker options) will be "printed" in one file.
…or did you mean directly from Archicad