Halftone Lines Plotting Dotted

[mstudard]

We are having trouble getting halftone lines to plot correctly from Revit MEP 2010. The problem is specific to the linked model. As long as we do not check the "apply halftone" box in the Halftone/Underlay dialog, the linked model plots a solid line pattern (which is what we want); however, the lines are too dark. When we check the "apply halftone" box to shade the linked model, the linked model plots as a series of halftone "dots". I have attached a scan of the corner of a plot to illustrate the problem.

The problem seems to be specific to our KIP3100 plotter. If I print to another plotter the lines appear solid and shaded...just like we want them to. Has anybody encountered this issue with KIP plotters? Since the halftone appears like we want it to when we plot elsewhere, I assume that it has something to do with the way we have our KIP set up. Any advice?

Thanks!

[RobertB]

I am getting a pretty low opinion of the KIP Windows drivers. I have complained to our techs that it appears to me as if the Windows driver is ignoring the DPI of the plotter and always producing 150dpi plots. I haven't been able to prove it, but I've been in the industry long enough that I was tickled to get a 300dpi printer.

[mstudard]

What has me confused is that I know the KIP is capable of plotting shaded lines without dotting them. Our AutoCAD drawings always come out fine. The issue has something to do with Revit, but I am stumped as to how exactly they are related.

[RobertB]

What has me confused is that I know the KIP is capable of plotting shaded lines without dotting them. Our AutoCAD drawings always come out fine. The issue has something to do with Revit, but I am stumped as to how exactly they are related.

AutoCAD is probably using the HDI driver and not the Windows driver.

[mstudard]

Is there a way to force Revit to use the HDI driver as well?

[gwnelson]

Our Kip3000 produces the same dotty results, much to the chagrin of all.

[RobertB]

Is there a way to force Revit to use the HDI driver as well?

No, HDI is an AutoCAD technology. Autodesk has not extended HDI support to other products.

[mstudard]

How are those of you plotting to KIP plotters adapting to this problem? Has anybody come up with any good workarounds?

[RobertB]

How are those of you plotting to KIP plotters adapting to this problem? Has anybody come up with any good workarounds?

We are adapting by rolling over and giving up.

I've had techs come in several times to try to fix it at the hardware level and it just doesn't work. When we get the Windows driver printing as best as it can, it messes up our HDI printing. PDFs, DWFs, and Revit plots all look like garbage.

[Revit00123]

I am also having this problem with Revit Arch 2014. My linked file is 'existing' and when I plot, it comes in as little dots/dashes rather than halftone lines like it shows on the screen.

It's worse when I plot to half size but when I plot to full size, they become twisty looking. Like they are dashed but the empty part of the dashed line is very light (giving it a 'twisted line' look)

This is very fusterating. I've gone into the phasing properties and vv settings. Can anyone help me? Our demo is dashed so our existing can NOT be dashed too.

TIA