Large PDF file sizes

[JennG13]

I work with a small group of civil 3d users, we're having issues with a few of our users, that when plotting their sizes are extremely large! We are all uses the same pc3 file from the network so the settings are always identical. When plotting the exact same file, I get pdf sizes in the 1 to 2 MB range, which is normal, it's a grading plan sheet. I have two users who's file sizes are in the 9 to 10 MB range. We are on 2017, I've checked plot drivers, cad updates, pretty much everything I can think of. Anyone have any other suggestions?

[Opie]

What version of AutoCAD was the pc3 file created? You may need to recreate it for the current version.

Also, are they all plotting using the same program with no differences in add-ons?

[JennG13]

What version of AutoCAD was the pc3 file created? You may need to recreate it for the current version.

Also, are they all plotting using the same program with no differences in add-ons?

The pc3 was re-created in 2017 when we upgraded. And everything else is identical.

[BlackBox]

May I ask how you confirmed that you're all using the same .PC3 file from the network? The first one found is made available via SFSP. Consider LISP's FINDFILE function to verify the actual location.

What method of plotting to PDF are you using: PLOT, PUBLISH, AUTOPUBLISH, PDFEXPORT, Core Console (with or without Windows Shell menu) or perhaps Batch Save Utility + Script?

Autodesk hard-coded some of those plotting methods to _only_ use their newfangled 'AutoCAD PDF*' .PC3 files, regardless of what Page Setup/Plotter user specifies... I literally make .BAK copies of them OOTB then rename copies of our customized DWG to PDF.pc3 file as those 'AutoCAD PDF*' .PC3 files so our settings are always used, regardless of plotting method.

Cheers

[rkmcswain]

We are all uses the same pc3 file from the network so the settings are always identical.

But what *driver* is this PC3 file pointed to?
A local copy of C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2017\DRV\pdfplot13.hdi on each PC? Have you verified that this file is identical on each PC?

Or are you using a 3rd party pdf driver in your .pc3 file, such as bluebeam or acrobat? Same problem could exist, where each PC has a different driver.

[rmk]

But what *driver* is this PC3 file pointed to?
A local copy of C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2017\DRV\pdfplot13.hdi on each PC? Have you verified that this file is identical on each PC?

Or are you using a 3rd party pdf driver in your .pc3 file, such as bluebeam or acrobat? Same problem could exist, where each PC has a different driver.

where or how do you configure that driver. can it be changed? if you go to plotters from the plotter manager, select a .pc3 file and open, you can see the driver used, but i don't see anywhere to change the driver.