display vs. output

[jessica.146534]

Is it possible to have different settings for how elements display on screen versus how they print out? I know this sounds like an ACAD thing where lines can be a rainbow of colors on the screen but still plot black, but I kinda need this in Revit. Here me out before you freak out on me...

I'm working on the renovation of an existing building. Originally I had the EXISTING elements show up as GRAY but when I sent the drawings to the local blueprinter they came out completely illegible. They told me that their printers don't do grayscale and it pixilates the lines. So i had to change everything to be black but then I lose the ability on my screen to differentiate between new and existing. Does this make sense?

Has anyone figured out how to have elements display one way on-screen but still print clearly?? I'd hate to have to change my settings every time I print!!

[david_peterson]

I have the same problem here with one of my small printers. When I print a screened object to it, it prints black. However it's only the one printer.
My suggestion to you would be to find a different print shop. I create PDF's and they look good after they come out of our HP-510 plotter.
I've had many a problems with outside print shops. We always send them a copy of what it should look like from when we print it in-house so they can adjust their printers. We also ask them to send us back a pre-view set of what they look like so we know what we are getting. If they can't get it right, we find someone else. We do outsource a ton of printing and haven't every had a problem finding a printer that does what we want.

[greg.mcdowell]

No, Revit is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get program. If you need to see it differently on screen you'll have to make a duplicate of the view and change the setting there. Of course any drafting work you do in this view (lines, dimensions, tags, etc.) won't show up on the original view.

[ron.sanpedro]

Jessica,
I see two issues. One, you can make two views, one with color for working in, and one in black & white for printing. This "working view" approach is a very Revit way of working, with no parallel in AutoCAD, so it can take a bit of effort to get used to.
Also, if your print shop can't print screened lines in 2010, I would be looking for a new print shop! There is simply no excuse for that. And honestly, unless they are using a 15 year old machine or some old job management software, it is probably no more than a setting on their end. Especially if you are sending them PDFs, there really is no reason why you shouldn't get a decent gray. I can believe that even a newer high speed plotter might only allow you one or two shades of gray, and not on your thinest lines, but none at all? Crazy talk. ;)

Best,
Gordon