Plot PDF's using Adobe Distiller in CAD = missing portions of drawings

[emodderman]

We're using acrobat distiller (adobe v8 ) to plot PDF's from versions 2005 and 2006 CAD and it randomly leaves out entire chunks of drawings. No error messages, no freezing, it just acts like normal and plots an entire set or just one page BUT the drawing or several in the set will be missing a washroom, or a few walls etc...
I've been tasked to fix this or find an alternative.

everything i have heard so far leans toward this being a CAD problem with PDF's and not a distiller problem. so what gives?

and if there is no fix, is there a suitable program for plotting PDF's (preferably free or inexpensive)? We have tried CutePDF but encountered the same issue with the missing lines. We are currently working with AcroPlot but that requires a bit of a change for the way we setup drawings and i find it slow and a bit frustrating. there HAS to be something else out there!

thanks!

[Railrose]

I've had it freeze up, but not leave stuff out. If I have problems with Distiller, I use the Adobe Acrobat PDF Writer.

Another idea would be Autodesk DWF, or if it has to be PDF, you might be able to save as an image (jpgout) then use a photo editing software to write to Distiller. Long way around, but might be workable.

Also, you might try a forums search for "distiller" & see if any of those answer your questions.

[emodderman]

hm... yea, thats the general consensus... not a CAD problem and not an Adobe problem... my goodness our system must be messed up :(

[jaberwok]

FWIW, I too use use the Adobe Acrobat PDF Writer.

[emodderman]

FWIW, I too use use the Adobe Acrobat PDF Writer.

how? to do what? to print to a .pdf from a .dwg?

[jaberwok]

how? to do what? to print to a .pdf from a .dwg?


Yes, and no. From inside acad and from any other software. My (pdf) needs are simple though so it doesn't mean it will be good for everyone.

[CADDmanVA]

I've never had luck with the tool bars and command Adobe installed on my 05 and 06 versions. I set up a "plotter" PC3 file and send my PDF plots to that. If all else fails (and I shudder at the suggestion) you could try PDF995 :shock: Just Goggle it and you can download it for free.

[emodderman]

i'm at a loss then! thanks for all the suggestions! i'm going to try that PDF995 thing, if it's free it might work!

all in all, it's just a hassle to have to double check every single plot that goes out and it's a time/money waster... but to buy new software? i'm not so sure yet...

i've attached a pic of what the pdf's come out like when they're missing stuff.. you can tell that there are walls missing, and it's like, adobe just forgot to draw them! very very strange... and all you have to do is replot, and they're fine!

i'm thinking it is a RAM issue and i'm going to tackle that next! :)

[emodderman]

OMG Popups in autocad. i never thought i'd see the day! guess i'm not using PDF995! haha

[troberts]

We are having a similar problem, not all of the time, but just a Gotcha! every once in awhile.
Usually it happens when printing PDF files through Sheet Sets. Most of the plot will come out okay, but a line or two, or part of a title will just not be there. We are using AutoCAD 2007, Adobe Acrobat 8, and an Oce TDS 400. We have ten different CAD stations, each one has had the problem, so it is not an operator issue. We have good Dell Precision 690 computers with 2 to 4G ram. Does anyone have some ideas? Does anyone else have this problem?