Pretty Specific - AutoCAD to Acrobat conversion - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

yournamehere · 02-15-2005, 06:37 PM

I'm working on my portfolio (time for a drier climate), and want to convert AutoCAD drawings to Acrobat (since everyone has Acrobat Reader, but not everyone has AutoCAD). My plan is to use html on a CD, , which makes it easy to offer short explanations and provide easy links to my work (very user friendly). Anyway, my problem is this:

When I try to print 24 x 36 AutoCAD files to Acrobat, the largest paper size I'm allowed is 11 x 17. Now, I can save it that way (using "fit to paper size"), then convert it to 22 x 34 in Acrobat - but there are two problems with this - first, it's a pain to have to do the extra work; and since I work mainly on 24 x 36 sheets, the enlarged versions are not exactly to scale (to be to scale, I would have to enlarge the 11 x 17s 210%, but the 22 x 34 option only enlarges it 192%)

I probably just lack a driver that would allow me to print to Acrobat directly as a 24 x 36 sheet. But is it an AutoCAD driver, or an Acrobat driver? Any help would be appreciated.

Other than this little problem, the conversion works really well - and I suppose scale is not so important when viewing the files on a monitor. But I want to provide prospective employers the ability to print the files, if they have a large format printer.

TheJig · 02-17-2005, 11:53 AM

I have this same problem when I convert DWGs into PDFs. I wish I could help you out, but it's never been enough of a problem for me to figure out a solution. Usually the people I send my drawings to don't have a large enough printer anyway.

I hope to be in your position soon, and it would be nice to know a better way to show my work. Good luck.

ShaniFaye · 02-17-2005, 12:05 PM

I do this all day long, every drawing I do is plotted to PDF so that I can send the client a sample drawing. When I use the plot command I send it to the acrobat distiller and when the pdf is made it prints out on normal 8 1/2 x 11 paper

KMA-628 · 02-17-2005, 05:40 PM

I am running AutoCAD 2005 and Acrobat 6.

I was able to do an old dwg in .pdf at Arch. "D" size.

I had a whole list of paper sizes to choose from.

What AutoCAD are you running and what version of Acrobat?

hunnychile · 02-17-2005, 07:23 PM

Make 'em pdfs.

And add a "matchstick" scale, just in case.

yournamehere · 02-18-2005, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KMA-628

What AutoCAD are you running and what version of Acrobat?

I'm using ACAD 2004 and Acrobat 6.0

On the Autodesk site, it says to click the radio button for "custom size" in the Start/Printers/properties/Adobe PDF Properties window, but I never get "custom" as an option. It also says that you need to do a custom installation of Acrobat - the Express installation doesn't load everything. So I did that. Still no change.

I guess I can live with 11 x 17s or 22 x 34s - if anyone is serious enough to want to see full-size, they can send me an airline ticket and I'll bring along hard copies.

Like <b>hunnychile</b> suggested, I'll just put a graphic scale on each sheet.

Thanks to everyone for your responses.

hunnychile · 02-20-2005, 03:10 PM

Chill Babe, it's only Spring time...the dogwoods haven't even bloomed yet.

02-15-2005, 06:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
yournamehere Invisible Location: tentative, at best	Pretty Specific - AutoCAD to Acrobat conversion I'm working on my portfolio (time for a drier climate), and want to convert AutoCAD drawings to Acrobat (since everyone has Acrobat Reader, but not everyone has AutoCAD). My plan is to use html on a CD, , which makes it easy to offer short explanations and provide easy links to my work (very user friendly). Anyway, my problem is this: When I try to print 24 x 36 AutoCAD files to Acrobat, the largest paper size I'm allowed is 11 x 17. Now, I can save it that way (using "fit to paper size"), then convert it to 22 x 34 in Acrobat - but there are two problems with this - first, it's a pain to have to do the extra work; and since I work mainly on 24 x 36 sheets, the enlarged versions are not exactly to scale (to be to scale, I would have to enlarge the 11 x 17s 210%, but the 22 x 34 option only enlarges it 192%) I probably just lack a driver that would allow me to print to Acrobat directly as a 24 x 36 sheet. But is it an AutoCAD driver, or an Acrobat driver? Any help would be appreciated. Other than this little problem, the conversion works really well - and I suppose scale is not so important when viewing the files on a monitor. But I want to provide prospective employers the ability to print the files, if they have a large format printer. __________________ If you want to avoid 95% of internet spelling errors: "If your ridiculous pants are too loose, you're definitely going to lose them. Tell your two loser friends over there that they're going to lose theirs, too." It won't hurt your fashion sense, either.

02-17-2005, 11:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
TheJig Crazy Location: The Marmalade Forest	I have this same problem when I convert DWGs into PDFs. I wish I could help you out, but it's never been enough of a problem for me to figure out a solution. Usually the people I send my drawings to don't have a large enough printer anyway. I hope to be in your position soon, and it would be nice to know a better way to show my work. Good luck. __________________ "Jenny, tell me, do you still walk, do you still get into sandwiches in a big way?" - Flight of the Conchords

02-17-2005, 12:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	I do this all day long, every drawing I do is plotted to PDF so that I can send the client a sample drawing. When I use the plot command I send it to the acrobat distiller and when the pdf is made it prints out on normal 8 1/2 x 11 paper __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

02-17-2005, 05:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
KMA-628 ....is off his meds...you were warned. Location: The Wild Wild West	I am running AutoCAD 2005 and Acrobat 6. I was able to do an old dwg in .pdf at Arch. "D" size. I had a whole list of paper sizes to choose from. What AutoCAD are you running and what version of Acrobat? Last edited by KMA-628; 02-18-2005 at 02:52 PM..

02-17-2005, 07:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
hunnychile Alien Anthropologist Location: Between Boredom and Nirvana	Make 'em pdfs. And add a "matchstick" scale, just in case. __________________ "I need compassion, understanding and chocolate." - NJB

02-20-2005, 03:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
hunnychile Alien Anthropologist Location: Between Boredom and Nirvana	Chill Babe, it's only Spring time...the dogwoods haven't even bloomed yet. __________________ "I need compassion, understanding and chocolate." - NJB