Browse CADPlotting articles about PDF creation, publishing and multi-sheet output. The archive groups focused guides for DWG-to-PDF workflows, PUBLISH, batch output, PDF quality, naming, verification and troubleshooting across supported CAD applications.
AutoCAD PDF options can capture eligible TrueType fonts or convert text to geometry for visual fidelity. Font capture keeps supported font data; geometry conversion prioritizes appearance but can increase file size and pixelation at high zoom.
Slow CAD PDFs can be caused by very high resolution, large raster images, transparency, complex vector geometry, text converted to geometry or oversized multi-sheet packages. Diagnose what made the PDF heavy before lowering quality everywhere.
PDF does not store AutoCAD SHX text as normal TrueType text, so AutoCAD preserves SHX visually as geometry and can add comments or hidden text for searchability. PDFSHX controls that extra behavior.
AutoCAD can include layer information in PDFs so compatible viewers can turn layers on and off. The option is controlled in PDF export or publish settings and is enabled by default in several predefined presets but not Smallest File.
Use PUBLISH when several Layouts need to become PDF files in one controlled batch. Standardize their Page Setups first, select only the required Layouts, choose PDF and verify paper and plot-style details before starting the job.
AutoCAD PDF options can retain drawing hyperlinks and convert Sheet Set links into PDF hyperlinks. Enable the option when interactive navigation is part of the deliverable, then test the actual links in the final viewer.
AutoCAD can create PDF bookmarks from sheets and named views when the PDF option is enabled. Bookmarks are especially useful in multi-sheet issue packages.
The reliable AutoCAD-to-PDF workflow is: open the production Layout, select an AutoCAD PDF preset/PC3, choose the real paper size, keep the Layout at 1:1, Preview, save the PDF, then verify the PDF page size and scale.
PDF Merge Control determines what happens where plotted lines overlap. Overwrite lets the top line hide the lower line; Lines Merge blends overlapping colors. AutoCAD’s predefined PDF presets use Overwrite by default.