Wipeout Plots as a Black Box
A wipeout that looks normal on screen appears as a dark or black rectangle in PDF or paper output. Start by identifying exactly where the problem first appears, then test the most likely causes one at a time. This avoids changing a correct drawing to compensate for a PDF, driver or printer problem.
Symptoms — confirm exactly what is wrong
- A wipeout that looks normal on screen appears as a dark or black rectangle in PDF or paper output.
- Identify one specific missing or incorrect object and note its layer, xref and viewport.
- Check whether it disappears in the Layout, only in Plot Preview, or only after PDF creation.
Beginner rule: Change one setting at a time. After each change, repeat the same test so you know what actually fixed the problem.
30-second triage: If the object is missing in the Layout/Preview, investigate layer, VP Freeze, xref, frame or draw-order settings. If Preview is correct but the PDF is wrong, move to the PDF/output stage.
Likely causes — check these in order
| Likely cause | Why it creates this symptom | Quick check |
|---|---|---|
| Frame setting is plotting | FRAME/IMAGEFRAME/WIPEOUTFRAME can show frames on screen and/or in plots. | Check FRAME and the object-specific frame variable; value 2 is display but no plot. |
| Wipeout draw order is wrong | The wipeout may be behind the objects it is supposed to mask or interact badly with output order. | Select the wipeout and inspect Draw Order relative to the covered objects. |
| PDF PC3/preset differs | A different PDF preset can change quality, fonts, layers and other output behavior. | Compare the current PDF PC3 with the known-good project preset. |
| Preview and final output use different downstream conditions | Plot Preview can be correct while the saved PDF or physical printer changes page/media/rendering behavior. | Compare Preview, saved PDF and paper as three separate stages. |
For the underlying setup behind these checks, use CAD Printing & Plotting Troubleshooting and PDF & Publishing while you diagnose the symptom.
Diagnostic path — isolate the responsible setting
Work through the checks in order. Do not apply a fix until its diagnostic check differs from the known-good project standard.
Diagnostic 1 — Frame setting is plotting
Where: Select the frame/wipeout in the drawing, then use Properties / FRAME / WIPEOUTFRAME / Draw Order as appropriate.
Do this: Check FRAME and the object-specific frame variable; value 2 is display but no plot.
Check: If this differs from the known-good project standard, correct it and retest before continuing.
Diagnostic 2 — Wipeout draw order is wrong
Where: Select the frame/wipeout in the drawing, then use Properties / FRAME / WIPEOUTFRAME / Draw Order as appropriate.
Do this: Select the wipeout and inspect Draw Order relative to the covered objects.
Check: If this differs from the known-good project standard, correct it and retest before continuing.
Diagnostic 3 — PDF PC3/preset differs
Where: PAGESETUP > Modify.
Do this: Compare the current PDF PC3 with the known-good project preset.
Check: If this differs from the known-good project standard, correct it and retest before continuing.
Diagnostic 4 — Preview and final output use different downstream conditions
Where: Plot Preview, then the freshly generated PDF, then the physical printer as three separate checkpoints.
Do this: Compare Preview, saved PDF and paper as three separate stages.
Check: If this also matches the known-good setup, use the isolation test below instead of changing unrelated settings.
Fixes — use only the fix that matches your diagnosis
Fix 1 — Use a frame value that displays but does not plot
Use this fix when: your diagnosis confirmed that Frame setting is plotting.
Do this: For frame-based objects, use FRAME/object-specific frame value 2 when you need selection visibility without plotted borders.
Check: Run Preview and verify the same object at the same viewport location.
Fix 2 — Correct the wipeout draw order
Use this fix when: your diagnosis confirmed that Wipeout draw order is wrong.
Do this: Bring the wipeout in front of the geometry it should mask, then bring required annotation in front of the wipeout. Preview the result.
Check: Run Preview and verify the same object at the same viewport location.
Fix 3 — Return to the approved PDF preset
Use this fix when: your diagnosis confirmed that PDF PC3/preset differs.
Do this: Select the known-good project PDF PC3 and its PDF options. Compare the same Layout before changing drawing content.
Check: Run Preview and verify the same object at the same viewport location.
Fix 4 — Isolate the first wrong output stage
Use this fix when: your diagnosis confirmed that Preview and final output use different downstream conditions.
Do this: Create the PDF from the same Page Setup. If Preview is correct but PDF is wrong, stay in the PDF PC3/options stage; if PDF is correct but paper is wrong, stay in the viewer/printer stage.
Check: Run Preview and verify the same object at the same viewport location.
Verification — prove the fix before full production
- Return to the exact viewport and confirm the affected object/layer is visible and plottable.
- Run Plot Preview and verify the object is present with the intended appearance.
- Create one test PDF and inspect the same location.
- If the object is an xref/image, reopen the file from the production workstation and confirm the reference remains loaded.
Still not fixed? Use an isolation test
Open the affected Layout on another known-good workstation if available. If the same object disappears in Preview there too, stay with drawing/layer/xref settings rather than the printer.
Prevention — reduce the chance of recurrence
- Use clear layer Plot/VP Freeze standards for construction, annotation and reference layers.
- Keep xref/image paths stable and project-relative where appropriate.
- Avoid using draw-order or wipeout fixes without checking Plot Preview.
- Include representative xrefs, images and masks in the project’s plotting test sheet.
Official Autodesk references
Use these references when the interface, driver or plot-style behavior on your workstation differs from the checks above.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check first?
Start with Frame setting is plotting. Use the quick check in the diagnostic section before changing anything else.
What if that check is correct?
Move to Wipeout draw order is wrong. The goal is to eliminate causes one at a time, not to change several settings together.
Should I explode an xref or object just to make it plot?
No. First fix the layer, viewport, reference, frame or draw-order condition that is suppressing the output.
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