Expert: Shauna Anderson - 10/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: I am currently working with AutoCAD MEP 2009 and converting files to be plotted with Adobe Acrobat 9 Extended Pro. When the files are converted all my text set on center or (middle) justification move. These documents print perfect in CAD I cannot figure out why they move and how to fix it. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

ANSWER: Hi Zac,
Thanks for the question. It seems like some of the pdf issues have gotten better in ACAD 2010, but that is not too helpful to you. There is one trick that I know of that will clean this up for you, but it does take an extra step.

Rather than plotting direct to the pdf, plot first to dwf. Then from the dwf viewer plot to pdf. I believe this will clean this up for you. Using publish will speed that process up even a bit more.

Hope that helps!
-Shauna

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for the responce but I am not sure what you mean. I dont see a DWF file type through CAD. I am currently going to Adobe Acrobat clicking on file; create PDF; from file then clicking on my CAD file and converting. Do I need to save my CAD file to a DWF then convert? Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Zac,

The DWF writer is actually a printer. It should appear in the printer list as "DWFx ePlot.pc3"
There is also a "DWG to PDF" plotter that might work for you to and not knock your annotations around. I would try that first. I suspect that printing like this directly out of ACAD will fix the problem you are having.

If it does not, then I would plot DWFx ePlot then use that file to create the pdf.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: You are correct that does work thank you. The problem I am having however is when I send this document to be plotted at full scale to the printing company. They transfer it to a PDF, or I can do so in my office but when it moves it changes that centered text. When I print in my office on a 11x17 the document is great but I need them in full scale working drawings and the printing company will only print a PDF. So, is there any way to keep that text from moving during conversion or is a text style issue ect...? I am so sorry that I am not getting this; Thanks for your patience and help.

Answer
Hi Zac,

Sorry I could not be of better help. It sounds like it is an issue with the PDF writer. You can direct the printing company to
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=6703438%26siteID=123112

where they can download the DWG TrueView program for FREE. Then they can plot .pdf directly from the drawing file.

If they can't get what you want, I would send them the pdf files after I have plotted. And if you create a page setup, you can pdf plot to any size you want. We do 40" x 28"

Hope that helps,
Shauna