PDF converter

[deadseasquirrels]

I've been really looking into .dwg->pdf converters on the market. But what about just using Adobe Acrobat to do the conversion?

Does anybody have a reason why it would be better to do it with some other more AutoCAD specific program than with just using Adobe Acrobat?

[Flores]

The only thing I can think of is cost. A licensed Adobe Acrobat is more expensive than some of the alternatives out there. The cost of one seat may not be to bad, but you multiply that by 10-20 seats then it can be expensive for a small company.

Flores

[deadseasquirrels]

Is that it...hmm interesting, apparently Acrobat is the best then, which makes sense. Thanks

[f700es]

Is that it...hmm interesting, apparently Acrobat is the best then, which makes sense. Thanks

I'll have to chime in on this...I just got the "new" Adobe Acrobat 6 Professional. IT ROCKS! As I have stated before you know have the option of keeping your layers visible and the ability to turn them on and off in the ver. 6 reader. This only works in 6 Professional and only from AutoCAD and MS Visio. Acrobat 6 add a new toolbar to your AutoCAD screen. You know have a 1 button command to convert to .pdf. I also believe that the file size is smaller even if you save to Acrobat 5 version (most people have this reader).

http://picserver.student.utwente.nl/getpicture.php?id=325706

I have not had time to dip through the whole program but in my opinion it is the best one they have had yet. I know it's expensive but I believe if you can swing it you will not regret it. Good luck. :)

F7

[jguberman]

I just got a new computer with Acrobat 6. I have been printing to Adobe for years, but now, it won't center the plot. It moves the plot over to the top left corner of the page. Is there an option in the setup I am missing?

[Cad64]

Hey f700es,
You should check out the pdf optimizer option. It's on the Advanced pull down menu. It's great for when you need to send something thru email. I have been able to reduce pdf filesize's by up to 60% by playing with the settings. This option alone is worth upgrading. We used to have to burn cd's and mail them out. Now we just optimize the pdf.

[f700es]

Hey f700es,
You should check out the pdf optimizer option. It's on the Advanced pull down menu. It's great for when you need to send something thru email. I have been able to reduce pdf filesize's by up to 60% by playing with the settings. This option alone is worth upgrading. We used to have to burn cd's and mail them out. Now we just optimize the pdf.

Thanks, I will.

[fuccaro]

I played in AutoCAD 2k6 CUI interface and I lost the PDF toolbar. For the moment I write to PDF files using the Plot command but in this way I can't create PDFs with layer controll.
I uninstalled and reinstalled booth AutoCAD and Acrobat -no luck!
Can anyone tell me how to have that toolbar back (I thik it is called PDFMaker)?

[good_m]

Cad64
Thanks for mentioning that optimizer...I remembered reading it somewhere in here and then this morning my boss asked about shrinking pdf files sizes and I looked it up. That optimizer works great! Thanks a lot!
Mike

[StykFacE]

i can't stand PDF files honestly. it's good, but not perfect BY FAR. the way you interact with the interface sux, the way it regenerates scaling sux, even the anti-alaising (sp?) sux on it. it's good compression and keeps everything in tact when you print to the pdf driver and all that, but it needs major redefining in my book.

then again who am i to say these nasty things about Acrobat. lol

[good_m]

Styk,
As much as you may hate PDFs you have to admit that they are an efficient way to be able to share a drawing with someone that doesn't have AutoCAD or to pass out rather than having the possibility of someone changing your DWG file.
PDFs are useful for exacty what they are supposed to be....a digital print.
Mike

[StykFacE]

yep i agree wit ya. thats why i say they're good, but far from where it should be lol.

how's the riding weather up there? it's 85 and sunny degrees allllllll week. ;-)

[good_m]

Must be nice!!!! It's snowing here right now! :P I't gonna hurt this year not being able to ride! :cry: Got a wedding to pay for though...the sacrifices we make!
Mike

[StykFacE]

...the sacrifices we make!

quote of the week right thurr. 8)

[fuccaro]

As much as you may hate PDFs you have to admit that they are an efficient way to be able to share a drawing with someone that doesn't have AutoCAD or to pass out rather than having the possibility of someone changing your DWG file.
Shh! Don't say a word about Corel Draw and Illustrator! :wink:

[good_m]

haha....yes you are right fuccaro!
Unfortunately there aren't many options to protect your drawing files from being changed. I myself have used photoshop to change some pdf files that our office has received...WITH THE OWNERS PERMISSION!
You make a good point but like you said...

Shh! Don't say a word about Corel Draw and Illustrator! :wink:

[StykFacE]

Shh! Don't say a word about Corel Draw and Illustrator! :wink:

yeah but acrobat reader is a freebie. is there free viewers for illustrator and c-draw files?? i dont think i've heard of them.... but i dunno :(

[f700es]

Shh! Don't say a word about Corel Draw and Illustrator! :wink:

yeah but acrobat reader is a freebie. is there free viewers for illustrator and c-draw files?? i dont think i've heard of them.... but i dunno :(

Naw, he is saying that Draw and Illustrator can open and EDIT PDF files. Making the security of PDFs mute.

[StykFacE]

Naw, he is saying that Draw and Illustrator can open and EDIT PDF files. Making the security of PDFs mute.

oh wow i didnt know that. that's a handy piece of info...... ima have to remember that lol.

[fuccaro]

Unfortunately the padlocks are for honest poeple only, to keep them apart from the temptations. There are no locks against the immoral people...

So I guess if someone protected a piece of work we should not change it but ask his/her to operate the changes. Or as Mike says: ask permission first.
But this is not a subject for a CAD forum (only).