Jump to content

PDF vs PLT?


Sbeth85

Recommended Posts

In school I was taught to print via PLT.

 

However I now work in an office and we mainly use PDF. The scale turns out correctly, plus we actually get to SEE what it's gonna look like before it comes from the printers. With PLT- I can publish it and despite Previewing I still don't know what'll happen regarding linescales or whether a hatch will jump to the front or not.

 

Anyways, PDF seems like the way to go (though the colors come out slightly different than in PLTs)... so why in the world would I keep using PLTs?

Is there such a thing as a PLT viewer? (I've searched online and didn't find any freeware).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First off, PLT is not a file format, it's only a file extension.

Many "PLT" files are HP-GL/2 format, and there are some viewers out there.

 

Although various print drivers (and the file types they produce) may have some subtle differences, you can consider DWF, PDF, and your PLT files all "plot files".

 

We print both HP-GL/2 plot files and PDF files here in my office for various reasons, personally I print almost everything to PDF.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Basically, I'm working on my final project for school. I have been printing everything in PLT and I'm wondering if I'd have to redo a lot of linescales if I print in PDF at this point. I'm tired of sending stuff to the printers and getting back weird things.

 

Is it worth switching over or not this late in the game? Are the PDFs qualitatively inferior or anything that would be noticeable?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

rkmcswain-

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately neither of the free links are working (the HP one goes to a site in German where I can't find anything relevant) and the OCE page isn't there anymore. Any other free ones you know of?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I used to plot to .plt files when I first started with CAD. They were the most convenient way of transporting files to the print shop - usually on floppy diskettes.

 

Nowadays we can email files without having to worry too much about file size, and most drawings are only printed for issue to the workshop or job site.

 

I'd stick to .PDF or .DWF if I were you :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

rkmcswain-

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately neither of the free links are working (the HP one goes to a site in German where I can't find anything relevant) and the OCE page isn't there anymore. Any other free ones you know of?

 

I have not updated those links since it was published some 8 years ago.

You might give this a shot. I don't know what changes have been made to Oce Publisher in that time: http://downloads.oce.com/ProductDownloads/Index/263

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...