Print or Convert to TIFF format from AutoCAD

[bjoliver]

Do you have any suggestions in printing to a tiff format from Autocad? or converting a PDF to tiff format. I would prefer to create the tiff directly from my CAD file if possible.

 

If it matters I am using Autocad Architectural Desktop 2005

 

Is there a FREE software like PDF995 but for creating a tiff?

 

Please help! Thanks in advance

[rkmcswain]

AutoCAD comes with a raster driver that can create TIF files, but you may not be impressed with the quality. I have documented the method for installing the raster driver output device. See: http://cadpanacea.com/node/41

 

There are also 3rd party drivers out there (link at the bottom of the page above), or you can plot to PDF and then extract the TIF from that, using Acrobat or many other PDF viewers/editors.

[Tankman]

Excellent instructions at cadpanacea rkmcswain! Very nice and easy to follow, easy to understand too.

 

Wouldn't have expected less even if your avatar only has one star!

[bjoliver]

I did the plottermanager command and set up the Print to Tiff option. Tried it, but how am I supposed to print to certain size sheets at scale if it only prints in pixels?

 

my temporary work around is open PDF files in photoshop and then save as tiff... but time consuming and extra steps that shouldn't be required.

 

Thanks for your reply.

[tzframpton]

I did the plottermanager command and set up the Print to Tiff option. Tried it, but how am I supposed to print to certain size sheets at scale if it only prints in pixels?

 

my temporary work around is open PDF files in photoshop and then save as tiff... but time consuming and extra steps that shouldn't be required.

 

Thanks for your reply.

Easy, after you create the *.pc3 file just double click it, and go to the "Device and Document Settings" tab, User-defined paper sizes & calibration -> Custom Paper Sizes and add in the pages you need. Just remember to put .01 on the scale in the Plot Dialog Box when you "Plot to TIFF" since the resolution of a TIFF is 100dpi or something like that.

[CJJ]

There's a tool in the MS Office suite that is called the Microsoft Imaging Document print driver. If you've got Office, you might want to give it a try.

 

It works just like a PDF maker, so you can use it as your plotter from AutoCAD or from a PDF reader. It tries to default to MDI format, but you can set it to do a TIF image if you look through its options.

 

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/hp062193601033.aspx

 

http://forums.techarena.in/xp-print-fax/149497.htm

[rkmcswain]

Interesting that you mention it. The driver says it creates the raster image at 100dpi, which would mean you would need a 3400x2200 raster image to fit a 34"x22" sheet.

 

However, when I plotted one at this size and opened the TIF in a image editing program, it said the print size was ±47.2"x30.6", which translates to 72dpi.

 

So based on that, I set my sheet size to 2448x1584, and I ended up with a print size of 34"x22". Of course 72dpi is not very good quality compared to what many printers can produce.

 

You may want to look at the 3rd party TIFF driver that is linked at the bottom of that page (edit: or one of the suggestions above)

[tzframpton]

It's always worked extremely well for all of us here in the office until we all got hooked up with AcroPlot Pro. NOTHING compares to that program but still, the old way still did perfect.

 

But yeah I had to set the res to 3600x2400 for a 36"x24" scaled TIFF plot, you are correct and I failed to mention that part when Adding the custom sheets.

[bjoliver]

great ideas. the one on the bottom of your page, rkmcswain, seems pretty handy...

 

kinda costly(since I was hoping for something good and free like PDF995) but it may be exactly what I'm looking for if I'm going to be converting all the time for the local repro print shop.

 

what I'd like to do is make multi-page tiffs even if I have to publish to DWF and then print to tiff... that is how I make my multi-page PDF's with PDF995.

 

I am going to look into the MS Office option you mention, CJJ

 

StykFacE - so you suggest Acroplot pro or not? Would you rather use that than the Universal Document Converter?

http://www.print-driver.com/howto/convert_autocad_drawing_to_tiff.html

[tzframpton]

I use AcroPlot Pro, and it will literally solve all your problems. It is by far the best utility for create raster images from AutoCAD, not to mention just batch conversion processes. I don't know if I could live without it to be honest. It's been hell waiting on the update for 2010 honestly.

[bjoliver]

i tried the ms office idea, but it doesn't go up to my sheet size I use for most projects. 30x42 Arch E1