Subscription Bonus Pack 2: A closer look at PDF Output

After installing the AutoCAD 2009 Bonus Pack 2, you’ll find a new AutoCAD PDF option in the Printer/Plotter device list: "DWG to PDF Bonus Pack". The new DWG to PDF driver offers merge control for plot colors, the ability to include layer information and a preview of the plotted PDF. It also offers increased vector resolution and embedded text to provide better output at a reduced file size. To view or modify the default settings, select the DWG to PDF Bonus Pack.pc3 option from the Printer/Plotter list of the Plot dialog box and then choose Properties.

To specify the Merge Control, expand the Graphics node, on the Device and Document Settings tab, and select the Merge Control option. You can choose to make lines overwrite or merge with each other.

The other new PDF settings are available when you select the Custom Properties node and then the Custom Properties button to display the DWG to PDF Properties dialog box.

In the DWG to PDF Properties dialog box, you’ll find the following changes:

Vector resolution
The default vector resolution for PDF output has been increased from 400 dpi to 600 dpi. The new setting delivers both precise lineweights and a reasonable file size.

Font handling
In a PDF file, TrueType fonts are exported as text rather than as graphics. This improves the visual quality of text and also enables highlighting, searching, and copying text within the PDF viewer. When you create a PDF, you can capture some fonts, all fonts, or none. Keep in mind that the more fonts you embed in a PDF file, the larger it becomes. The default behavior of the DWG to PDF driver is to capture fonts you specify (Capture Some), rather than none or all fonts (Capture None or Capture All).

Include Layer Information
Layer information is included in the plotted PDF file so the person viewing the PDF can control layer visibility. To disable this functionality, turn off the option to Include Layer Information.

Open in PDF Viewer
A PDF file automatically displays in the PDF viewer after it is plotted. To disable this functionality, turn off the option to Open in PDF Viewer When Done check box.