How to save autocad file in pdf format​？

AutoCAD, developed by Autodesk, is one of the most widely used CAD software applications. It is used for creating precise drawings, diagrams, and technical illustrations in various fields, including engineering, architecture, and product design. While AutoCAD files (.dwg, .dxf) are perfect for working within the AutoCAD environment, sometimes you need to share or present your designs in a format that is universally accessible and easy to read. One of the most commonly used file formats for such purposes is PDF.

PDF (Portable Document Format) is ideal because it preserves the visual integrity of your design, ensuring that all users, whether or not they have AutoCAD installed, can view the file without any issues. In this guide, we will walk through the process of saving your AutoCAD drawings to PDF in multiple ways, including printing and plotting methods, and discuss the nuances involved in each.

Step 1: Setting Up for PDF Export

Before exporting your AutoCAD file to PDF, it’s important to prepare your drawing. Here’s how to ensure the export goes smoothly:

Check the Drawing Scale

Ensure that your drawing scale is set up correctly. This will ensure that your design is correctly sized in the PDF output. You can set the scale either during layout setup or by adjusting it in the print dialog box.

Configure Page Setup

A Page Setup is a configuration for printing your drawing. You can configure it to specify the paper size, orientation, and scale. Before exporting to PDF, you should have a page setup configured, so you know exactly how your drawing will appear on the PDF.

Layer Management

Consider organizing your layers. If there are layers you don’t want to appear in the PDF, you can turn them off in the Layer Manager.

Set the Plot Area

In the plot settings, you’ll need to define the plot area. You can select to plot the entire drawing or just a window of it. A common setting is the “Window” option, which allows you to define exactly what part of your design will appear in the PDF.

Choose Paper Size and Orientation

Make sure the paper size and orientation (landscape or portrait) are appropriate for your drawing. You can check this from the “Page Setup Manager” and adjust accordingly.

Step 2: Using the ‘Plot’ Command to Save as PDF

The most common method to export an AutoCAD drawing to a PDF is using the Plot command, which allows you to “print” your drawing to a PDF file. Follow these steps to use the Plot command:

Open the Drawing

Open the AutoCAD file you want to export as a PDF.

Access the Plot Command

Type PLOT in the command line or click on the “Plot” icon from the AutoCAD toolbar.

Select the Printer/Plotter

In the Plot dialog box, under the Printer/Plotter section, select DWG To PDF from the dropdown list. This is AutoCAD’s built-in PDF printer.

Select Paper Size

Choose the paper size that suits your drawing from the “Paper Size” dropdown. Common choices are A4. A3. or custom sizes.

Select the Plot Area

Decide whether you want to plot the entire drawing or just a selected window. This can be chosen under the Plot Area section. If you select a window, you’ll need to click to define the area on your drawing.

Set Plot Scale

Choose your desired scale under Plot Scale. If you are working with a scaled drawing, select the appropriate scale factor.

Adjust the Plot Style

You can also choose the plot style (color, thickness, line types) from the Plot Style Table. If you want your PDF to reflect a particular appearance, select a style such as “monochrome” or “Acad.ctb” (AutoCAD’s default).

Preview the Plot

Click Preview to ensure that everything looks correct. This step can save you from exporting a PDF that doesn’t match your expectations.

Save the PDF

After confirming that everything looks good, click OK. You will be prompted to select a location to save your PDF file. Choose the location, give your file a name, and click Save.

Check the Output

After the file is saved, open it with any PDF viewer to ensure everything is as expected. If necessary, go back and make adjustments.

Step 3: Using the “Export” Command for PDF

Another way to save an AutoCAD drawing as a PDF is by using the Export command. This method is typically used when you want to save your drawing as a PDF without going through the Plot dialog box.

Open the Drawing

Open the AutoCAD file you wish to export.

Access the Export Command

Type EXPORTPDF in the command line or find it in the AutoCAD application menu (the big “A” at the top left of the window).

Select PDF Options

You will be presented with a dialog box to customize your PDF export. You can set the output file’s name and location and adjust PDF settings like the quality and whether you want to include plot styles.

Configure PDF Settings

Under Options, you can choose various settings:

PDF Quality: You can choose between low, medium, or high quality. High quality is best for final, professional prints, while lower quality might be sufficient for quick sharing.

Vector or Raster PDF: You can select whether you want your PDF to be a vector-based or raster-based file. Vector PDFs maintain the crispness of lines, while raster PDFs are typically larger and might lose some quality in scaling.

Finalize and Save

After adjusting your settings, click Save, and your drawing will be exported as a PDF.

Step 4: Exporting Multiple Layouts to PDF

AutoCAD allows users to create multiple layouts within a single drawing. If you need to save all these layouts to a PDF, follow these steps:

Prepare Layouts

Before exporting, make sure each layout you want to export to PDF is set up correctly, with the desired paper size and viewports.

Publish to PDF

Use the Publish command (type PUBLISH in the command line). This command allows you to select multiple layouts for export in one go.

Select PDF as Printer

In the dialog box that appears, select DWG To PDF as the plotter.

Choose Layouts to Export

Check the box next to each layout you want to include in the PDF. You can also choose whether you want to export the layouts to a single PDF file or multiple separate PDF files.

Set Output Options

Choose the desired output location and name your file.

Click Publish

After selecting all layouts, click Publish, and AutoCAD will generate the PDFs.

Step 5: Advanced PDF Options and Settings

When exporting to PDF, there are several advanced options that you can take advantage of to enhance your output. Here are some tips for optimizing your PDF export:

Optimize PDF Size

If you are working with a large drawing, try reducing the PDF file size. You can do this by selecting a lower quality setting or by unchecking options like “Raster Images” in the PDF settings.

Embed Fonts

Ensure that fonts are embedded in your PDF to avoid missing text when opening the file on other computers. This can be done in the “PDF Options” during the export process.

Use Layers in PDF

In AutoCAD, you can choose to export layers to the PDF. This will allow users to view and toggle layers within the PDF itself.

Create Hyperlinks

You can create hyperlinks within your AutoCAD drawing and choose to preserve these hyperlinks when exporting to PDF. This can be particularly useful if your design includes references to external files or websites.

Password Protect the PDF

If security is important, you can add a password to the PDF. This feature is often available in third-party PDF software, but you can also find it in some advanced AutoCAD configurations.