How do I convert AutoCAD 2010 to PDF?

Converting your AutoCAD 2010 DWG files to PDF is a straightforward process, thanks to the built-in PDF plotting capabilities within the software. This allows you to share your designs easily, ensuring they can be viewed and printed consistently on any device without needing AutoCAD.

Step-by-Step Guide to Converting DWG to PDF in AutoCAD 2010

Follow these detailed steps to accurately convert your AutoCAD drawing to a PDF document.

1. Open Your DWG File

First, launch AutoCAD 2010 and open the specific .dwg file that you intend to convert to PDF. Ensure all layers are visible and your drawing is set up correctly in either Model Space or a Layout tab.

2. Access the Plot Dialog Box

To initiate the conversion process, you need to open the Plot dialog box:

Click on the Application Menu (the large red 'A' icon located in the top-left corner of the AutoCAD window).
From the dropdown menu, hover over Print.
Select Plot... from the submenu.
Alternatively, you can type PLOT into the command line and press Enter.

3. Configure the Plotter/Printer

Within the Plot dialog box, you'll specify the output device as a PDF creator:

In the Printer/Plotter section, locate the Name dropdown menu.
Select DWG To PDF.pc3 from the list. This is AutoCAD's default PDF print driver.

4. Define Paper Size and Plot Area

Next, you need to set up how your drawing will fit onto the PDF page:

Choose Paper Size

Under the Paper Size section, select your desired output size. A common choice is A4, but you can select any standard or custom size that fits your drawing.

Specify Plot Area

In the Plot area section, determine what portion of your drawing will be included in the PDF:

Display: Converts everything currently visible on your screen.
Extents: Converts all objects in the drawing.
Layout: Converts everything within the printable area of the current layout.
Window: Allows you to select a specific rectangular area by clicking two opposite corners on your drawing. This is ideal for plotting a specific detail.

Adjust Plot Offset

For precise positioning of your drawing on the paper, check Center the plot. Alternatively, you can manually enter X and Y offset values to fine-tune the placement.

5. Set Plot Scale

The Plot scale section controls the relationship between your drawing units and the paper units:

To make your drawing fit entirely on the selected paper, check Fit to paper.
For a precise scale (e.g., 1:100 or 1/4" = 1'-0"), uncheck Fit to paper and choose a custom scale from the dropdown or manually enter your desired scale.
Ensure Scale lineweights is checked if you want your lineweights to scale proportionally with the drawing.

6. Select Plot Style Table (Pen Assignments)

The Plot style table (pen assignments) section dictates how colors, lineweights, and linetypes are translated to the PDF:

Choose a .ctb or .stb file from the dropdown. Common options include:
- monochrome.ctb: For a black-and-white PDF, where all colors will plot as black (with varying lineweights).
- grayscale.ctb: For a PDF that uses shades of gray for different colors.
- acad.ctb: Plots colors as defined in the drawing.

7. Review and Save Your PDF

Before creating the final PDF, it's crucial to preview your output:

Click the Preview button at the bottom of the Plot dialog box to see exactly how your drawing will appear in the PDF. This helps catch any scaling or layout issues before saving.
Once you are satisfied with the preview, close the preview window and click OK in the Plot dialog box.
AutoCAD will then prompt you to specify a file name and Select Where to save the PDF file.
Choose a desired location on your computer, assign a descriptive filename, and click Save. Your AutoCAD drawing will now be converted into a PDF document.

Essential Tips for Quality PDF Conversion

To ensure your PDFs are consistently high quality and professional, consider these additional tips:

Optimize Plot Settings for Clarity

Lineweights: Double-check your lineweight settings in your plot style table (.ctb or .stb file) to ensure lines appear clear and distinct in the PDF.
Resolution: For higher quality PDFs, you can adjust the resolution settings within the DWG To PDF.pc3 configuration. Go to Properties in the Plot dialog, then Custom Properties under Device and Document Settings to find options for vector and raster quality.
Fonts: Ensure that any custom fonts used in your DWG are either embedded in the PDF (often handled automatically by DWG To PDF.pc3) or replaced by standard fonts to prevent display issues.

Batch Plotting Multiple Drawings

If you need to convert multiple DWG files or layouts to PDF simultaneously, explore AutoCAD's batch plotting capabilities:

Publish Command: Type PUBLISH in the command line. This opens the Publish dialog, where you can add multiple drawings or layouts, configure their plot settings, and publish them to a single multi-page PDF or separate PDFs.
Sheet Set Manager: For larger projects with many layouts, the Sheet Set Manager (SSM) provides robust tools for organizing, plotting, and publishing entire sets of drawings to PDF.

Checking Your Output

Always open the generated PDF in a standard PDF viewer (like Adobe Acrobat Reader) to verify that:

All elements are correctly displayed.
Lineweights and colors are accurate.
The scale is correct if you used a specific scale.
No text or objects are missing or improperly rendered.

Common Plot Area Options

Plot Area Option	Description
Display	Prints the current view displayed on your AutoCAD screen.
Extents	Prints all objects in the drawing, including those that might not be visible on the current screen.
Layout	Prints everything within the defined printable area of the current paper space layout.
Window	Allows you to manually select a specific rectangular area within your drawing to be printed.