How to fix your AutoCAD 2007 to PDF solid hatch problems

Thanks very much to Brian M Curran for this Guest post. If you have a burning desire to see your favourite CAD tips or comments on the web – get in touch – Paul-

After an AutoCAD drawing is created, it is common to need a PDF version of the drawing. If the correct printer/plotter is not specified in the page setup for plotting, then solid hatching, or other parts of the drawing, could appear not solid in the PDF.

Here is an example:

An AutoCAD 2007 Solid Hatch - with Errors

Click to see the full size image

I run AutoCAD 2007 and AutoCAD LT 2012 in my drafting service business. I complete most of my projects with AutoCAD 2007. I’ve still been using 2007 instead of 2012, just because I’m a typical creature of habit. While using AutoCAD 2007 I’ve found that when I print an AutoCAD drawing file using a third party print driver, or the Adobe print driver, that’s when I get the solid hatch problem.

In discussing and reading about this problem I’ve heard it mentioned that this problem isn’t really a problem if the drawings merely need to be printed. It is true that when PDF format drawings with the solid hatch problem are printed, that the inconsistency in the solid areas do not appear in the printouts. However, most of the time I need to deliver to my clients PDF files. Therefore PDF files that aren’t perfect are not acceptable for my requirements.

The fix to the solid hatch problem is quite easy. Select the DWG to PDF writer, when selecting your printer/plotter.

The AutoCAD 2007 plotter settings for successful solid hatch plot to PDF

 

The end result will be just what you were looking for! Here is the same drawing show above printed to PDF using the DWG to PDF writer:

An AutoCAD 2007 Solid Hatch - without Errors

Click to see the full size image

That’s all there is to it! I hope the DWG to PDF writer creates beautiful solid hatching for you!!

Brian M Curran

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