In addition to the ability to now use a PDF underlay in AutoCAD 2009 so that you can reference and snap to vector geometry there were other PDF enhancements. One of the big enhancements was PDF output quality and file size reductions.
File Size of PDFs Reduced:
Tests using the AutoCAD Sample DWG Willhome.dwg
AutoCAD 2009 PDF = 2.697 MB
AutoCAD 2009 with Bonus Pack 2 PDF = 249 KB
90.8% reduction in size
Test using a gradient test drawing:
AutoCAD 2009 PDF = 31.697 MB
AutoCAD 2009 with Bonus Pack 2 PDF =867 KB
97.3% reduction in size
We were even smaller than the PDF solution AcroPlot and Adobe Acrobat Pro 9 without compromising quality! With the smaller file sizes you get much faster opening of the PDF files.
Some of the other enhancements:
- Exporting layers into PDF so they can be turned on or off in a PDF viewer.
- Embedding some fonts into the PDF so that you can search for text strings in a PDF viewer.
- Better quality and visual fidelity.
- Support line merging.
While PDF is still not as well suited for electronic vector based design documents as the DWF format is, PDF export in the AutoCAD Bonus Pack 2 has been substantially improved for those that must use the PDF format.
The Bonus Packs are planned to be incorporated into future releases of AutoCAD, but for the current time they are available and use by AutoCAD Subscription customers from the Autodesk Subscription website.
Cheers,
Shaan
Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think you can have reduction percentages greater than 100% 🙂
That’s sort of like traveling at a negative speed.
Great to hear from you. As strange as it sounds when comparing two values you can show the resulting delta in a percentage greater than 100%. I don’t think there is a rule that you can go one and not the other direction.
What is you opinion on best method to express a file reduction? How about “a reduction to about 10 times the original file size”.
Cheers,
Shaan
For the examples you gave:
2.697MB -> 0.249MB = 90.8% reduction in size
IOW:
(1 – (0.249/2.697))100
31.697MB -> 0.867MB = 97.3% reduction in size
IOW:
(1 – (0.867/31.697))100
Does this make sense?
Best regards,
David Kozina
David,
You made perfect sense. Thank you. I will edit the values to more in line with your logic.
Cheers,
Shaan
Shaan can you find out why the bonus packs are not available to auto cad Architecture subscription users?
We are working with the vertical product teams like AutoCAD for Architects to support the AutoCAD Bonus Packs. We know people want them.
One bright spot is the features will be in the future release of AutoCAD so they will automatically be in the AutoCAD vertical products.
Best Regards,
Shaan
Hi Shaan
With this new functionality “Exporting layers into PDF” should i then be able to view the layers from the CAD drawing in Adobe Illustrator and get the colours CMYK or RGB to transfer through?
Cheers Paul
Paul,
Thank you for the interesting question.
The main purpose was for PDF export for PDF viewing not the export to PDF for consuming in Adobe Illustrator or other PDF consuming tools.
I am not sure how Illustrator imports a PDF file and what layering actually does in relation to standard Illustrator or Photoshop layers. So it may or may not work and the only way is to give it a try.
Best Regards,
Shaan
gostei muito PDF, obrigado
Ivan Soares
why is the autocad architecture blog ” Between the walls” the only one that’s never updated. Does Chris no longer work at Autodesk?
Chris Yanchar still works for Autodesk just in another position. I am not sure what he plans to do with his blog Between the Walls, but will send him a quick email.
Best Regards,
Shaan
I hate to sound like there’s some conspiracy to kill Autocad Architecture, but Auto desk don’t seem to be doing a good job to make users believe its not the case.
bonus packs,
site removals,
the blogger.
Architecture,
You are right we are not doing enough for AAC. I have emailed some on the team. Chris has changed positions and has not had the time to blog and Bonus Packs are common to all vertical products not just AutoCAD for Architects “AAC” and we are working on this from the platform team.
You can contact any Autodesk product team with a web form. This web form goes to the management for the product including QA, product managers, and software development.
1.Go to Autodesk.com
2.Select “Contact Us”
3.Select “Feedback”, “Products”
4.Select the product
5.Complete the form.
On submitting the form it is sent to many on the Management and most are responded to when there is an answer or
enough details provided at least on the few teams I participate on.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=1109794
Best Regards,
Shaan
Any news on when it will be supported in other flavors of AutoCAD? I use AutoCAD MEP.
Thanks
Peter,
No news to report on other AutoCAD based products supporting the Bonus Packs.
Best Regards,
Shaan
I have PDF Bonus on my machine and when I use the Sheet Set Manager it works great except it opens all PDF’s created. ie if I select 20 drawings to print as PDF it will plot them and open each and every one of them. Annoying if you ask me. How do I stop this? Also how do I specify the PDF name? At the moment, it prints with File name and sheet title. I would like just file name…
Thanks in advance
PING:
TITLE: Download the Subscription PDF Bonus Pack for AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009
BLOG NAME: Between the Lines
The AutoCAD 2009 Subscription Bonus pack PDF enhancements and PDF underlay is now available to AutoCAD Civil 3D Subscription members to install on AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009.