Preparing Plot Files: Plotting FAQ
Files and Formats
What kinds of files can I send to A&E for plotting and printing?
A: The following file types are compatible for plotting: Adobe® PDF, HPGL, HPGL/2, HP-RTL, TIFF 6.0, CALS type 1, NIRS, EDMICS (C4), CalComp 906/907/951, Adobe® PostScript® 3™
File Extensions: .PDF, .TIF, .PRN, .PLT, .DWF, .CAL – for other file types please inquire.
What format is recommended for plotting?
A: PDF files created with Adobe Acrobat will normally produce the best and most consistent results.
Use the following settings when creating your PDF:
• Black and White (color lines printed in black and white are converted to gray tones to simulate the color density)
• Embed fonts
• Scale drawings at 100% (specify desired print size or scale with print order)
*For information on printing large format color see “graphics file submission specs”
Preferred file types in list order:
1. PDF files
1. create with Adobe Acrobat
2. to create a PDF file from AutoCAD, Open drawing and go to Print menu and select “DWG to PDF”
3. multipage or single page files are acceptable
1. create when you print to file using a standard plotter driver
2. make sure you install the correct AutoCAD plotter driver (see Drivers below)
3. TIF files G3 or G4, uncompressed (typically created from scanned hardcopies)
4. CALS Type 1
5. PRN files
1. create when you print to file using a standard printer driver
2. DWG & DXF *
1. missing fonts and ctb files will alter drawing appearances (A&E uses mono if none are provided)
2. make sure you include any XREF and IM files
3. DWG & DXF files are not recommended because line weights, styles and fonts can be problematic
4. PLT files
1.DWF files
1.create files in black
2. Open drawing and go to Print menu and select “DWG to DWF” option to create DWF document
*Additional fees apply for processing DWG and DXF files
How do I make a PDF file?
A: Depending on the program, you may be capable of exporting or saving as a PDF. If this is not an option you can Create PDFs by printing to file. This method can be used with most Office and CAD programs. The following instructions assume you have the full version of Adobe Acrobat, not just Acrobat Reader. If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat, see the instructions for creating a PLT file from CAD.
In many authoring applications, you can use the Print command with the Adobe PDF printer to convert your file to PDF. Your source document is converted to PostScript and fed directly to Distiller for conversion to PDF, without manually starting Distiller. The current Distiller preference settings and Adobe PDF settings are used to convert the file. If you’re working with nonstandard page sizes, create a custom page size.
Note: (Windows) For Microsoft Office documents, the Adobe PDF printer does not include some of the features that are available from PDFMaker. For example, you cannot create bookmarks and hypertext links using the Adobe PDF printer. If you’re creating a PDF from a Microsoft Office document and you want to use these features, use PDFMaker.
Create a PDF using the Print command (Windows)
1.Open the file in its authoring application, and choose File > Print.
2. Choose Adobe PDF from the printers menu.
3. Click the *Properties (or Preferences) button to customize the Adobe PDF printer setting. (In some applications, you may need to click Setup in the Print dialog box to open the list of printers, and then click Properties or Preferences.)
4. In the Print dialog box, click OK.
Note: By default, your PDF is saved in the folder specified in the printer port. The default location is My Documents. The filename and destination are controlled by the Prompt For Adobe PDF Filename setting in the Adobe PDF Printing Preferences dialog box.
Create a PDF using the Print command (Mac OS)
1. Open the file in its authoring application, and choose File > Print.
2. Choose Adobe PDF from the printers menu.
3. Choose PDF Options from the pop-up menu that is beneath the Presets menu (it may show Copies & Pages by default).
4. For Adobe PDF Settings, choose one of the default settings, or customize the settings using Distiller. Any custom settings that you have defined are listed.
For most users, the default Adobe PDF conversion settings are adequate.
1. For After PDF Creation, specify whether to open the PDF.
2. Click Print.
3. Select a name (same as drawing title preferred e.g. A100, A101 etc…) and location for your PDF, and click Save.
Note: By default, your PDF is saved with the same filename and a .pdf extension.
Always View the completed file to be sure it accurately represents your original. You can check the page size, line weights, fills and hatches.
Autodesk video for plotting to PDF from AutoCAD 2009 & 2010
How do I create a PLT file?
A: Our printers can read most HP-GL1 and HP-GL2 print files. To get the best quality drawings use Oce drivers (see link below). These drives and others, can be installed and printed to using the same routine as for the PRN file.
Autodesk Create plot files to send to service bureaus.
What driver should I use to make a PLT file?
A: AutoCAD Drivers (ADI/HDI) for Océ Printers/Plotters. A&E uses Oce TDS 800 printers.
To download Oce drivers
Sizes and Standards
What are the standard sizes for blue prints?
A: The most common size for blue prints are based on the Architectural sizes. ANSI is the second most common standard.
Architectural sizes
Name |
in × in |
mm × mm |
Ratio |
Arch A |
9 x 12 |
229 x 305 |
3:04 |
Arch B |
12 x18 |
305 x 457 |
2:03 |
Arch C |
18 x 24 |
457 x 610 |
3:04 |
Arch D |
24 x 36 |
610 x 914 |
2:03 |
Arch E |
36 x 48 |
914 x 1219 |
3:04 |
Arch E1 |
30 x 42 |
762 x 1067 |
5:07 |
Arch E2 |
26* x 38 |
660 x 965 |
13:19 |
Arch E3 |
27* x 39 |
686 x 991 |
9:13 |
*A&E does not stock rolls this size and will print on 30” roll.
ANSI paper sizes (ANSI Paper Sizes)
Name |
in × in |
mm × mm |
Ratio |
Alias |
Similar ISO A size |
ANSI A |
8 1/2 x 11 |
216 x 279 |
1.2941 |
Letter |
A4 |
ANSI B |
17 x 1111×17 |
432 x 279279 x 432 |
1.5455 |
Ledger[5]Tabloid |
A3 |
ANSI C |
17 x 22 |
432 x 559 |
1.2941 |
A2 |
|
ANSI D |
22 x 34 |
559 x 864 |
1.5455 |
A1 |
|
ANSI E |
34 ×x 44 |
864 x 1118 |
1.2941 |
A0 |
What sizes can A&E print?
A: Output sizes in b/w from 8.5” x 11” to 36” x 49’.
A&E stocks rolls of paper in the following widths: 12”, 18”, 22”, 24”, 30”, 34”, & 36”
Orders and File Transfer
