Printing to PDF
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Has anyone had much experience printing to PDF?
I like this feature because it lets you print to scale, but I am experiencing some problems with it. I am using a fairly complex model with lots of materials and geometery. When I print to PDF some materials will not print and show up as white. I've tried adjusting the material (scaling, coloring, resetting original color, changing the image..) and this has little effect. Ive tried coloring both sides of the face of objects with this material, with no success. Now, when I zoom in the material shows up-sometimes- depending on what seems to be random factors. Im starting to think the Print to PDF feature is pretty unreliable in this regard.
The only other way I can see getting a scaled image is to Export a Jpeg, and eyeball-scale it in cad or photoshop.
Does anyone have any input, suggestions, similar problems?
Thanks in advance...
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RCampo, textures do not export to PDF from SU - they are converted to solid colors. If you have Layout (comes with SU Pro) there is a quick and easy work around - insert the model into Layout and specify the view and scale, and then export it as a PDF (or other image file) - for some reason textures will export to PDF from Layout.
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See this thread but with no real conclusions. http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=12349&p=89084&hilit=kenny#p89084
I also get frustrated with it. It's usually on large models printed at A1 or larger. Daniel is right however, Layout will print out ok without the texture issues.
If you do still use Sketchup directly I've found that Adobe Acrobat is the worst culprit. I also use Cute PDF and PDF Creator. They work more often than not. Also in Advanced Preferences print settings try ICM Method: handled by printer, ICM Intent: Graphics, Advanced printing Features: Disabled. I don't really know what these are meant to do but through trial and error have found they work more often.
Kenny
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