How to Fix Adobe PDF Printer Freezing When Plotting from Revit
Question details
The Adobe PDF printer freezes when attempting to plot multiple architectural sheets.
- Product
- Revit 2019, Adobe Acrobat PDF Printer
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Batch plotting multiple sheets to PDF format from Revit 2019.
- Observed behavior
- The PDF printer hangs or freezes during the plotting process, preventing the successful creation of the PDF document.
Ensure both your Revit software and Adobe Acrobat are updated to the latest versions, as many plotting hangs and compatibility bugs are resolved in official service patches.
Update Software and Optimize Plotting Settings
Updating the involved software and reducing unnecessary print settings can resolve freezing caused by spooler overload or outdated components.
When plotting complex Revit sheets, the Adobe PDF driver can become overwhelmed by the amount of vector data, especially on Windows 10. Optimizing both the software versions and the print configuration helps bypass this bottleneck.
Install the latest service packs and hotfixes for Revit 2019 via the Autodesk Desktop App. Open Adobe Acrobat, navigate to the Help menu, and select 'Check for Updates' to ensure the PDF printer components are current.
Create a new, blank Revit sheet with minimal elements. Try plotting this single sheet using the Adobe PDF printer to determine if the freezing issue is caused by the complexity of your original project files.
In Revit, go to File > Print > Setup. Reduce unnecessary print features, switch from Vector to Raster processing if your views contain complex shading or shadows, and lower the raster quality to lighten the processing load.
If the first sheet in a batch plots successfully but subsequent sheets freeze the printer, identify the specific sheet causing the hang. Look for corrupted families or overly complex DWG links on that sheet.
Utilize Alternate PDF Export Workflows
Bypass the Adobe PDF Printer entirely by using alternative built-in workflows or printing sheets individually.
Manage and Edit Exported PDFs Smoothly with WPS Office
While troubleshooting external PDF printer issues in CAD and BIM software, you need a fast and capable PDF viewer and editor. WPS Office is a free, lightweight suite that handles heavy PDF exports effortlessly, while offering full compatibility with all standard office formats.
- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office Free from the official website and install the lightweight package on your Windows 10 system.
- 2. Open Heavy PDFs: Launch WPS PDF to quickly open large, multi-sheet architectural documents exported from Revit without lagging.
- 3. Merge Individual Sheets: If you had to print Revit sheets individually to avoid freezing, use the built-in WPS PDF merge feature to combine them into one seamless project file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Revit freeze specifically when plotting multiple sheets at once?
Batch plotting sends massive volumes of complex vector and raster data to the print spooler sequentially. If the Adobe PDF driver becomes overwhelmed by the data size, or if it encounters corrupted geometry on a specific sheet, the entire batch process can freeze.
Should I use Vector or Raster processing for Revit PDF plotting?
Vector processing is faster and creates sharper, scalable lines, but it can cause the PDF printer to freeze if the sheet contains complex shading, gradients, or shadows. Switching to Raster processing in the Revit Print Setup dialog often bypasses these freezes, although it may increase the final file size.
How do I lower the Adobe PDF printer resolution to prevent hanging?
Navigate to the Windows 10 Control Panel, select 'Devices and Printers', right-click the 'Adobe PDF' printer, and choose 'Printing preferences'. Under the 'Adobe PDF Settings' tab, select a lower default resolution to reduce the processing load during plotting.
