How to Fix PDFs Exported from AutoCAD Not Printing in Acrobat Pro DC
Question details
The user is unable to print specific PDF drawings exported from AutoCAD LT 2021 using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC on a Mac, although the files print successfully on a different Mac device.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, AutoCAD LT 2021
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Printing complex CAD drawings that have been exported to PDF format.
- Observed behavior
- The PDF fails to print from Acrobat Pro DC on one Mac, pointing to potential issues with the software version, printer drivers, or CAD layer configurations.
Ensure your printer is properly connected to your Mac and turned on, and verify that you can successfully print standard text documents to confirm the printer hardware is functioning correctly.
Update Adobe Acrobat and Printer Drivers
Outdated PDF software or printer firmware can cause rendering and compatibility issues when handling complex PDFs like CAD drawings.
Acrobat relies on the latest rendering engines to process vector graphics from CAD files. Ensuring both the application and the printer drivers are fully up to date is the primary fix for device-specific printing failures.
Open Adobe Acrobat Pro DC on your Mac. Navigate to the top menu bar, select 'Help', and click 'Check for Updates'. Install version 20.12.20041 or the latest available.
Go to the 'Apple menu' > 'System Preferences' > 'Printers & Scanners'. Select your printer and check for any missing or pending updates. If the problem persists, remove the printer using the minus (-) button and reinstall it using the latest driver downloaded directly from the manufacturer's website.
Verify AutoCAD Layer Settings and Recreate the PDF
Sometimes layers in AutoCAD are marked as non-printable, which carries over to the exported PDF and causes print failures.
Use WPS PDF to Open and Print Complex CAD Drawings
If Adobe Acrobat continues to struggle with your exported AutoCAD PDFs, you can use the built-in PDF tool in WPS Office. It efficiently handles complex layers and vector graphics, allowing you to print your drawings easily without driver conflicts or rendering issues.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your Mac.
- 2. Open the CAD PDF: Right-click the PDF file that failed to print in Acrobat, select 'Open With', and choose 'WPS Office'.
- 3. Access the Print Menu: Once the document is open, click the 'Print' icon in the top toolbar or press Cmd + P on your keyboard.
- 4. Print the Document: Select your printer, adjust the page scaling if necessary, and click the 'Print' button to output your drawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a PDF print perfectly on one Mac but fail on another?
This usually occurs due to discrepancies between the two devices, such as different versions of Adobe Acrobat, mismatched or outdated printer drivers, or corrupted print spooler caches on the failing Mac.
How can I tell if an AutoCAD layer is set to non-printable?
Open the Layer Properties Manager in AutoCAD and look at the 'Plot' icon for your layers. If the printer icon has a red slash or prohibition sign over it, that specific layer will be visible on screen but will not be included when exported or printed.
Can I print a PDF as an image to bypass rendering errors in Acrobat?
Yes. In the Acrobat Print dialog, click on the 'Advanced' button and check the 'Print As Image' option. This forces the application to process the document as a flat raster image rather than attempting to render individual vector lines, which often resolves complex printing errors.
What should I do if updating Acrobat doesn't fix the printing issue?
If updating doesn't work, try recreating the PDF directly from the source CAD file, using the 'Print As Image' option, or opening and printing the file using an alternative PDF viewer like WPS Office or Apple's native Preview app.
