PlotPDFPro AutoCAD Add-in

How do I convert from AutoCAD to PDF?

1. 1. Installation

   Sign in to the PlotPDFPro website.

   Download the AutoCAD add-in and complete the installation.

2. 2. Open the drawing

   Open the DWG drawing you want to convert to PDF in AutoCAD.

   Press Ctrl+P to open the Plot window.

3. 3. Select PlotPDFPro

   Under Printer/Plotter, select PlotPDFPro.pc3.

4. 4. Centre the drawing

   Under Plot Offset, select Center the plot.

5. 5. Select your CTB settings

   Under Plot Style Table, select the CTB file you want to use.

   If your office uses a custom CTB, you can continue using your existing standard.

   For black-and-white output, choose the CTB settings that produce a black-and-white result.

   This preserves line weights and print quality when the PDF is later sent to a physical printer.

6. 6. Select a PlotPDFPro paper profile

   Under Paper Size, you will see the printable paper profiles created by PlotPDFPro.

   Select the profile that matches the drawing's actual output height.

   This value represents the paper height used when the drawing is physically printed.

7. 7. Select the plot area

   Under What to plot, use Window to select the drawing area to convert to PDF.

8. 8. Enter the actual output scale

   Under Plot Scale, clear Fit to paper.

   Then enter the actual output scale, for example 1:50, 1:100, or 1:200.

9. 9. Set the quality

   Under Shaded Viewport Options, set Quality to Maximum.

   Select Apply to Layout to save the settings.

   Important

   DO NOT select OK in the AutoCAD Plot window.
   Close the Plot window after applying the settings to the layout.
10. 10. Start the conversion

    On the AutoCAD ribbon, select PlotPDFPro > Convert to PDF once.

    On first use, your browser opens. Approve the requested permission to connect your PlotPDFPro account.

11. 11. Get your PDF

    Return to AutoCAD.

    AutoCAD may appear unresponsive briefly during conversion. Do not click again or restart the operation during this time.

    Follow conversion progress in the PlotPDFPro window at the bottom right.

    When conversion finishes, the PDF is saved automatically to your Downloads folder.

Your files are retained for 7 days

Converted PDF files are retained by PlotPDFPro for 7 days from the conversion date.

No additional credit or fee is charged to download the same PDF again during this period.

The file is deleted automatically at the end of the seventh day.

Viewing long PDF files

You can use Adobe Acrobat Pro DC or Foxit PDF Reader to view very long architectural and engineering PDF files.