Plot to a file

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In addition to plotting directly to a printer,

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you can use any plotter configuration to create plot files that can

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be used with spooling software or given to a service bureau for output

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to see this in action,

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select the layout you want to print

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such as the details layout.

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Then on the quick access toolbar, click plot to open the plot dialogue.

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Of course, you could also open this dialogue from the application menu

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by right clicking the layout tab

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or by using tools in the ribbon.

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Since this layout has a named page setup already associated with it

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in the page set up group box, you can see the name of the page set up.

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And you can also see that this particular page setup is already configured

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to save the output to a PDF file

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in the printer plotter group box under description.

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There is a plot to file check box.

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Since creating a PDF file is by definition an operation that plots to a file.

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This check box is selected by default.

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And with the DWG to PDF dot PC three plotter configuration selected,

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you cannot clear this check box.

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But if you select a different printer, you can control this

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in the dialogue. Expand the name, drop down and select a different printer

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for demonstration purposes. I'm going to select my laser printer.

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You should select an actual printer that you use at your office.

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Once you have selected an actual local or network printer,

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the plot to file check box becomes available

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to plot to a file, select this check box,

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then review the other plot settings

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and adjust them as needed.

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Also note that as soon as you change the printer

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in the page set up group box, the page setup name now says none.

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Since all of the plot settings can be saved to a named page setup.

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If you will often plot to a file,

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you can save these settings as an additional named page setup.

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When you are ready to create the plot file, click. OK?

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Since you are plotting to a file, you see a file dialogue

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at this point,

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you should navigate to the folder in which you want to save

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the file and enter a file name for the plot file.

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Note that the drawing name is provided as the default file name

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and the plot file is assigned the dot PLT file extension.

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Click save

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to save the plot file.

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There is one last thing to remember.

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Plot files are meant to be used with spooling software

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or to be given to a service bureau for output.

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In other words, if you know what type of plotter is used at your local copy center.

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You can create a plot file and then send that PLT file to the copy center

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or you can create a simple batch file and use it to send the PLT file to your printer.