Exporting PDF Files

VectorWorks drawing files can be exported to PDF for use as an interactive representation of a model, or for final quality printing purposes. Export settings are designed for maximum usability and the smallest possible file size. VectorWorks pages become PDF pages when exported. Fonts are always embedded in the PDF, for portability. Layer transfer modes other than Paint become transparency in the PDF. VectorWorks can export the currently visible design layer(s) or sheet layer, or create a batch export list of saved views and sheet layers.

VectorWorks layers and classes can be exported as PDF layers, to create an interactive model representation (PDF layers require PDF rev. 1.5 minimum).

As an alternative to the Export PDF command on the Macintosh, when Quartz Imaging is turned on in the Display tab of VectorWorks preferences, a single PDF file can also be sent to PDF with the Export PDF (Quartz Only) command. The parameters are then controlled by the system’s PDF writer. See Exporting Files for more information.

Single PDF File Export

The Export PDF command creates a PDF file from the current sheet layer or visible design layer(s).

To export the current sheet layer or design layer(s) to PDF:

1.	Set the view for the export. The current sheet layer or currently viewed design layer(s) are exported.

Set the visibility of layers and classes as desired. All visible and grayed layers are exported; invisible layers and classes are not exported. For viewports on sheet layers, set the layer and class visibility of each viewport.

2.	Select File > Export > Export PDF.

The Export PDF dialog box opens. Specify the settings for exporting to PDF.

 

Parameter	Description
PDF Conversion
Export Design Layers as PDF Layers	When exporting design layers, creates a PDF layer from each visible design layer
Export Classes as PDF Layers	When exporting design layers, creates a PDF layer from each visible class
Make grayed PDF Layers initially invisible	When creating PDF layers, grayed layers or classes appear invisible when first opening the resulting PDF
but appear with normal attributes when made visible	When creating PDF layers, grayed layers or classes do not display grayed, but with their assigned attributes once made visible in the PDF
Resolution	Sets the export resolution of pictures, rendered images, and patterns (unless Export patterns at on-screen resolution is selected). A larger value results in higher quality images, but also a larger PDF file. Range: 72—2500 dpi.
Export patterns at on-screen resolution	Exports the pattern size as viewed on-screen; when deselected, patterns are exported according to the specified Resolution
Downsample higher resolution raster images to	Reduces the resolution of raster images to the specified value, resulting in a smaller PDF file size
Use Opacity of	Sets the transparency of layers in the PDF file (replaces Layer Transfer modes in VectorWorks). Not necessary when the Quartz (Macintosh) or GDI+ (Windows) imaging VectorWorks preference is enabled.
Gray level for grayed Layers and Classes	Adjusts the level of gray when exporting with grayed layers and/or classes
Open PDF in the default viewer	After export, opens the PDF automatically in the system’s specified PDF viewer
Export Range
Export the whole printable area as one page	When the printable area consists of more than one page, exports the entire area as a single PDF page
All Pages	Exports all pages, creating a PDF page for each VectorWorks page
Pages	Exports the specified pages only
Current View	Exports the current view to a PDF page

3.	Click Export to create the PDF file based on the settings. If Open PDF in the default viewer was selected, the PDF viewer opens automatically.

If layers or classes were exported as PDF layers and the viewer supports PDF layers, the layers are listed and their visibility can be controlled through the viewer.

Batch PDF File Export

The Export PDF (Batch) command exports a series of saved views and/or sheet layers to PDF. Similar to the Batch Print command, the export list and options can be saved as a set. The list order can be changed, and each item can be printed in either color or black and white. If the Issue Manager is in use, today’s issue can be sent to PDF export.

To batch export the sheet layers and/or saved views in the current file to PDF:

1.	Set up the sheet layers and/or saved views as desired for export.

Set the visibility of layers and classes in the viewports/views. All visible and grayed layers are exported; invisible layers and classes are not exported.

2.	Select File > Export > Export PDF (Batch).

The Batch Export PDF dialog box opens. Sheet layers and views in the current file are listed on the left, and sheets and views to export to PDF are listed on the right.

 

Parameter	Description
Sheets and Views in the Document	Lists the sheet layers and saved views present in the current file
Sheets and Views to Export	Lists the sheet layers/saved views to be exported to PDF; to change the list order, use the cursor to drag and drop the items to move in the # column. Click Color for each item to toggle between color and black and white export.
Add	Adds one or more selected item(s) from the file list to the end of the export list
Add All	Adds all sheet layers/saved views in the file list to the end of the export list
Remove	Removes one or more selected item(s) from the export list
Remove All	Removes all sheet layers and saved views from the export list
Today’s Issue	Selects for export only sheet layers that have been marked as today’s issue by the Issue Manager
Saved Set	Restores a previously-saved list for export
Save a Set	Saves the current export set as a file that can be restored later
Export as separate files	Exports each sheet layer/saved view as a separate PDF file; when deselected, they are combined into a single PDF file

3.	Click Export.

The Export PDF dialog box opens. Specify the PDF export options, as described in Single PDF File Export. The settings apply to all sheet layers/saved views being exported.

4.	Click Export.

If viewports require updating before export, the Out of Date Viewports dialog box opens for each sheet layer with out-of-date viewports. Specify whether or not to update all the drawing viewports or all exported viewports.

5.	Click OK. The PDF file or files are created based on the settings.

If Open PDF in the default viewer was selected, the PDF viewer opens automatically. Each sheet layer and saved view that was exported has a bookmark for easy navigation.

Saving a Batch Export Set

A set of sheet layers and saved views, along with their color settings and list order, can be saved as a set and easily restored.

To save the export list as a set:

1.	In the Batch Export PDF dialog box, click Save a Set.

The Name this Print Set dialog box opens.

2.	Enter the name of the set, and then click OK. The settings are saved with the file and available for future batch exports.

The set name must be unique. The maximum number of saved sets is ten.

Restoring a Saved Batch Export Set

To restore a saved export set:

1.	In the Batch Export PDF dialog box, click Saved Set.

The Recall Saved Print Set dialog box opens.

2.	Select a saved set. (To delete a saved set, select a set and click Delete.)

3.	Click Select. The saved set displays in the Batch Export PDF dialog box.