I have been working with the setup the company uses for MicroStaiton/Power Survey SS2 for three years now. The printing process requires me to use something called PDF Creator to make the pdf. Everything was fine until yesterday when some reviewing the file noticed that it was "fuzzy" (see screenshot below).
I don't know what's changed. I make it policy to use "default settings" or company/project settings 99.99% of the time (personal customizations only need to disappear once because of updates to not use personal customizations).
All pdf software has been updated (I now have the most recent which isn't the "older version" on another's machine, but that version works....and it's not available for me to reinstall to). We tried using "Microsoft Print to PDF" and "BlueBeam" with no improvement. And, really, why don't I have an option to print to pdf from inside MicroStation/Power Survey? Why do I even need a third-party software to create pdfs??
As always, any help is greatly appraciated!
So, PowerSurvey doesn't come with a PDF.PLTCFG file?
I have PowerInRoads, so the path might be different, but I can find that file in C:\ProgramData\Bentley\PowerInRoads V8i (SELECTseries)\WorkSpace\System\pltcfg\
That plots directly to PDF, no third-party software required.
MaryB
Power GeoPak 08.11.09.918Power InRoads 08.11.09.918OpenRoads Designer 2021 R2
That's exactly what I was looking for! And it looks like this when used:
However, it doesn't have the half-sized line weights, so I have to use the other pltcfg and third-party software to print to a pdf.
Apparently something in the MicroStation/Power Survey software has changed in the last month. And so a proper forensic review of my machine is to be done and MicroStation will probably be rebuilt.
But, as always, thanks for your help, MsB!
You can actually make a copy of that file, and edit it through the Print Dialog to change the lineweights as desired. You could even make two copies if you need - one for half-size and another for full-size. Then just select which one you want to use when it is time to print.
If your standards are stored on a network, you can save your copies there, and have PS find them automatically by defining MS_PLTCFG_PATH in your standards configuration to include whatever directory you save them in. You can also define one of them to be your "default" printing file my setting the configuration variable MS_DEFAULT_PLTCFG_FILE = that file name. As long as MS_PLTCFG_PATH is defined and your pltcfg file is stored in that directory, it will be found and used automatically. You can always switch it in the print dialog if you need another one, but you will always have your default ready to go.
I am going to store your suggestion in my notebook of brilliant ideas! Even though I try not to veer off the path of what's typical here, I can't help but be a little rebellious from time to time!
It turns out the problem was stupefying simple. In the Print dialogue box there is a check box next to the preview screen with the word "Rasterized". That box was checked, although for the life of me I have no idea how it came to be so. Once that was unchecked, the pdfs were no longer "fuzzy".
Thank you, again, MsB for your suggestion, and your help! It is always appreciated!
You're quite welcome.
Yes, rasterized is a ...quirky... setting. Only use it if you absolutely need it. And if things take far too long, or don't look quite right, it's one of the first things to check. It has its uses, and is essential for some things, but beyond that, it stays off.
Good job finding that!