Creating a PC3 plotter in AutoCAD

However, it can be useful to be able to create a plotter yourself in case you lose one of the default ones or need to create a different one. Below we are going through a step by step process on how to create a PC3 plotter for use with AutoCAD. We are going to create a ‘DWG To PDF’ plotter in this example but you can use the same method to create a different plotter.

First, click on the AutoCAD menu on the top left corner and click on Print and then ‘Manage Plotters’:

This opens up the folder which contains all the PC3 files on our machine for this version of AutoCAD. This folder also contains a shortcut to ‘Add-A-Plotter Wizard’. We double click this to start the creation of the PC3 plotter.

We are presented with an introduction window that gives a brief explanation of what we are about to do:

Choose the ‘My computer’ option to store the PC3 file in our machine:

Then the Manufacturer and Model, as shown below:

For the next two windows, you simply click next and accept the default options:

Select a name for the Plotter and click “Finish” to create the file:

Once the file is created you should be able to see it in the folder and in the AutoCAD dialogs:

I hope you found this useful. If you would like to know more about AutoCAD and its capabilities, take a look at our variety of AutoCAD courses:

Author

Enrique Barriuso

A qualified CEng MSpICE Civil Engineer with over 7+ years post graduate experience. Enrique graduated with a Master's in Civil Engineering, which covered a wide variety of subjects in the fields of transport, structural analysis, geotechnical design, coastal, water and environmental engineering. Enrique joined in 2015 and is an Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD Civil 3D, subsequently helped many clients resolve their Civil 3D problems. He provides training in Civil 3D, AutoCAD and SketchUp.