AutoCAD Layers in a PDF file

Viewing layers within a pdf file can be extremely useful to managers and clients who do not have access AutoCAD or a viewing program. Sometimes a client may have a specific request to view the layers of the drawing giving them the ability to manipulate the file. Drawings that use the DWG to PDF driver (from Autodesk) have the ability to turn on the layer control by following these three steps.

There are several ways to do this but the easiest would be to just type PLOT at the command prompt.

Set your plotter to the DWG to PDF.pc3 file as shown below, then select properties.

You can follow the same procedure using the additional Autodesk Supplied .pc3 files.

Highlight custom properties on the files tab and select the Custom Properties button.

After selecting the Custom Properties button the following dialogue box will appear. By default the include layer information is checked.  Simply uncheck that box and hit OK.  The settings will be saved to the printer driver and you are ready to go.

That’s it! Simply open your drawing in Adobe or another PDF reader and you will notice you have full control over your layers.