Plotting shaded objects in ACAD 2004

[dpa]

I have recently run into a problem plotting objects which are shaded (flat or Giroud) in AutoCad 2004. Whenever I try to plot or get a plot preview the computer locks up to the point where I have to reboot by killing the power. Rendered works but not shaded

Eventually the AutoCad installation becomes corrupted and the program won't even load. Luckily ACAD2004 will reinstall over itself without punching in a whole bunch of numbers (serial number, old serial number, authorization code etc)

My memory is not all that great but I am pretty sure that I used to be able to do this. I also seem to remember that shaded objects are more clearly definded in a plot than rendered ones are, but now I am not so sure. Does anyone know whether ACAD2004 allows plotting shaded (as opposed to rendered) objects? Is it possible that the Windows XP installation is what is really deteriorating here?

Thanks
DPA

 

[IFRs]

R2004 allows plotting of objects as shown, either 2D wireframe, 3D wireframe, or any of the shaded options. I do it all the time, without issues. I think you have either a RAM or video card hardware failure or a video or printer software issue. Is the drawing very large? I plot 5Mb 3D drawings with shaded viewports without difficulty. When you try to plot or plot preview, does the little spinner thing on the command line stop spinning?

 

[dpa]

Thanks IFRs,

It is helpful to know that 2004 does actually print shaded drawings. I hadn't done it in a while and I was wondering about my memory. Now I know to start looking at other issues.

I have 750 MB of Ram and changed back to my old video card. Maybe the Win XP installation has become corrupted. Have reinstalled 2004 several times now so that shouldn't be it.

Thanks,
DPA

 

[IFRs]

Make sure you have the latest video drivers.

 

[dpa]

IFRs,

Can you tell me what video card you are using? Autocad tech support tells me that one of the video cards I tried does not work well with open GL. That was the nvidia GeForce.

Thanks,
DPA

 

[dpa]

Problem solved

Under Tools>Options>System Tab>3D Graphics Display>Properties Change the Graphics Acceleration Button from Software to Hardware.

Thanks for all the suggestions. They put me on the track of video settings.

DPA