Line weights and PDF prints

[Rolando]

I seeing a new problem for me, perhaps because I seldom do any renovation work. On my new work floor plans I typically use 0.75 and 1.5 point lines and they print fine to PDF.

With this renovation work, I'm trying to show existing work with a thin line and new work with a heavier line, but I'm not seeing the differentialtion on the printed PDF file. I've gone so far as to set the existing work with a 0.25 point line weight and the new work with a 1.0 line weight and the pdf print is not showing any difference at all between the two.

Have I missed a print setting somewhere? Or are PDF files really that limited in line weight?

[phansford]

I do a lot of addition/ renovation work. I usually use color to differentiate existing and new work. Red for selective removals, blue for existing, and black for new. I print color prints for permit submittal and the contractor. The blue and red will print lighter when printed out-of-house in black/white (gray scale).

I use light weights form 1.5 to .15 and they print fine - even from a PDF.

There are times when we will half- tone existing work.

How are you printing the drawings? In-house or out-of-house? Large format or letter/ legal/tabloid printer?