Introduction
Some national digital submission standards—particularly in the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors—require exported drawings in PDF/A-3 format, a long-term archival standard defined under ISO 19005-3.
While AutoCAD 2025 includes a built-in DWG to PDF plotter, it does not natively support exporting to PDF/A-3. In this post, we’ll explore several methods to achieve compliant output, including free and paid solutions.
What Is PDF/A-3?
PDF/A-3 is a standardized format for long-term digital archiving. It’s often mandated for official submissions such as:
- Building permits
- Municipal planning
- Engineering documentation
Key features include:
- Embedded fonts
- Restricted content types (e.g. no audio/video)
- Optional file attachments (XML, metadata, etc.)
The Problem
AutoCAD’s DWG to PDF virtual printer does not support PDF/A-3 out of the box. Users looking to export layouts in this format face several challenges:
- AutoCAD creates standard PDFs only
- No built-in compliance options for archival standards
- Bulk publishing requires repetitive plotter setup
- Custom paper sizes may cause orientation issues with some third-party tools
Available Workarounds
Method 1: Use Adobe Acrobat Pro as the Plotter
If you have access to Adobe Acrobat Pro 2020, it can act as a virtual printer within AutoCAD.
Steps:
- Go to Plot > Printer/Plotter Name
- Select Adobe PDF (installed with Acrobat Pro)
- Configure plot settings as needed
- After generating the PDF, it will be saved with PDF/A conformance settings by default
Note: Ensure your Adobe settings are configured to use PDF/A mode. You can confirm this in Acrobat via
File > Properties > Standards.
Method 2: Use Free Software (PDF24 or PDFCreator)
If you don’t have access to Adobe software:
- Plot layouts as normal using DWG to PDF in AutoCAD.
- Use PDF24 or PDFCreator to:
- Merge multiple layout PDFs
- Export as PDF/A-3 format
- Validate conformance
Tools like PDF24 offer a free, GUI-based method to create compliant files, though they may require some manual tweaking for orientation and paper sizes.
Important Notes
- Vector fidelity is preserved when using DWG to PDF followed by external conversion.
- Batch publishing with Adobe or third-party tools may be limited.
- Consider defining standard paper sizes within AutoCAD page setups to avoid scaling/rotation issues during conversion.
Summary of Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| DWG to PDF (AutoCAD) | Initial layout plotting |
| Adobe Acrobat Pro | Native PDF/A support + direct plotting |
| PDF24 | Free conversion and PDF/A merge tool |
| PDFCreator | Virtual printer supporting PDF/A-3 export |
Conclusion
Although AutoCAD 2025 doesn’t natively support PDF/A-3 export, there are reliable ways to meet ISO 19005-3 compliance using either Adobe Acrobat Pro or free tools like PDF24.
This ensures your digital submissions—such as building permit drawings—meet government or organizational standards without disrupting your AutoCAD workflow.
Looking for more AutoCAD export and documentation tips? Stay tuned to our blog.
