[Bug] "Print As Bitmap" (unchecked) checkbox is not honored.

[theryzor]

When I uncheck "Print as Bitmap", it is not honored at all, in any circumstance:
a) In the Summary, it gaslights me.
a) When I press Done and reopen, it's checked again.
c) When I print, the graphics come out jagged, which tells me it is being processed with Print as Bitmap.

I'm on AI Version 27.2, just updated.
Apple M1 Max, MacOS 13.1

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

Illustrator is a Postscript-based drawing program, so If you're printing to a non-Postscript printer, it cannot send vector anyway, so you better off abandoning this approcah and saving the file as a PDF and printing from Acrobat (Acrobat acts as the Postscript RIP to render your graphics at the best possible with your printer). Illustrator WILL NOT act as a RIP, so regardless of the setting, it sends a bitmap. If your printer DOES have PS emulation, or PDF direct input, you need the right driver, as Illustrator only knows what the driver you've installed on your Mac tells it.

[theryzor]

I have a HP LaserJet 400 M401. I’ve had this setup for years and only
recently noticed this issue. The issue doesn’t happen with InDesign, and
the results between “Print as Bitmap” checked and unchecked are night and
day there.

[Met1]

>I'm on AI Version 27.2, just updated

You might want to check if you need to update your print drivers too...

[theryzor]

Ok this is getting somewhere. I updated my drivers (thought I was updated, but HP software is confusing [HP Smart, HP Easy Start???]) 

Looks like I’m able to NOT print as bitmap now, but the option is grayed out altogether. I don't think I’d ever want to, but yeah it’s gone.

While this solves my individual problem, I’d say this is still a bug for those who have printers that can only print bitmap. The checkbox should be grayed out (checked), and the summary would then be correct (because it seems to show "Print As Bitmap: On" only).

[Monika Gause]

Please tell us what's in your artwork.

Please show screenshots of the artwork.

Please show the printed result.

[theryzor]

The problem persists regardless of what is in the artwork. I have tested with all sorts of files, and also tested on the old version 27.0. 

The bug is still relevant despite the printed results of the artwork (please see the GIF I originally attached). But I'll attach the results of a simple black circle here. Note the stair-stepping pixelation on the Illustrator output (this is with Print as Bitmap unchecked, but it still showing on the Summary page as "On" [again, please see GIF])

TIA

[Monika Gause]

Can you tell when this started? Latest version?

Did you reset the preferences after updating?

Might be worth a try (rename the preferences folder, since that can be undone)

If it doesn't work, then you might need to report it as a bug here: https://illustrator.uservoice.com

[theryzor]

Thanks, I've already submitted it there, but got zero traction, so that's why I'm here.
https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447-illustrator-desktop-bugs/suggestions/46275190--bug-p...

I followed @Met1 ’s advice, and while that seems to have solved the issue for me, the bug (about the Summary not being consistent with the Print As Bitmap checkbox) for certain printers remains. Please see my reply there if you like.

Thanks for your help.

[cb924]

I have the same problem. But when I uncheck the "print as bitmap" I get the following error message: "The Adobe Print Engive has failed to ouitput your data due to an unknown problem." 

[Anubhav M]

Hello @cb924,

We understand that encountering technical issues can be frustrating. Would you mind sharing some more details, like the exact version of the OS/Illustrator, whether Illustrator behaves this way with all files, and a screen recording of the problem (https://adobe.ly/3KTjIdH), so we can investigate this further?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[Anubhav M]

Hello @cb924,

We're still waiting for your response on this issue. Please update the discussion to let us know if it has been resolved or if you still need assistance.

Thanks,
Anubhav

[cb924]

I'm on a MacStudio OS 14.05, working in InDesign 2022. I"m attaching a screenshot of the error message, with the file showing behind it. Meantime, I'll go and upgrade to InDesign 2024 and see if it fixes the problem.

[Monika Gause]

This is the Illustrator forum. You might get better help in the InDesign forum.

[cb924]

Oh my. How did I not notice that?! Anyway, in case anyone is interested, the problem did not occur in Illustrator 2022, and it's all good in InDesign 2024. So I guess that finalizes it for me. Thank you!