A recent support case has shown that caution is advised when exporting PDFs with active hyperlinks from AutoCAD, Map 3D or Civil 3D if the files are opened with PDF viewers. Although the links are generated correctly, they may not respond in some viewers or may not be recognised as clickable. If you open the same file in a browser or Adobe Acrobat Reader, for example, the links usually work perfectly.
This is due to differences in how different viewers interpret PDF annotations and link structures. The file itself is usually technically correct, but its behaviour depends on the programme used. This can lead to unnecessary queries, especially for plans with internal detail references or external web links.
Our tip is therefore to export PDFs with the hyperlink option enabled and the latest PDF version, and to test the file in the intended viewer before sharing it. For projects with an extensive navigation structure, it is also advisable to specify the PDF reader to be used for the project. This ensures that digital plan review remains reliable and traceable.
