Plotting to PDF with Gradient Fills

I am having problems creating PDFs using Distiller in AutoCAD 2005. The problems are caused because (I believe) I am using the newer graphic additions to 2005, particularly gradient fills. It takes a long time to create the PDF and when I open the PDF, it takes a very long time to generate on the screen. When I then try to export from Adobe Reader to another format, the gradient fills are dropped. Any suggestions or directions you can give me would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

I had the same issue with 1 drawing. I had to use 2 steps. print to DWF and
then print to PDF from the DWF viewer. it seemed to work well enough...

problems are caused because (I believe) I am using the newer graphic
additions to 2005, particularly gradient fills. It takes a long time to
create the PDF and when I open the PDF, it takes a very long time to
generate on the screen. When I then try to export from Adobe Reader to
another format, the gradient fills are dropped. Any suggestions or
directions you can give me would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

Thanks for the advice. I have reduced the time required from 20+ minutes to about 3 minutes. You are helping to keep me sane.