Volo View Update

[Anonymous]

I would like to give you a preview of the new release of Volo View 3 and an
update on the Viewer product line at Autodesk. We are announcing the latest
version of Volo View 3 this week at the AIA National Convention and Design
Expo. Volo View 3 will support all the new AutoCAD 2004, Inventor 7, and DWF
6 formats. Version 3 will be available in the next few weeks; you can read
more about the product at: http://www.autodesk.com/preview-voloview3



As you know, we released the free Autodesk Express Viewer in December,
specially focused on customers leveraging DWF. Already, over 350,000 people
have downloaded and are leveraging the new DWF Viewer. As we advance these
products, Volo View and Autodesk Express Viewer, Autodesk will no longer
develop Volo View Express. Instead we are shifting our development efforts
to provide more a complete solution for reviewing, marking up, measuring,
printing and plotting in the Viewer product line.



The existing version of Volo View Express will continue to be available for
download from Autodesk.com for a limited time but will eventually be phased
out. For those of you who need markup, measuring, and plotting functionality
along with support for DWF 6, AutoCAD 2004 files, and Autodesk Inventor 7
files, we recommend you upgrade to Volo View 3.



If you are developing on Volo View or Volo View Express, please visit the
Autodesk Developer Network site or contact your ADN representative for more
information.



We will post another message to this discussion board as we get closer to
release with details on how to order Volo View 3, including information on
special pricing.



Sincerely,

Diane Li - Viewers Product Manager

Tony Peach - Director Viewer & DWF Strategy

[Anonymous]

Will the Autodesk Express Viewer include the capability to also read DWG
files in it's final release? I encouraged my clients to upgrade to AutoCad
2004 and use Volo View Express as a free dwg file viewer to replace their
copies of Fastlook (viewer).

I know about the DWF stategy, but I really want to know more about your FREE
dwg viewer strategy.

regards,
Tore Hanson


"Diane Li" wrote in message
news:A610011DBC715E7FCFA18E0DA5A0861A@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> I would like to give you a preview of the new release of Volo View 3 and
an
> update on the Viewer product line at Autodesk. We are announcing the
latest
> version of Volo View 3 this week at the AIA National Convention and Design
> Expo. Volo View 3 will support all the new AutoCAD 2004, Inventor 7, and
DWF
> 6 formats. Version 3 will be available in the next few weeks; you can
read
> more about the product at: http://www.autodesk.com/preview-voloview3
>
>
>
> As you know, we released the free Autodesk Express Viewer in December,
> specially focused on customers leveraging DWF. Already, over 350,000
people
> have downloaded and are leveraging the new DWF Viewer. As we advance these
> products, Volo View and Autodesk Express Viewer, Autodesk will no longer
> develop Volo View Express. Instead we are shifting our development efforts
> to provide more a complete solution for reviewing, marking up, measuring,
> printing and plotting in the Viewer product line.
>
>
>
> The existing version of Volo View Express will continue to be available
for
> download from Autodesk.com for a limited time but will eventually be
phased
> out. For those of you who need markup, measuring, and plotting
functionality
> along with support for DWF 6, AutoCAD 2004 files, and Autodesk Inventor 7
> files, we recommend you upgrade to Volo View 3.
>
>
>
> If you are developing on Volo View or Volo View Express, please visit the
> Autodesk Developer Network site or contact your ADN representative for
more
> information.
>
>
>
> We will post another message to this discussion board as we get closer to
> release with details on how to order Volo View 3, including information on
> special pricing.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Diane Li - Viewers Product Manager
>
> Tony Peach - Director Viewer & DWF Strategy
>
>

[Anonymous]

There is no more free DWG viewing strategy. The closest you can come to that
is to set up a Buzzsaw site, for an annual subscription fee, and then use
the free ProjectPoint add-on that will allow DWG viewing. You won't have to
pay for DWG viewing on a per seat basis, but you will pay for your Buzzsaw
site based on the amount of space it consumes. If you want really free
viewing, you need to expend the effort to maintain two copies of your
data -- one in original DWG and one in artifact DWFs. A side benefit of the
latter strategy is that you protect your intellectual property. As CAD moves
to objects instead of lines and arcs, it becomes harder to view CAD data
with anything other than AutoCAD. At some point you might just want to bite
the bullet and go to DWF.

"Tore Hanson" wrote in message
news:8043BC28FD43AFAB5F1384CE43B05997@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Will the Autodesk Express Viewer include the capability to also read DWG
> files in it's final release? I encouraged my clients to upgrade to AutoCad
> 2004 and use Volo View Express as a free dwg file viewer to replace their
> copies of Fastlook (viewer).
>
> I know about the DWF stategy, but I really want to know more about your
FREE
> dwg viewer strategy.

[Anonymous]

I would content that this process isn't as onerous as it might sound: it's
likely that several changes are made to a DWG over some lengthly period of
time before that design is ready to be more widely distributed; there is
probalby also a formal approval process of some sort. Given that, you
probably want to create a DWF "infrequently" in comparison with the
edits/saves on the DWG.

Dan

"Scott Sheppard" wrote in message
news:AA3A4F040147979A5C2992F073A9F17C@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> There is no more free DWG viewing strategy. The closest you can come to
that
> is to set up a Buzzsaw site, for an annual subscription fee, and then use
> the free ProjectPoint add-on that will allow DWG viewing. You won't have
to
> pay for DWG viewing on a per seat basis, but you will pay for your Buzzsaw
> site based on the amount of space it consumes. If you want really free
> viewing, you need to expend the effort to maintain two copies of your
> data -- one in original DWG and one in artifact DWFs. A side benefit of
the
> latter strategy is that you protect your intellectual property. As CAD
moves
> to objects instead of lines and arcs, it becomes harder to view CAD data
> with anything other than AutoCAD. At some point you might just want to
bite
> the bullet and go to DWF.
>
> "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> news:8043BC28FD43AFAB5F1384CE43B05997@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > Will the Autodesk Express Viewer include the capability to also read DWG
> > files in it's final release? I encouraged my clients to upgrade to
AutoCad
> > 2004 and use Volo View Express as a free dwg file viewer to replace
their
> > copies of Fastlook (viewer).
> >
> > I know about the DWF stategy, but I really want to know more about your
> FREE
> > dwg viewer strategy.
>
>

[Anonymous]

I personally don't have to "bite the bullet". I can view my drawings with
AutoCad. I don't want to know about "workarounds" since I already have a
closet full of them.

I'm personally embarassed by what I told my client. They will have to
upgrade or replace their Fastlook viewer now. I was showing them how to save
money and I was absolutely wrong. They were going to use Volo View Express
to replace Fastlook, neither of which will change the intellectual property
of the in house DWG.

Often people who comment on these topics have a myopic view of the world.
Not all CAD drawings are made for other people. Sometimes, believe it or
not, they are used exclusively in-house for maintenance purposes. Perhaps a
person who works on maintenance within a company needs to see an electrical
diagram but does not have access to a CAD station, because he never is
suppose to change the CAD drawing...so he uses a viewer. The plant engineer
is busy enough without creating a duplicate set of drawings for others to
view. All changes to the master set of drawings go through the engineer etc.
etc. etc. If you haven't been there you probably don't understand what I'm
saying. Maintenance people "do maintenance" they generally don't have the
time to become CAD power users...so they use a viewer to make a print then
fix the problem and leave a mark-up with the engineer. The engineer then
arranges for someone who can more or less operate the CAD station to make
the change on the drawing and save the drawing. These drawings are also used
for reference in emergency procedures and its not a good idea to keep two
sets of drawings since it opens up the oportunity for error...in that a DWF
might not exist or be the latest version.

So I can tell my client that they will have to "bite the bullet", but I will
probably not recommend Volo View 3. Most likely I will recommend "Myraid"
since it is capable of viewing a very wide range of formats.


"Scott Sheppard" wrote in message
news:AA3A4F040147979A5C2992F073A9F17C@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> There is no more free DWG viewing strategy. The closest you can come to
that
> is to set up a Buzzsaw site, for an annual subscription fee, and then use
> the free ProjectPoint add-on that will allow DWG viewing. You won't have
to
> pay for DWG viewing on a per seat basis, but you will pay for your Buzzsaw
> site based on the amount of space it consumes. If you want really free
> viewing, you need to expend the effort to maintain two copies of your
> data -- one in original DWG and one in artifact DWFs. A side benefit of
the
> latter strategy is that you protect your intellectual property. As CAD
moves
> to objects instead of lines and arcs, it becomes harder to view CAD data
> with anything other than AutoCAD. At some point you might just want to
bite
> the bullet and go to DWF.
>
> "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> news:8043BC28FD43AFAB5F1384CE43B05997@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > Will the Autodesk Express Viewer include the capability to also read DWG
> > files in it's final release? I encouraged my clients to upgrade to
AutoCad
> > 2004 and use Volo View Express as a free dwg file viewer to replace
their
> > copies of Fastlook (viewer).
> >
> > I know about the DWF stategy, but I really want to know more about your
> FREE
> > dwg viewer strategy.
>
>

[Anonymous]

I understand what you are saying, but the Autodesk Express Viewer was
explicitly developed for people like "Maintenance people [who] generally
don't have the time to become CAD power users." The Autodesk Express Viewer
is easier to use than Volo View. There is no need to worry about missing
XREFs, object enablers, etc. I agree that if maintaining two accurate copies
of the data is beyond your organization's ability, you absolutely should
stick with DWG. Spicer, Myriad, and Cimmetry all make viewers that view a
wide range of formats. It may be a while before they view AutoCAD 2004 DWGs
though. Some of the new features required a format change, and it takes time
for the OpenDWG alliance to integrate those changes. But you absolutely do
have alternatives to Volo View 3.

"Tore Hanson" wrote in message
news:3F0630EC350A67D5128C6FE5796DD9CA@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> I personally don't have to "bite the bullet". I can view my drawings with
> AutoCad. I don't want to know about "workarounds" since I already have a
> closet full of them.
>
> I'm personally embarassed by what I told my client. They will have to
> upgrade or replace their Fastlook viewer now. I was showing them how to
save
> money and I was absolutely wrong. They were going to use Volo View Express
> to replace Fastlook, neither of which will change the intellectual
property
> of the in house DWG.
>
> Often people who comment on these topics have a myopic view of the world.
> Not all CAD drawings are made for other people. Sometimes, believe it or
> not, they are used exclusively in-house for maintenance purposes. Perhaps
a
> person who works on maintenance within a company needs to see an
electrical
> diagram but does not have access to a CAD station, because he never is
> suppose to change the CAD drawing...so he uses a viewer. The plant
engineer
> is busy enough without creating a duplicate set of drawings for others to
> view. All changes to the master set of drawings go through the engineer
etc.
> etc. etc. If you haven't been there you probably don't understand what I'm
> saying. Maintenance people "do maintenance" they generally don't have the
> time to become CAD power users...so they use a viewer to make a print then
> fix the problem and leave a mark-up with the engineer. The engineer then
> arranges for someone who can more or less operate the CAD station to make
> the change on the drawing and save the drawing. These drawings are also
used
> for reference in emergency procedures and its not a good idea to keep two
> sets of drawings since it opens up the oportunity for error...in that a
DWF
> might not exist or be the latest version.
>
> So I can tell my client that they will have to "bite the bullet", but I
will
> probably not recommend Volo View 3. Most likely I will recommend "Myraid"
> since it is capable of viewing a very wide range of formats.
>
>
> "Scott Sheppard" wrote in message
> news:AA3A4F040147979A5C2992F073A9F17C@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > There is no more free DWG viewing strategy. The closest you can come to
> that
> > is to set up a Buzzsaw site, for an annual subscription fee, and then
use
> > the free ProjectPoint add-on that will allow DWG viewing. You won't have
> to
> > pay for DWG viewing on a per seat basis, but you will pay for your
Buzzsaw
> > site based on the amount of space it consumes. If you want really free
> > viewing, you need to expend the effort to maintain two copies of your
> > data -- one in original DWG and one in artifact DWFs. A side benefit of
> the
> > latter strategy is that you protect your intellectual property. As CAD
> moves
> > to objects instead of lines and arcs, it becomes harder to view CAD data
> > with anything other than AutoCAD. At some point you might just want to
> bite
> > the bullet and go to DWF.
> >
> > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > news:8043BC28FD43AFAB5F1384CE43B05997@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > Will the Autodesk Express Viewer include the capability to also read
DWG
> > > files in it's final release? I encouraged my clients to upgrade to
> AutoCad
> > > 2004 and use Volo View Express as a free dwg file viewer to replace
> their
> > > copies of Fastlook (viewer).
> > >
> > > I know about the DWF stategy, but I really want to know more about
your
> > FREE
> > > dwg viewer strategy.
> >
> >
>
>

[Anonymous]

I thought Volo View Express was developed explicitly for people like
"Maintenance people [who] generally don't have the time to become CAD power
users." However....since you mentioned the point that "There is no need to
worry about missing XREFs, object enablers, etc." you may be on to
something, especially in view of the fact that Xrefs are indeed used. What
you are saying then is that the DWF "maker" with AutoCad basically takes a
snapshot of the printed file, much like a PDF.

What I like about the Free Volo View Express other then the fact that is was
free (LOL) is that it could view all the layouts and the model view
contained in the dwg file. Now I have to be concerned about what will be
available in the DWF format! Just when things were finally starting to go
smoothly somebody decides to "pull out the rug" so we can start over again.
You gotta love advancement. Their are no alternatives to Volo View Express
are there?

This reminds me of "glass"...yes glass. Glass has been around since dirt and
nothing I know of has been invented to improve glass. Oh sure plastic is
lighter...but its porous. Metal is good, but it oxidates. Glass is very
breakable, so you just have to be careful. I enjoy drinking from glass
containers over any other material. I know somebody is out there trying to
improve on glass ...but its fine just the way it is. Why do we have to
"improve" things that work, or is it strictly a money thing?

"Scott Sheppard" wrote in message
news:C4607701AE583801E93C4008F5111D15@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> I understand what you are saying, but the Autodesk Express Viewer was
> explicitly developed for people like "Maintenance people [who] generally
> don't have the time to become CAD power users." The Autodesk Express
Viewer
> is easier to use than Volo View. There is no need to worry about missing
> XREFs, object enablers, etc. I agree that if maintaining two accurate
copies
> of the data is beyond your organization's ability, you absolutely should
> stick with DWG. Spicer, Myriad, and Cimmetry all make viewers that view a
> wide range of formats. It may be a while before they view AutoCAD 2004
DWGs
> though. Some of the new features required a format change, and it takes
time
> for the OpenDWG alliance to integrate those changes. But you absolutely do
> have alternatives to Volo View 3.
>
> "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> news:3F0630EC350A67D5128C6FE5796DD9CA@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > I personally don't have to "bite the bullet". I can view my drawings
with
> > AutoCad. I don't want to know about "workarounds" since I already have a
> > closet full of them.
> >
> > I'm personally embarassed by what I told my client. They will have to
> > upgrade or replace their Fastlook viewer now. I was showing them how to
> save
> > money and I was absolutely wrong. They were going to use Volo View
Express
> > to replace Fastlook, neither of which will change the intellectual
> property
> > of the in house DWG.
> >
> > Often people who comment on these topics have a myopic view of the
world.
> > Not all CAD drawings are made for other people. Sometimes, believe it or
> > not, they are used exclusively in-house for maintenance purposes.
Perhaps
> a
> > person who works on maintenance within a company needs to see an
> electrical
> > diagram but does not have access to a CAD station, because he never is
> > suppose to change the CAD drawing...so he uses a viewer. The plant
> engineer
> > is busy enough without creating a duplicate set of drawings for others
to
> > view. All changes to the master set of drawings go through the engineer
> etc.
> > etc. etc. If you haven't been there you probably don't understand what
I'm
> > saying. Maintenance people "do maintenance" they generally don't have
the
> > time to become CAD power users...so they use a viewer to make a print
then
> > fix the problem and leave a mark-up with the engineer. The engineer then
> > arranges for someone who can more or less operate the CAD station to
make
> > the change on the drawing and save the drawing. These drawings are also
> used
> > for reference in emergency procedures and its not a good idea to keep
two
> > sets of drawings since it opens up the oportunity for error...in that a
> DWF
> > might not exist or be the latest version.
> >
> > So I can tell my client that they will have to "bite the bullet", but I
> will
> > probably not recommend Volo View 3. Most likely I will recommend
"Myraid"
> > since it is capable of viewing a very wide range of formats.
> >
> >
> > "Scott Sheppard" wrote in message
> > news:AA3A4F040147979A5C2992F073A9F17C@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > There is no more free DWG viewing strategy. The closest you can come
to
> > that
> > > is to set up a Buzzsaw site, for an annual subscription fee, and then
> use
> > > the free ProjectPoint add-on that will allow DWG viewing. You won't
have
> > to
> > > pay for DWG viewing on a per seat basis, but you will pay for your
> Buzzsaw
> > > site based on the amount of space it consumes. If you want really free
> > > viewing, you need to expend the effort to maintain two copies of your
> > > data -- one in original DWG and one in artifact DWFs. A side benefit
of
> > the
> > > latter strategy is that you protect your intellectual property. As CAD
> > moves
> > > to objects instead of lines and arcs, it becomes harder to view CAD
data
> > > with anything other than AutoCAD. At some point you might just want to
> > bite
> > > the bullet and go to DWF.
> > >
> > > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > > news:8043BC28FD43AFAB5F1384CE43B05997@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > Will the Autodesk Express Viewer include the capability to also read
> DWG
> > > > files in it's final release? I encouraged my clients to upgrade to
> > AutoCad
> > > > 2004 and use Volo View Express as a free dwg file viewer to replace
> > their
> > > > copies of Fastlook (viewer).
> > > >
> > > > I know about the DWF stategy, but I really want to know more about
> your
> > > FREE
> > > > dwg viewer strategy.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Anonymous]

As AutoCAD moves more and more from lines, arcs, and circles, to objects
(doors, windows, walls), it will be harder and harder for anything but
AutoCAD to render the drawing. So rather than pump more energy into Volo
View Express, which people were balking at because of the download size and
differences from AutoCAD, Autodesk decided to go to the PDF-like model using
DWF, a format that they control. You are right in that a DWF is an
electronic plot -- much like a PDF. A DWF has everything you need to view it
except for the fonts themselves. (There are licensing issues with
distributing fonts. Decimating the text strings into geometry makes the DWF
file bigger.) So rather than keep up the free Volo View Express, they went
with a more lightweight free viewer. They updated the DWF format so that it
can be plotted to scale. They are trying to make the new DWF a substitute
for paper. Viewing the paper is free. Working with the original design data
is not. In the words of former Autodesk VP Anne Bonaparte, "Looking is free
but touching is going to cost you."

"Tore Hanson" wrote in message
news:2E38646F02278036E92F83BA7ED2D3E2@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> I thought Volo View Express was developed explicitly for people like
> "Maintenance people [who] generally don't have the time to become CAD
power
> users." However....since you mentioned the point that "There is no need to
> worry about missing XREFs, object enablers, etc." you may be on to
> something, especially in view of the fact that Xrefs are indeed used. What
> you are saying then is that the DWF "maker" with AutoCad basically takes a
> snapshot of the printed file, much like a PDF.
>
> What I like about the Free Volo View Express other then the fact that is
was
> free (LOL) is that it could view all the layouts and the model view
> contained in the dwg file. Now I have to be concerned about what will be
> available in the DWF format! Just when things were finally starting to go
> smoothly somebody decides to "pull out the rug" so we can start over
again.
> You gotta love advancement. Their are no alternatives to Volo View Express
> are there?
>
> This reminds me of "glass"...yes glass. Glass has been around since dirt
and
> nothing I know of has been invented to improve glass. Oh sure plastic is
> lighter...but its porous. Metal is good, but it oxidates. Glass is very
> breakable, so you just have to be careful. I enjoy drinking from glass
> containers over any other material. I know somebody is out there trying to
> improve on glass ...but its fine just the way it is. Why do we have to
> "improve" things that work, or is it strictly a money thing?

[Anonymous]

FWIW, you can publish all layouts and model view into the new DWF 6 format
as a multipage DWF.

"Tore Hanson" wrote in message
news:2E38646F02278036E92F83BA7ED2D3E2@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> I thought Volo View Express was developed explicitly for people like
> "Maintenance people [who] generally don't have the time to become CAD
power
> users." However....since you mentioned the point that "There is no need to
> worry about missing XREFs, object enablers, etc." you may be on to
> something, especially in view of the fact that Xrefs are indeed used. What
> you are saying then is that the DWF "maker" with AutoCad basically takes a
> snapshot of the printed file, much like a PDF.
>
> What I like about the Free Volo View Express other then the fact that is
was
> free (LOL) is that it could view all the layouts and the model view
> contained in the dwg file. Now I have to be concerned about what will be
> available in the DWF format! Just when things were finally starting to go
> smoothly somebody decides to "pull out the rug" so we can start over
again.
> You gotta love advancement. Their are no alternatives to Volo View Express
> are there?
>
> This reminds me of "glass"...yes glass. Glass has been around since dirt
and
> nothing I know of has been invented to improve glass. Oh sure plastic is
> lighter...but its porous. Metal is good, but it oxidates. Glass is very
> breakable, so you just have to be careful. I enjoy drinking from glass
> containers over any other material. I know somebody is out there trying to
> improve on glass ...but its fine just the way it is. Why do we have to
> "improve" things that work, or is it strictly a money thing?
>
> "Scott Sheppard" wrote in message
> news:C4607701AE583801E93C4008F5111D15@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > I understand what you are saying, but the Autodesk Express Viewer was
> > explicitly developed for people like "Maintenance people [who] generally
> > don't have the time to become CAD power users." The Autodesk Express
> Viewer
> > is easier to use than Volo View. There is no need to worry about missing
> > XREFs, object enablers, etc. I agree that if maintaining two accurate
> copies
> > of the data is beyond your organization's ability, you absolutely should
> > stick with DWG. Spicer, Myriad, and Cimmetry all make viewers that view
a
> > wide range of formats. It may be a while before they view AutoCAD 2004
> DWGs
> > though. Some of the new features required a format change, and it takes
> time
> > for the OpenDWG alliance to integrate those changes. But you absolutely
do
> > have alternatives to Volo View 3.
> >
> > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > news:3F0630EC350A67D5128C6FE5796DD9CA@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > I personally don't have to "bite the bullet". I can view my drawings
> with
> > > AutoCad. I don't want to know about "workarounds" since I already have
a
> > > closet full of them.
> > >
> > > I'm personally embarassed by what I told my client. They will have to
> > > upgrade or replace their Fastlook viewer now. I was showing them how
to
> > save
> > > money and I was absolutely wrong. They were going to use Volo View
> Express
> > > to replace Fastlook, neither of which will change the intellectual
> > property
> > > of the in house DWG.
> > >
> > > Often people who comment on these topics have a myopic view of the
> world.
> > > Not all CAD drawings are made for other people. Sometimes, believe it
or
> > > not, they are used exclusively in-house for maintenance purposes.
> Perhaps
> > a
> > > person who works on maintenance within a company needs to see an
> > electrical
> > > diagram but does not have access to a CAD station, because he never is
> > > suppose to change the CAD drawing...so he uses a viewer. The plant
> > engineer
> > > is busy enough without creating a duplicate set of drawings for others
> to
> > > view. All changes to the master set of drawings go through the
engineer
> > etc.
> > > etc. etc. If you haven't been there you probably don't understand what
> I'm
> > > saying. Maintenance people "do maintenance" they generally don't have
> the
> > > time to become CAD power users...so they use a viewer to make a print
> then
> > > fix the problem and leave a mark-up with the engineer. The engineer
then
> > > arranges for someone who can more or less operate the CAD station to
> make
> > > the change on the drawing and save the drawing. These drawings are
also
> > used
> > > for reference in emergency procedures and its not a good idea to keep
> two
> > > sets of drawings since it opens up the oportunity for error...in that
a
> > DWF
> > > might not exist or be the latest version.
> > >
> > > So I can tell my client that they will have to "bite the bullet", but
I
> > will
> > > probably not recommend Volo View 3. Most likely I will recommend
> "Myraid"
> > > since it is capable of viewing a very wide range of formats.
> > >
> > >
> > > "Scott Sheppard" wrote in message
> > > news:AA3A4F040147979A5C2992F073A9F17C@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > There is no more free DWG viewing strategy. The closest you can come
> to
> > > that
> > > > is to set up a Buzzsaw site, for an annual subscription fee, and
then
> > use
> > > > the free ProjectPoint add-on that will allow DWG viewing. You won't
> have
> > > to
> > > > pay for DWG viewing on a per seat basis, but you will pay for your
> > Buzzsaw
> > > > site based on the amount of space it consumes. If you want really
free
> > > > viewing, you need to expend the effort to maintain two copies of
your
> > > > data -- one in original DWG and one in artifact DWFs. A side benefit
> of
> > > the
> > > > latter strategy is that you protect your intellectual property. As
CAD
> > > moves
> > > > to objects instead of lines and arcs, it becomes harder to view CAD
> data
> > > > with anything other than AutoCAD. At some point you might just want
to
> > > bite
> > > > the bullet and go to DWF.
> > > >
> > > > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > > > news:8043BC28FD43AFAB5F1384CE43B05997@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > Will the Autodesk Express Viewer include the capability to also
read
> > DWG
> > > > > files in it's final release? I encouraged my clients to upgrade to
> > > AutoCad
> > > > > 2004 and use Volo View Express as a free dwg file viewer to
replace
> > > their
> > > > > copies of Fastlook (viewer).
> > > > >
> > > > > I know about the DWF stategy, but I really want to know more about
> > your
> > > > FREE
> > > > > dwg viewer strategy.
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Anonymous]

Jeffrey,

I am currently using VB and VBA to plot dwf in AutoCAD 2002. You say that
the new dwf 6 format for AutoCAD 2004 allows for a multi-page dwf. Can a
multi-page dwf be created through the API?

It sounds like the command for creating a dwf has gone from plotting to
publishing if you want a multi-page dwf. Is "publish" available in 2004 via
API?

Bob

"Jeffrey Klug (Autodesk, Inc.)" wrote
in message news:62D3FC6A3FCF7ED92D67A73B5AFBE2C9@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> FWIW, you can publish all layouts and model view into the new DWF 6 format
> as a multipage DWF.
>
> "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> news:2E38646F02278036E92F83BA7ED2D3E2@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > I thought Volo View Express was developed explicitly for people like
> > "Maintenance people [who] generally don't have the time to become CAD
> power
> > users." However....since you mentioned the point that "There is no need
to
> > worry about missing XREFs, object enablers, etc." you may be on to
> > something, especially in view of the fact that Xrefs are indeed used.
What
> > you are saying then is that the DWF "maker" with AutoCad basically takes
a
> > snapshot of the printed file, much like a PDF.
> >
> > What I like about the Free Volo View Express other then the fact that is
> was
> > free (LOL) is that it could view all the layouts and the model view
> > contained in the dwg file. Now I have to be concerned about what will be
> > available in the DWF format! Just when things were finally starting to
go
> > smoothly somebody decides to "pull out the rug" so we can start over
> again.
> > You gotta love advancement. Their are no alternatives to Volo View
Express
> > are there?
> >
> > This reminds me of "glass"...yes glass. Glass has been around since dirt
> and
> > nothing I know of has been invented to improve glass. Oh sure plastic is
> > lighter...but its porous. Metal is good, but it oxidates. Glass is very
> > breakable, so you just have to be careful. I enjoy drinking from glass
> > containers over any other material. I know somebody is out there trying
to
> > improve on glass ...but its fine just the way it is. Why do we have to
> > "improve" things that work, or is it strictly a money thing?
> >
> > "Scott Sheppard" wrote in message
> > news:C4607701AE583801E93C4008F5111D15@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > I understand what you are saying, but the Autodesk Express Viewer was
> > > explicitly developed for people like "Maintenance people [who]
generally
> > > don't have the time to become CAD power users." The Autodesk Express
> > Viewer
> > > is easier to use than Volo View. There is no need to worry about
missing
> > > XREFs, object enablers, etc. I agree that if maintaining two accurate
> > copies
> > > of the data is beyond your organization's ability, you absolutely
should
> > > stick with DWG. Spicer, Myriad, and Cimmetry all make viewers that
view
> a
> > > wide range of formats. It may be a while before they view AutoCAD 2004
> > DWGs
> > > though. Some of the new features required a format change, and it
takes
> > time
> > > for the OpenDWG alliance to integrate those changes. But you
absolutely
> do
> > > have alternatives to Volo View 3.
> > >
> > > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > > news:3F0630EC350A67D5128C6FE5796DD9CA@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > I personally don't have to "bite the bullet". I can view my drawings
> > with
> > > > AutoCad. I don't want to know about "workarounds" since I already
have
> a
> > > > closet full of them.
> > > >
> > > > I'm personally embarassed by what I told my client. They will have
to
> > > > upgrade or replace their Fastlook viewer now. I was showing them how
> to
> > > save
> > > > money and I was absolutely wrong. They were going to use Volo View
> > Express
> > > > to replace Fastlook, neither of which will change the intellectual
> > > property
> > > > of the in house DWG.
> > > >
> > > > Often people who comment on these topics have a myopic view of the
> > world.
> > > > Not all CAD drawings are made for other people. Sometimes, believe
it
> or
> > > > not, they are used exclusively in-house for maintenance purposes.
> > Perhaps
> > > a
> > > > person who works on maintenance within a company needs to see an
> > > electrical
> > > > diagram but does not have access to a CAD station, because he never
is
> > > > suppose to change the CAD drawing...so he uses a viewer. The plant
> > > engineer
> > > > is busy enough without creating a duplicate set of drawings for
others
> > to
> > > > view. All changes to the master set of drawings go through the
> engineer
> > > etc.
> > > > etc. etc. If you haven't been there you probably don't understand
what
> > I'm
> > > > saying. Maintenance people "do maintenance" they generally don't
have
> > the
> > > > time to become CAD power users...so they use a viewer to make a
print
> > then
> > > > fix the problem and leave a mark-up with the engineer. The engineer
> then
> > > > arranges for someone who can more or less operate the CAD station to
> > make
> > > > the change on the drawing and save the drawing. These drawings are
> also
> > > used
> > > > for reference in emergency procedures and its not a good idea to
keep
> > two
> > > > sets of drawings since it opens up the oportunity for error...in
that
> a
> > > DWF
> > > > might not exist or be the latest version.
> > > >
> > > > So I can tell my client that they will have to "bite the bullet",
but
> I
> > > will
> > > > probably not recommend Volo View 3. Most likely I will recommend
> > "Myraid"
> > > > since it is capable of viewing a very wide range of formats.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "Scott Sheppard" wrote in message
> > > > news:AA3A4F040147979A5C2992F073A9F17C@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > There is no more free DWG viewing strategy. The closest you can
come
> > to
> > > > that
> > > > > is to set up a Buzzsaw site, for an annual subscription fee, and
> then
> > > use
> > > > > the free ProjectPoint add-on that will allow DWG viewing. You
won't
> > have
> > > > to
> > > > > pay for DWG viewing on a per seat basis, but you will pay for your
> > > Buzzsaw
> > > > > site based on the amount of space it consumes. If you want really
> free
> > > > > viewing, you need to expend the effort to maintain two copies of
> your
> > > > > data -- one in original DWG and one in artifact DWFs. A side
benefit
> > of
> > > > the
> > > > > latter strategy is that you protect your intellectual property. As
> CAD
> > > > moves
> > > > > to objects instead of lines and arcs, it becomes harder to view
CAD
> > data
> > > > > with anything other than AutoCAD. At some point you might just
want
> to
> > > > bite
> > > > > the bullet and go to DWF.
> > > > >
> > > > > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > > > > news:8043BC28FD43AFAB5F1384CE43B05997@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > > Will the Autodesk Express Viewer include the capability to also
> read
> > > DWG
> > > > > > files in it's final release? I encouraged my clients to upgrade
to
> > > > AutoCad
> > > > > > 2004 and use Volo View Express as a free dwg file viewer to
> replace
> > > > their
> > > > > > copies of Fastlook (viewer).
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I know about the DWF stategy, but I really want to know more
about
> > > your
> > > > > FREE
> > > > > > dwg viewer strategy.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Anonymous]

Publish doesn't export an explicit COM/VB API. But it is easily usable from
VB via the

-publish dsdfilename

command, passing a dsd file as an argument. A dsd file is a simple ASCII
ini-format file which specified the sheets to the plotted with their sheet
names, overriding pagesetups (if any) etc. A flag in the dsd file indicates
if the result should be a multipage DWF file or plots to the original
devices specificed in the Layouts or overriding page setups.

Use publish a few times and save the 2004 DSD files using different publish
settings and you'll see how they're organized. I'm trying to hunt up a spec
for the DSD file for you.



"Bob" wrote in message
news:E7EAC2730113B28372B98ED1C4C8A5D3@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Jeffrey,
>
> I am currently using VB and VBA to plot dwf in AutoCAD 2002. You say that
> the new dwf 6 format for AutoCAD 2004 allows for a multi-page dwf. Can a
> multi-page dwf be created through the API?
>
> It sounds like the command for creating a dwf has gone from plotting to
> publishing if you want a multi-page dwf. Is "publish" available in 2004
via
> API?
>
> Bob
>
> "Jeffrey Klug (Autodesk, Inc.)"
wrote
> in message news:62D3FC6A3FCF7ED92D67A73B5AFBE2C9@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > FWIW, you can publish all layouts and model view into the new DWF 6
format
> > as a multipage DWF.
> >
> > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > news:2E38646F02278036E92F83BA7ED2D3E2@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > I thought Volo View Express was developed explicitly for people like
> > > "Maintenance people [who] generally don't have the time to become CAD
> > power
> > > users." However....since you mentioned the point that "There is no
need
> to
> > > worry about missing XREFs, object enablers, etc." you may be on to
> > > something, especially in view of the fact that Xrefs are indeed used.
> What
> > > you are saying then is that the DWF "maker" with AutoCad basically
takes
> a
> > > snapshot of the printed file, much like a PDF.
> > >
> > > What I like about the Free Volo View Express other then the fact that
is
> > was
> > > free (LOL) is that it could view all the layouts and the model view
> > > contained in the dwg file. Now I have to be concerned about what will
be
> > > available in the DWF format! Just when things were finally starting to
> go
> > > smoothly somebody decides to "pull out the rug" so we can start over
> > again.
> > > You gotta love advancement. Their are no alternatives to Volo View
> Express
> > > are there?
> > >
> > > This reminds me of "glass"...yes glass. Glass has been around since
dirt
> > and
> > > nothing I know of has been invented to improve glass. Oh sure plastic
is
> > > lighter...but its porous. Metal is good, but it oxidates. Glass is
very
> > > breakable, so you just have to be careful. I enjoy drinking from glass
> > > containers over any other material. I know somebody is out there
trying
> to
> > > improve on glass ...but its fine just the way it is. Why do we have to
> > > "improve" things that work, or is it strictly a money thing?
> > >
> > > "Scott Sheppard" wrote in message
> > > news:C4607701AE583801E93C4008F5111D15@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > I understand what you are saying, but the Autodesk Express Viewer
was
> > > > explicitly developed for people like "Maintenance people [who]
> generally
> > > > don't have the time to become CAD power users." The Autodesk Express
> > > Viewer
> > > > is easier to use than Volo View. There is no need to worry about
> missing
> > > > XREFs, object enablers, etc. I agree that if maintaining two
accurate
> > > copies
> > > > of the data is beyond your organization's ability, you absolutely
> should
> > > > stick with DWG. Spicer, Myriad, and Cimmetry all make viewers that
> view
> > a
> > > > wide range of formats. It may be a while before they view AutoCAD
2004
> > > DWGs
> > > > though. Some of the new features required a format change, and it
> takes
> > > time
> > > > for the OpenDWG alliance to integrate those changes. But you
> absolutely
> > do
> > > > have alternatives to Volo View 3.
> > > >
> > > > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > > > news:3F0630EC350A67D5128C6FE5796DD9CA@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > I personally don't have to "bite the bullet". I can view my
drawings
> > > with
> > > > > AutoCad. I don't want to know about "workarounds" since I already
> have
> > a
> > > > > closet full of them.
> > > > >
> > > > > I'm personally embarassed by what I told my client. They will have
> to
> > > > > upgrade or replace their Fastlook viewer now. I was showing them
how
> > to
> > > > save
> > > > > money and I was absolutely wrong. They were going to use Volo View
> > > Express
> > > > > to replace Fastlook, neither of which will change the intellectual
> > > > property
> > > > > of the in house DWG.
> > > > >
> > > > > Often people who comment on these topics have a myopic view of the
> > > world.
> > > > > Not all CAD drawings are made for other people. Sometimes, believe
> it
> > or
> > > > > not, they are used exclusively in-house for maintenance purposes.
> > > Perhaps
> > > > a
> > > > > person who works on maintenance within a company needs to see an
> > > > electrical
> > > > > diagram but does not have access to a CAD station, because he
never
> is
> > > > > suppose to change the CAD drawing...so he uses a viewer. The plant
> > > > engineer
> > > > > is busy enough without creating a duplicate set of drawings for
> others
> > > to
> > > > > view. All changes to the master set of drawings go through the
> > engineer
> > > > etc.
> > > > > etc. etc. If you haven't been there you probably don't understand
> what
> > > I'm
> > > > > saying. Maintenance people "do maintenance" they generally don't
> have
> > > the
> > > > > time to become CAD power users...so they use a viewer to make a
> print
> > > then
> > > > > fix the problem and leave a mark-up with the engineer. The
engineer
> > then
> > > > > arranges for someone who can more or less operate the CAD station
to
> > > make
> > > > > the change on the drawing and save the drawing. These drawings are
> > also
> > > > used
> > > > > for reference in emergency procedures and its not a good idea to
> keep
> > > two
> > > > > sets of drawings since it opens up the oportunity for error...in
> that
> > a
> > > > DWF
> > > > > might not exist or be the latest version.
> > > > >
> > > > > So I can tell my client that they will have to "bite the bullet",
> but
> > I
> > > > will
> > > > > probably not recommend Volo View 3. Most likely I will recommend
> > > "Myraid"
> > > > > since it is capable of viewing a very wide range of formats.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > "Scott Sheppard" wrote in
message
> > > > > news:AA3A4F040147979A5C2992F073A9F17C@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > > There is no more free DWG viewing strategy. The closest you can
> come
> > > to
> > > > > that
> > > > > > is to set up a Buzzsaw site, for an annual subscription fee, and
> > then
> > > > use
> > > > > > the free ProjectPoint add-on that will allow DWG viewing. You
> won't
> > > have
> > > > > to
> > > > > > pay for DWG viewing on a per seat basis, but you will pay for
your
> > > > Buzzsaw
> > > > > > site based on the amount of space it consumes. If you want
really
> > free
> > > > > > viewing, you need to expend the effort to maintain two copies of
> > your
> > > > > > data -- one in original DWG and one in artifact DWFs. A side
> benefit
> > > of
> > > > > the
> > > > > > latter strategy is that you protect your intellectual property.
As
> > CAD
> > > > > moves
> > > > > > to objects instead of lines and arcs, it becomes harder to view
> CAD
> > > data
> > > > > > with anything other than AutoCAD. At some point you might just
> want
> > to
> > > > > bite
> > > > > > the bullet and go to DWF.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > > > > > news:8043BC28FD43AFAB5F1384CE43B05997@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > > > Will the Autodesk Express Viewer include the capability to
also
> > read
> > > > DWG
> > > > > > > files in it's final release? I encouraged my clients to
upgrade
> to
> > > > > AutoCad
> > > > > > > 2004 and use Volo View Express as a free dwg file viewer to
> > replace
> > > > > their
> > > > > > > copies of Fastlook (viewer).
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I know about the DWF stategy, but I really want to know more
> about
> > > > your
> > > > > > FREE
> > > > > > > dwg viewer strategy.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Anonymous]

Thanks Jeffrey; I'll try it out. I remember creating and running script
files from AutoCAD a long time ago. I still have the code so with a few
modifications it should work.

Is there any plan to add an API for the publishing command?

Bob


"Jeffrey Klug (Autodesk, Inc.)" wrote
in message news:269AA9D3AF5970DDF512DBAC833DEEFB@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Publish doesn't export an explicit COM/VB API. But it is easily usable
from
> VB via the
>
> -publish dsdfilename
>
> command, passing a dsd file as an argument. A dsd file is a simple ASCII
> ini-format file which specified the sheets to the plotted with their sheet
> names, overriding pagesetups (if any) etc. A flag in the dsd file
indicates
> if the result should be a multipage DWF file or plots to the original
> devices specificed in the Layouts or overriding page setups.
>
> Use publish a few times and save the 2004 DSD files using different
publish
> settings and you'll see how they're organized. I'm trying to hunt up a
spec
> for the DSD file for you.
>
>
>
> "Bob" wrote in message
> news:E7EAC2730113B28372B98ED1C4C8A5D3@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > Jeffrey,
> >
> > I am currently using VB and VBA to plot dwf in AutoCAD 2002. You say
that
> > the new dwf 6 format for AutoCAD 2004 allows for a multi-page dwf. Can
a
> > multi-page dwf be created through the API?
> >
> > It sounds like the command for creating a dwf has gone from plotting to
> > publishing if you want a multi-page dwf. Is "publish" available in 2004
> via
> > API?
> >
> > Bob
> >
> > "Jeffrey Klug (Autodesk, Inc.)"
> wrote
> > in message news:62D3FC6A3FCF7ED92D67A73B5AFBE2C9@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > FWIW, you can publish all layouts and model view into the new DWF 6
> format
> > > as a multipage DWF.
> > >
> > > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > > news:2E38646F02278036E92F83BA7ED2D3E2@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > I thought Volo View Express was developed explicitly for people like
> > > > "Maintenance people [who] generally don't have the time to become
CAD
> > > power
> > > > users." However....since you mentioned the point that "There is no
> need
> > to
> > > > worry about missing XREFs, object enablers, etc." you may be on to
> > > > something, especially in view of the fact that Xrefs are indeed
used.
> > What
> > > > you are saying then is that the DWF "maker" with AutoCad basically
> takes
> > a
> > > > snapshot of the printed file, much like a PDF.
> > > >
> > > > What I like about the Free Volo View Express other then the fact
that
> is
> > > was
> > > > free (LOL) is that it could view all the layouts and the model view
> > > > contained in the dwg file. Now I have to be concerned about what
will
> be
> > > > available in the DWF format! Just when things were finally starting
to
> > go
> > > > smoothly somebody decides to "pull out the rug" so we can start over
> > > again.
> > > > You gotta love advancement. Their are no alternatives to Volo View
> > Express
> > > > are there?
> > > >
> > > > This reminds me of "glass"...yes glass. Glass has been around since
> dirt
> > > and
> > > > nothing I know of has been invented to improve glass. Oh sure
plastic
> is
> > > > lighter...but its porous. Metal is good, but it oxidates. Glass is
> very
> > > > breakable, so you just have to be careful. I enjoy drinking from
glass
> > > > containers over any other material. I know somebody is out there
> trying
> > to
> > > > improve on glass ...but its fine just the way it is. Why do we have
to
> > > > "improve" things that work, or is it strictly a money thing?
> > > >
> > > > "Scott Sheppard" wrote in message
> > > > news:C4607701AE583801E93C4008F5111D15@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > I understand what you are saying, but the Autodesk Express Viewer
> was
> > > > > explicitly developed for people like "Maintenance people [who]
> > generally
> > > > > don't have the time to become CAD power users." The Autodesk
Express
> > > > Viewer
> > > > > is easier to use than Volo View. There is no need to worry about
> > missing
> > > > > XREFs, object enablers, etc. I agree that if maintaining two
> accurate
> > > > copies
> > > > > of the data is beyond your organization's ability, you absolutely
> > should
> > > > > stick with DWG. Spicer, Myriad, and Cimmetry all make viewers that
> > view
> > > a
> > > > > wide range of formats. It may be a while before they view AutoCAD
> 2004
> > > > DWGs
> > > > > though. Some of the new features required a format change, and it
> > takes
> > > > time
> > > > > for the OpenDWG alliance to integrate those changes. But you
> > absolutely
> > > do
> > > > > have alternatives to Volo View 3.
> > > > >
> > > > > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > > > > news:3F0630EC350A67D5128C6FE5796DD9CA@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > > I personally don't have to "bite the bullet". I can view my
> drawings
> > > > with
> > > > > > AutoCad. I don't want to know about "workarounds" since I
already
> > have
> > > a
> > > > > > closet full of them.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I'm personally embarassed by what I told my client. They will
have
> > to
> > > > > > upgrade or replace their Fastlook viewer now. I was showing them
> how
> > > to
> > > > > save
> > > > > > money and I was absolutely wrong. They were going to use Volo
View
> > > > Express
> > > > > > to replace Fastlook, neither of which will change the
intellectual
> > > > > property
> > > > > > of the in house DWG.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Often people who comment on these topics have a myopic view of
the
> > > > world.
> > > > > > Not all CAD drawings are made for other people. Sometimes,
believe
> > it
> > > or
> > > > > > not, they are used exclusively in-house for maintenance
purposes.
> > > > Perhaps
> > > > > a
> > > > > > person who works on maintenance within a company needs to see an
> > > > > electrical
> > > > > > diagram but does not have access to a CAD station, because he
> never
> > is
> > > > > > suppose to change the CAD drawing...so he uses a viewer. The
plant
> > > > > engineer
> > > > > > is busy enough without creating a duplicate set of drawings for
> > others
> > > > to
> > > > > > view. All changes to the master set of drawings go through the
> > > engineer
> > > > > etc.
> > > > > > etc. etc. If you haven't been there you probably don't
understand
> > what
> > > > I'm
> > > > > > saying. Maintenance people "do maintenance" they generally don't
> > have
> > > > the
> > > > > > time to become CAD power users...so they use a viewer to make a
> > print
> > > > then
> > > > > > fix the problem and leave a mark-up with the engineer. The
> engineer
> > > then
> > > > > > arranges for someone who can more or less operate the CAD
station
> to
> > > > make
> > > > > > the change on the drawing and save the drawing. These drawings
are
> > > also
> > > > > used
> > > > > > for reference in emergency procedures and its not a good idea to
> > keep
> > > > two
> > > > > > sets of drawings since it opens up the oportunity for error...in
> > that
> > > a
> > > > > DWF
> > > > > > might not exist or be the latest version.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > So I can tell my client that they will have to "bite the
bullet",
> > but
> > > I
> > > > > will
> > > > > > probably not recommend Volo View 3. Most likely I will recommend
> > > > "Myraid"
> > > > > > since it is capable of viewing a very wide range of formats.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "Scott Sheppard" wrote in
> message
> > > > > > news:AA3A4F040147979A5C2992F073A9F17C@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > > > There is no more free DWG viewing strategy. The closest you
can
> > come
> > > > to
> > > > > > that
> > > > > > > is to set up a Buzzsaw site, for an annual subscription fee,
and
> > > then
> > > > > use
> > > > > > > the free ProjectPoint add-on that will allow DWG viewing. You
> > won't
> > > > have
> > > > > > to
> > > > > > > pay for DWG viewing on a per seat basis, but you will pay for
> your
> > > > > Buzzsaw
> > > > > > > site based on the amount of space it consumes. If you want
> really
> > > free
> > > > > > > viewing, you need to expend the effort to maintain two copies
of
> > > your
> > > > > > > data -- one in original DWG and one in artifact DWFs. A side
> > benefit
> > > > of
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > > latter strategy is that you protect your intellectual
property.
> As
> > > CAD
> > > > > > moves
> > > > > > > to objects instead of lines and arcs, it becomes harder to
view
> > CAD
> > > > data
> > > > > > > with anything other than AutoCAD. At some point you might just
> > want
> > > to
> > > > > > bite
> > > > > > > the bullet and go to DWF.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > > > > > > news:8043BC28FD43AFAB5F1384CE43B05997@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > > > > Will the Autodesk Express Viewer include the capability to
> also
> > > read
> > > > > DWG
> > > > > > > > files in it's final release? I encouraged my clients to
> upgrade
> > to
> > > > > > AutoCad
> > > > > > > > 2004 and use Volo View Express as a free dwg file viewer to
> > > replace
> > > > > > their
> > > > > > > > copies of Fastlook (viewer).
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > I know about the DWF stategy, but I really want to know more
> > about
> > > > > your
> > > > > > > FREE
> > > > > > > > dwg viewer strategy.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Anonymous]

You might post that question to an appropriate autocad newsgroup, I really
don't know. Sorry. 🙂


"Bob" wrote in message
news:845D7756193445E556C2FAB1F27B07C5@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Thanks Jeffrey; I'll try it out. I remember creating and running script
> files from AutoCAD a long time ago. I still have the code so with a few
> modifications it should work.
>
> Is there any plan to add an API for the publishing command?
>
> Bob
>
>
> "Jeffrey Klug (Autodesk, Inc.)"
wrote
> in message news:269AA9D3AF5970DDF512DBAC833DEEFB@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > Publish doesn't export an explicit COM/VB API. But it is easily usable
> from
> > VB via the
> >
> > -publish dsdfilename
> >
> > command, passing a dsd file as an argument. A dsd file is a simple ASCII
> > ini-format file which specified the sheets to the plotted with their
sheet
> > names, overriding pagesetups (if any) etc. A flag in the dsd file
> indicates
> > if the result should be a multipage DWF file or plots to the original
> > devices specificed in the Layouts or overriding page setups.
> >
> > Use publish a few times and save the 2004 DSD files using different
> publish
> > settings and you'll see how they're organized. I'm trying to hunt up a
> spec
> > for the DSD file for you.
> >
> >
> >
> > "Bob" wrote in message
> > news:E7EAC2730113B28372B98ED1C4C8A5D3@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > Jeffrey,
> > >
> > > I am currently using VB and VBA to plot dwf in AutoCAD 2002. You say
> that
> > > the new dwf 6 format for AutoCAD 2004 allows for a multi-page dwf.
Can
> a
> > > multi-page dwf be created through the API?
> > >
> > > It sounds like the command for creating a dwf has gone from plotting
to
> > > publishing if you want a multi-page dwf. Is "publish" available in
2004
> > via
> > > API?
> > >
> > > Bob
> > >
> > > "Jeffrey Klug (Autodesk, Inc.)"
> > wrote
> > > in message
news:62D3FC6A3FCF7ED92D67A73B5AFBE2C9@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > FWIW, you can publish all layouts and model view into the new DWF 6
> > format
> > > > as a multipage DWF.
> > > >
> > > > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > > > news:2E38646F02278036E92F83BA7ED2D3E2@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > I thought Volo View Express was developed explicitly for people
like
> > > > > "Maintenance people [who] generally don't have the time to become
> CAD
> > > > power
> > > > > users." However....since you mentioned the point that "There is no
> > need
> > > to
> > > > > worry about missing XREFs, object enablers, etc." you may be on to
> > > > > something, especially in view of the fact that Xrefs are indeed
> used.
> > > What
> > > > > you are saying then is that the DWF "maker" with AutoCad basically
> > takes
> > > a
> > > > > snapshot of the printed file, much like a PDF.
> > > > >
> > > > > What I like about the Free Volo View Express other then the fact
> that
> > is
> > > > was
> > > > > free (LOL) is that it could view all the layouts and the model
view
> > > > > contained in the dwg file. Now I have to be concerned about what
> will
> > be
> > > > > available in the DWF format! Just when things were finally
starting
> to
> > > go
> > > > > smoothly somebody decides to "pull out the rug" so we can start
over
> > > > again.
> > > > > You gotta love advancement. Their are no alternatives to Volo View
> > > Express
> > > > > are there?
> > > > >
> > > > > This reminds me of "glass"...yes glass. Glass has been around
since
> > dirt
> > > > and
> > > > > nothing I know of has been invented to improve glass. Oh sure
> plastic
> > is
> > > > > lighter...but its porous. Metal is good, but it oxidates. Glass is
> > very
> > > > > breakable, so you just have to be careful. I enjoy drinking from
> glass
> > > > > containers over any other material. I know somebody is out there
> > trying
> > > to
> > > > > improve on glass ...but its fine just the way it is. Why do we
have
> to
> > > > > "improve" things that work, or is it strictly a money thing?
> > > > >
> > > > > "Scott Sheppard" wrote in
message
> > > > > news:C4607701AE583801E93C4008F5111D15@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > > I understand what you are saying, but the Autodesk Express
Viewer
> > was
> > > > > > explicitly developed for people like "Maintenance people [who]
> > > generally
> > > > > > don't have the time to become CAD power users." The Autodesk
> Express
> > > > > Viewer
> > > > > > is easier to use than Volo View. There is no need to worry about
> > > missing
> > > > > > XREFs, object enablers, etc. I agree that if maintaining two
> > accurate
> > > > > copies
> > > > > > of the data is beyond your organization's ability, you
absolutely
> > > should
> > > > > > stick with DWG. Spicer, Myriad, and Cimmetry all make viewers
that
> > > view
> > > > a
> > > > > > wide range of formats. It may be a while before they view
AutoCAD
> > 2004
> > > > > DWGs
> > > > > > though. Some of the new features required a format change, and
it
> > > takes
> > > > > time
> > > > > > for the OpenDWG alliance to integrate those changes. But you
> > > absolutely
> > > > do
> > > > > > have alternatives to Volo View 3.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > > > > > news:3F0630EC350A67D5128C6FE5796DD9CA@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > > > I personally don't have to "bite the bullet". I can view my
> > drawings
> > > > > with
> > > > > > > AutoCad. I don't want to know about "workarounds" since I
> already
> > > have
> > > > a
> > > > > > > closet full of them.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I'm personally embarassed by what I told my client. They will
> have
> > > to
> > > > > > > upgrade or replace their Fastlook viewer now. I was showing
them
> > how
> > > > to
> > > > > > save
> > > > > > > money and I was absolutely wrong. They were going to use Volo
> View
> > > > > Express
> > > > > > > to replace Fastlook, neither of which will change the
> intellectual
> > > > > > property
> > > > > > > of the in house DWG.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Often people who comment on these topics have a myopic view of
> the
> > > > > world.
> > > > > > > Not all CAD drawings are made for other people. Sometimes,
> believe
> > > it
> > > > or
> > > > > > > not, they are used exclusively in-house for maintenance
> purposes.
> > > > > Perhaps
> > > > > > a
> > > > > > > person who works on maintenance within a company needs to see
an
> > > > > > electrical
> > > > > > > diagram but does not have access to a CAD station, because he
> > never
> > > is
> > > > > > > suppose to change the CAD drawing...so he uses a viewer. The
> plant
> > > > > > engineer
> > > > > > > is busy enough without creating a duplicate set of drawings
for
> > > others
> > > > > to
> > > > > > > view. All changes to the master set of drawings go through the
> > > > engineer
> > > > > > etc.
> > > > > > > etc. etc. If you haven't been there you probably don't
> understand
> > > what
> > > > > I'm
> > > > > > > saying. Maintenance people "do maintenance" they generally
don't
> > > have
> > > > > the
> > > > > > > time to become CAD power users...so they use a viewer to make
a
> > > print
> > > > > then
> > > > > > > fix the problem and leave a mark-up with the engineer. The
> > engineer
> > > > then
> > > > > > > arranges for someone who can more or less operate the CAD
> station
> > to
> > > > > make
> > > > > > > the change on the drawing and save the drawing. These drawings
> are
> > > > also
> > > > > > used
> > > > > > > for reference in emergency procedures and its not a good idea
to
> > > keep
> > > > > two
> > > > > > > sets of drawings since it opens up the oportunity for
error...in
> > > that
> > > > a
> > > > > > DWF
> > > > > > > might not exist or be the latest version.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > So I can tell my client that they will have to "bite the
> bullet",
> > > but
> > > > I
> > > > > > will
> > > > > > > probably not recommend Volo View 3. Most likely I will
recommend
> > > > > "Myraid"
> > > > > > > since it is capable of viewing a very wide range of formats.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > "Scott Sheppard" wrote in
> > message
> > > > > > > news:AA3A4F040147979A5C2992F073A9F17C@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > > > > There is no more free DWG viewing strategy. The closest you
> can
> > > come
> > > > > to
> > > > > > > that
> > > > > > > > is to set up a Buzzsaw site, for an annual subscription fee,
> and
> > > > then
> > > > > > use
> > > > > > > > the free ProjectPoint add-on that will allow DWG viewing.
You
> > > won't
> > > > > have
> > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > pay for DWG viewing on a per seat basis, but you will pay
for
> > your
> > > > > > Buzzsaw
> > > > > > > > site based on the amount of space it consumes. If you want
> > really
> > > > free
> > > > > > > > viewing, you need to expend the effort to maintain two
copies
> of
> > > > your
> > > > > > > > data -- one in original DWG and one in artifact DWFs. A side
> > > benefit
> > > > > of
> > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > latter strategy is that you protect your intellectual
> property.
> > As
> > > > CAD
> > > > > > > moves
> > > > > > > > to objects instead of lines and arcs, it becomes harder to
> view
> > > CAD
> > > > > data
> > > > > > > > with anything other than AutoCAD. At some point you might
just
> > > want
> > > > to
> > > > > > > bite
> > > > > > > > the bullet and go to DWF.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > > > > > > > news:8043BC28FD43AFAB5F1384CE43B05997@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > > > > > Will the Autodesk Express Viewer include the capability to
> > also
> > > > read
> > > > > > DWG
> > > > > > > > > files in it's final release? I encouraged my clients to
> > upgrade
> > > to
> > > > > > > AutoCad
> > > > > > > > > 2004 and use Volo View Express as a free dwg file viewer
to
> > > > replace
> > > > > > > their
> > > > > > > > > copies of Fastlook (viewer).
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > I know about the DWF stategy, but I really want to know
more
> > > about
> > > > > > your
> > > > > > > > FREE
> > > > > > > > > dwg viewer strategy.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Anonymous]

The following describes how to cook up a DSD file for use with the publish
command API:

The AutoCAD 2004 DSD file format



Drawing set description files (DSD extension) are used to describe lists of
drawing files and selected lists of layouts within those drawing files.
Drawing set descriptions may change in the future.



Drawing set descriptions are stored in INI file format, using a simple and
relatively flat organization.



The file begins with version information. Version number information will be
included under a "DWF6Version" top-level entry. The AutoCAD 2004 dsd file
format is version 1.



[DWF6Version]

Ver=1



Each sheet is named in a top-level entry (tagged to indicate that the entry
is a DWF6 sheet) separated by a colon from the sheet name. The full path to
the drawing and the associated layout name appear as subkeys of the given
sheet. Duplicate sheet names are not supported. The subkey "Setup" is used
to indicate the overriding named page setup, if any, and the drawing from
which the named page setup is to be obtained.



Example of the entry for the model tab of the drawing demo.dwg, with no
override and with the default sheet name:



[DWF6Sheet:demo-Model]

DWG=C:\WINNT\Profiles\scully\Personal\demo.dwg

Layout=Model

Setup=



If an overriding named page setup comes from the same drawing as the layout
being published, then Setup=NPS name



[DWF6Sheet:demo-Layout2]

DWG=C:\WINNT\Profiles\scully\Personal\demo.dwg

Layout=Layout2

Setup=DWF E





If an overriding named page setup comes from another drawing, the drawing
name follows the setup name, separated by "|".



[DWF6Sheet:renamed to my layout]

DWG=C:\WINNT\Profiles\scully\Personal\demo.dwg

Layout=Layout1

Setup=LJ4000 A|C:\WINNT\Profiles\scully\Personal\MySetups.dwg



The "Target" top-level entry at the end of the dsd file has subkeys which
tell Publish where to send the output. These are "Type", "DWF", "OUT" and
"PWD".



The first subkey is "Type". Type 1 is multipage DWF while Type 2 tells
Publish to use the device specified in the Layout or the overriding named
page setup.



The second subkey is "DWF". This holds the full pathname of the destination
DWF file for a Type 1 Publish operation.



The Third subkey is "OUT" and it contains the output folder path to be used
for plot-to-file when Publishing from the device specified in the Layout or
the overriding named page setup. This is used only if the device specified
in the layout or page setup is configured to plot to file.



The fourth subkey is an optional encrypted password used to protect a Type 1
DWF file.



Here is an example of Type 1 Target settings:



[Target]

Type=1

DWF=C:\WINNT\Profiles\scully\Personal\demo.dwf

OUT=

PWD=



And here is an example of Type 2 Target settings:



[Target]

Type=2

DWF=

OUT=C:\

PWD=



"Jeffrey Klug (Autodesk, Inc.)" wrote
in message news:269AA9D3AF5970DDF512DBAC833DEEFB@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Publish doesn't export an explicit COM/VB API. But it is easily usable
from
> VB via the
>
> -publish dsdfilename
>
> command, passing a dsd file as an argument. A dsd file is a simple ASCII
> ini-format file which specified the sheets to the plotted with their sheet
> names, overriding pagesetups (if any) etc. A flag in the dsd file
indicates
> if the result should be a multipage DWF file or plots to the original
> devices specificed in the Layouts or overriding page setups.
>
> Use publish a few times and save the 2004 DSD files using different
publish
> settings and you'll see how they're organized. I'm trying to hunt up a
spec
> for the DSD file for you.
>
>
>
> "Bob" wrote in message
> news:E7EAC2730113B28372B98ED1C4C8A5D3@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > Jeffrey,
> >
> > I am currently using VB and VBA to plot dwf in AutoCAD 2002. You say
that
> > the new dwf 6 format for AutoCAD 2004 allows for a multi-page dwf. Can
a
> > multi-page dwf be created through the API?
> >
> > It sounds like the command for creating a dwf has gone from plotting to
> > publishing if you want a multi-page dwf. Is "publish" available in 2004
> via
> > API?
> >
> > Bob
> >
> > "Jeffrey Klug (Autodesk, Inc.)"
> wrote
> > in message news:62D3FC6A3FCF7ED92D67A73B5AFBE2C9@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > FWIW, you can publish all layouts and model view into the new DWF 6
> format
> > > as a multipage DWF.
> > >
> > > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > > news:2E38646F02278036E92F83BA7ED2D3E2@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > I thought Volo View Express was developed explicitly for people like
> > > > "Maintenance people [who] generally don't have the time to become
CAD
> > > power
> > > > users." However....since you mentioned the point that "There is no
> need
> > to
> > > > worry about missing XREFs, object enablers, etc." you may be on to
> > > > something, especially in view of the fact that Xrefs are indeed
used.
> > What
> > > > you are saying then is that the DWF "maker" with AutoCad basically
> takes
> > a
> > > > snapshot of the printed file, much like a PDF.
> > > >
> > > > What I like about the Free Volo View Express other then the fact
that
> is
> > > was
> > > > free (LOL) is that it could view all the layouts and the model view
> > > > contained in the dwg file. Now I have to be concerned about what
will
> be
> > > > available in the DWF format! Just when things were finally starting
to
> > go
> > > > smoothly somebody decides to "pull out the rug" so we can start over
> > > again.
> > > > You gotta love advancement. Their are no alternatives to Volo View
> > Express
> > > > are there?
> > > >
> > > > This reminds me of "glass"...yes glass. Glass has been around since
> dirt
> > > and
> > > > nothing I know of has been invented to improve glass. Oh sure
plastic
> is
> > > > lighter...but its porous. Metal is good, but it oxidates. Glass is
> very
> > > > breakable, so you just have to be careful. I enjoy drinking from
glass
> > > > containers over any other material. I know somebody is out there
> trying
> > to
> > > > improve on glass ...but its fine just the way it is. Why do we have
to
> > > > "improve" things that work, or is it strictly a money thing?
> > > >
> > > > "Scott Sheppard" wrote in message
> > > > news:C4607701AE583801E93C4008F5111D15@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > I understand what you are saying, but the Autodesk Express Viewer
> was
> > > > > explicitly developed for people like "Maintenance people [who]
> > generally
> > > > > don't have the time to become CAD power users." The Autodesk
Express
> > > > Viewer
> > > > > is easier to use than Volo View. There is no need to worry about
> > missing
> > > > > XREFs, object enablers, etc. I agree that if maintaining two
> accurate
> > > > copies
> > > > > of the data is beyond your organization's ability, you absolutely
> > should
> > > > > stick with DWG. Spicer, Myriad, and Cimmetry all make viewers that
> > view
> > > a
> > > > > wide range of formats. It may be a while before they view AutoCAD
> 2004
> > > > DWGs
> > > > > though. Some of the new features required a format change, and it
> > takes
> > > > time
> > > > > for the OpenDWG alliance to integrate those changes. But you
> > absolutely
> > > do
> > > > > have alternatives to Volo View 3.
> > > > >
> > > > > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > > > > news:3F0630EC350A67D5128C6FE5796DD9CA@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > > I personally don't have to "bite the bullet". I can view my
> drawings
> > > > with
> > > > > > AutoCad. I don't want to know about "workarounds" since I
already
> > have
> > > a
> > > > > > closet full of them.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I'm personally embarassed by what I told my client. They will
have
> > to
> > > > > > upgrade or replace their Fastlook viewer now. I was showing them
> how
> > > to
> > > > > save
> > > > > > money and I was absolutely wrong. They were going to use Volo
View
> > > > Express
> > > > > > to replace Fastlook, neither of which will change the
intellectual
> > > > > property
> > > > > > of the in house DWG.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Often people who comment on these topics have a myopic view of
the
> > > > world.
> > > > > > Not all CAD drawings are made for other people. Sometimes,
believe
> > it
> > > or
> > > > > > not, they are used exclusively in-house for maintenance
purposes.
> > > > Perhaps
> > > > > a
> > > > > > person who works on maintenance within a company needs to see an
> > > > > electrical
> > > > > > diagram but does not have access to a CAD station, because he
> never
> > is
> > > > > > suppose to change the CAD drawing...so he uses a viewer. The
plant
> > > > > engineer
> > > > > > is busy enough without creating a duplicate set of drawings for
> > others
> > > > to
> > > > > > view. All changes to the master set of drawings go through the
> > > engineer
> > > > > etc.
> > > > > > etc. etc. If you haven't been there you probably don't
understand
> > what
> > > > I'm
> > > > > > saying. Maintenance people "do maintenance" they generally don't
> > have
> > > > the
> > > > > > time to become CAD power users...so they use a viewer to make a
> > print
> > > > then
> > > > > > fix the problem and leave a mark-up with the engineer. The
> engineer
> > > then
> > > > > > arranges for someone who can more or less operate the CAD
station
> to
> > > > make
> > > > > > the change on the drawing and save the drawing. These drawings
are
> > > also
> > > > > used
> > > > > > for reference in emergency procedures and its not a good idea to
> > keep
> > > > two
> > > > > > sets of drawings since it opens up the oportunity for error...in
> > that
> > > a
> > > > > DWF
> > > > > > might not exist or be the latest version.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > So I can tell my client that they will have to "bite the
bullet",
> > but
> > > I
> > > > > will
> > > > > > probably not recommend Volo View 3. Most likely I will recommend
> > > > "Myraid"
> > > > > > since it is capable of viewing a very wide range of formats.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "Scott Sheppard" wrote in
> message
> > > > > > news:AA3A4F040147979A5C2992F073A9F17C@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > > > There is no more free DWG viewing strategy. The closest you
can
> > come
> > > > to
> > > > > > that
> > > > > > > is to set up a Buzzsaw site, for an annual subscription fee,
and
> > > then
> > > > > use
> > > > > > > the free ProjectPoint add-on that will allow DWG viewing. You
> > won't
> > > > have
> > > > > > to
> > > > > > > pay for DWG viewing on a per seat basis, but you will pay for
> your
> > > > > Buzzsaw
> > > > > > > site based on the amount of space it consumes. If you want
> really
> > > free
> > > > > > > viewing, you need to expend the effort to maintain two copies
of
> > > your
> > > > > > > data -- one in original DWG and one in artifact DWFs. A side
> > benefit
> > > > of
> > > > > > the
> > > > > > > latter strategy is that you protect your intellectual
property.
> As
> > > CAD
> > > > > > moves
> > > > > > > to objects instead of lines and arcs, it becomes harder to
view
> > CAD
> > > > data
> > > > > > > with anything other than AutoCAD. At some point you might just
> > want
> > > to
> > > > > > bite
> > > > > > > the bullet and go to DWF.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > "Tore Hanson" wrote in message
> > > > > > > news:8043BC28FD43AFAB5F1384CE43B05997@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > > > > > > > Will the Autodesk Express Viewer include the capability to
> also
> > > read
> > > > > DWG
> > > > > > > > files in it's final release? I encouraged my clients to
> upgrade
> > to
> > > > > > AutoCad
> > > > > > > > 2004 and use Volo View Express as a free dwg file viewer to
> > > replace
> > > > > > their
> > > > > > > > copies of Fastlook (viewer).
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > I know about the DWF stategy, but I really want to know more
> > about
> > > > > your
> > > > > > > FREE
> > > > > > > > dwg viewer strategy.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>