topic Re: Batch Plotting in AutoCAD Forum

Batch Plotting

Anonymous — Wed, 24 May 2017 13:56:20 GMT

When batch plotting, each AutoCAD drawing file keeps the previously used page setup. Therefore each file wants to plot to it's originally setup plotter. The only way I have been able to batch plot is to open each file and correct the plot page setup (AutoCAD 2016). Is there a way to "pre-treat" several drawings in a folder for batch plotting?

Re: Batch Plotting

VinodBalasubramanian — Wed, 24 May 2017 14:00:10 GMT

Hi,

Would you like to check this article as it might help you set up for multiple drawings,

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-change-the-page-setup-inside-multiple-drawings-in-AutoCAD.html

Re: Batch Plotting

chriscowgill7373 — Wed, 24 May 2017 14:00:43 GMT

On the right side of the dialog box for publishing, you can override the pagesetup to any other page setup that you either have saved in the drawings or import them from any other file. If all of your windows are the same corrdinate location, you can easily override the current page setup without fear of having something plot out of the window.

Re: Batch Plotting

Cadologist — Wed, 24 May 2017 14:06:32 GMT

You can IMPORT a page setup (from another drawing or template that you have pre-configured the required Page Setup in) and apply the imported layout to ALL sheets/drawings in the PUBLISH dialog box.

Type 'PUBLISH' in the command line to open the batch plotting function.
Drag/Drop all the drawings you need to print into the dialog box (under Sheet Name)
Select the PAGE SETUP column for one of the drawings and select IMPORT
Path to the drawing (or template) that has the desired Page Setup and press the IMPORT button
Apply the Imported Page Setup to all the drawings you drag/dropped into the Publish dialog box.
Finally, press the PUBLISH button to print/plot the drawings.

Using an imported Page Setup will allow you to 'override' any page setups in each drawing and apply the imported page setup to ALL the drawings at once. This will save you considerable time vs having to go and fix each drawing's page setup (as you mentioned).

Re: Batch Plotting

Anonymous — Wed, 24 May 2017 15:08:59 GMT

Thank you all for your help and expertise!

Re: Batch Plotting

Cadologist — Wed, 24 May 2017 15:33:30 GMT

Glad we could be of assistance...... as an added note, if you ever run into a 'last minute' plotting requirement where something on the output is just not working correctly, this is a very quick way to fix the plotting issue (using the Publish and Import option) to quickly get the project plotted and out the door.

Have a great day rstrange!