topic AutoCAD LT - Batch Plot frustration - saving list of sheets in AutoCAD LT Forum

AutoCAD LT - Batch Plot frustration - saving list of sheets

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 14:00:46 GMT

I have a rant about the batch plot feature and it has to do with saving the "setup", the list of drawings I may want to batch plot again. After executing the batch plot routine, I select exit to close the the Batch Plot or Publish window. It prompts me to save the setup. Inevitably, when I say yes, another prompt pops up saying "One or more drawings have unsaved changes. Save the file so that a DSD file can be created. Click on OK and then...

Then it closes the dialog box! I dont have a chance to save the changed files which weren't changed! They were merely selected as a set of drawings to batch plot! It reminds me of the voice message service that says, "Sorry the voice mailebox for this person is full. Good bye!

Now I know the solution is to save the setup before executing the batch plot routine. But why have two messages when exiting the dialog box that do absolutely no good because AutoCAD (or is it a little grimlin at Autodesk?) is going to close the dialog box anyway.

Thank you, I feel much better now.

[ The subject line of this post has been edited to include the product name by @handjonathan ]

Re: Batch Plot frustration - saving list of sheets

Steve_Bessette — Mon, 11 May 2015 19:54:17 GMT

I can certainly understand the frustration encountered when wanting to save a specific list of sheets for use at a later time and not being able to do so. You are correct that the solution is to save the list of files prior to clicking "Publish" in the dialog box. However, it is possible to also encounter this as-designed behavior should you have unsaved files. It is a best practice to verify that you have all of your work saved prior to publishing or plotting. That being said, if you like you can post your concerns with regards to this behavior to our Feedback Page. This is where customers can make suggestions and is monitored by product managers who review all of the information posted.

Best Regards,

Re: Batch Plot frustration - saving list of sheets

kherrman — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 20:10:50 GMT

Problem is that all my drawings are saved and there is absolutely nothing I can do to save

Re: Batch Plot frustration - saving list of sheets

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 01:44:24 GMT

Try this. Select the sheets/views you want to publish and publish. Next time you go to publish, your prior selection is listed. Save at that time. Also you can have just a blank drawing opened to publish.

Re: Batch Plot frustration - saving list of sheets

mzarchtech — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 16:40:59 GMT

The publish workflow is designed terribly - sad considering how critical it is as a tool in most offices.

The solution for this (and many other pains of publishing) would be for Autodesk to make a palette for publishing - one which would function much like Design Center, and allow the user to make changes in other windows while the palette is open.

Re: Batch Plot frustration - saving list of sheets

pendean — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 16:43:39 GMT

SheetSet Manager https://www.augi.com/articles/detail/speed-and-simplify-with-sheet-set-manager

Re: Batch Plot frustration - saving list of sheets

!Dalton_Goodwin! — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 16:05:40 GMT

I agree it is best practice to save before printing. If you right click the drawing tabs you can save all, what is annoying is when I open the drawings and they have * saying they require a save, because some how something has changed. Also, if people are in the drawings and I have to open them as read only, now of course it would be best practice to wait for them to do their updates, save, and exit the file. For my example I am responsible for specific portions of the drawing that nobody else touches that I review.

Thanks for sharing the Feedback link, ill check it out and share my concerns there.

Re: Batch Plot frustration - saving list of sheets

kherrman — Mon, 11 May 2020 17:08:27 GMT

Saving all doesn't even solve the issue. This program is absolute joke.

Re: Batch Plot frustration - saving list of sheets

bbeckert — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 17:37:39 GMT

Have same problem. just keep closing acad, re-opening, saving, and re-building the sheet list over and over. eventually it just randomly works for no reason.

Re: Batch Plot frustration - saving list of sheets

RobDraw — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 11:27:30 GMT

@bbeckert wrote:
Have same problem. just keep closing acad, re-opening, saving, and re-building the sheet list over and over. eventually it just randomly works for no reason.

AutoCAD does not do random.

Did you see the suggestion to publish without any of the drawings open? That would include anyone else in the office. There are other variables that could prevent the save.

Re: Batch Plot frustration - saving list of sheets

kherrman — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 14:56:20 GMT

"There are other variables that could prevent the save."

Yes, like the variable that the coding for this feature is f'd up and Autodesk has no interest in fixing it.

Re: Batch Plot frustration - saving list of sheets

RobDraw — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 15:43:48 GMT

Of course. There's no way it could be OIE.

Re: Batch Plot frustration - saving list of sheets

zachbischoff — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 18:49:14 GMT

I was having the same problem as the other guy. Tried your suggestion out... wow that is soooooo much better than any solution I've tried before. After I played with it for a bit I basically had the project browser from Revit. Plus its way easier to make sheet sets. Unreal, thank you for posting that.