Automatically Create PDF Files From Single DWG File

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I have an as-built drawing that I maintain which consists of different layers for different layouts (i.e. with furniture, with mail-stops, HVAC zoning, etc).

I was wondering if there is a way to have separate PDF files automatically generated for specific layers. For instance, say I want the "WALLS", "DOORS", & "MAILSTOPS" layers to be automatically converted to a PDF. Is there a way to do this? My ultimate goal is to have a single DWG file that I update, and whenever updates are made to it, updated PDF files are automatically generated for the different drawings (i.e. HVAC, electrical, mailstops, furniture, etc) that overwrite older versions (or even better have a date assigned in the name so that older versions are still maintained).

Thanks!

Wesley

[natasha.l]

Hello @Anonymous, 

This can be accomplished with Auto-Publish features. You can set options for publishing drawings to DWF, DWFx, or PDF files when you save or close a drawing file, or issue the AUTOPUBLISH command.

Please review: 

• About Publishing
• Auto Publish Settings Dialog Box
• Publish multiple drawings to PDF 

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[Anonymous]

Hi Natasha,

thank you for your reply. I’m familiar with Auto Publish, however I haven’t been able to find an option that would allow me to only generate only some of the layers in the drawing to PDF. Basically, I want to be able to automatically generate multiple PDF drawings of various layers from a single DWG file.

[tboehler]

Using one drawing file with a Layout tab for each desired layer condition to be plotted is the way to go.  The layouts can easily be plotted as noted in the above reply.

[scot-65]

>> For instance, say I want the "WALLS", "DOORS", & "MAILSTOPS" layers to be automatically converted to a PDF.

Look into setting up paper space tabs and using the VPLAYER command
inside each viewport.

From there, look into message #2 (Natasha's input).
With the PUBLISH command, one can save a list of pages
"Sheet List" tailored to each type of desired printout.
And yes, there is options to bind all or have individual sheets.

And welcome to these forums.

???

[Anonymous]

@tboehler  That sounds exactly like what I need, when I get a chance I’ll give that a try. If I understand correctly, I basically can create different layouts that reflect the specific layers I want for that layout, then have auto publish set to publish to PDF? Will I be able to setup auto publish to do this with more than one layer in a single DWG file?

[tboehler]

Yes - that is correct.  You can publish multiple layouts in one file or any number of files.  If you setup your file(s) with Sheet Set Manager - the possiblities are endless.