Best way to keep schematics?

[Anonymous]

I have 30 pages of electrical schematics.  Currently we have 30 separate files, and every time we update it is a pain when we are converting to pdfs (have to open every file individually ,and then choose the window size, then print to pdf).  Is this the best way, or should all 30 pages be inside one .dwg file?

Thanks.

[john.vellek]

HI @Anonymous,

I really hate to see AutoCAD users dump everything into one file because the risk of corruption is always present and I hate to see people lose all their work in a single shot.

If you have thirty files that you are using, is there a reason not to put them in a Sheet Set so you can get some automation and navigation capabilities within product?  Also, if you have your drawings set up to use paperspace layouts then you don't have to window anything. Just you publish and publish layouts.

Let me know if any of this sounds possible in your work flow and I am happy to give you some resources to get you started. If you like, you can also attach a few files for me to examine and perhaps make additional suggestions on how you might improve the process.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[imadHabash]

Hi, 

>> when we are converting to pdfs (have to open every file individually <<

if i understand you right...you can prepare a page setup to PUBLISH all 30 files in one plot procedure.

Regards,

[Anonymous]

@Anonymous wrote:

I have 30 pages of electrical schematics.  Currently we have 30 separate files, and every time we update it is a pain when we are converting to pdfs (have to open every file individually ,and then choose the window size, then print to pdf).  Is this the best way, or should all 30 pages be inside one .dwg file?

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@john.vellek wrote:

 Also, if you have your drawings set up to use paperspace layouts then you don't have to window anything. Just you publish and publish layouts.

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PAGE SETUPS is the way to go, (even in model space)

Define the plot parameters and save it with a name:

Or right click on the layout tab (or model) and select Page Setup.

Then select NEW give it a name, select the name and then MODIFY

Then simply define the plot setting as you would prior to plotting (INCLUDING which plotter you wan to use) and select OK.  Then select that setup and set CURRENT.

Notice the IMPORT button??  That can be used in other files to import that setup from the current file and make it current.

Then use the PUBLISH command to publish an entire directory of files to PDF all at once.  

The PLUS button is used to add other files to the list, under "PUBLISH TO" select PDF.  

Under PUBLISH OPTIONS you can select single sheet PDF's or a multi-sheet PDF, include layers, etc. and a file directory location for the PDF's to land when created.  You can even SAVE the sheet list for plotting next time.

It's the ONLY way we plot.

[Anonymous]

BTW, "Publish in Background" through version 2015 is hinky and will crash more often than succeed, haven't tried it yet in later releases.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

I am checking back to see if my post or others helped you with your problem. Please add a post with how you decide to proceed and your results so other Community members may benefit.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if a post or posts solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to try these things today or tomorrow and I'll report back, thanks everyone for the help.

[timothy_crouse]

A few suggestions:

My understanding is you are working in an earlier version and that you have many files to manage:

1.  Use scripts whether it be action scripts (native Autocad tool)  or a tool like hurricane you can improve your editing time for repetitive tasks.

Action script is on the tools menu "action recorder"

2.  Import the file layouts into a sheet set which would allow you to place "smart" blocks with attributes which can then be linked to another sheet's property.  This would take a little time to set up but would make package maintenance a lot easier.

3.  Link points in your drawings to spreadsheet, this would allow multiple folks to assist with the maintenance.  e.g. one group could edit new connections while another group handled the cad work inside the drawing.

I would agree with other folks about placing multiple sheets in a single file, it's trouble waiting to happen in a big way.  I use tabs to maintain revision history of single sheets.  Each rev starts out as a copy of the previous rev.,  Work it such that the current revision layout always has the same name.  That way you will not have to edit your publish list.

Working with that many sheets can very frustrating without some sort of management.  The time spent setting it up would be time well spent.  Anything you implement should be documented as well that way all your efforts are not scrapped should someone else have to step in for a bit to manage the package.

Hope those tips helps

Tim C.