combining multiple individual drawings

[paul_braithwaiteCKX8G]

AutoCAD 2022

Hello,

I have created 17 individual P&IDs in .dwg format. The 17 individual .dwgs have their own individual model spaces and layout tab etc. Each layout/paper space contains a border and its own individual set of notes. The borders contain attributes. There is only one model space and one layout/paper-space in each .dwg

My problem is now, I need to combine all 17 drawings to create one overall drawing and then plot it to a 17 page PDF.

Is this possible? Any solutions or suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Thanks, Paul

[ennujozlagam]

you can use free software to combine them

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=pdf+all

[paul_braithwaiteCKX8G]

Thanks  ennujozlagam,

I can combine the pdfs using our compiler, it's more how to combine the 17 .dwgs into one dwg.

[Valentin_CAD]

@paul_braithwaiteCKX8G ,

You will need to use a combination of xref or insert for your models, and Designcenter for your layouts - read more from these links :

• How to combine multiple drawings in AutoCAD in one main drawing
• To Insert a Layout Using DesignCenter

You may also want to search if there are APPS that do what you want:

Ex. from the Autodesk App Store: Merge Drawings

[paul_braithwaiteCKX8G]

Thanks Emilio Valentin,

Those links look interesting and hopefully they will produce a solution. I will read through them and try them. Unfortunately my company doesn't allow me download links but I will take a look anyway.

Thanks again.

[RSomppi]

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@paul_braithwaiteCKX8G wrote:

My problem is now, I need to combine all 17 drawings to create one overall drawing and then plot it to a 17 page PDF.

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You can use publish to make a single PDF from multiple files.

[Valentin_CAD]

@paul_braithwaiteCKX8G ,

In addition to @RSomppi, create a Sheet Set (to avoid opening all the drawings).

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @paul_braithwaiteCKX8G 

The two (2) easiest ways to do this are:

1. Treat each of the 17 dwg's as an XREF. Open a brand new, clean drawing then attach 17 XREFs. By doing it this way, you can move each XREF into an optimal position. This only brings in your modelspace objects--no Layout/Paperspace objects are 'captured' when attaching an XREF. (If you like, you may BIND each Xref after they have been attached--this will combine all 17 Xrefs making them part of the NEW drawing.)
2. Go to each individual dwg and CNTL+A (Select All)=>right click=>Copy with Base Point=>Specifiy Base Point. Next go to a brand new, clean drawing and paste the contents of your clipboard. Repeat copy-and-paste operation until you've pasted all 17 dwg's.

Be careful attaching your Xrefs. If the 17 individual drawings are nicely arranged when you attach them, and you use 0,0 as the basepoint, you'll be fine (image-1).

Image-1

If they are not adequately spaced out, and you use 0,0 as the basepoint, then you may end up with a final drawing like this (image-2). In the event you end up with a drawing like image-2, then you're better off using old school cut-and-paste OR option A noted above. 

Image-2

To bring in or 'add' each layout tab and all the objects that reside on it (it's a separate operation), you'll need to do it 17 individual times, one for each layout tab. 

While in the new, clean drawing, right click an existing Layout Tab=>From Template (image-3)=>Change Files of type to dwg. (image-4)=>Browse to your drawing=>Open=>Select the desired Layout Tab=>OK.

Repeat for the 16 other individual Layout tabs. 

Image-3

Image-4

[paul_braithwaiteCKX8G]

Thanks Emilio Valentin,

That's a really good video

[paul_braithwaiteCKX8G]

Thanks ChicagoLooper,

Your detailed answer is much appreciated. Thanks for spending that time to explain. I will go through the steps today.

[paul_braithwaiteCKX8G]

Thanks Emilio Valentin,

That's a really good video

[RSomppi]

You’re welcome.