AutoCAD LT - Batch Plot frustration - saving list of sheets

[Anonymous]

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 ]

[Steve_Bessette · Accepted solution]

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,

[kherrman]

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

[Anonymous]

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. 

[mzarchtech]

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.

[pendean]

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

[!Dalton_Goodwin!]

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. 

[kherrman]

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

[bbeckert]

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.

[RobDraw]

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@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.

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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.

[kherrman]

"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. 

[RobDraw]

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

[zachbischoff]

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.