Monday, September 10, 2007
CAD Tip of the Week: eTransmit for Client CDs
Topic: Use eTransmit to save time creating project record drawing directories and client CDs.
Following is a detailed description of how to use eTransmit for creating a set of record drawings and a CD for distribution outside the office. It is a follow-up from a recent post that described how to use eTransmit for making project progress snapshots.
Suppose that a project record drawing set needs to have a unique title block, different from the current working drawings, and once created a copy transmitted to the architect on CD or electronically via FTP.
(click on the image to see a larger version)
(click on the image to see a larger version)
If do not see WinZip in the Windows Explorer right-click context menu or require assistance to create a CD, contact the HelpDesk for support.
Following is a detailed description of how to use eTransmit for creating a set of record drawings and a CD for distribution outside the office. It is a follow-up from a recent post that described how to use eTransmit for making project progress snapshots.
Suppose that a project record drawing set needs to have a unique title block, different from the current working drawings, and once created a copy transmitted to the architect on CD or electronically via FTP.
- First, make a directory called 'Record Drawings' either at the same level or one level below the CAD directory, as dictated by the project filing scheme.
- Next, call up one of the current working drawings and make an eTransmit package containing all of the working drawings as described in this CAD Tip.
- Note that 'working drawings' refers only to drawings which are plotted as part of the contract documents. For example M.01, M1.1, E0.1, E1.1 etc. are working drawings, while by definition all the other files in the CAD directory and below are not.
- Be sure that you do not explicitly include xref drawings. The eTransmit process will include one copy and one copy only of any needed xref, font or other support file in the package, provided the instructions in the referenced CAD Tip are followed.
- Per the referenced CAD Tip, in the 'Transmittal Settings' dialogue box click the 'Set default plotter to 'none'' and 'Include fonts' options, and DO NOT check the 'Bind external references' box.
- Save this eTransmit package in the 'Record Drawings' directory:
(click on the image to see a larger version)- Now from Windows Explorer, right-click this zip file just created and select 'WinZip', then from the flyout menu select 'Extract to here'.
- Doing so re-creates the required directory structure, and unpacks the working drawings and support files, but with a couple of very notable differences:
- Only the minimal number of required xrefs and support files populate the new directory structure, and
- All the paths of the working drawings have been 'relativized', so that they're no longer hardcoded to our network.
- The zip file at this point may be deleted.
- Replace the title block xref in 'Record Drawings' with the a copy containing the 'Record Drawing' identification date and stamp.
- Now a CD may easily be created from this directory structure by simply dragging and dropping the root directory (i.e. 'Record Drawings') to a blank disc.
- Use FileZilla or Internet Explorer to transmit files to remote FTP sites.
- All files may now be opened on the CD or within the FTP directory without the recipient experiencing nuisance 'missing xref' errors.
(click on the image to see a larger version)If do not see WinZip in the Windows Explorer right-click context menu or require assistance to create a CD, contact the HelpDesk for support.
# posted by Brandon Nichols @ 12:19 PM
