A newer client of mine is having trouble with the DWG files I have been providing. My typical workflow consists of:
1. Receive floorplan backgrounds from the architect (99.9% of the time in AutoCad format)
2. Import with VectorWorks, proceed with my portion of the work
3. Print to PDF
4. Export DWG
5. provide PDF and DWG to my client
I received the following email from the client's Cad guy, informing me of some issues with my files:
"You can help me out by using some of these simple standards for your drawings for ICS. Your drawings are fine but it takes me longer to make them "office ready". Here are a few simple standards that will help me out alot.
1. Use only index colors. True colors don't work well with our standard plotter configurations.
2. We only use 4 colors to control pen width. Don't use line weight by layer.
a) green(3) - boldest. We like to use this color for devices so they stand out.
b) white(7) - next boldest - larger text ( I know with true type fonts it doesn't really make any difference)
c) red(1)- next boldest. Usually for wire, addresses, cd rating etc
d) all background (floor plan, rcp, architectural etc. needs to be color 8
color 8 on our plotter config is 60% screened and helps make the fire alarm
system stand out.
3, Also, could you xref the title blocks into Paper Space. Much easier for me since I only
have to edit tblock info once. I have included the sheet info block in the email. This is
only the sheet name, drawing name etc. (FA-1.0 etc.) the fields take on the name of
the drawing tab and drawing file name."
I also just received a call from the project manager, informing me that if I can't get this figured out, he won't be able to continue to give me work. I really can't afford to lose this client, since they have been providing me with tons of work.
Without completely dumbing down my drawings (or abandoning VW, and investing a huge amount of time and $$ in order to obtain and learn AutoCad), what can I do to make things more usable on their end? Can I do what he is asking with VW Fundamentals? Or do I need to upgrade to Architect or Designer? Or downgrade to AutoCad?
Thanks for any input.
Alan Eby
Draft Tech Design
MacBook Pro 15" 2.4GHz Intel Core i7
Mac OS 10.7.4 Lion
VW Fundamentals 2012 SP4