Printing Multiple Files to paper or PDF format

[nicolas d 1]

Hi,

I would like to print a whole set of drawings either to paper or pdf without having to go through each file that composes the set. Batch printing and Batch exporting to pdf in VW work with multiple sheets inside one file, not with multiple files. Then in OSX there's the automator but i'm not sure how to integrate OSX scripts into VW.

The only solution I see for now is, given a Drawing Set of, say, 100 files, creating a number of VW files, four for example, that will be used exclusively for printing, to which 25 files will be referenced and sheet layers created for each. Only then VW's Batch functions will be useful for the whole set.

[Kevin 1]

Acrobat Professional will allow you to combine PDF files. You could use Batch Print to PDF and then combine those files in Acrobat.

[nicolas d 1]

Maybe my post was confusing, I only want to print a hundred separate files without having to open each of them and hit print each time. I don't need to combine the files into one or change anything else.

[chadd 0]

nicolas d have you found a solutions to this problem yet? I'm trying to do the same thing but I haven't been able to come up with anything yet.

[mark_at_custom 0]

Bad news - found this while sifting through the tech forum archives.

You have to have the file open in order to execute the print command. A batch print job is for one file at a time.

Blows my mind! What's the point of a one file at a time batch print function? VW markets itself as an ACAD alternative right?

[Christiaan 773]

What's the point of a one file at a time batch print function?

So you don't have to activate each layer to print it. I find it works great. The PDF export function is good too, which will name the files as you've named the Sheet Layers.

VW markets itself as an ACAD alternative right?

Can Autocad really print without opening a file? I don't know much about Autocad but I'm assuming you're talking about having a print ("plot") file with all your drawings in it. VectorWorks can be set up this way, with Workgroup Referencing; you could set up a file which references all the others and print straight from it without opening the others.

There's also the ability to drop a file on your printer (at least in Mac OS X) and have it automatically print the file, which could be used to print a bunch of separate files or the "plot" file as above.

[mark_at_custom 0]

Thanks for the quick reply Christiaan,

Normally not so quick to switch the flame on. My apologies for throwing a tamtrum. The tech support person at VW sounded like he'd been up for the past 3 days while I'm trying to avoid being up the next 2.

Using WG referencing for batch render / output sounds interesting. I have only used WG referencing to reference 1 file to many not many to one. Obviously it didn't occur to try it for this situation.

I'll be referencing layers with detailed models that are 20 & 30 mb each with lots of lights and textures in each file.

Guess I'll find out if the machine can handle it.

I'll give it a try!

Great idea!

Edited March 14, 2007 by mark_at_custom

[Jonathan Pickup 255]

i would not recommend having a separate file for each drawing because of the trouble that it causes, you can?t add or update title blocks without opening 100 files!

try to keep as many drawings as you can in the same file, that way it?s easier to update the files, you can batch print PDF files...

[Petri 2]

The only solution I see for now is, given a Drawing Set of, say, 100 files, creating a number of VW files, four for example, that will be used exclusively for printing, to which 25 files will be referenced and sheet layers created for each. Only then VW's Batch functions will be useful for the whole set.

This appears to be the case. One printing file would be even better. The necessity can, however, be turned into a virtue: from issue control and overall CAD-management point of view, a "master project file" is not a bad approach: at least you can get an up-to-date drawing register in no time at all.

With 100 or so drawings (been there, done that!) the drawing register usually becomes almost a full time job.

[Christiaan 773]

I agree with Jonathan, but it obviously depends on your priorities.

[mark_at_custom 0]

After pestering the Tech Support ppl at VW again, it appears that my [pdf batch export & multiple viewport non-update] problem could be related to a defective workspace or plugin issue. Using a differing workspace or re-installing VW could be the answer. I am now stepping away from the "Caps Lock" button. Thanks!