XREF help
HelloI've a big file ( let's call "Tracé_total.dwg") in wich i have a lot of XREF files. ( Plan_Total.dwg, Facades_total.dwg, etc...)Compressed in ZIP, the size of the big file is 9 Mega. Then not possible to send to the shop for printing.I don't want to send file per file because of i will lose all the presentation of "Tracé_total.dwg" with the borders of the plans, etc... Create a PLT File is not possible for large format (240cm x 90cm) with bricscad. What can i do ? ThxRichard Stas
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Hi,Here are a few thoughts:1 - Purge all of the drawings. Do "Purge all all" several times in each drawing. That can make a huge difference in file sizes.2 - If you have information that you do not want printed, for example old versions of a design, off to one side, consider erasing it. Save the old stuff in other files.3 - Some hatch patterns can use up lots of space. Consider replacing line patterns with solid tones.4 - If you can't get it to the printer because it's too big to email, put it on a disk and deliver it.5 - Sending "file by file" should work anyway. Let's say you have Master.dwg and Sub1.dwg, Sub2.dwg, Sub3.dwg, delivering them separately shouldn't matter. When the printer opens Master.dwg it will still reference the Sub drawings if they're in the same directory. Just make certain the printer knows that there will be several drawings arriving separately and that he should put them all in one directory. Send a list of all the drawings that will be sent so he'll know when he has them all.Hope some of the above is helpful.John Hersey
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What about making a PDF file? Most printers I have dealt with far prefer them, they mess up cad plots if they can do them at all.PDF's are relatively large for small drawings, but not so bad for large cad drawings. And you get what you wanted.
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Sorry to go off topic, but how do you make a PDF file with BricsCad?
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I use a shareware program called PDF995. It installs as a printer driver and creates a PDF file when you print (from any program) with it set as current printer. You should find it through google, there are others which may work just as well but I find it excellent when someone wants a file they can print.DWF sucks.
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PDFCreator is a free app, and has worked well for me - it also installs as a printer.http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/
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Thx a lot for all the reply. Indeed i have done PDF Files with PDFCreator some days ago. But the problem is that a lot of print shops doesn't know how to print PDF file with their machine ( Designjet, Océ, etc ...)By the way, when i have assembled my big drawing with some XRef files, is it not possible to turn it into ONE drawing where XRef files becomes a true part of the big drawing. The goal is to send only ONE drawing to the print shop.Thx - richard Stas
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Hi,Richard: to make an XREF drawing part of the drawing within which it is referenced, use either XREF BIND or XREF INSERT. I don't do this often enough to know the difference between bind and insert - check the reference manual. Please be aware that once you have done either, changing something in the referenced file will no longer effect the assembled file. I suggest you make a copy of the drawing to test it. If you can make a PDF you might check with the printer to find out for certain if they can or cannot print PDF before dismissing the option.John and Andy: thanks for the PDF info. I'll try it.John Hersey
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It's very unusual that someone could not handle PDF, club newsletters which go to computer novices very often use it. Many web pages are in PDF. It's far more common for printers to not have cad software.Another way (which I have never managed to convince anyone to try) is make a PLT file after finding out what plotter they use. They then type "Copy <drawing.plt> LPT1:" in DOS.
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John: I used to make PLT files using the driver for the HP750 (I think) and the architect could send the PLT files to his plotter and they plotted fine.I use PDF995 if I need to send files for plotting now. Richard: your print shop should be able to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader and plot your fiel from that..
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