What format do you issue your drawings in?

[Flores]

I issue drawings via PDF. This way, I can send drawings over the internet without problems, and almost everyone can open PDF's and doen't need to install new software since most computers already have it. If not, we send them hard-copies. We never send them the .dwg's though.

Flores

[fuccaro]

Flores
You never worked for clients expecting the DWG file? I assume that Fort Worth is a wonderfull place!

[f700es]

Flores
You never worked for clients expecting the DWG file? I assume that Fort Worth is a wonderfull place!

I don't know...I have been turned down a few times trying to get CAD files of existing buildings. They (suppliers/owners/etc..) are more than wiling to deliver hard copies but they feel that the .dwgs will put them in some legal jeapordy so they refuse. It does not happen often but it happens.

[Flores]

Flores
You never worked for clients expecting the DWG file? I assume that Fort Worth is a wonderfull place!

Very rarely have we given dwg's to clients, only to partners who help us when the load gets too heavy. It is usually a hardcopy, but this has bitten us in the butt before because we have had subcontractors build projects for us, and whenever we ask for the dwg, we only get a printed copy. Some even charge extra for the drawing and call the charge a "drawing package."

Flores

[Bloke]

Yes, for non CAD users PDF. For others: DWG but with a protection. I can not remind where I learned from, but the MINSERT command is great. Open a new DWG and type MINSERT. When prompted point the drawing you want to send. Insert two blocks, for example 2 rows and 1 column, and IMPORTANT: distance between rows = zero. Save the resulted drawing and send it. It is impossible to explode the MINSERT-ed blocks. It is true, others can append new elements to the drawing, but this protection is better than nothing.

Excellent tip fuccaro - every little helps, especially when working on older versions of AutoCAD.

[andywilliams]

I usually issue drawings as DWG. We use AutoCAD 2004 but have had to set it to save drawings as 2000 as no-one else we use has got it. PDF files go to people without CAD. Sub-contractors get issued the drawing in hardcopy form.

We have had an instance where we wanted a DWG and the client has tried to charge us for it, all we did was phone round the other contractors of the job and got it of them instead.

[hyposmurf]

Fair enough charging for the drawing,its still a comodity,but its still quite shocking as you normally don't expect that and most companies wouldnt allow for that in their fees.Probably likely to put alot of people working for a client if they are that tight fisted .