Logging Plot Info

[Oxin]

Hello everyone. First, I wanted to mention that I'm a programmer, not an AutoCAD user, so sorry if my terminology is off. I need to create a program to log each plot printed off by employees with the associated project name. I can get the project name by pulling down a list for our SQL server and having the user select it but getting it from Project Navigator would be more convenient for the user and searching didn't yield any help. The big problem I've having though is retrieving information from the last plot. I know I could write my own gui for printing but I don't want to take any printing functionality away. Is there a way I could capture plot settings in the AcadDocument_BeginPlot or AcadDocument_EndPlot event? Thanks for any help.

 

~Oxin

[The Buzzard]

The attached is from the AutoCAD help section.

It shows you how to set up your PLOT.LOG

Plot Stamp.pdf

[Oxin]

Thanks for the info but I'm not sure if this is the right direction. The information logged is helpful but I didn't see a way to log the number of copies. The end goal is to gather the number of prints with an associated project name and store the information on a SQL server so we can determine if the customer should be charged for them. Additional logged info would just be a bonus.

[The Buzzard]

If I run across something like that, I will get back to you unless you find something more suitable.

[The Buzzard]

I found this free demo that will do what you want. I am not sure how long the trial period is. If this does not cut it, Maybe someone can help with a program.

 

 

http://www.plotlog.com/

 

 

Good Luck,

The Buzzard

[The Buzzard]

Check out this article. It will show you how to send the plot file to excel. I believe this is for CAD versions 2005 or 2006 on up though.

But this is setup for keeping track of plots for the purpose of billing.

 

 

http://www.thecadgeek.com/blog/2007/05/09/track-plotting-from-autocad-for-free/

[The Buzzard]

I did the best I could to PDF the article from CAD Geek.

Please see attached.

Track Plotting from AutoCAD for FREE.pdf

[Oxin]

Thanks for all the help but I still don't have a good solution yet. The "Plot and Publish" feature gives a lot of data but doesn't tell you how many copies were printed. I tried downloading PlotLog since it seems to do what I need but it didn't work at all(bad install?). Anyhow, upon inspection of it's files, it seems to be made using ARX which I had previously considered as an excessive option for what I need. I'll look into it and it might be perfect for the job.

[The Buzzard]

No problem.

Good Luck