In need of Batch Plot Two Step Program!

[AQucsaiJr]

I am looking for a LISP/Program that I can call up through one command entry "BatchPlot", that will give the user the option to choose a folder full of drawings, then after choosing the folder the user can select "Ok" and the program can print one copy of all the drawings in the folder the user chose.

 

I have all the settings for each type of printing I do, there are only a couple.

 

I realise there is a Publish option in AutoCAD but using the publish command allows for too many options for the users here, so I am trying to come up with an easier method. I have already made a button that will print the active drawing with just a click so now they want a publish that is just as easy... give them an inch and they want me to go the whole mile...

 

Can anyone help me to write this or know where I can find one already written?

[jalucerol]

try with de attach. It's a application developed by me, it plot in dwf and pdf format. Feel free to modify it as you need (your plotter configuration, i mean)

genera dwf.zip

[AQucsaiJr]

I am getting a mismatch error when I try to run it.

[Freerefill]

Try using my batch engine. It was originally designed for plotting.

 

To use it, look in the code for the optSel function. You'll see a massive Condition statement. Add this as a new condition:

 

   ((= (car item) "PLOT")    (cond (a T)    (b T)    (c (list "PLOT"))    (d (vl-cmdf "-plot" "" "" "" "" "" "" "")))
    ); Plot using current settings

 

You can test it by running the default finalblitz command by typing "FB", then, when it asks you for your option, typing "PLOT". You should see it appear above the prompt, like so:

 

(((PLOT)) ... nil ... none ... No ... 1)

Select Tabs or [Option/Drawing/Check/Repeat][Layouts/This/Model/Special/DIAlog]:

 

And you can create a function to run it like so:

 

(defun c:BatchPlot( / )    (finalblitz '(("PLOT")) '("LAYOUTS") nil t 1))

 

The first prompt you see should be to select your drawings, just type "D" to bring up a dialog box and select your folder.

 

You can change the (vl-cmdf "-plot" ...) to whatever you need. Using the function as I just described will plot all the layout tabs of all the selected drawings using the current plot settings.

 

If you need any more help, let me know. I can also offer an update that will let you include a .txt file with a list of files, so you can batch plot a set list without having to actually select any drawings.

[alanjt]

I guess SheetSetManager is out of the question?

[gilsoto13]

I can do it but I use the batch lisp to open all the drawings in a folder... then for printing I use a script to run at startup...

 

many people use a lisp to write a script to open each drawing, print them and close without saving, I don´t really like it ... I prefer only batch opening and close with a script at startup

 

http://discussion.autodesk.com/forums/message.jspa?messageID=6266228

batch and script at startup.zip

[alanjt]

I can do it but I use the batch lisp to open all the drawings in a folder... then for printing I use a script to run at startup...

 

many people use a lisp to write a script to open each drawing, print them and close without saving, I don´t really like it ... I prefer only batch opening and close with a script at startup

 

http://discussion.autodesk.com/forums/message.jspa?messageID=6266228

 

Hey Gil, how's it going? Haven't seen you on here in a few.

[AQucsaiJr]

I can do it but I use the batch lisp to open all the drawings in a folder... then for printing I use a script to run at startup...

 

many people use a lisp to write a script to open each drawing, print them and close without saving, I don´t really like it ... I prefer only batch opening and close with a script at startup

 

http://discussion.autodesk.com/forums/message.jspa?messageID=6266228

 

 

Ok... I downloaded the file you attached and had a look at the BATCH.lsp file... I am not skilled enough with auto lisp yet to determine where I need to place my plot script... Could you help me?

[gilsoto13]

jajja... we just crossed a few comments on the detail update post... 2 days ago... but yeah, I have been sick with a long flu for a entire week..... 4 of 6 in the house I was living temporary had the same flu... (it's normal flu, not Ah1N1).. so I couldn´t get into the forums until now...

 

Now I am getting into the final steps to finish the blocks collection... actually It can take a little longer cause I just finish extracting and placing all the blocks in their folders, now I need to go block by block in each file to send them to their own drawing... I am bussy all the time..

 

I am also about to take my duty on the newsletter where your name, Lee Mac's one, Giles', Robert Bell from Augi and Marco Jacinto will be mentioned with your lisps...

 

Now I got all the pieces in their place to do it.. just need some time, but it seems I can never get enough time..

 

Also, I am moving into my new small home this weekend so... I need to take the hardware and tools and get my home in shape in one or 2 days...

[gilsoto13]

Ok... I downloaded the file you attached and had a look at the BATCH.lsp file... I am not skilled enough with auto lisp yet to determine where I need to place my plot script... Could you help me?

 

Tell me... what autocad version are you working with?

 

Can you post your script? I can rename the files and send you the files to just run the batch to print...

 

I actually used it for printing a whole folder to pdf automatically.. but It can be used to print to any printer as far as you have it all configured, printer, ctb, plot area, scale, print units...

 

as you can see.. my print configuration settings are in the pdf.lsp

[AQucsaiJr]

Tell me... what autocad version are you working with?

 

Can you post your script? I can rename the files and send you the files to just run the batch to print...

 

I actually used it for printing a whole folder to pdf automatically.. but It can be used to print to any printer as far as you have it all configured, printer, ctb, plot area, scale, print units...

 

as you can see.. my print configuration settings are in the pdf.lsp

 

I ma using ACAD 2010, and ACAD 2009.

 

The LISP I currently use for printing:

 

Monochrome Print

(DEFUN C:MCP ()
(COMMAND "-PLOT" "YES" "model" "HP LaserJet M5035 MFP PCL (BackOffice).pc3" "11x17" "INCHES" "LANDSCAPE" "NO" "EXTENTS" "FIT" "CENTER" "YES" "MONOCHROME.CTB" "YES" "WIREFRAME" "NO" "NO" "YES")
(PRINC)
)

 

Custom Color Print

(DEFUN C:FLW ()
(COMMAND "-PLOT" "YES" "model" "HP LaserJet M5035 MFP PCL (BackOffice).pc3" "11x17" "INCHES" "LANDSCAPE" "NO" "EXTENTS" "FIT" "CENTER" "YES" "FP-Lineweights.ctb" "YES" "WIREFRAME" "NO" "NO" "YES")
(PRINC)
)

 

I am looking to make one command that I can type to get a browser window to pop up for folder selection and then publish every drawing in that selected folder. I would need two different commands for this, one for the monochrome and one for the custom color.

I wish I could learn to make these LISP codes faster as my work keeps asking me for more and more commands to be written and are not giving me enough time to learn it. I am glad I found this forum, everyone here has been a great help.

[jalucerol]

I am getting a mismatch error when I try to run it.

What error? what does it say?

Tell me what ACAD version are you running, OS, machine datails, etc.

[AQucsaiJr]

I guess SheetSetManager is out of the question?

 

Yes... Unfortunately the folder that contains the drawings that need to be printed is constantly being changed and updated during different stages of the project.