Multiple Plots to one PDF

[bagulhodoido]

Hi everybody!

 

I usually draw in the model space, and plot in layouts, yet, I usually draw all the sheets and everything in one single layout. After that, I just plot it all, selecting the the sheet edges and setting it as a plot window.

 

I was wondering if there is any way to select multiple windows and plot them all as one big pdf document.

 

---- Edit ----

 

Just another thing, whenever I use a PDF "pseudoprinter" the drawings get a little messed up, mostly the hatches actually. Why is that?

[Cad64]

I usually draw all the sheets and everything in one single layout. After that, I just plot it all, selecting the the sheet edges and setting it as a plot window.

 

That's a habit you should break.

 

Ever since Autocad 2000, we have had the ability to create multiple layouts. Before that, we were restricted to just one paper space layout, but now we can create many, (I believe 256 layouts is the maximum). Putting all your sheets in one layout is a very inefficient way to set up your sheets for printing.

 

You should create each sheet in its own layout, then use the PUBLISH command to plot all layouts at once.

[bagulhodoido]

I know, I know...

 

Right now, I got over 30 sheets, in a single layout... So, no way to do it the other way?

 

Btw...

 

Is there any way to snap the mouse to the edge of a layout? I mean, it you set the paper background on...

[Cad64]

I got over 30 sheets, in a single layout... So, no way to do it the other way?

 

No, that's why you should set up each sheet in its own layout.

 

Is there some reason why you don't want to do that?

[bagulhodoido]

I like to draw the sheet edges and use them to create the plot stamp (with object snap).

 

That's why I asked if there is any way to snap the grips to the edge of the paper backgrounds on the layouts...

[Cad64]

I'm not sure I follow? How are you creating the plot stamp with object snap?

 

It seems to me that you are doing things the hard way. If you set up each sheet in its own layout, you can use Autocad's plot stamp, which is automatic. You don't have to do anything except enable it in the plot dialog. And you can batch plot all layout's at one time with the PUBLISH command. Setting up layouts for each sheet will save you a lot of time that you are now wasting by windowing each sheet and printing one at a time.

 

And no, you cannot snap to the layout background.

[bagulhodoido]

I got my own plot stamps... I can't change it...

[Cad64]

There's an old saying that goes "If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting."

 

You seem very reluctant to take my advice so I won't try to force you, but if you want to simplify the way you are currently plotting, you should create separate layouts for each sheet. I don't know of any way to batch plot multiple sheets from a single layout.

 

Good luck. :wink:

[MarcoW]

I don't know if I understand your request correctly but if I want to get to the paper edges in a layout (sometimes I just need it in case of bad pagesetup or whatever) then I use the following.

 

Just as an example:

 

 
Command: line<enter>
LINE Specify first point: [color=red][b](getvar 'limmin)[/b][/color]
(-4.99533 -4.9953)
Specify next point or [undo]: [b][color=red](getvar 'limmax)[/color][/b]
(835.999 588.941)
Specify next point or [undo]:*cancel*

 

This works for me. Please let us know if it is of any help.

Good luck,

MarcoW.

[danellis]

While agreeing that separate layout tabs are better, but since we are where we are...

 

Thinking off the top of my head, could you create multiple a pagesetup (using window selection to define your print area) for each layout then do a publish, adding your one tab multiple times, selecting each page setup in turn?

 

This requires you to go through the whole process once to create the pagesetups, but would be easier thereafter. Of course it assumes that publish will allow you to select the same tab multiple times (not sure that's something I've ever tried). Publish allows one to save the publish list (forget what they call it, but that should gt you close enough) so future prints would be simplified even further.

 

Hard to tell about your pseudoprinter problem. Which one are you using? Have you tried using a different one (there are plenty of free pdf printers out there).

 

dJE

[Cad64]

Going off of the suggestion by danellis, I have found a way to do this. You will have to create a page setup for each sheet in your layout. Then, in the 'Publish' dialog, you can create copies of your sheet by selecting it and then right click and choose 'Copy Selected Sheet'. Then, for each copy, you can choose a different page setup.

 

I still say it's better to create a separate layout for each sheet, but, to each his own.