supply file name to PDFCreator in script

[dbroada]

We have a batch plot routine that works very well. It creates a script which opens each drawing in turn and plots it, either to a printer or to a pdf, before processing the next file.

 

I have always used the supplied DWG to PDF driver as I get good results and (as importantly) it allows you to supply the file name on the command line. Our sister site has asked if I can change the program to use PDFCreator as it suits their needs better. I have tried but I cannot find a way to supply the file name directly to the printer. All I get is the dialogue box asking me for the file name.

 

Has anybody got any ideas on how to suppress this? I have tried FILEDIA=0 and (not expecting anything helpful) CMDDIA=0 but neither of these worked.

 

I also looked at CutePDF which was slighlty better in that it gave you a file name in the box but not one I could control and it still needed the OK button to be pressed. Apparently the other draughtsman doesn't like the idea of doing this 3196 times.

[dbroada]

I guess that means "nobody knows".

 

Digging deeper, the problem the other site had with DWG to PDF was the extra large borders, reducing the "drawing" to about 80% of the paper. As I couldn't get any of the other drivers to do what I wanted I looked in to the Autodesk driver again and found that there are papers with "full bleed" in their description. Replacing the previous A3 sheet with the full bleed equivalent has reduced the border to a more normal size and the drawing fills most of the sheet.

 

I have sent the install files off and await their comments. Hopefully favourable.

 

How many of you knew about the full bleed sheets (and how long have they been there)?

[ReMark]

I am familiar with the terminology "full bleed sheets" having been introduced to the concept when I designed a company brochure.

[Tyke]

I've heard the term "full bleed" but never understood what it meant. Do you know a bit more information about it?

[troggarf]

I am going to pull together a blog post in which part of the script i use feeds the name of the file to the PDF.

 

This portion should go near the top of the script. It simply saves the dwg file name. It is weird but the script can handle these lines if lisp just fine...

(setq CurrDwgName (getvar "dwgname"))
(setq Fname (substr CurrDwgName 1 (- (strlen CurrDwgName) 4)))
(setq name (strcat (getvar "DWGPREFIX") Fname ".pdf"))

 

Then later on in your script when you are asked to name the file, feed it

!name (shown below)

;Enter file name <C:\Work\some drawing.pdf>:
!name

 

Update: Here is a link to the script that i posted in an earlier blog post: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_y9I236zHwOYm00NllzbVRsQ2s/edit?usp=sharing

 

Or better yet i will post the script here: (just make sure that if you copy from below that there is an extra enter at the very bottom for the last command)

 

~Greg

 

(setq CurrDwgName (getvar "dwgname"))
(setq Fname (substr CurrDwgName 1 (- (strlen CurrDwgName) 4)))
(setq name (strcat (getvar "DWGPREFIX") Fname ".pdf"))
;Command:
FILEDIA
;Enter new value for FILEDIA <1>:
0
;Command:
-PLOT
;Detailed plot configuration? [Yes/No] <No>:
Yes
;Enter a layout name or [?] <Model>:
Layout1
;Enter an output device name or [?] <None>:
DWG To PDF.pc3
;Enter paper size or [?] <ANSI A (11.00 x 8.50 Inches)>:
ANSI full bleed B (11.00 x 17.00 Inches)
;Enter paper units [inches/Millimeters] <Inches>:
Inches
;Enter drawing orientation [Portrait/Landscape] <Portrait>:
Landscape
;Plot upside down? [Yes/No] <No>:
No
;Enter plot area [Display/Extents/Layout/View/Window] <Display>:
Extents
;Enter plot scale (Plotted Inches=Drawing Units) or [Fit] <Fit>:
1:1
;Enter plot offset (x,y) or [Center] <0.00,0.00>:
C
;Plot with plot styles? [Yes/No] <Yes>:
Yes
;Enter plot style table name or [?] (enter . for none) <>:
monochrome.ctb
;Plot with lineweights? [Yes/No] <Yes>:
Yes
;Plot Scale lineweights with plot scale? <No>

;Plot paper space first? <No>

;Hide paper space objects? <No>

;Enter file name <C:\Work\solids-Model.pdf>:
!name
;Save changes to page setup? Or set shade plot quality? [Yes/No/Quality] <N>:
No
;Proceed with plot [Yes/No] <Y>:
Yes
;Command:
FILEDIA
;;;Enter new value for FILEDIA <1>:
1

[dbroada]

thanks troggarf but I already supply the file name when using the "DWG to PDF" pc3 driver, my problem was finding a way for either "PDFCreator" or "Cute PDF". In the end changing to the full bleed paper size has removed the margins which I hope will satisfy our other site.

[SLW210]

Yea, used full bleed for handouts, brochures and posters.

 

Have you tried sending them a new DWG to PDF.pc3? Sounds like someone messed with the default borders on theirs.

[dbroada]

no, I was getting the same result as them with my new installation. My script supplied the paper size as "ISO A3 (420.00 x 297.00 MM)" but now I have bled it, all looks well.