What are the advantages / dissadvantages of having all of your dwg pages in ONE CAD file?
There are advantages for 3D geometry, but it depends on what discipline/standards are for your companies needs.
I use 3d and limit my files to one layout per file. I like the organization better that way. I use xrefs to make up for what you gain, I imagine.... actually I don't even have any model inside my sheet files. I keep model files seperate and xref them into dwg's that are meant to be plotted. S-01 will actually not have any model in it, but rather will have (X-Model.dwg) xref'd into it. I also split up my models into multiple files at times, for organization on larger projects.
Is there a limit to the number of Layout Tabs in one CAD file?
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Is there a way to plot all tabs in order from AutoCad? - (We use Multibatch to print a set of dwgs).
Try CABs' PlotTabs routine, it's just what you need.
You can also use the regular Publish command to print all tabs and in all open files, and organize them before sending the plot.
I personally used to do multiple layouts per file, but found it to be a big confusion.
I first tried just having a file named after the job "Eraste Landry Medical Complex" or what not... and would have all tabs named after sheet name.
-I didn't like this because only one person could work on it at a time, and the file size was huge.
I then tried having a file called "Architectural" "Structural" "Specifications" "Civil" and so on... having all A-series sheets in the architectural, and so on...
-Ran into the same problems but to a lesser extent, and it was a pain organizing xrefs. If I xref the architectural into the structural, I have the whole elevations, sections, details, roof plans, wall sections, blah blah blah, to try and xclip away... just a hassle.
I then split back into using one layout per file. All organization is fast and convenient. No confusion is created. Xref's are easy, convenient, precise, and quickly maintained. File sizes are nominal. If a project is gettin' hot, 3 of us can tackle a different sheet at a time and get it done 3 times faster.
I find plotting to be equal all around for the tools we use to plot.