Topic: Definitive Plotting Guide ...

[MP]

Hi folks, anyone have what they consider the definitive guide to managing and automating plotting?

Thanks,

Michael.

[quamper]

I used to have something, but now I use sheetsets and its no big deal.

[Josh Nieman]

CTRL+P ?


(sorry couldn't help myself)

[David Hall]

what exactly are you looking for?  I have some VBA code I swear by, because it works every time, and my users cant screw it up, but that may not work for you

[MP]

In a nutshell I've been tasked with the responsibility of "making plotting easy". This will involve streamlining and managing plotting for approximately 150 users distributed between approximately a half dozen buildings, dynamically assigning printers on the basis of discipline, project and proximity. Automation will be responsible for doing all the grunt work of initializing page setups et al, supporting ctb as well as stb tracks yada and intelligent project/discipline centric plot stamping that meets APEGGA requirements, the abbreviated version being that an Engineer's stamp may only reside in any drawing for the lifetime of the plot activity and then must be thoroughly removed.

I've already started a lisp library of supporting functions; probably 1/5th complete.

I'd be happy to stand on your shoulders by accepting the generous offer of your VB code CmdrDuh -- that would be fantastic.

As for the 'Definitive Plotting Guide', (I should had said 'guides' in hindsight) ... any guides / resources that address large scale plotting management; everything from intelligent page setup / plot style management, to 'talking to hardware' (I've done a fair bit already by exploiting WshNetwork and WMI).

Version wise we're running AutoCAD 2005 on the majority of projects, using everything from ink jets to KIP plotters.

Hope this clarifies and helps ya'll help me.

Thanks folks.



Michael.

[T.Willey]

No standards, but here is my C# batch plot program. [> Link <]  Use/abuse/ignore as you like.

[David Hall]

MP, you have an email I can tag or do you need me to post stuff here?

[David Hall]

I assign plotters based on userlogin, which you may or maynot want to do.  I dont have 150 users, so that might be a bit of management.  I also use startup scripts to update my users everyday when they login, so you might try that for copying updates to the users.  Maybe base those on proximity to printer etc.

[David Hall]

MP, in the pagesetup file I sent you, there is a bunch of little 3-4 line chunks of code that you substitute pc3, ctb, size, scale etc in, and call that from a button or LISP routine.  My users love it b/c if they push button 1, 11x17 with correct ctb prints.  Button 2 spits 18x24 with diff ctb file, whilst button 3 is 36x24 full size ctb file.  Then buttons 4-6 are the same, but diff ctb for vendor pens.  Youll see what I mean when you open it.

[MP]

Wow, hit the mother load already!

No standards, but here is my C# batch plot program. [> Link <]  Use/abuse/ignore as you like.

Great, thanks Tim!

MP, you have an email I can tag or do you need me to post stuff here?

Either is good for me, in this thread or caddscience | at | gmail | dot | com. Thanks CmdrDuh! Edit: Got it already, sweet!

I assign plotters based on userlogin, which you may or maynot want to do.  I dont have 150 users, so that might be a bit of management.  I also use startup scripts to update my users everyday when they login, so you might try that for copying updates to the users.  Maybe base those on proximity to printer etc.

Indeed, it's a good strategy to do as much as possible during system logon and / or AutoCAD initialization. However,  there are some folks that change projects as many as half dozen times a day without logging on / off or even leaving AutoCAD, so I have to have the flexibility to address that scenario as well. In the past I penned a 'ChangeProject' utility that dynamically assigned network drives, configured AutoCAD ad nauseum ... said utility was run at logon but could also be run on demand. I'll likely employ a variant of this approach again.

MP, in the pagesetup file I sent you, there is a bunch of little 3-4 line chunks of code that you substitute pc3, ctb, size, scale etc in, and call that from a button or LISP routine.  My users love it b/c if they push button 1, 11x17 with correct ctb prints.  Button 2 spits 18x24 with diff ctb file, whilst button 3 is 36x24 full size ctb file.  Then buttons 4-6 are the same, but diff ctb for vendor pens.  Youll see what I mean when you open it.

You're philosophy parallels mine pretty close -- have the automation do 95% of the behind the scenes minutia on behalf of the user.

Thanks peeps, really appreciate it -- lots of great stuff here to ruminate.

[David Hall]

what about ProjectName sysvar?  check that at plot time and pull from there

[David Hall]

I check the projname and push files or put files based on that value.  And it its nil, I pop a box to make my users fill it out.  There was resistence at first, but once I explained that if you fill it out once, it wont keep popping up (per dwg) they accepted it.  Then when we archive a job, b/c we are a utility and reuse the same dwgs over and over, I run a clean up script to clean up the projnames

[MP]

I've used ProjectName in the past but not quite how you noted below -- I like.

While ProjectName is good, and definitely can be exploited in many ways, it's a drawing centric variable. 

I'm thinking of employing an ActiveProject variable that is machine / user centric, likely a registry entry, the value which is qualified against a small db of 'acceptable' project names, complete with easy descriptions and (transparent) associated data to serve plotting and other activities / uses. That way when a user changes from drawing to drawing the Active Project stays constant until it's applicable that it be changed.

These conversational exchanges are extremely useful David, please do keep them coming as log as they don't conflict with work.

Thanks for sharing your experience / ideas.

[David Hall]

I have some reg manipulating code as well if you want it

[MP]

While I've got that area (registry) covered and it's tempting to say "No thanks, not required", I think it's dangerous when one starts to think they've written the absolute, definitive code, so ...

Please, do share, will be interesting to see how you've skinned your cats.

THANKS!

[David Hall]

chk email

[David Hall]

add this to what I sent, and you can get/set values

Code: [Select]

Function getRegVal(DataVal As String) As String
      Dim scrpt As New WshShell
      getRegVal = scrpt.RegRead(DataVal)
End Function
Function setRegVal(regKey As String, DataVal As String) As String
      Dim scrpt As New WshShell
      scrpt.RegWrite regKey, DataVal
End Function

[TimSpangler]

Man, late again.

We have about 50 user, and I can say beyond the shadow of a doubt that our plotting process is antiquated, but it works.  I have kind of rewritten some thing for my personal use and abuse.  I plot most thing from one lisp that excepts vars: printer, paper size, etc. then it is called from pull downs that indicate which area of the building (we have 4 reference areas in which differant plotter are located.)  I am still however working on the whole batch plotting thing ( a whole different can of worms there).

I would be interested in any feedback anyone has there.  If you need more info on the subject I would be more than happy to give it.

[MP]

Man, late again ...

Never too late Tim. If you have some thing you want to ante up / toss in the hat it would be most welcomed -- and appreciated. I'm not placing a a cap on ideas.

add this to what I sent, and you can get/set values ...

More succinct than my api (ala Appleman / Birch) approach ; brevity is good (while recognizing WshShell is merely providing a wrapper for the winapi calls).

[TimSpangler]

Micheal,

 I highly doubt that you need any help from me, but here is how I do it here at work.  It works great for onse, twose plots but doesn't do batch work at all.  (I am in the process of gettig some batch stuff tested).  We have a lot of differant requirements here for differant plots which just adds complexity to plotting.  I could discuss this topic all day long (batch plotting that is) but I have got to get something done.

Code to follow.......

Code: [Select]

;;; Plots current plot tab
;;; 07/10/06 - Tim Spangler - combined all plot routines - added check for "Model" tab
;;; 08/7/06  - Tim Spangler - added check for page setup
;;; NVR.inc
;
(defun NVR_PLOT (Plot PC3 PaperSize PageSetup / OldCmdEcho OldExpert PC3 PageSetup PaperSize)

(setq OldCmdEcho (getvar "CMDECHO"))
(setq OldExpert (getvar "EXPERT"))
(setvar "CMDECHO" 0)
(setvar "EXPERT" 5)

;; Check for page setup
(if (not (CHECK_PS PageSetup))
(ADD_PS PageSetup)
)

;;; Check to see if you are in a plot tab
(if (= (getvar "CTAB") "Model")
(progn
(alert "You are currentley not in a plot tab \nChange to a plot tab and  try again")
(END nil)
)
(cond
;;; Letter
((= Plot "Letter_Ref1")(PLOT_LETTER PC3))
((= Plot "Letter_Ref2")(PLOT_LETTER PC3))
((= Plot "Letter_Ref3")(PLOT_LETTER PC3))
((= Plot "Letter_Ref4")(PLOT_LETTER PC3))
;;; 8.5x11
((= Plot "8.5x11_Ref1")(PLOT_FIT PC3 PaperSize))
((= Plot "8.5x11_Ref2")(PLOT_FIT PC3 PaperSize))
((= Plot "8.5x11_Ref3")(PLOT_FIT PC3 PaperSize))
((= Plot "8.5x11_Ref4")(PLOT_FIT PC3 PaperSize))
;;; 11x17
((= Plot "11x17_Ref1")(PLOT_11X17 PC3))
((= Plot "11x17_Ref2")(PLOT_11X17 PC3))
((= Plot "11x17_Ref3")(PLOT_11X17 PC3))
((= Plot "11x17_Ref4")(PLOT_11X17 PC3))
;;; 18x24
((= Plot "18x24_Ref1")(PLOT_18X24 PC3 PaperSize))
((= Plot "18x24_Ref2")(PLOT_18X24 PC3 PaperSize))
((= Plot "18x24_Ref3")(PLOT_18X24 PC3 PaperSize))
((= Plot "18x24_Ref4")(PLOT_18X24 PC3 PaperSize))
;;; 24x36
((= Plot "24x36_Ref1")(PLOT_24X36 PC3 PaperSize))
((= Plot "24x36_Ref2")(PLOT_24X36 PC3 PaperSize))
((= Plot "24x36_Ref3")(PLOT_24X36 PC3 PaperSize))
((= Plot "24x36_Ref4")(PLOT_24X36 PC3 PaperSize))
;;; Fit to 18x24
((= Plot "CFit_Ref1")(PLOT_FIT PC3 PaperSize))
((= Plot "CFit_Ref2")(PLOT_FIT PC3 PaperSize))
((= Plot "CFit_Ref3")(PLOT_FIT PC3 PaperSize))
((= Plot "CFit_Ref4")(PLOT_FIT PC3 PaperSize))
);cond
)
 
);defun
(defun PLOT_LETTER (PC3 / )

(command "_.zoom" "_e")
(command "-plot"
"Yes" ; Detaied plot settings
"" ; Layout name
PC3 ; Output device
PaperSize ; Paper size
"Inches" ; Paper Units
"Portrait" ; Drawing orientation
"No" ; Plot upside down
"Layout" ; Plot area
"1:1" ; Plot scale
"0,0"    ; Plot offset
"Yes" ; Plot with plotstyle
"Letter5.ctb" ; Plot table name
"Yes" ; Plot with line weight
"No" ; Scale linewieghts
"No" ; Plot paperspace first
"No" ; Hide paperspace objects
"No" ; Write to plot file
"No" ; Save changes to page setup
"Yes" ; Proceed with plot
)
(END T)
)
(defun PLOT_11X17 (PC3 / )

(command "_.zoom" "_e")
(command "-plot"
"Yes" ; Detaied plot settings
"" ; Layout name
PC3 ; Output device
PaperSize ; Paper size
"Inches" ; Paper Units
"Landscape" ; Drawing orientation
"No" ; Plot upside down
"Extents" ; Plot area
"Fit" ; Plot scale
"Center" ; Plot offset
"Yes" ; Plot with plotstyle
"11x17.ctb" ; Plot table name
"Yes" ; Plot with line weight
"No" ; Scale linewieghts
"No" ; Plot paperspace first
"No" ; Hide paperspace objects
"No" ; Write to plot file
"No" ; Save changes to page setup
"Yes" ; Proceed with plot
)
(END T)
)
(defun PLOT_18X24 (PC3 PageSetup / )

(command "_.zoom" "_e")
(command "-plot"
"Yes" ; Detaied plot settings
"" ; Layout name
PC3 ; Output device
PaperSize ; Paper size
"Inches" ; Paper Units
"Landscape" ; Drawing orientation
"No" ; Plot upside down
"Layout" ; Plot area
"1:1" ; Plot scale
"0.0,0.0" ; Plot offset
"Yes" ; Plot with plotstyle
"DesignJet.ctb" ; Plot table name
"Yes" ; Plot with line weight
"No" ; Scale linewieghts
"No" ; Plot paperspace first
"No" ; Hide paperspace objects
"No" ; Write to plot file
"Yes" ; Save changes to page setup
"Yes" ; Proceed with plot
)
(END T)
)
(defun PLOT_24X36 (PC3 PaperSize / )

(command "-plot"
"Yes" ; Detaied plot settings
"" ; Layout name
PC3 ; Output device
PaperSize ; Paper size
"Inches" ; Paper Units
"Landscape" ; Drawing orientation
"No" ; Plot upside down
"Extents" ; Plot area
"1:1" ; Plot scale
"0,0" ; Plot offset
"Yes" ; Plot with plotstyle
"DesignJet.ctb" ; Plot table name
"Yes" ; Plot with line weight
"No" ; Scale linewieghts
"No" ; Plot paperspace first
"No" ; Hide paperspace objects
"No" ; Write to plot file
"Yes" ; Save changes to page setup
"Yes" ; Proceed with plot
)
(END T)
)
(defun PLOT_FIT (PC3 PaperSize / )

(command "-plot"
"Yes" ; Detaied plot settings
"" ; Layout name
PC3 ; Output device
PaperSize ; Paper size
"Inches" ; Paper Units
"Landscape" ; Drawing orientation
"No" ; Plot upside down
"Extents" ; Plot area
"1:1" ; Plot scale
"0,0" ; Plot offset
"Yes" ; Plot with plotstyle
"DesignJet.ctb" ; Plot table name
"Yes" ; Plot with line weight
"No" ; Scale linewieghts
"No" ; Plot paperspace first
"No" ; Hide paperspace objects
"No" ; Write to plot file
"No" ; Save changes to page setup
"Yes" ; Proceed with plot
)
(END T)
)
(defun END (Finished /)

(if (= Finished T)
(progn
(command "_.zoom" "_e")
(princ " Your drawing is being plotted.........Have A Nice Day!")
)
)
(setvar "EXPERT" OldExpert)
(setvar "CMDECHO" OldCmdEcho)
(princ)
)

There is some call the a pagesetup routine that deletes and adds correct PS's from a template dwg.  My goal is to create a script for batch plotting that just make a call to this lisp.     maybe someday I could get time.


These get called from a Ploting pulldown menu to the corect referance area.


Enjoy

[MP]

Tim, if I've given you or anyone else the impression I think I know it all I apologize. I don't. Your perspective, and your version of a solution is valued as much as anyone who posts to this great forum. You have my sincere thanks for your willingness to generously share what you have <nodding.mpg>.

I'm swamped at present, so I can't immediately review all the stuff I've received to date (which is a lot) but please do not mistake the economy of my feedback as infering my appreciation, it doesn't. Thanks to all of you.

[David Hall]

More succinct than my api (ala Appleman / Birch) approach ; brevity is good (while recognizing WshShell is merely providing a wrapper for the winapi calls).

I'm not sure what you just said, but I think thank you.

[MP]

It's all good David.

[TimSpangler]

Tim, if I've given you or anyone else the impression I think I know it all I apologize. I don't. Your perspective, and your version of a solution is valued as much as anyone who posts to this great forum. You have my sincere thanks for your willingness to generously share what you have <nodding.mpg>.

No offense taken Micheal. I am more than willing to offer any solution. (Your solutions and coding style, from my view, are more superior than mine.  I only hope that someday I can be that talented)

Thank you for all your contributions to the group.

[MP]

Very nice of you to say Tim, thank you for the kind words.

I consider it all just a massive relay race of staggered starts. No matter who appers to be in the lead at any point in time it's purely subjective and not that relavant. What's important is that we successively take turns passing the baton so that we all finish, and do so entirely of our collective team efforts.

Ok, maybe a reach, but the first analogy that came to me.

[David Hall]

Very well said!

[MP]

In the remote chance that others who automate plotting might find benefit ... here's a variable map I made for myself ...

More to come down the road when I've time, cheers.

(PS: Thanks David, you snuck your post in just as I was posting this).

[TimSpangler]

Thanks for the info, I actually do need it for the printer paths (I use one for work and one for plotting personal things, it would be nice to automate the change rather than manually changing them)


P.S.  I like the analogy

[CAB]

I have a Hodge-podge collection of plot info posted here in case anyone might find useful.
It's some lisp stuff I've collected.
http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=5964.msg73208#msg73208

[TimSpangler]

Thanks Alan!

Great resource for plotting.  I do have some of that stuff but a lot of it is spanking new.

<bookmarked>