If you have ever spent hours manually printing dozens of drawings one by one, you know how tedious it can be. Learning how to master Batch Plotting in AutoCAD is a game-changer for your workflow. In this guide, we will show you how to output multiple layouts into a single PDF or paper set without the hassle.
1. The Power of Page Setup Manager
Before you start batch plotting, the secret to success lies in the Page Setup Manager. Instead of configuring each layout individually, create a named page setup. This ensures consistency in paper size, plot style (CTB), and orientation across all sheets.
- Right-click on any Layout tab.
- Select Page Setup Manager.
- Click 'New' and define your settings (e.g., "A1-PDF-Grayscale").
2. Using the PUBLISH Command
The PUBLISH command is the primary tool for AutoCAD Batch Plotting. It allows you to gather drawings from different files and send them to the printer all at once.
Pro Tip: Type PUBLISH in the command line to open the dialog box. Here, you can add or remove sheets and reorder them by dragging.
3. Background Plotting: Work While You Print
One of the best features of modern AutoCAD is Background Plotting. By enabling this, AutoCAD handles the printing process in the background, allowing you to continue editing your drawings without waiting for the progress bar to finish.
Summary Checklist for Hassle-Free Printing:
- Verify all Xrefs are loaded correctly.
- Apply a uniform Page Setup to all layouts.
- Check the "Publish to:" dropdown is set to PDF.
- Hit 'Publish' and let AutoCAD do the heavy lifting!
Mastering these steps will transform your AutoCAD workflow, making submission days much less stressful.
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