Often times I have to send CAD files to people that contain Xrefs. Do any of you have special methods for sending them with all the Xrefs? Is there a way to do it so the links don't get broken? I doubt it since it's all path related.
There are certain cases where I am sending a file that may have PDF, JPEG, SID, etc. attachments and the document has to be reproducible from CAD. I'm just trying to find out if there is a more efficient way than sending the half dozen or so xrefs as separate email attachments.
We use etransmit in Civil 3D. It puts everything into a zip file and you can even save to previous versions.
I've seen that under the file menu, but have never used it. Is the procedure simple?
Dan
I have emailed CAD files with PDF's attacged via OLE and they reattached with no problem in Civil 3D
I'm with you. Waiting to see if anybody has any answers. I usually copy out the main drawing to my desktop, rename it, then go into each xref, turn on all the layers, clipboard them, and paste into the main drawing. Usually the people asking for the CAD file only want the design and don't realize what a CAD file is composed of.
[flash width=560 height=315]//www.youtube.com/v/Bu5S5K8fiHE?hl=en_US&version=3[/flash]
Dan, I'm assuming you're using Autocad. In Acad 2005 (which I'm using) if, as Sir Veysalot says I need to send a straightforward single CAD file, I make a copy of the plot file then go into Xref manager (under the insert tab), highlight all the xrefs and then 'bind' which makes them into blocks in the drawing. That way I have a copy of what gets sent. Save it with the filename including the word 'bound' and the date.
Yes, it's simpele and you're in control of every file that's in your dwg.
We use it daily.
Chr.
Yes, it's very simple and it even includes line type files and plot configuration files as well. I wouldn't do it any other way.
Gregg
Some of my clients want my cad files and I send them the xreferences as they want or need. I do NOT include my digital PE or PLS xrefs as that would violate code of conduct.
For those users that don't fully understand the xref process, I bind all the xrefs as an attachment into the individual drawing files. This leads to large drawing file sizes, but for those surveyors that do not understand the xref methods, this is much easier for them to work with and plot.
For some clients, if I send .pdf files, I do not create them with AutoCAD. I print with cutepdf so the only output is the raster image. Depending on who the client is, I scale the drawing in the x/y dimensions to different scales (e.g. 1.0236 and 0.976) so they cannot be readily reconverted into .dwg files for use or MODIFICATION by others.
So, the answer is "it depends" for each client and their needs.
Have you tried binding the xrefs into the drawing ? it inserts the whole xref drawing into the currant drawing as a block.
You can then explode the bock if you want to edit or turn the layers on or off.
One draw back is that the layer names getting really long if you explode the block as the drawing file name gets prefixed to the layer name, which can be a pain if the drawing file name is a long one.
If you bind the drawings as attachments, the layer names remain the same as the design file.
Thanks! The video was helpful. I think that's the way I need to go with it. I like the option to uncheck certain attachments.
My state does not allow digital signatures or seals, so that part is not an issue for me. It's more just for plans being incorporated into other plan sets.
