Do you need to send DWG files?

In a recent Blog Post HERE, we offered tips and methods of sharing DWG files with others: clients, customers, vendors and contractors among others. But is sending a DWG file necessary?  AutoCAD/LT offeres many commands that create other formats from DWG files (see Export Options), and many recipients may prefer these over a DWG file.

The most common file exchange format in the world is PDF: it's universal, everyone has a free reader installed, and it's easy to view and print. If that's all the functionality your recipient needs, it's the perfect format for them. And you can create the PDF file by using the commands PLOT, PUBLISH, EXPORT or EXPORTPDF from inside AutoCAD/LT.
What if your recipient needs to markup your PDF or add comments? Most PCs are not equipped with such apps, and while a few free PDF Tools exist, they are very basic and do not have many features.

Created by Autodesk, another exchange format has existed for a while and gaining in popularity: DWF (and the Vista/Windows7 friendly DWFx). With the free Autodesk Design Review software, your recipient can not only view your files, but they can add comments, measure distances, and draw over your DWF file to communicate their changes. They can send the file back to you, you can the reference the file and the makups in AutoCAD/LT and edit your file accordingly. If they don't need markup, send DWFx files instead and any Windows Vista or Windows 7 user can view your file with no additional software to install.
Not sure what Windows version they have? All the recipient needs is an internet connection and a link to the Autodesk FREEWHEEL website to open, view and print any DWF file you send.
Or you can upgrade, for free, to the newly announced PROJECT QUICKSHARE: it ts the power in your hands to quickly share design files from anywhere at any time for free. Explore DWF files in real-time using a highly interactive online viewer: View 2D and 3D Design Files Online - Navigate multi-sheet documents, examine properties, hide layers, or review Mark-Up.

What if you need to maintain control of the markups and who accesses the files? And a history of the various comments made by others? AutoCADWS, and internet online secure viewing and reviewing from Autodesk is one solution that works. Pick up a free account HERE, start upload your files from inside AutoCAD/LT 2012 (if you are in a lower AutoCAD version you can do the same from any web browser), invite your clients/consultants, collaborate and markup live and together on the file(s), and save them in the DWG files for access back in AutoCAD/LT. The best thing about AutoCADWS is you  and your recipients do not need to be Windows users: any OS with Web Access, even a smart Phone with the free AutoCAD WS app for iPad, iPhone or Droid phone/Tablet. Explore more desktop customizations HERE.

Sharing files is easier than ever: communicate with your recipient and ask what they prefer to receive and accommodate them the best you can with these free tools. ◦

Do you need to send DWG files?

Tweets this week: Trial, macro tip, and links

Below is a summary of topics we covered this week on Twitter. This week we cover Object Properties controls, new commands tips and customization help.

• All of our Twitter Posts can be found on our blog site here: http://ow.ly/1ttEXS Explore additional AutoCAD/LT topics http://ow.ly/1ugADt
• LT2012 feature: VPLAYER and LAYER commands can freeze specific layers in all viewports except the current viewport you are in.
• F2 keyboard key toggles the AutoCAD Text Window on/off: you can also use TEXTSCR and GRAPHSCR commands to do the same in custom macros.
• LTisACAD Blog: How do you share DWG files? http://dlvr.it/YGl7L
• ReTweet ASimoes76 AutoCAD LT 2012: Online Trial Is Available, CAD Notes (Blog) http://bit.ly/ln1xzQ
• Control new to-be-drawn object properties w/ the variables CELTSCALE, CLAYER, CECOLOR, CELTYPE, CELWEIGHT, CETRANSPARENCY, and CPLOTSTYLE.
• Using FROM while in a command is very useful when you need to draw/place an object a distance FROM an existing point. http://ow.ly/1u838L

We post daily on the topic of AutoCAD/LT and features/abilities of interest to users: you can find us at http://twitter.com/LTisACAD Get Twitter updates via Text Message (SMS) by texting FOLLOW LTISACAD to 40404 in the United States. To stop SMS updates, simply text UNFOLLOW LTISACAD to the same number.

 

Catch a listing of all our twitter postings HERE: http://ltisacad.blogspot.com/search?q=tweets+this+week

 

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Tweets this week: Trial, macro tip, and links

How do you share DWG files?

One of the easiest and most common ways a typical AutoCAD/LT user shares files is by emailing their DWG file to a recipient. If there are any Referenced files (Xrefs), they are also dropped into the same email message and sent. The recipient, another experienced AutoCAD/LT user with a total understanding of your file structure and with all your custom fonts and shape files, drops each individual file in an identical folder to yours, including the Xrefs, and CAD-life is good for both of you.

The challenge of communicating your intent, file custom content (fonts, shape files etc.) and your filing structure for Xrefs to another user outside the above scenario, especially to a client/customer, needs to be more professionally presented, and more convenient for them (not you) to manage.
AutoCAD/LT can help with ETRANSMIT command: it packages a set of DWG files, and any associated support/dependent files like fonts, plot style tables, all referenced files etc., for transmission and distribution. The command has many features and options:

• Feature: the DWG file you are in is automatically selected.
• Feature: By default, dependent files are automatically included in the transmittal package unless you uncheck them. These include any attached DWG/ DGN/ DWF/ PDF/ DWFx/ Raster external references.
• Option: include other dependent files that are part of your DWG file(s), such as Font Files (SHX and TTF Windows fonts), custom Hatch patterns and linetypes, PMP Plotter model parameter files (used to store configuration information specific to a plotter such as custom paper sizes), OLE objects (linked files) that are linked to files in the drawing are not included in the transmittal package, and CTB/STB plot style tables.
• Option: Choose your final DWG format conversion here, without leaving the command.
• Option: Save Transmittal Setups for your project.
• Option: Package the transmittal package in a ZIP file, in a self-extracting EXE file, or in a folder that is copied to a specified location.
• Option: Specify that the folder structure of the transmitted files be organized in a logical hierarchy, flattened into a single folder, or copied “as is” to the recipient's computer. If you specify an FTP or HTTP destination, the transmittal package uses the single folder option.
• Option: Add password protection to the transmittal package, bind xrefs automatically, set the default plotter to “none,” and other options.
• Explore these and other procedures for ETRANSMIT command through this LINK.

How do you get the content you've just create through ETRANSMIT command? There is that easy-for-you Email attachment option, and assuming the recipient is capable of receiving that large a package, their email server is not set to block your attachment (or deem it Spam and drop it in the wrong folder), your client is expecting it, and confirms receipt of it in a timely fashion, is that the only method to ensure prompt and safe delivery? Explore more about this command HERE.

Online File Sharing is a popular solution: whether your company wishes to host the service on their servers, or an off-site third-party vendor (or your company's Internet Provider/WebHosting service), these offer as limited or as detailed set of features you want. Many allow you to send links to recipients to download the files, or have alerts sent directly to them from watched folders on your server or on remote servers.
FTP is the most popular form for this type of file sharing/delivery system. Many are FREE, others have monthly unlimited files or per-file-count charges and are hosted on secure remote servers. Autodesk, for a per-project price, offers a similar service called BUZZSAW and a free Technology Preview from their Labs, Project Nitrous.

Many popular free and low cost File Sharing services like WIKISEND, YOUSENDIT, BIGUPLOAD, 4SHARED (and MORE), as well as established more permanent online file sharing services like DROPBOX and BOX.net, offer more options including file syncing and even Mobile Device Access.

Options are plenty for sharing and sending files: explore them and create a professional experience for your recipients and clients wit these tools. ◦

How do you share DWG files?

Tweets this week: YouTube and reTweets

Below is a summary of topics we covered this week on Twitter. This week we cover LT resouces on YouTube and sharing files with others. 

• Do you customize in LT? OSMODE variable is a quick way to set running osnaps http://ow.ly/1u4WGb
• “@katemorrical: Block Editor Hotfix Posted http://t.co/KQq917Y ” for LT2012 users this is important.
• Create DWF quickly, from model or paperspace: EXPORTDWF command, no need to change any predefined PAGESETUPs that aim for another plotter.
• Join @Lynn_Allen today at 4pm EST for a Twitter chat on #AutoCADWS. Use #dellcad - http://autode.sk/jxDjOW
• LT2011 and higher: LAYERP command will Undo the last change or set of changes made to layer settings. Use LAYERPMODE to control the settings.
• LTisACAD Blog: More LT Resources: YouTube Videos http://dlvr.it/XLGSN
• RT @AutoCADLT: More ways to try AutoCAD LT 2012 http://bit.ly/lZBA8i
• Hatching and Transparency in AutoCAD (and LT) 2011 (and 2012 too) video tutorial: http://ow.ly/1tY8Qg
• RT @civil3dguide: Are you using fields in AutoCAD? If not attend my free online class this week to learn a couple of ways to use them!
• Do you share DWF files? Read DWF Markup Sets overviews online at http://ow.ly/1tWloS and http://ow.ly/1tWloR

We post daily on the topic of AutoCAD/LT and features/abilities of interest to users: you can find us at http://twitter.com/LTisACAD
Get Twitter updates via Text Message (SMS) by texting FOLLOW LTISACAD to 40404 in the United States. To stop SMS updates, simply text UNFOLLOW LTISACAD to the same number.

Catch a listing of all our twitter postings HERE: http://ltisacad.blogspot.com/search?q=tweets+this+week ◦

Tweets this week: YouTube and reTweets

More LT Resources: YouTube Videos

In addition to the AutoCAD LT Resources available to end users for support, training, and education outlined in our previous blog HERE, there is a growing number of excellent short LT-topic-specific training material found at YouTube.

LT2012, the newest shiping version, has amassed quite the collection of videos and continues to expand. From What's New through the new Array functionality, the offerings are quite plentiful and worth exploring in your own time. Start HERE.

LT2011 is equally represented, with a long list of DEMO videos and additonal topic-specific videos: your exploration starts HERE.

LT2010 and LT2009 specific videos are prolific, many of the topics are equally specific to these two versions and are great tools to help you understand what each version added from earlier iterations of LT. There are a few LT2008 videos and non-English LT2007 videos, an LT2006 tip, but LT versions below that are few and rare. But YouTube posting is free, if you are an LT user of these lower versions perhaps you could post tips and tricks for other fellow users. ◦

More LT Resources: YouTube Videos