Is there a batch convert utility that will create previews of the files?

Hi all,

I noticed that dwgs saved in the newer autocad formats include previews of
the file which is useful when inserting blocks or opening drawings. Is the
a program that will take all the older format files and save them with a
preview of the dwg contents zoomed to extents. I have tried the autocad
batch conversion migration tool and all it does is convert the file format,
I still have to open each one individually and zoon extents and save it to
get this little preview - I have a lot of older blocks which would be very
tedious if I did these steps for each dwg!

Thanks.

 

You could do this with a script.

 

Try RESAVE.LSP from
http://www.turvill.com/t2/free_stuff

You'll also need DosLib, available from
http://www.mcneel.com
___

 

If you have AutoCAD 2004 or 2005 and all you want is to insert the dwgs as
blocks, right click on a folder in the Design Center, and pick "Create Tool
Palette of Blocks". It will create a palette of all dwgs in the folder with
a block icon for each one. The block icons are kept separate from the dwgs.
If you want previews in the dwg files, you need to open and save them.

 

Wow !! that's exactly what I'm looking for - thank so much, I still haven't
really used many of the new features yet - but this is a great one!

Now where are these icons stored - how can I transfer these to another
computer - or do I have to create tool palettes for each of them?

Thanks

 

In ACAD 2004, palette images are kept in:

C:\Documents and Settings\User Name\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD
2004\R16.0\enu\Support\ToolPalette\Palettes\Images\

Palette descriptions are in the Palettes folder. You can export and import
palettes with the Import & Export options on the customize dialog. You can
have only one palette set at a time, but changing the path for them will
make different sets available.