Plotting all layouts with layer state restored for each

I am using AutoCAD 2002 and working with a single drawing file that has about 20 different layouts, each one created for a specific portion of the project. For each specific layout, I have created a unique layer state name that turns on and off layers needed for that particular layout.

As reprinting all 20 layouts each and every time we have a design change gets old...

Can anyone tell me if there is a utility that will print all the layouts in this drawing, recalling and using the unique layer state created for each layout? Ideally, we would like to be able to "batch plot" as described and end up with 1 multi-page PDF file.

Any ideas would be much appreciated,
Pete

 

You're doing it incorrectly. You need to set up each viewport in your
layouts to display only the layers you need in that view. This is done with
the VPLAYER command, and once done correctly, you can simply thaw and turn
on all layers globally and plot away.
___

in this drawing, recalling and using the unique layer state created for each
layout? Ideally, we would like to be able to "batch plot" as described and
end up with 1 multi-page PDF file.

 

Paul: Why would you tell someone that they are "doing it incorrectly"?
Surely you know there are always many ways to accomplish a given goal in
AutoCAD. I've used layer manager to work with drawings in the way that the
writer describes and it is cumbersome. But viewport control is limited to
on/off and freeze/thaw. What should one do to get linework to appear with
different lineweights, linestyles, plotted colors? Layer manager states
provide a way for a single vector object to plot in a mutitude of ways that
viewport management can't match. Maybe someday Autodesk will develop a way
to control all plotting characteristics by viewport control. Even then,
there will be no inherently incorrect way of doing anything. Whatever works
for the user is the correct way.

 

OK. That makes sense. The one issue I see is that we use and print a particular layer in multiple layouts. In some layouts, "layer A" is green, which would then print dark according to our *.ctb table. In other layouts, that same "layer A" would be orange, "orange" being a color that would plot light gray, again according to the same ctb table.

So, in other words, I don't see how the method you describe will allow us to both:
-turn off an on a layer AND
-change the color, and in turn the appearance on the final plot

 

You're right. A layer can have only one color. To do what you want, you'll
have to duplicate the "green" layer (with its objects) as an "orange" layer,
and use the appropriate layer in the corresponding layout(s).
___

particular layer in multiple layouts. In some layouts, "layer A" is green,
which would then print dark according to our *.ctb table. In other layouts,
that same "layer A" would be orange, "orange" being a color that would plot
light gray, again according to the same ctb table.

 

Your idea will work, but I think it will be too cumbersome duplicating layers, especially if any of the linework needs changing on the "source" layer. I don't mean to sound too lazy but the final design changes always seem to come down about 5 minutes before we need them plotted so I'm looking for a cleaner method of plotting. I've never done any LISP programming but maybe that's the answer here, after all, I'm only trying to combine 2 operations that AutoCAD already does (recall a layer state, then plot, move to next layout, repeat...). Does this seem like the way to go?

 

Hi,

It's a little cumbersome initially, but setting up a SCRIPT file to do this
is a simple way to start. I write a separate script for each layout.

Here's a script I've done which does this for me on one of the more complex
drawing layouts, since a VBA plotting utility I wrote isn't flexible enough
for the layer states (well yet):

CMDDIA
0
FILEDIA
0
-LAYOUT
SET
"Areas of Use @ 1000"
-XREF
UNLOAD
"FIG 4-8-1 Habitat Map v4"
-XREF
UNLOAD
AerialPhoto
-XREF
UNLOAD
HabitatLegend
-XREF
RELOAD
ExSiteLocations
-XREF
RELOAD
ExSiteLegend
-XREF
RELOAD
PlantableAcreage
-LAYER
State
Restore
AreasOfUse_09.10.04


CMDDIA
1
FILEDIA
1

 

Paul,

If you will match your layer state names to the layouts, its pretty simple
to coordinate the two.
I have an example file (which I'll send to you) which shows this working.
Just Email me if your interested.

My work on this is part of a "larger software project" that I'm getting
ready to release. In my application, you manage all Autocad layer states
from Excel (import and export to Autocad, automatically) and by using auto
generated menus in Autocad, can insure all layouts plot correctly
(visibilty, line type, color, etc, by all people working on the project.

Jim Simon

 

Happen to see this post, and have a VERY strong aggreance to your methods.
We "still" use CTB's, and not STB's as a measure of plotting preference.
The power of layer states and the Plotting in a script fashion seams to be
an issue
with many people.

Just curious is you ever found an ideal solution, yet even as a LISP, your
layer
state names would be "project/drawing" dependent, and require set up on
every
batch plotting your constructing, if im right.

We always liked named Views as well, that some layouts are not JUST one
sheet,
but multiple sheets, and provide the ability to recall a named view in the
script process,
so this could be an X-ref for multiple sheets/views/etc.

The 2005 sheet set manager works to address ALOT of this, as we are going
from
2002based to 05.

layers, especially if any of the linework needs changing on the "source"
layer. I don't mean to sound too lazy but the final design changes always
seem to come down about 5 minutes before we need them plotted so I'm looking
for a cleaner method of plotting. I've never done any LISP programming but
maybe that's the answer here, after all, I'm only trying to combine 2
operations that AutoCAD already does (recall a layer state, then plot, move
to next layout, repeat...). Does this seem like the way to go?