Batch plotting pdf's

[kmurphy.107085]

Can anyone please give me a definite answer about plotting to pdf from Revit Structure? I have read several posts about flawless plotting from products such as Bluebeam, CutePDF, Acrobat etc, but I have yet to experience any plotting where say a batch of 100 sheets gets plotted without having to rename files or save the Revit model as another shorter filename?
Any information on this would be appreciated.

thanks

Ken

[rrijswijk104343]

Hi Ken,

I think you first have to install such a PDF writer (I use CutePDF).

Than, within Revit you have to change wirthin the Print Dialog the Print range to "Selected views/sheets". Select the Sheets (with the same format) and create a Sheet Set (named to Format eg)
Now, First sel;ect CutePDF for the printer
Within the Settings (press Setup button) create a special CutePDF printer settings.
After pressing the OK button the next thing is important
Select: Combine multiple selected views/sheets into a single file

Now press OK and give ONE file name
All the sheets are created within one PDF

Greetings Renzo

[Jshaver]

Typically we are asked to supply individual pdf files. I believe this is what Ken is asking. I am not aware of any pdf writers that work in such a way with Revit. You can always create the single pdf to avoid using the "save as" option for each sheet. The downside is if you have to extract the pages individually it still requires renaming.

[Tom Weir]

Hi,
Have you considered switching to DWF's instead? Hopefully that will be the coming trend.

Tom Weir
Los Angeles

[Fred Blome]

I've got another 2 step solution:

First step: Revit output using pdfFactory to batch plot to single file output. Within pdfFactory, you can then rearrange sheets to get the order correct either by cut/paste, or multi-step batch plot to same file. Save the file and name it whatever. (pdfFactory can batch output to individual files per sheet but you loose the ability to name/reorder.)
Get KIP Request software (http://www.kipamerica.com/software_downloads.asp). It has the ability to convert files to pdf, tiff, etc AND it will take a multipage pdf file and convert it automatically to individual pdf file per sheet, neatly numbered.
BTW, I've switched sending my files to my repro company as pdf to giving them tif files generated this way. I haven't seen a quality change and the files are smaller.

[david.kingham]

I've only found one program that can do batch pdfs that auto name individual pdfs, PDFCreator http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/ (http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/)

Go into options and turn on AutoSave and set it up like this
http://content.screencast.com/?parameters=afa5b15d-a93a-435d-856c-03487c5037ec_74b6a5ca-4527-498c-873f-0a7d31b8e9c7_static_0_0_image.png

This only works in Revit 2008

[Fred Blome]

Go into options and turn on AutoSave and set it up like this
http://content.screencast.com/?parameters=afa5b15d-a93a-435d-856c-03487c5037ec_74b6a5ca-4527-498c-873f-0a7d31b8e9c7_static_0_0_image.png
Ah, that helps.

I did a quick test comparing the 2 programs;

pdfFactory was quicker, producing smaller files (1/2 to 2/3 the size). It autonames but takes file name and adds a number starting with nothing, so second sheet is #1. I printed a sheet with shaded exterior elevations and found a few minor aberrations when zoomed in that didn't show up in pdfCreator's files.

pdfCreator did a much better job autonaming the pdf files, using the actual sheet number + sheet name.

I think pdfFactory is better for batch plotting to a single file, while pdfCreator is better at batch to individual files, ignoring possblie quality issues.

[Brockway]

Quick question: I have not had a chance to play with PDFCreator just yet but by looking at that screen capture...If I were to uncheck the box labelled "Use this directory for auto-save", would it then automatically place the files in the directory that Revit stipulates or just dump it in some random place?
I am desperately trying to develop something that seemlessly works exactly as Revit PDF Writer did so I can impact my group as little as possible. However, if I need to direct them to move the PDFs out of a directory into the project folder I will.
Thanks.

[david.kingham]

If you turn off the directory it will just go to My Documents, if you turn off auto save altogether then you have to specify where to save each pdf, which is a pain individually, if you combine them into one pdf it's not so bad. I found the auto save method to work the best for us.

[Brockway]

Alright, I know this has been discussed to the point of disgust BUT what is Autodesk and/or Revit's recomended solution for batch plotting? I mean, they include the remnants of the feature in the program as it stood with Revit PDF Writer. So, what do THEY say?

[Brockway]

One item of note:
To make PDFCreator act (seemingly exactly) like Revit PDF Writer acted you need to make the "Use this directory for auto-save" setting as shown instead of how David showed it. In David's method, it will always send to the same directory regardless of where you point it in Revit.
In this method shown, Revit can dictate the directory to which the PDF's are placed.

I've read through the License agreement and it appears to me that this thing is free but how can I confirm that it is not just for home use and I can use it at my office?

[david.kingham]

Nice Tip! I like the way that works much better.

As far as the cost, it is free for everyone to do anything, look in help under "Alladin free public license"

Distribution of the Program or any work based on the Program by a commercial organization to any third party is prohibited if any payment is made in connection with such distribution, whether directly (as in payment for a copy of the Program) or indirectly (as in payment for some service related to the Program, or payment for some product or service that includes a copy of the Program "without charge"