Batch PLOT - Creates and runs a script file on one
or a multitude of drawings. The drawings can be from different directories
or even from different drives. Script may optionally exclude plotting instructions.
This allows the creation of a batch script for any purpose.
The plotter list is constructed from *.ppf files
(plotter parameter files) found in AutoCAD's search paths by the program.
At least one *.ppf file is required. See the instructions for creating a
PPF file below.
Browse in directories and select drawings to include
in the batch. Wildcard entries in the "Key-in selection" edit
box or use the "Select all" button.
The "Scale" selection:
Operates in conjunction with dimscale in each drawing. Dimscale=0 is
read as 1:1
Fit will fit the specified area (limits or extents) onto a 24"x36"
plot.
The "Options" toggles:
Hide lines - Pspace hidden line removal.
Save now - Save the current drawing before running the script.
Quit last - Quit AutoCAD when the batch is complete.
Output is directed to either the plotter or to files.
Any valid custom script can be entered in the preplot
or postplot lines provided. If a large amount of script is needed it can
be saved in a separate script file and called using a special format on
the lines provided. To call an external script to be added before or after
a plot for each drawing, type all in lowercase and without the quotes or
brackets:
"filename <script filename including extension>"
Check the "Script only" box to eliminate
all plot related script entry.
How to create a PPF file:
PPF files are text files containing the specific
script input required for a given plotter. They contain two or three lines
depending upon the required entry.
The first line contains all of the input required
after "PLOT" and "Limits" or "Extents" and
before "Write the plot to a file?". The answer to "Write
the plot to a file?" is automatically provided.
The second line contains all of the input required
following this and preceding: "Enter the Size or <width>,<height>";
"Rotate plot clockwise 0/90/180/270 degrees"; and, "Remove
hidden lines?" All answers to these are automatically provided.
The third line contains all of the input required
(if any) following "Remove hidden lines?"
Every entry must be separated by a space and make
sure no space is at the end of a line.
The best method to determine these for any plotter
is to cause AutoCAD to step through plotting at the command line. This
is done by entering (COMMAND ".PLOT") at the command line. Write
down every question and the response that you want bplot to give. Always
begin with option 5, detailed plot configuration.
BPLOT can be configured for any plotter in this manner.
BSTR
Optionally:
Break a string of text: Delete left end of text to put it above; Delete
right end of text to put it below; or
Add a line of text above or below the selected text.
CLBL
Contour elevation labeling tool. Reads contour elevation
and formats text and places it on the contour. Use HDTEXT to hide contour
under the label.
CPL
Copy entities from xrefs into the current drawing.
For example, survey text is often rotated or upside down and not the desired
height. Rather than retyping to annotate a sheet, copy it using CPL and
use the text tools (pop-up menu) to modify height, rotation, and alignment.
DTXT
Customized DTEXT routine. Automatically sets layers
and colors based on user specified text height.
ED
Edit anything that appears to be text, attributes
in blocks, dimensions, and text. Text that is within a block cannot be edited
unless the block is exploded.
GPDGN
GSTR
Glue STRing Join multiple strings of text.
All adopt properties of first string.
HDCMUD
Creates 3Dfaces under the CMUD title block. This
feature is used in conjunction with Hideplot to automatically blank out
the drawing under the title block when plotted. Use VSTAT
to check and set the status of Hideplot in viewports.
3Dfaces cannot be seen unless the AutoCAD variable
SPLFRAME is on (1). Note: This variable is
primarily used to enable or disable display of spline frames. Leaving it
on could produce undesirable results if the drawing contains splines. The
commands SON and
SOF will turn
NPLT layers on and off respectively. Frozen layers will not be processed
by hidden line removal (hideplot on). Do not freeze NPLT layers. Use EHDT
to erase all HDTEXT 3Dfaces.
HDTEXT
Creates 3Dfaces under all or selected text in the specified space and optionally
creates 3Dfaces under all or selected text in dimension entities also. This
feature is used in conjunction with Hideplot to automatically blank out
the drawing under text when it is plotted. Use VSTAT
to check and set the status of Hideplot in viewports.
3Dfaces are placed on layers matching the text layers but with NPLTHS added
to the layer name. 3Dfaces cannot be seen unless the
AutoCAD variable SPLFRAME is on (1). Note: This variable is primarily
used to enable or disable display of spline frames. Leaving it on could
produce undesirable results if the drawing contains splines. The commands
SON and SOF will
turn NPLT layers on and off respectively. Frozen layers will not be processed
by hidden line removal (hideplot on). Do not freeze NPLT layers. Use EHDT
to erase all HDTEXT 3Dfaces.
ISOVP
ISOlate ViewPort layers Uses vplayer and the custom view number to
freeze in the current viewport all layers created for other viewports.
LT
Places a standard arrowhead (LT=line terminator) at the nearest end of a
line or heavy polyline.
MGN
Places CMUD north arrow. Reads viewport scale to determine symbol scale.
MLT
Multi-line text and leader. Automatically incorporates the custom view number
into text and leader layers.
NINT
Modifies integers and real numbers. Add, subtract and/or change decimal
precision. Operates on the first number in a text string (subsequent numbers
are unchanged). When decimal precision is increased zeros are added. When
decimal precision is decreased the original number is rounded.
NN
Modifies station numbers (numbers with "+" in them). Add, subtract
and/or change decimal precision. Operates on the first station in a text
string (subsequent stations are unchanged). When decimal precision is increased
zeros are added. When decimal precision is decreased the original station
is rounded.
PROJ
Available Project Listing Project Access Dialog. Use PROJ to locate
projects, explore project folders, and open project drawings.
PROPNO
Use INSERT to place this property number symbol (block). Contains attribute
for property number and 3DFace to hide lines under symbol.
QSAVE
Stamp, Index, Save and Backup drawing. This function is critical to the
operation of several other custom tools that rely on the index file it creates
and maintains through CDMNDX
.
REATTR
Copy multiple attributes and text from blocks in xrefs, e.g. property labels.
Realigns notes vertically and horizontally either under the first string
or in a new location.
REMLT
Move or copy multi-line text and leaders. Optionally adds northing and easting
below existing text. Automatically incorporates the custom view number into
text and leader layers.
RENOTE
Realigns notes vertically and horizontally either under the first string
or in a new location. All text adopts the properties of the first string.
RRECT
Places CMUD standard box around TBM notes. Puts 3DFace under it to hide
lines. Select the middle line of the standard 3-line TBM note.
RRTXT
Standardizes text rotation to CDM standard rotation angle break point of
17 degrees past vertical. Accounts for dview twist when reading text angles.
RXRLAY
Restore saved layer ON, OFF, FREEZE, THAW settings to current drawing. Layer
settings must have been saved using XRLAYERS
. These two tools preserve and quickly restore the significant effort of
setting layer properties. RXRLAY can be used with BPLOT
to transfer layer settings to all P&P sheets of a project.
SHTBND
Generates rectangles of all viewports of every sheet in the project and
sheet number text in the center of the rectangle. Typical uses: create layout
sheets, key maps or location maps; display viewport boundaries for edits
to xref'd profiles. Use ESBND to erase all
such rectangles and text. Requires CDMNDX.TXT created and maintained by
custom QSAVE using CDMNDX
TNOTE
Typical Notes catalog and placement tool. Typical notes, multi-line formatting,
and bubble with fill-in information are all stored here for rapid recall
and placement.
ULBL
Line labeling tool for plan views. Reads line layer, formats text and places
it on the utility line. Use HDTEXT
to hide lines under the label.
USTAEL
Automatically position a profile in a viewport and update station and elevation
text. Requires block with station and elevation attributes. Block is CPP40SPL
(for multiples of 1:20 scale) or CPP50SPL (for remaining multiples of 1:10
scale). Snap lower left viewport corner to grid index line intersection.
Snap right viewport boundary to a vertical grid index line. Left and right
viewport boundaries are match lines if necessary.
VIEWSHT
Zooms to the specified view of any sheet, including the dview twist, while
in any drawing. Great for finding any sheet's viewport area while in an
Xref associated with it. Requires CDMNDX.TXT created and maintained by custom
QSAVE using CDMNDX
VSTAT
Reports current viewport status of: Hideplot; Scale (zoom factor); Viewtwist
(Dview); and Layer name. Prompts to keep hideplot on, but it can be turned
off.
XO1
Xref overlay macro. Overlays the specified xref at insertion point (0,0,0),
rotation angle=0, and scale=1.
XRLAYERS
Save layer ON, OFF, FREEZE, THAW settings of current drawing. Layer settings
can be restored using RXRLAY
. These two tools preserve and quickly restore the significant effort of
setting layer properties. RXRLAY
can be used with BPLOT to
transfer layer settings to all P&P sheets of a project.
XRSWAP
Xref edit tool. Use this when entities in an xref must be edited. Select
an entity in the xref to open. XRSWAP offers to save the current drawing,
opens the xref to edit, and zooms the view to match the original drawing.
Use XRSWAP again when the edits are complete to automatically go back to
the original drawing.
GPDGN Command-Line
functions
Most of GPDGN's features are utilized from within its multi-level
dialog interface. The following features are custom commands available within
AutoCAD if GPDGN has been loaded.
Design Element - Plan Tools
SYMSTA
(GPDGN) Inserts the specified block at
the specified station.
VIEWPT
(GPDGN) Brings the specified data point
to view center via ZOOM CENTER.
VIEWSTA
(GPDGN) Brings the specified plan station
to view center via ZOOM CENTER.
Design Element - Profile Tools
CASEPIPE
(GPDGN) Creates casing pipe in plan or
profile view. Also used to create anti-seep collars.
CASESPACE
(GPDGN) Automatically increments anti-seep
collar stations by specified amount for rapid multiple entry. Otherwise
set to 0.
FRAGALN
(GPDGN) Fragments (inserts points in) lines
longer than specified distance. Use to prep pressure pipelines to follow
grade in parametric design.
PRTAG
(GPDGN) Annotate plan features in profile
by station key-in or pick in plan.
VIEWPR
(GPDGN) Brings the specified profile station
to view center via ZOOM CENTER.
Sheet Element - Plan Tools
MLGEN
(GPDGN) Creates match line text and a 3DFACE
at the specified station. Specify Left or Right, (the match lines are
drawn as part of the alignment using GPDGN's Match Line feature and the
DRAW button).
STALBL
(GPDGN) Add/Replace station labels along
alignment.
Design Tools
ALNDMP
(GPDGN) Dumps the alignment data to the
text screen.
ALNID
(GPDGN) Displays the current alignment
name at the command line.
DEPTHS
(GPDGN) Calculates and writes trench depths,
lengths and a summary to files:
<align filename>.tdf = table; and
<align filename>.txt = summary
DUPFIX
(GPDGN) Removes duplicate manhole data
from the current alignment.
GETSTA
(GPDGN) Displays station and offset of
the point. Points near data points and not perpendicular to the alignment
display data point station and distance.
HINTS
(GPDGN) List of commands within GPDGN.
IDMATCH
(GPDGN) Display a text screen listing of
Seq#, Sta and ID of points with matching IDs.
INITGPDGN
(GPDGN) Reinitializes GPDGN, **WARNING**
wipes the current alignment from memory. Has no effect on alignment files
saved to a drive.
MLINCR
(GPDGN) Set default increment for Match
Line Stations - Global Edits.
SEQMH
(GPDGN) Resequence manhole ID numbers (replaces
previous ID's, uses range settings).
SWPALN
(GPDGN) Swaps the current alignment data
with the previously loaded alignment.
ZZERO
(GPDGN) Adds Z coordinate of zero or sets
Z coordinate to zero (save fails if Z=0 is not present).
Project Constants
Project Constants are those informational items in a title block that are
the same for every sheet in a document set. They are to be put in the project
title block drawing which is xref'd to each sheet. This guarantees consistency
and ease of editing regardless of the total number of sheets in the project.
One line text labels
These individual labels are best handled as a group. They can all be copied
from the xref using CPL and modified together after they are all copied.
Make their justification Middle Center, then adjust their height and rotation
globally using text tools (pop-up menu)