Big plotting mess. . .

[kraynek]

I don't think my computer likes me very much. I'm thinking about turning it off, taking it apart, and setting it outside my cubicle to teach it a lesson.

Anyway, here's my problem:

I'm making a CDI (basically a form used to check mechanical stuff) in word. I'm trying to idiot-proof it (don't tell the shop guys this) by adding drawings to it. I've been pasting the drawings directly from autocad, and they look awful. The circles have the polygon look, and there is no difference in line weight. My solution for this was to plot to file (pdf), and use that in word. Word, however, doesn't show the picture, only an adobe icon. I've also tried opening in visio, pasting into visio, pasting from visio, pasting from adobe, and slapping the computer. Does anyone know of another way to get decent looking drawings into word? Is there a way to plot to .jpg, .gif or .bmp?

 

[butelja]

Try using the "paste special" option in Word and pasting the object as a "Picture" type graphic. This works much better than .bmp or .wmf file.

 

[kraynek]

just tried that. . .the picture looks considerably better (the circles are actually round), but there is still no differentiation in line weight.

any other ideas?

 

[shadow]

Try setting up a jpg printer its considerably better than bmp and the files are not as big unless of course you are using pre 2000 then dont bother trying this also you might try one of the screen capture programs and do it that way if everyone helps everybody the world will be a better place

 

[kraynek]

i guess i should have included which version i'm using. . .it's LT 2000

 

[Rich2001]

Plot the drawings as DWF files, (ePlot). Install WHIP or VoloViewer on your system and the paste the dwf files into your word document. I use it to input CAD drawings on webpages.

Both Whip and VoloViewer are free downloads from the AutoDesk website.

Rich

 

[kraynek]

how does one plot as DWF?

 

[Rich2001]

eplot info

DWF removes the nonvisual components of a drawing, such as attributes, properties, and complex object behavior. The format is an electronic plot that is view only, so that no matter how many people access the document, the integrity of the design is preserved. (ACAD website)


To E-PLOT File
Plot
set Plot Device to DWF eplot

A trick, that comes in handy is to set all Lineweights – don’t use the default.


Whip download site if you don’t have it.

http://www3.autodesk.com/adsk/section/0,,163301-123112,00.html

Rich

 

[kraynek]

thanks for the help, but i have one more question. . .when i go to install eplot, it tells me that the heidi file is not loadable. how would i remedy this situation?

 

[IJR]

Thank to Shadow and Rich 2001 from whom I learned a lot, here is something extra you might want to consider.

I can PRINT any window to a JPEG, TIFF format and print from window explorer the resulting neat JPG or TIF file.

Configure the print manager to add these print to file drivers and see the amazing stuff you get. Life has been so easy with me ever since Shadow and Rich2001 showed me. Autocad apparently let you set up these drivers. I can select a window within PLOT and assign JPEG plotter to print a Jpg file consisting of only that window, pens assigned to colors and thickness as usual with any plotter and wow I have a file in .jpg extension with all stuff in it, ready to print in any window explorer or paint stuff.

sorry man if this doesnt make sense cause I am a bit tired, but no harm believing in or pursuing what I have typed in here.

regs
IJR

 

[Rich2001]

Make sure that the heidi.dll file located in the system directory of windows. Check AutoCad's HELP.

Sometimes restarting the system after installing new software, even if not required by the new software, will solve your problem.