Updating intranet drawings automatically. 2

[knobhead]

Here, when a planning brochure is finished, we have a 'sketch planning' meeting to discuss the manufacturing method used and to generally pick holes in each others work. However, not everyone who attends these meetings has access to our .dwg files. They don't have (and are not allowed) access to the planning folders on the network. This means that we have to print out an entire planning brochure, several times, just to distribute it to everyone who needs to see it. This is not ideal, cos we have lots of copies of uncontrolled planning everywhere, and it's time consuming and a waste of paper.

What we'd like to do, is create a 'planning page' on the companies intranet. Acad has that handy wizard for making web pages, and everyone can see our work without messing about with viewers (we've tried viewers and the non-cad people just can't get there head round it. <sigh>) or anything scary.
Now, finally, to the question. With a work-in-progress, there are many changes to a planning sheet taking place constantly. Is there a easy way, (without using LISP; most of us use LT) to automatically update the .dwf version of the drawing held on the intranet everytime the .dwg version held in the planning folder is changed?

 

[RivieraCadMan]

Sure, I use a program call Whip-n-Post that was designed just for this purpose. Tell it which directory to alter the files in and your set. The program is free unless you want one of the versions with more features.

Here's the web site

http://www.docu-point.com/downloads.htm

 

[cadkid]

You could use a script file instead of a lisp routine. Then create button for your toolbar to activate the script.
in case you are not familiar with script files here is a brief explanation. Script files are written in an ascii text editor like note pad in a simple to understand fashion and, they work with acadlt.
You simply open the text editor an enter comands just as if you were writing them at the command prompt. A hard return is equivelent to hitting the enter key. Since dwf files are created through the plot command you will have to use -plot to get rid of the dialog box. Script files do not work with dialog boxes, at least I have been unsuccessful doing it.
you will probably have to perform the physical act in autocad to mimic the answers name the script file with a .scr extension and save it in a preffered location.
next create a custom button an assing it with the commands to start the script file.
here is an exmample that I use. for plotting my drawings.

-PLOT
y

E-Size
Arch expand E (36.00 x 48.00 inches)
I
L
N
E
1:1
4.0,0
y
monochrome.ctb
y
n
n
n
n
n
y

and here is the script for the button

^C^Cscript;C:/script/plot-E.scr;

Hope this helps

 

[knobhead]

Like the whip n post thingy, we'll give that a spin. Thanks!
We tried scripts, but the path to the drawings changes for each brocure, so we'd have to edit the macro each time. Thanks for all the help though, appreciate it!

 

[Striker]

Here is a thought.....
Install VoloView on all of the systems, set up a read only path on the server to the dwg project folder, Voloview will open a DWG in IE and allow the user to view, print, and toggle layer status, all without actually changing the drawing.

 

[knobhead]

Yeah, we tried volo view. Nightmare: Even if we managed to persuade non-engineers, (and even some engineers) to install it, they didn't understand how to work it. (or wouldn't try, and just asked for a paper copy instead.)