CADplot Features

CADplot

CADplot Features

For an overview of CADplot, see the following movies:

CADplot features are described below:

Remote plotting: Any PC on the network can create fast accurate AutoCAD plots without needing AutoCAD.

Direct PDF output: Creates Adobe Acrobat PDF files direct. No need to buy the Acrobat writer or distiller.

Preview plots: Each client can preview the plots before creating them to ensure that they will fit on the paper. In the example the blue rectangle is the area you selected whilst the white rectangle is the paper size you selected and hence what will be printed.

Increased productivity: AutoCAD users can delegate plot tasks to a CADplot Server, freeing their machine for more productive work, anyone can batch plot any number of drawings.

Switch on and go: CADplot Server includes default configurations allowing you to produce HPGL/2, DWF and PDF output straight out of the box without any configuration. Adding your own printers and plotters to CADplot Server is easy too.

Get the big picture: CADplot Server integrates with Columbus, allowing Columbus to display a preview, full view and drawing title block data listing for each plot. This data also integrates with Columbus' File Issue allowing you to create plot transmittals without having to retype any data.

Free clients: Unlike other plot server offerings that charge for each client, with CADplot Server you only pay for the server no matter how many client machines you have.

Plot anywhere: CADplot Server can act as a server to any machine on the network, whether it be in a site office, a regional office or in another country. Similarly, it can plot to any device on the network, allowing your office in New York to plot direct to your on-site plotter in Hong Kong. This control also applies to plot file creation, allowing you to create issue plots directly onto a remote server. These configurations can be set for each project, so all your staff need to know is whether they want a check plot or an issue plot.

Scalable: CADplot Server is only limited by the speed of AutoCAD and your hardware. If you need even more speed, further CADplot Servers can be added with ease.

Plot logging: CADplot Server logs over 50 different data parameters for each plot including Job Number, drawing number, user login, machine ID, plotter, plot language, paper metrics etc. These are processed via XML into any database using your own schema, providing a powerful way to report on plotting activities.

Adapts to your organisation: With CADplot Server you can organise your plotters by location, team, plotter type, indeed any organisational structure. And once you have defined a set of plotters you can determine whether they are available to the whole organisation, an office unit or a project team. CADplot Server provides the ideal tool to centralise the organisation and configuration of plotting.

Customisable: CADplot Server is highly configurable through both its user interface and its configuration files. It can even run AutoLISP and AutoCAD script routines before and/or after each plot, providing complete control of the output. Indeed, CADplot Server's ability to create PDF's is simply one use of this capability.

Monitor progress: Both the client and the server provide visual feedback on progress. The server also provides performance data showing the number of plots it has processed and its average number per hour.

Conserve paper: CADplot Server ensures that every plot comes out right each time. No more wasted paper. Plot preview allows you to check that the image fits the paper.

Uniquely identify plots: CADplot Server can add a guaranteed unique plot ID number to edge of each print. This number can then be referenced in your transmittal notes.

Full AutoCAD support: Whether you prefer to plot using the System Printer, PC3, PMP, STB, CTB or any valid combination, CADplot Server is the tool for you.

Data extraction and utilisation: CADplot Server identifies a huge list of key variables from each drawing. It then exposes these for us in your pre-plot and post plot programs allowing you to control the output based on data about the drawing, job, machine or user. For instance you can easily configure CADplot Server to create plot files that are named based on the drawing number and revision.

Auto-sizing: CADplot Server can automatically reduce line-weights as you reduce the output paper size.

Off-site Use: Use CADplot Server to enable site offices that don't have AutoCAD to plot. All you need in the site cabin is a PC, a printer and a connection to the main office. CADplot Server requests are sent to the main office for processing by CADplot Server, and the output is directed to the printer in the site cabin.