What is the best way to transmit autocad 2006 drawings with xrefs?

Question

I havbe a CAD package to send to a CAD-illiterate client. I need everything as user friendly as possible. eTransmit didnt set the paths correctly. Am I missing something?

Answer 1

there is an option in the transmittal setup that lets you put all xrefs in a single directory. that way you can just extract all your files to the same directory and it should work.

but if you are sending it to cad-illiterate that has autocad I recommend binding it or inserting it like a block. or do the pdf thing, if you dont have the means to create pdf's then do it in dwf, if they have autocad they should have a dwf viewer.

here is a free pdf creator:

http://www.cutepdf.com/

here is the latest dwf viewer:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/mform?id=8315020&siteID=123112&CMP=ILC-GN9219645015

good luck

Answer 2

If the xref is in the same directory as the drawing, the saved or relative path doesn't matter. Are you sure you included everything?

Regardless, If etransmit didn't work, PDF's are probably your best option. DWF's are smaller and the interface is more familiar for CAD users, but PDF's are better for the average joe.... By the way, WHIP is seriously outdated and the latest plugin is called DWF Viewer.

Binding all of the xrefs, so you are only sending a single file, is also an option.

Answer 3

Use Bind to attach the xref as a block. The xref functionality will no longer function, and the size of the drawing will increase by the size of the xref file.

Not very effiecient, but someone who does not use AutoCad can understand it.

Also you could publish into .dwf format and instruct your client to use the WHIP plugin. He/she will be able to view and print the .dwf file.

Answer 4

You can print the files to Adobe (.PDF format) if you are trying to send prints.

For models, try eDrawing. Your customer can download the viewer and spin your model in 3D.

AutoDesk.com also has a free viewer for Inventor and AutoCAD (which i am assuming by your "xrefs" comment).

I never send out base models - until the client pays for them.