Archetype PlotStation

Archetype PlotStation is a companion to the Archetype Design Office Management suite. It allows the production of PDF, DWF, DXF and Bound copies of Autocad drawing files to be created by another computer on the network. It is fully integrated with the Archetype Drawing Manager and can be used when issuing drawings or when creating drawing file conversions.

Description

When issuing drawings the issue options allow the selection of PDF, DWF and/or bound copies to be created. These can be used to issue the drawings but are also used to maintain a set of files of previous revisions of the drawings.
PDF, DWF, DXF and bound copies of files can also be created on demand using the Conversions menu which allows any number of drawings to be selected.
If the PlotStation option is selected, the creation of the drawing files is off loaded to another computer/server (the PlotStation computer).

Process

Archetype Drawing Manager creates files (batch files) which specify the drawings to be converted and the formats required. The PlotStation computer listens for the files and processes them. The required files are produced and stored in the usual locations. An alert is then sent to the user to inform them that the files have been created. A zip file with the files in is also created and added to the users clip file list.

Example

A number of drawings are selected for issue and the PDF issue option is selected. When the Print and Process files button is selected the plot batch files is created. This takes a few seconds and the user can then continue to work. The  PlotStation receives the file, opens Autocad, selects the required layout (if any), saves the files in the desired formats, adds the files to a zip file and then alerts the user that the operation is complete.

Requirements

The PlotStation computer must have Archetype installed but a user license is not required. A full copy of Autocad must be installed (not Autocad LT), any version is sufficient. The PDFcreator printer (supplied with Archetype) must also be installed.
Archetype PlotStation must be left running on the computer so that it can process the batch files as it locates them.

Advantages

   1. File conversions and bound copies can be created on any computer running Archetype without Autocad being installed.
   2. Works with Autocad LT or any version of Autocad on the workstations.
   3. Off loads the plotting thus freeing up the computers for other tasks while the files are produced.