Cad Tip Of The Day

Share Files With ETransmit

"In many cases, people from outside the office will attach AutoCAD files to an e-mail message. Unlike other file formats, much of the data within a DWG can be lost during this kind of transmission. This is such a common occurrence, in fact, that I have a document at the ready to reply to these e-mails asking for a file transmittal created with the eTransmit tool. Using eTransmit properly makes the procedure easy and straightforward, but while creating Transmittal setups, one must pay attention to the following settings: 

"In order (from the top down and reading left to right), these settings are as follows:

* Transmittal package type: ZIP Compressed or Files.

* File format: It's important to understand that this is the right place for 'downgrading' to older versions, while still keeping your files up-to-date and free of data loss.

* Annotative features appeared in 2008; older versions won't support it. Let the software take care of that keep 'Maintain visual fidelity for annotative objects' checked.

* Transmittal file folder: Browse for a preselected location.

* Transmittal file name: Simple — check it out.

* Path options: I'll always prefer the 'Place all files in one folder' radio button (as shown in the screenshot above) so if the main file is opened from within the folder created by extracting the ZIP file, AutoCAD will easily find the attached files, font files as defined within styles, plot styles, etc., making it easier for your interactor to deal with the stuff you sent.

* In the upper-right corner, checking the 'Set default plotter to none' box will cause the files sent to forget their configurations for plotters that most likely won't be found in your interactor's office.

* I won't consider the 'Bind external references' option unless somebody convinces me otherwise, but it's always possible to do it at the location where the transmittal is received.

* Purge drawings: This is nice to have, but I prefer to have my files clean before being transmitted.

* Include options: This is simple; fonts is a must-have, and the others depend mostly on their existence. After you save your eTransmittal setup, you might consider the creation of several setups that meet different needs."