PDF Script

[monday.scott]

Dear Printing Guru's,<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" />


I'll try this one more time.


Our company uses Adobe Acrobat 9 to generate drawings for the shop floor. The creation of the PDF's is time consuming to say the least. We are using Pro/E WF 4 and Intralink 3.4, running on Windows XP Pro. 64 Bit.


I have created a mapkey to automate the process as much as possible but I still need to manually input the offsets as shown below





View attachment 4686


I then select resume and my print dialog opens. I then have to select the adobe printer, select properties, set my sheet size, and select OK.


View attachment 4687


Is there a way to do ALL of this automatically? Say, with a script file, or a script utility? I've looked at Pro/Batch but keep getting an error stating that the file format is wrong. I've also looked at Ghostscript but can't really figure out how to get that to work.


I'm not a software expert so I have no idea how to generate a script file for this purpose.


Any help would be appreciated!

 

[dr_gallup]

I have printer configuration files set up just for making postscript files which we then send to Adobe distiller. The distiller watches an IN folder and converts everything that lands there to PDF in an OUT folder.

One macro makes sure that datums are turned off, resets the drawing zoom, calls the printer, pauses for file naming (just in case you want to change the default), makes the .ps file and sends it to the distiller. Never fails, no user input required (except the name thing). You can get all the scaling, offsets, line weights, etc. set correctly in the printer configuration file. It's been working for as long as PDF files have been around.

I have no idea why PTC thought it would be a good idea to have a completely different, non-configurable user interface for their PDF file creation. I never make PDF's directly from Pro/E.

 

[monday.scott]

dr_gallup,


Thanks for the info. Although we don't have Adobe Distiller I was able to make PDF creation much simpler with Printer Config. Files.


Now all I have to do is select the appropriate PCF file and it creates the .ps file. Then I just drag it into Adobe and presto-chango I've got my PDF file.

 

[monday.scott]

Oh, one more thing,


How can I pre-set the directory my .ps file will be created in? I tried using the option plot_destination with no luck.

 

[doronron1]

Try


plot_file_dir "your_plot_directory"


in your pcf file

 

[TombStone]

Maybe I am missing something, but can't you just use (/create mapkey):

"File" > "Save a copy..."
Change type to "PDF (*.pdf)"
Ok
Ok (if another PDF with same name exist)
Change settings

?


Then mapkey would be something like:

Mapkey pdf ;\
@MAPKEY_NAME Create PDF;\
@MAPKEY_LABEL Create PDF;\
~ Command `ProCmdModelSaveAs` ;\
~ Select `file_saveas` `type_option` 1 `db_617`;\
~ Activate `file_saveas` `OK`;\
~ Activate `UI Message Dialog` `ok`;\
~ Select `intf_pdf` `pdf_color_depth` 1 `pdf_color`;\
~ Select `intf_pdf` `pdf_raster_dpi` 1 `600`;\
~ Activate `intf_pdf` `pdf_launch_viewer` 0 ;\
~ Activate `intf_pdf` `pdf_btn_ok`;

(Color, 600 dpi, not open after creating)
(Ofcourse a location can be added as well)




There are also buttons for creating PDF function:

"Tools" > "Customize screen" > tab "Commands"

Category "File"
Bottom two commands

 

[monday.scott]

The only problem with the "save as" function is the fact that the text justification gets all messed up when a PDF is created.

 

[eddie57]

dr gallup do you have an example of the postscript file you use?

 

[Plotterman]

I don't know if I can help or not but we have worked with a 3rd party company that specializes in batch printing software for plotters. If memory serves me they also make generic drivers that increase the speed of legacy plotters with generic new drivers.

If anyone has an interest please email me. [email protected]

Also the main reason I joined the forum is to get feedback on issues with batch printing drawings on many of the newer plotters. I ran across a client recently who complained about a Canon plotter and how he had to babysit it and remove the rolls of drawings from the basket. He did not want to fork out the money for a stacker and I have had negative feedback on them anyway. If this is an issue - please email me. I'm working on a solution.

Thanks,
Jon