Expert: J. B. Borge - 6/17/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello sir,
Last time I have asked u about combining multiple layouts in Autocad to single pdf.
Now I have tried these options through Pdf995, it is possible to create Multiple layouts of dwg file into single pdf.
But this is not reliable.
I have attached image here, this shows two options i.e.combine pdf995 print jobs & combine with previous pdf995 print job
I am using first option because I have three layouts which i want in single pdf file for one drawing.another dwg also have three layouts & i want single pdf for these layouts. both pdf,s should be separate.So I am not using second option from that window.
But problem is if i am using first option from window only yet it merges second pdf with first one whether my second option is off..

Please help
Jyotsna

ANSWER: Jyotsna, my apologies for the delay...what version of autocad are you currently using? The newer versions should enable you to created pdf w/in autocad itself via sheetset. It already has a built in pdf creator so there's no need for PDF995.
However, if you're out of luck & you don't have Acrobat Pro, there are free tools online such as:

http://pdfill.com/pdf_tools_free.html

This enables you to merge your individual pdf's.

Hope this helps!
JB

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello sir,
I am using Autocad 2009.
This has publish command also but it gives separate pdf for each layout, where i want these all pdf's in single file.
pdf tool merges all created pdf's.
which i want through autocad.

Thanks
Jyotsna

ANSWER: Jhotsna, you need to create a Sheet Set. This enables you to select drawings in the sheet set manager and publish them in a single pdf. This is the easiest & most effective way you can batch publish several drawings in a single-sheet or multi-sheet file. Works for PDF's & DWF's.
If you need help on setting up sheet sets, Heidi Hewett wrote an entire series dedicated to sheet sets. It's called 'Sheets Happen'.

http://heidihewett.blogs.com/my_weblog/files/Sheets_Happen.pdf

Attach you'll find sample of my sheet set options. Hope this helps, let me know.

-JB

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Image attached here again

Answer
Jyotsna, apparently you’re still relying on pdf995 to whether merge or individually produce your pdf’s from layouts. So in your case, producing pdf’s is beyond Autocad’s control – like you said so yourself, it’s unreliable.
Unless you let ‘Sheet Set’ manage all the publishing, you should have all the flexibility of publishing these documents effortless. With Sheet Set, Autocad itself will create single/multi-sheet pdf.
Attached image is my Sheet Set Manager & this is how I create a single pdf containing 11 sheets (drawings). Alternatively, I could also change my ‘Sheet Set Publish Options’ to produce 11 multiple pdf’s of the selected sheets.