One command for gathering up all your files.
When you have a drawing or a series of drawings, sending them to someone else involves more than just sending the DWG files. What about the external references (Xrefs), images, underlays (PDF) and other file references? Do the recipients have your plotter configurations and plot styles? What about the fonts?
Do not worry. AutoCAD’s eTransmit is here. This tool collects and packages the drawing files and the related dependents. By using eTransmit, you will not miss sending a drawing, Xref, PDF, plot style or any other related and necessary file.
Getting Started
When you start eTransmit, AutoCAD prompts if the current drawing needs to be saved. A quick check will ensure that you include any unsaved changes.
AutoCAD scans the active drawing and automatically includes all references and dependents. Use Add File to add drawings and non-drawing files that are not referenced by the current drawing. When you add drawings (DWG), AutoCAD scans these additions for references and dependents as well.
AutoCAD refers to this collection of files as a transmittal—something you will transmit to someone else. It ensures that all required files are included and that they are properly referenced. When executed, eTransmit packages the files into a folder or compresses them into a single ZIP file.
In addition to gathering the files, eTransmit also adjusts the file references to be properly linked within the package structure. This means the recipients receive a package with all the file references retained. They can open and edit the drawings with all their dependencies intact.
Use the Files List to exclude (uncheck) files you do not wish to include with the transmittal. You can do this from the Files Tree or Files Table view. The Files Tree shows the relationship of referenced files to the drawing file. Use the Files Table tab for a complete list of all files included in the transmittal package.
The right-click menu provides options to check/uncheck and expand/collapse all.
The selected transmittal setup defines the settings used by the transmittal package. This includes the drawing file format, setting the default plotter to None and purging unused objects.
Select View Report for information about the files included in and excluded from the transmittal package. It is useful to review this information before creating the transmittal.
Click OK to start the process and create the transmittal. eTransmit gathers all necessary files related to the selected AutoCAD drawings. Recipients then have all the necessary files to work with your drawings without missing dependencies and/or broken references.
Transmittal Setups
Select Transmittal Setups to manage these setups, including building your own.
When creating a new setup, AutoCAD prompts for the name and the existing setup to use as a template.
In the Modify Transmittal Setup dialog, configure the transmittal type and location, path options, actions to apply and inclusion options.
The transmittal package is a single compressed ZIP file or a collection of files in a folder. You set the default destination folder and if you want AutoCAD to prompt for a filename. When set to prompt, AutoCAD asks for file/folder names and the destination folder.
Note that the ZIP compression is basic with limited options. You may want to collect the files into a folder and use a compression utility to zip the files.
When sharing drawings with those using an earlier version of AutoCAD, set the file format to an earlier version.
The Path Options control how eTransmit organizes the files and folders.
- Organized Folder Structure duplicates the existing folder structure beneath the specified root folder.
- With Place All Files in One Folder, all files are copied into the specified target folder.
- Keep Files and Folders As Is maintains the existing folder structure. This is useful when you want to copy the data to another system within the same network.
When using an Organized Folder Structure, relative paths stay unchanged. Full paths within the root folder convert to relative paths. Full paths outside the root folder convert to No Path and move within the root folder. AutoCAD creates Fonts, PlotCfgs and Sheet Sets folders (as needed).
Use the Actions to apply processes to the collected files.
It can be very annoying when you are plotting a drawing and are prompted that the selected plotter does not exist. This is why my favorite choice is Set Default Plotter to None, meaning there will be no prompting. This means there is a clean slate and that you can select your own device when plotting.
Use the Bind options to bind all External References.
Enable Purge Drawings to perform a purge of each drawing when creating the transmittal. The purge happens silently and no information on what was purged is given.
Include Options provides options for adding other files with the package. Check the options to include fonts, textures, data links, photometric web files and unloaded file references.
Sheet Sets
AutoCAD Sheet Sets help organize your projects. They collect, organize and allow you to manage related drawings. Not only does it make project navigation easier but it also allows you to use the embedded tools to quickly print, publish and archive multiple drawings at once. If you want to learn more about Sheet Sets, see How to Make and Work with AutoCAD Sheet Sets.
From the Sheet Set Manager, you can eTransmit a single file, a selection of files or the entire set. With the sheet set, eTransmit not only collects the drawings but also gathers the sheet set data (DST) file and all supporting files.
Autodesk recommends creating transmittals from the Sheet Set Manager as opposed to using the eTransmit command.
With Sheet Sets, you will find an added Sheets tab listing the included sheets. Use this with the Files Tree and Files Table to review the included files.
In addition to eTransmit, the Sheet Set Manager has an Archive option. It is like eTransmit but simpler, focusing on backing up the files. It supplies fewer options related to drawing cleanup.
In summary, eTransmit collects file references, making the drawings and associated files easy to share with collaborators. Consider using eTransmit not only for sharing but also for archiving and data backup.
