Converting AEC File Formats - Adobe Acrobat and PDF for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction - page 72

You can also modify the intent of the layer by following these steps:
1. Right-click the layer on the Layers pane and click Properties to open the Layer Properties dialog
box.
2. Click the Reference Intent radio button; the Default State and Initial State settings are disabled.
3. Click OK to close the dialog box. In the Layers pane, the modified layer is permanently visible, and
no longer has a user-controlled intent. Moving the mouse over the listing displays a tooltip stating
the layer is a reference layer (Figure 6.29).
Figure 6.29 Use a reference layer
Summary
In this chapter we looked at converting AEC file formats to Acrobat PDF files, and saw ways to establish
the layer structure of the files. AutoCAD contains a PDFMaker which can be used in a similar way to
Microsoft Office program's PDFMakers for converting files. Layers can be managed and defined as layer
sets for future conversions. A converted drawing is used as a source document for conducting a review, and
the results of the review can be integrated back into the source AutoCAD drawing.
Bentley Systems' MicroStation and ProjectWise product lines can publish PDF documents from DGN
and DWG files, including vector, raster, and 3D model data. The programs include processes for printing
and batch printing that can be configured and reused. Converted drawings can retain links and bookmarks,
searchable text, 3D models, bookmarks, and password security.
Acrobat offers special features for managing and viewing layers in Acrobat using the Layers pane and
layer properties.
Exercises
1. Using the methods outlined in the chapter, convert sample AutoCAD and MicroStation documents
(depending on your available programs.)
2. Experiment with exporting layer sets and subsets of drawings.
3. Save a PDF settings file from the PDFMaker and then reuse the file in a subsequent conversion
process.
4. Examine a layered document in Acrobat, either one you have converted or one of the sample files.
Copyright Notice: Many elements of this project have been modified due to copyright and
liability issues, and should not be used in other projects. They are only being used to teach the
processes in the context of this topic.