Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
You can create DWF or DWFx files from your drawings and send those files to people
who don't have AutoCAD. Your recipients can view and plot the DWF files after they
download the free Autodesk Design Review 2012 program, which is available on
Autodesk's Web site,
www.autodesk.com
.
DWFs and DWFxs can be used just like external references. Here's one more
file type — and one more reason — to use Reference Manager or ETRANSMIT to
package up your drawings before you send them out. For more on DWF/DWFx un-
derlays, see Chapter 18.
ePlot, not replot
A DWF file captures a single, plotted view of your drawing, so, unlike a DWG file, it can
provide a clear-cut snapshot of what you want to see on paper. With a DWG file, on the
other hand, you have to provide lots of information to other people — drawing view,
scale, plot style settings, and so on — in order for them to get the same plotting results
that you did.
Potential ePlotting scenarios include the following:
Architects and other consultants on a building project periodically upload DWF
files to the project Web site. Architects and engineers with some minimal CAD
knowledge can review the drawings on-screen and create their own hard-copy
plots, if necessary. Principals and clients who don't want anything to do with CAD,
or even with computers, can have their employees create hard-copy plots for
them to examine.
When Internet-savvy people need hard-copy prints of your drawings, you e-mail a
zipped file containing DWF files, along with the URL for Autodesk Design Review
and simple instructions for creating plots from the DWF files. (Be ready to walk
them through the process by phone the first time or two to reduce anxiety on
everyone's part.)
A CAD plotting service bureau encourages its customers to send DWF files instead
of DWG files for plotting. The DWF files are much smaller and require less inter-
vention on the part of the service bureau's employees.
