Hi !I've been using Autocad 2007 for a year now, and learned how to use it by myself, reading books and forums.But now I'm stuck.... and I'd need your help :)Here's my proglem :As part of a study project, I have to describe the steps of assembly of a product (a car within a factory) with a series of drawings.I've drawn them in the model tab, having each step of the assembly in a separate "tile".My problem is that when I want to print these drawings in a pdf file, it takes me ages because I have to select and print each drawing separately (plot, select window, print for 40 drawings is very long).Would you have any idea on how to be able to print these in a more "automated" process ?I've tried to put them in "layout" but I cannot manage to adjust the drawing to the print zone, on the page (like what you would do when selecting the window before printing with the "adjust to the page" option).The scaling is not a big deal at this step, as long as all drawings have the same scale (all tiles have the same dimensions)Thanks very much for your help !Cyril

There is a way to step through each of those "tiles" as you call them but it is almost as laborious.  You'd have to start with a script and I think it would require the coordinates of one and maybe even two (diagonal?) corners.  I saw a similar post over at CADTutor some months (August?) prior.The other option would be to create one layout per "tile".  You set up your page information (size, printer, etc.) via the Page Manager.  When done with that you would go back into your layout and create one viewport (preferably on a separate layer), make the viewport active, find/orient/size the viewport for optimal printer output which includes setting a viewport scale.Either way, you still have lots of work to do.The only other solution would be to save each "tile" as its own drawing and use the Publish command.
John Connor2013-10-10 18:49:00

Hi John,thanks very much for your quick reply !I'll look into the scripts another day maybe but creating layout per tile is exactly what I wanted to do.. just have to find how to do so correctly.I managed to create a layout and choose the page format. This works. But its to adjust the place of my tile into the layout that is a problem for me.To have a better organisation of my tiles, I have put them next to each other (see my 1st post).When I create a layout, I can see my tile, but also the following one. Plus I cannot find how to set up the corners of the plotting area to fit to the corners of my tile (like you'd do when selecting a window before plotting).Do you see what I mean ?Here is an illustration :I've read many tutorials, but found no answer to this problem.It's not easy to describe my problem with correct words, I hope it's clear enough :)thanks !

Viewports can be resized with their grips meaning you can make the viewport bigger or smaller as you see fit.I's start by making the viewport large enough to fit just inside the dashed lines that represent the extent to which AutoCAD will plot.  Then I would do a zoom > window and make sure it captures the entire first tile.  Once you have done that resize the viewport using the grips to match up with the tile boundary.Finally, lock the viewport so you do not accidentally change the scale of your viewport should you pop back into it to do some last minute editing.Can you upload a sample drawing that contains just one of these "tiles" as you call them?  Maybe I could demonstrate what I am talking about.

Cyril_13, Investiagte the ALIGNSPACE command. I believe it was in the 2007 releases. It lets you rotate (as in "dview") & zoom your viewport to match objects in model space. Use your tile corners for the first two points when prompted, the usen your viewport corners as the next two points. JSC 

How do I upload a samplefile here ?As for viewport, I only know the manual zoom.. which enables you to visually place the corner of the laout printing zone to the corner of the tile. Is it possible to have the 2 corners match exactly ?Let me know how to send you a sample file and I send it to you right awayThanks very much for your time and helpCyril

You can use a script with EXScript-Pro.Yes you need a script.But its easy.
crashcup2013-10-11 20:51:04

I'd like to see a sample script so I too can see how easy it is.  The ball is in your court crashcup.

Here is the file : http://www.filedropper.com/sample_13Thanks for your help and can't wait to see the script !Cyril

Did you get the file ?I managed to create a layer for each "tile" in my drawing... long work but done.Now I have to find a way to print 40 layouts at once... (it takes 1 min to plot a layout, due to many lines and polylines) so if I could launch the print at once, I'd rather do something else during 40 minutes than clicking 40 times "plot" every minute :)Thanks !!Cyril

Use the PUBLISH command.

ok, thanks