AutoCAD^® DWFx Driver

DWFx — the future format of DWF — is based upon the XML Paper Specification (XPS) format from Microsoft^®. DWFx files are easily distributable on the Windows^® Vista^™ platform as this format is supported by the XPS Viewer. You can also view DWFx files using Autodesk® Design Review 2008.

Note: The XPS viewer is available as a download for Microsoft Windows XP. The XPS Viewer is included, by default, on Windows Vista.

Using the DWFx driver, you can:

• Create single page DWFx files from the Plot, Publish, and Sheet Set Manager dialog boxes
• Create multi-page DWFx files from the Publish and Sheet Set Manager dialog boxes
• Publish the following metadata to a DWFx file:
  
  
  • Basic Drawing properties
  • Layer data
  • Block Attribute data

Note: The XPS Viewer enables you to view and print 2D files only. With Autodesk Design Review 2008, you can additionally view a DWFx file’s metadata, for example, block properties.

For further updates on this preview technology, please visit http://www.autodesk.com/.

Contents

• Applicable Products
• Installation Instructions
• List of Installed Files
• Creating Plotter Configuration (PC3) Files
• DWFx Driver Properties
• Creating DWFx Files Using the Plot Dialog Box
• Creating DWFx Files Using the Publish Dialog Box
• Creating DWFx Files Using the Sheet Set Manager
• Publish Options Dialog Box
• Publishing Multi-Sheet DWFx Files
• Publishing Single-Sheet DWFx Files
• Known Limitations

Applicable Products

• AutoCAD 2008
• AutoCAD LT 2008
• DWG TrueView 2008
• AutoCAD Electrical 2008
• AutoCAD Mechanical 2008
• AutoCAD Map 3D 2008
• AutoCAD Civil 3D® 2008
• AutoCAD Land Desktop 2008
• AutoCAD Raster Design 2008
• AutoCAD Architecture 2008
• AutoCAD MEP 2008
• AutoCAD P&ID 2008
  
  

Installation Instructions

You must have administrative privileges on your Microsoft Windows operating system to complete the installation process. It is strongly recommended that you exit all Windows programs before you start.

To install the DWFx Driver

1. Download the self-extracting executable file AutoCADDWFxDriver32bit_enu.exe  (or AutoCADDWFxDriver64bit_enu.exe), to any temporary location.

   Note: Depending on your operating system, the download will be either a 32bit or a 64bit package.

2. Double-click the executable file and follow the instructions to install the driver.

The installer adds the required components on all supported products installed on the system.

List of Installed Files

The installer adds the following files to the AutoCAD 2008 folder and subfolders:

Note: If the DWFx ePlot (XPS Compatible).pc3 file is not found in the above location after installation, then use the instructions below to create a Plotter Configuration (PC3) file.

Creating Plotter Configuration (PC3) Files

AutoCAD enables you to configure many system devices (printers) and non-system devices (plotters). Additionally, you can store different configurations for each device in different PC3 files.

A PC3 file contains information such as the device driver and model; the output port to which the device is connected; and various device-specific settings. You can create several PC3 files with different output options for the same plotter. After you create a PC3 file, it's available in the list of plotter configuration names in the Plot dialog box.

To create a pc3 file using the add-a-plotter wizard

1. Open the Autodesk Plotter Manager (File menu > Plotter Manager).
2. In the Autodesk Plotter Manager, double-click the Add-a-Plotter Wizard shortcut icon.
3. In the Add-a-Plotter wizard, click Next.
4. On the Add Plotter - Begin page, click My Computer. Click Next.
5. On the Add Plotter - Plotter Model page, select the following values, and click Next:
   
   
   • Manufacturers: Autodesk ePlot (DWFx)
   • Models: DWFx ePlot (XPS Compatible)

   The list includes all installed plotters.

6. On the Import PCP or PC2 screen, click Next.
7. On the Add Plotter - Ports page, select the port to use when plotting. Click Next.

   By default, the Plot to File option is selected.

8. On the Add Plotter - Plotter Name page, enter a name to identify the currently configured plotter. Click Next.
9. On the Add Plotter - Finish page, click the Edit Plotter Configuration button to change the default settings for the plotter.

   For more information on the graphics and custom properties of the DWFx driver (Device and Document Settings tab), see DWFx Driver Properties.

10. After you finish configuring the plotter, click Finish.

    A PC3 file is created for the newly configured plotter and appears in the Plotters window. The plotter is now available for plotting in the list of devices.
    

DWFx Driver Properties

This section describes the graphics and custom properties section of the DWFx ePlot (XPS Compatible).pc3 file.

DWFx Driver Graphics Properties

Specifies settings for printing vector graphics and merge control.

Vector Graphics

Provides options for specifying the color depth of vector output.

• Color Depth: Displays a list for choosing color depth for the configured plotter for DWFx files.

Merge Control

Controls the appearance of lines that cross in DWFx files.

• Lines Overwrite: Uses the last plotted line to obscure the lines under it. Only the topmost line is visible at the intersection.
• Lines Merge: Merges the colors of crossing lines.

DWFx Driver Custom Properties

Specifies custom properties for plotted DWFx files.

Vector and Gradient Resolution (Dots Per Inch)

Specifies the resolution (in dots per inch) for vector graphics and gradients for DWFx files. When you set a higher resolution, the file is more precise, but the file size is also larger.

When you create DWFx files intended for plotting, select a resolution to match the output of your plotter or printer. High resolutions (over 2,400 dpi) are for viewing. For example, when you create DWFx files of drawings that contain a lot of detail, such as a topographical map of a large region, these files use a higher resolution setting for greater detail in the DWFx file. Use extreme resolutions (over 40,000 dpi) only when necessary; they may produce very large files. As you increase the resolution setting, raster image quality increases, the speed of printing decreases, and memory requirements increase.

Vector Resolution

Sets the resolution for vector graphics in the DWFx file in dots per inch. The default setting is 1,200 dpi. Select Custom to enter a custom vector graphic resolution.

Custom Vector Resolution

Specifies a custom resolution for vector graphics in the DWFx file in dots per inch. You must select Custom under Vector Resolution to specify a custom vector graphic resolution. The default setting is 40,000 dpi.

Gradient Resolution

Sets the resolution for gradients in the DWFx file in dots per inch. The default setting is 200 dpi. Select Custom to enter a custom gradient resolution. This setting cannot exceed the current vector resolution setting.

Custom Gradient Resolution

Specifies a custom resolution for gradients in the DWFx file in dots per inch. You must select Custom under Gradient Resolution to specify a custom gradient resolution. The default setting is 200 dpi. This setting cannot exceed the current vector resolution setting.

Raster Image Resolution (Dots Per Inch)

Specifies the resolution (in dots per inch) for raster images for DWFx files. When you set a higher resolution, the file is more precise, but the file size is also larger.

When you create DWFx files intended for plotting, select a resolution to match the output of your plotter or printer. High resolutions (over 2,400 dpi) are for viewing. For example, when you create DWFx files of drawings that contain a lot of detail, such as a topographical map of a large region, these files use a higher resolution setting for greater detail in the DWFx file. Use extreme resolutions (over 40,000 dpi) only when necessary; they may produce very large files. As you increase the resolution setting, raster image quality increases, the speed of printing decreases, and memory requirements increase.

Color and Grayscale Resolution

Sets the resolution for raster image colors and grayscale in the DWFx file in dots per inch. The default setting is 200 dpi. Select Custom to enter a custom color and grayscale resolution. This setting cannot exceed the current vector resolution setting.

Custom Color Resolution

Specifies a custom resolution for color raster images in the DWFx file in dots per inch. You must select Custom under Color and Grayscale Resolution to specify a custom color resolution. This setting cannot exceed the current vector resolution setting.

Black and White Resolution

Sets the resolution for black and white raster images in the DWFx file in dots per inch. The default setting is 400 dpi. Select Custom to enter a custom black and white resolution. This setting cannot exceed the current vector resolution setting.

Custom Black and White Resolution

Specifies a custom resolution for black and white raster images for the DWFx file in dots per inch. You must select Custom under Black and White Resolution to specify a custom black and white resolution. This setting cannot exceed the current vector resolution setting.

Additional Output Settings

Specifies additional output settings for DWFx files.

Background Color Shown in Viewer

Controls the background color that is applied to DWFx files.

DWFx files intended for plotting should be configured with a white background color. If the DWFx background color is set to black, color 7 objects will be plotted as white. For all other background colors, color 7 objects will be plotted as black.

Include Layer Information

Specifies the inclusion of layer information in plotted DWFx files. If this option is selected, any layers that are turned on and thawed when the plot is created are available for manipulation in the plotted DWFx file. If this option is cleared, no layer information is available when the DWFx is viewed in an external viewer or browser.

In some cases, such as in drawings that include nested xrefs, turning this option off may significantly improve performance.

Creating DWFx Files Using the Plot Dialog Box

To create DWFx file using the Plot dialog box:

1. Click File menu > Plot. Alternatively, enter PLOT in the command prompt.
2. In the Printer / plotter name drop-down box, click DWFx ePlot (XPS compatible).pc3 plotter.
3. Set the applicable plot options. For example, Paper size, Plot area, and so on.
4. Click OK.
5. In the Browse for Plot File dialog box, enter the DWFx file name, and click Save.

Creating DWFx Files Using the Publish Dialog Box

To create DWFx file using the Publish dialog box:

1. Click File menu > Publish. Alternatively, enter PUBLISH in the command prompt.
2. Load the sheets that contain the DWFx-based page setup. Alternatively you can select the DWFx plotter in the Page Setup drop-down list.
3. Select the "Plotter named in page setup" option.
4. If required, you can click the Publish Options button, and set the applicable values in the Publish Options dialog box. Click OK to return to the Publish dialog box.

   Note: For publishing options that are applicable to DWFx, refer to Publish Options Dialog box.

5. Click Publish.

Creating DWFx Files Using the Sheet Set Manager

To create a DWFx file using the Sheet Set Manager:

1. In the Sheet Set Manager, select all the sheets to be published.
2. On the Sheet List tab, click the Publish button.

   Alternatively, right-click the selected sheets. Click Publish menu.

3. If a DWFx-based page setup is assigned to the selected sheets, then click Publish to Plotter.
   
   Or

   If a DWFx-based page setup is not assigned to the selected sheets, then click DWFx Page Setup (Publish menu > Publish using Page Setup Override).

   Note: A DWFx-based page setup should already be available in the sheet set.

Publish Options Dialog Box

This sections outlines the publishing options applicable to DWFx.

Default Output Directory (DWF and Plot-to-File)

Specifies the output folder location where DWFx and plot files are saved when you publish drawing sheets.

DWF / DWFx Data Options

Lists and allows you to specify the data that you can optionally include in the DWFx file.

Note: Only Block Information and Block Template File controls are enabled for publishing to DWFx files..

Publishing Multi-Sheet DWFx Files

To publish a multi-sheet DWFx file, use either the Publish dialog box or the Sheet Set Manager. The PUBLISHCOLLATE system variable must be set to 1 (default) to publish a multi-sheet DWFx file.

Note: : AutoCAD LT and DWG TrueView do not have the PUBLISHCOLLATE system variable. Therefore, you cannot publish multi-sheet DWFx files in AutoCAD LT and DWG TrueView.

To create a multi-sheet DWFx file from the Publish dialog box

The following requirements must be met:

• All sheets must be of the same type (either Layout or Model space)
• All sheets must have the same custom DWFx-based page setup assigned to them

  Note: The page setup must be a custom setup (that is, it cannot be Default), and must be the same setup for all sheets.

• The "Plotter named in page setup" option must be selected

If the preceding conditions are not met then single-sheet DWFx files will be created.

To create a multi-sheet DWFx file from the Sheet Set Manager

The following requirement must be met:

• A DWFx-based page setup must already be available in the sheet set.

1. Select all sheets to be published.
2. In the Sheet Set Manager, on the Sheet List tab, click the Publish button.
3. On the Publish using Page Setup Override flyout, click the DWFx page setup.

Publishing Single-Sheet DWFx Files

You can use the Plot dialog box to publish a single-sheet DWFx file. The Publish dialog box or Sheet Set Manager can also be used to publish single-sheet DWFx files if the above requirements are not met.

Known Limitations

• DWFx files containing certain fonts cannot be opened in Autodesk Design Review. These files can be opened in Microsoft viewers.
• When gradients are viewed with Microsoft viewers, they may contain artifacts and display irregular color profiles and transparencies.
• The Layer information control in the Publish Options dialog box does not control the layer information in DWFx files.

  Note: Only the Include Layer Information option in the DWFx Customer Properties dialog box controls layer information in DWFx files.