Digital Tips

Graphics and CAD

Preparing Files for Large and Small Format Color

1. Size is Critical

Determine the finished size of your piece and create your document to the exact same size you need. If you need a 9'x12' book, design your piece on a 9'x 12' page in a page layout program. If it prints two sided, design it on two separate pages. If you need blank pages, be sure to add them as well. Our software will generate precise trim and registration marks.

2. Printer's Spreads vs. Reader's Spreads

Be aware of the difference between printer's spreads, where pages face each other as they would come off the digital press imposed in a flat signature, and reader's spreads, which have facing pages in numerical order as they would appear in the final bound piece. Always design your spreads (whether you're designing in printer's spreads or reader's spreads) on single facing pages. Your documents should always be designed at "finished" or "trim" size, using one digital page per printed page.

3. Don't Break the Link

When you place a graphic in a page layout program, a link is created. If at any time after placement you happen to change the name of that graphic, that link is permanently destroyed. Please ensure that all links that you have created in your document are included when you submit your final for printing. Never cut and paste graphics into your layout program; this will almost always guarantee problems for our high resolution imagesetter.

4. Include All Fonts

A Postscript Type 1 font is the preferred font of high resolution imagesetters; they allow accurate printing at any size and style. Avoid the use of TrueType fonts, as they are known to be unreliable and incompatible with Postscript Level 2/3 RIPs. Provide both printer and display fonts for the Mac, and both .PFM and .PFB fonts for the PC. These are the two components of a Type 1 Postscript font, and they are used by both the output device and the monitor display. Without both parts, the font cannot be used.

5. Remove Unwanted Colors

Ensure that all unnecessary colors in your document have been removed. These extra colors may cause confusion and extra plates to be generated. Adobe InDesign has a command "remove unused colors" to make this a quick task. QuarkXpress colors can be deleted from the menu palette. Be certain that extra colors from graphics are removed as well. Color separated lasers provide you with a quick way to double check your printing colors. Check to see that desired process colors are indeed four color, and Pantone colors are printing as a spot color. If there are any special instructions, be sure to label them on the lasers.

6. Pull Bleeds

Image area that should extend beyond the page after final trims should extend at least 1/8" over the page in your document. Changing the page size to indicate bleeds is unnecessary, and could result in possible errors.

7. White in Picture Boxes or Not

It is widely known that Quark will generate a low-res clipping path of pictures that have been placed with a fill of none, but our system is set to remove Quark clipping paths to eliminate any pixelization resulting from a fill of none. However, a fill of none is required for any trapping to occur; the contone must be allowed to choke. By adding a fill of white or 0% black, the image is forced to knockout the area defined by the fill. So please, just leave the picture boxes with a fill of none ensuring accurate contone trapping.

8. Fancy Quark Frames

Avoid the use of fancy picture box frames in Quark, as these frames will be processed at a high resolution and each object traps independently. That means a single frame could have as many as 100,000 objects, which is as much as a 100 times the amount of a normal RIPped page, resulting in longer RIP times. If you decide to use these frames, let us know so special trapping can be enabled.

9. Super Black vs. Registration

Don't use the color "Registration" for your graphic elements. This will result in an element colored 100% of each color in your document. This is probably too much coverage for a sheet of paper and could end up offsetting and spoiling the entire job. If your design piece will benefit from a Super Black (100% black and any other color overprinting), we will determine the correct combination of ink percentages to provide maximum quality and minimal waste.

10. Varnishes

Indicate the areas needed for spot varnish on your lasers for output. We will create the necessary plates which will include alignment and trapping.

11. EPS for Illustrations

EPS files should always be supplied for vector graphics such as those created by illustration programs; that is. Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw. EPS means encapsulated Postscript. The EPS file allows for Postscript data to be stored and edited, and it is easily transported between Mac and PC systems.

12. High Resolution Graphics

For high resolution output, an acceptable resolution is generally considered to be in the range of 266 to 400 pixels per inch, or 1.5 to 2 times the desired line screen ruling. We are currently using a 200 line screen for all process work, as we have determined this provides the highest quality possible with minimal dot gain. Black and white line art images, such as a person's signature, ideally should be scanned at a resolution equal to the final output (for reproHAUS, this would be 2400 dpi); however, the file size for this resolution is often too large to be practical. We have found a resolution of 1200 dpi to provide excellent quality and it does not require as much storage space. When scanning a graphic for placement and final printing, a resolution of approximately 300 dpi will provide a high resolution scan from a flatbed scanner, but the finest quality in color and detail is always achieved by a professional trained in the art of color reproduction.

13. Scans

If you have the resources and prefer to scan your own image files, there are several formats we accept. The TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is generally the preferred file format for images for being more flexible, as well as being smaller and much easier to RIP than EPS files. Some images, however, require you to use the EPS format, such as duotones, quadtones and images with a silhouette with a clipping path. When saving, use the single file EPS option. On the PC, prepare EPS files saved in ASCII rather than binary format. Also if you are using Photoshop, you may want to use the multichannel mode option and add spot colors to your images, this will create a DCS file. Save as a single DCS file with no composite, using binary format for Mac, ASCII for PC. Never include halftone screen or transfer function by checking those boxes.

Publish & Share DWF Files

1. Increase the Precision of the DWF File in AutoCAD

Specify the resolution for vector and raster graphics when creating DWF™ files. Higher resolution allows for greater precision, but results in larger file size.

Choose File>Plot to open the Plot dialog box.
Under Printer/Plotter, from the Name drop-down list, select DWF6 ePlot.pc3.
Click Properties to open the Plotter Configuration Editor dialog box. The Device and Document Settings tab is displayed.
Under DWF6 ePlot.pc3 in the tree, select Custom Properties.
Under Access Custom Dialog, click Custom Properties to open the DWF6 ePlot Properties dialog box.
Under Vector and Gradient Resolution (Dots per Inch), from the Vector Resolution drop-down list, select the desired value. For a custom vector resolution, select Custom and, in the Custom Vector Resolution text box, enter the desired resolution. You can leave the other DPI values as they are.
Click OK to return to the Plotter Configuration Editor.

Note: To change the resolution of a raster image, follow the same procedure but, in step 6, use the drop-down lists under Raster Image Resolution (Dots per Inch).

2. Add Object Properties from AutoCAD Blocks

Enable team members to access AutoCAD® block properties in the DWF file by setting DWF publishing options.

Choose File>Publish to open the Publish dialog box.
Under Publish To, verify that DWF File is selected, and click Publish Options to open the Publish Options dialog box.
Under DWF Data Options, from the Block Information drop-down list, select Include.
Click OK
In the Publish dialog box, either continue with publishing tasks or close the dialog box.

Note: By default, Block Information is set to Don’t Include. If you change the setting to include block information, you can use the viewer to view or print block property and attribute information in the DWF file.

3. Publish 3D DWF Files from AutoCAD-Based Products

Create and publish DWF files of 3D models with the 3D DWF PUBLISH command, available only if you have installed the 3D DWF Publishing feature with AutoCAD® (2006 and later versions).

On the command line, enter 3ddwfpublish.
In the 3D DWF Publish dialog box, under DWF File Name, change the name and location of the DWF file to be saved, or use the [...] button to navigate to a new location for the 3D DWF file.
Under Objects to Publish, click one of the following:
All Model Space Objects. All model space objects are published to the 3D DWF file.
Selected Model Space Objects. Create a selection set of model space objects, which are published to the 3D DWF file.
If the drawing contains xrefs, the Group By Xref Hierarchy option is selected by default. Clear the check box if you do not want to display the objects grouped by xref hierarchy in the published DWF file.
Under Group Individual Objects By, select one of the following options to group individual objects in the DWF file for viewing.
Layer. Group individual objects by layer.
Object Type. Group individual objects by object type (for example, by block).
Click OK.

4. Publish a DWF file from within Windows Explorer

Note: You must have Autodesk® DWF™ Writer 3.1.1 installed to take advantage of this tip.

Start Microsoft® Windows® Explorer, and open the folder containing the file to be published.
Right-click the file and choose Publish DWF. The file opens in its native application and the Save DWF File As dialog box opens.
Select a destination for the new DWF file and, if desired, change the File Name.
Click Save. The default DWF viewing program opens the DWF file.

5. Email DWF files from Windows Explorer

Start Windows Explorer, and open the folder containing the DWF file to be emailed.
Right-click the DWF file and choose Email. The default email application opens a new email message with the selected DWF file attached.
Type email addresses in the To, Cc, and Bcc fields, and add a message, as necessary. A link to download the free* Autodesk® Design Review is automatically included for email recipients who don’t have it.
Click Send.

6. Publish a DWF File from Windows Explorer

Note: You must have Autodesk® DWF™ Writer 3.1.1 installed to take advantage of this tip.

Start Microsoft Windows Explorer, and open the folder containing the file to be published.
Right-click the file and choose Publish DWF. The file opens in its native application and the Save DWF File As dialog box opens.
Select a destination for the new DWF file and, if desired, change the File Name.
Click Save. The default DWF viewing program opens the DWF file.

7. Pass It On: Publish DWF and Email from Windows Explorer

Publish a DWF file and immediately send it out, using Autodesk DWF Writer.

Note: You must have Autodesk DWF Writer 3.1.1 installed to take advantage of this tip.

Start Windows Explorer, and open the folder containing the file to be published and emailed.
Right-click the file and choose Publish DWF and Email. The default email application opens a new email message with the published DWF file attached. The subject displays the name of the published DWF file.
Type email addresses in the To, Cc, and Bcc fields and add a message, as necessary. A link to download the free Autodesk DWF Viewer is automatically included for email recipients who don’t have it.
Click Send.

8. Publish or Publish and Email from Microsoft Office

With Autodesk DWF Writer installed, users can publish DWF files from Microsoft applications (PowerPoint®, Word, Excel®, Visio®, Outlook, and Internet Explorer®) and share them as part of the project set.

Publish DWF

From the Microsoft program, choose Autodesk DWF>Publish DWF. The Save DWF File As dialog box opens.
Select a destination for the new DWF file and, if desired, change the File Name.
Click Save. The default DWF viewing program opens the DWF file.

Publish DWF and Email

From the Microsoft program, choose Autodesk DWF>Publish DWF and Email. The default email application opens a new email message with the published DWF file attached. The subject displays the name of the published DWF file.
Type email addresses in the To, Cc, and Bcc fields and add a message, as necessary. A link to download the free Autodesk Design Review is automatically included for email recipients who don’t have it.
Click Send.

9. Save a Local Copy of a DWF File from a Website

Place the mouse pointer over the DWF file and right-click.
From the right-click menu choose Save As. The Save File dialog box opens.
Optional: In the File Name text box, type a new name.
Click Save.

10. Post Files to Autodesk Buzzsaw

Autodesk® Design Review is fully integrated into the Autodesk® Buzzsaw® collaborative project management solution. Easily share designs with your workgroup.

Drag DWF files into a Buzzsaw project folder.
Notify the project team using the Buzzsaw notification system. Updates and versions are automatically tracked.

View & Navigate DWF Files & Design Data

1. Pull Apart a 3D Model

Autodesk® Design Review users can pull apart 3D models published by Autodesk® applications or created with the free* Autodesk® DWF™ Writer for 3D.

Choose Tools>Move and Rotate to enable the Move and Rotate tool and to display the tripod on the canvas.
On the canvas, click the part or parts that you want to move or rotate. Ctrl-click other parts to include them, or Ctrl-click selected parts to exclude them from the selection.
To move a part along an axis:
Place the mouse pointer over an axis near the origin until the barrel of the axis is highlighted. Click the axis and drag in either direction.
To move a part within a plane:
Place the mouse pointer between two tripod axes to show the plane icon with arrows. Click the part and drag in any direction on that plane.
To move a part parallel to the screen:
Place the mouse pointer over the tripod origin to show the plane icon with arrows. Click the part and drag in any direction parallel to the screen.
To rotate a part:
Place the mouse pointer over the end of the axis around which you want to rotate the part until the axis tip is highlighted. Click the part and drag it around the axis.

2. Create 3D Cross Sections

Cut through a model with a section plane and manipulate the view in various ways by moving and rotating the section plane and flipping the view.

Choose Tools>Cross Section, and select XY Section, YZ Section, XZ Section, or Section a Surface.

If you choose Section a Surface from the Tools menu, you need to click the 3D model to define the cross section.
A transparent section plane and a tripod are centered on the model, revealing a cross section. Move or rotate the section plane to hide or show more of the 3D model.

To move a cross section along an axis:
Place the mouse pointer over an axis near the origin until the barrel of the axis is highlighted.
Click and drag in either direction along the axis.
To move a cross section within a plane:
Place the mouse pointer between two tripod axes until a plane icon with arrows appears.
Click the cross section and drag in any direction on that plane.
To move a section plane parallel to the screen:
Place the mouse pointer over the tripod origin. A plane icon with arrows appears.
Click the cross section and drag in any direction parallel to the screen.
To rotate a cross section plane:
Place the mouse pointer over the end of the axis, around which you want to rotate, until the end of the barrel is highlighted.
Click the part and drag around the axis to hide or show more of the model.

3. Quickly Zoom and Pan

Use the mouse wheel button to zoom in and out. To pan, press and hold the mouse wheel button and move the mouse.
Your mouse settings may need to be changed to enable panning in this manner.

4. Quickly Navigate Sheet Views

In the Contents palette, click the Palette Options button (in the palette’s title bar) and choose Large Thumbnails, Small Thumbnails, or List View.
You can also use the Contents palette’s Palette Options button to Rename or Delete sections contained in the DWF file.

5. Rotate 3D DWF Files Smoothly

Choose View>Orbit to enable the Orbit tool. Click the 3D model and drag in any direction to rotate the view

6. View and Sort Object Properties

If necessary, in the Navigator Pane, expand the Properties palette by clicking its title bar.
Click the Properties palette’s Palette Options button, and choose Object Properties.
Using the Select tool, click objects on the canvas to display detailed design information in the Properties palette.

7. Search For Design Data

In Microsoft® Windows® Explorer, click Search to open the Search Explorer Bar.
Type search terms for the DWF file such as doors, bolts, and more.
Select the location to search, and click Search Now. Windows Explorer search lists all DWF files that contain the search term.

8. Navigate Sheets or Views Using Hyperlinks

Choose View>Show>Hyperlinks to display included hyperlinks in blue.
To follow a hyperlink, Ctrl-click the hyperlink. The drawing, file, or web page to which it was linked opens.

9. Set Single-Click to Follow Hyperlinks

Choose Tools>Options.
Click the Sheet tab.
Under Hyperlink Settings, click the Single Click to Follow Sheet Hyperlinks.
Click OK.

10. Turn off Hyperlink Tooltips

Choose Tools>Options.
Click the Sheet tab.
Under Hyperlink Settings, click Show Sheet Hyperlink Tooltips, to turn off tooltips.
Click OK.

11. Navigating to Named Views in a DWF File

The Views palette enables you display standard and specific named views (created in the AutoCAD® family of products). The Views palette lists named views only if they were included in the DWF file by the originator. All 3D DWF files include Standard Views.

To hide or show the Views palette:

Choose View>Navigator Palettes>Views. A checkmark next to the palette name indicates that it is currently displayed.
Use the scroll bars at the top and bottom of the Navigator Pane to bring hidden palettes into view, as needed.

Printing DWF Files

1. Customize Print Settings

Define custom settings that affect output to standard printers or large-format plotters. Choose from various settings for the following print options:

Printer
Orientation
Color Setting
Paper
Print Range
Page Handling
Scaling and Alignment

2. Preview What You Print

The right side of the Print dialog box displays a preview of the sheet, or sheets, to be printed.

Choose File>Print to open the Print dialog box.
Choose the settings that affect your preview, such as Orientation, Paper, or Print Range.

3. Print Instantly to HP Printers

If your computer is connected to an HP® printer with Instant Printing technology, the HP Instant Printing button appears on the Standard toolbar.

On the Standard toolbar, click the HP Instant Printing button.
Click OK.

Measure & Mark Up

These Tips are relevant to Autodesk® Design Review software as well as Autodesk® Buzzsaw®, Autodesk Streamline®, and Autodesk® Productstream® solutions.

1. Increase Accuracy of 2D Measurements

When creating measurement with the Dimension tool, snap to endpoints, midpoints, and lines for precision measurement of design elements in a 2D DWF™ file.

Choose Tools>Snap to Geometry. A checkmark indicates that it is currently enabled. Clear the checkmark to disable snapping.
Zoom in to increase the precision of the dimension you are measuring.

2. Control Markup Shape

Press and hold Shift to constrain the range of movement when creating a markup.
If you started your markup in the wrong location, press Esc and try again.

To delete a markup:

Click the Select tool, and then click the markup.
Press Delete

3. Color Code Reviews

Use different markup colors to indicate different reviewers.

Set Text Color, Line Color, or Fill Color.
Select from the 48 predefined colors or create a custom color.
The program retains your markup settings until you change or reset them.

4. Save a New Markup View

When you create a markup, the current view of the page is stored with that markup.

To change and automatically store a new view:

Select the markup you want to change in the Markup palette or on the canvas.
Pan and zoom to the desired view.
Move the markup slightly or modify it in some way. The new view is automatically saved.

5. Create a Custom Symbols Catalog

Publish a 2D drawing, an image, or text to a DWF file using the Autodesk® DWF™ Writer software.

In Autodesk® Design Review, import this file into the symbol catalog.

On the Standard toolbar, click the Stamps and Symbols button and choose Import DWF as Symbol Catalog.
Browse to and select the DWF file that contains your symbols.
Select Import Each Object on Sheets as a Symbol, or Import Each Sheet as a Symbol.
Click OK.

6. Modify a Stamp on the Canvas

Insert an existing stamp, such as “Approved,” to the canvas.
Click the Select tool, and double-click the stamp.
Change the text, color, line width, and fill as desired.