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PDF batch print

PDF batch print

PDF batch print

(OP)
I have a customer that batch prints ACAD dwgs to a certain color printer. They don't have access to any CAD software. I created PDF's of the dwgs stored on our server. (my customer and I are same company).
Does anyone have a Acrobat macro so that my customer can run the macro, batch print the PDF's from my server to a certain printer at their location?
I have to control these dwg and my site, but they can print them at their site once a month.
Thanks.

Chris
SolidWorks 07 2.2/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)

RE: PDF batch print

(OP)
I also plan on doing PDF prints from SolidWorks docs. We are not allowed to use eDrawings ... yet.

Chris
SolidWorks 07 2.2/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)

RE: PDF batch print

(OP)
Thanks. I didn't think of checking there. I need to print PDF to a printer ... not print to PDF. But, I'll check it out.

Chris
SolidWorks 07 2.2/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)

RE: PDF batch print

Would it work for them to select the relivant PDFs in Windows Explorer and right click on one of them and select print?  They may have to set the desired printer as the default one.

Eric

RE: PDF batch print

(OP)
I had talked to them about it. The problem is ... these are upper level managers, they are not computer literate at all. They can barely turn a pc on.
They basically want to be able to click on a button and it prints certain files to a certain printer automatically. "magic"
I have offered every other alternate to do this, including doing for them each month. They want the "magic" button.

Chris
SolidWorks 07 2.2/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)

RE: PDF batch print

Chris,

I recommend forwarding this matter to your IT department if at all possible.

Eitherwise, google "batch print PDF" to find professional software ($$$) that does this.  There's no way to do directly from Adobe Acrobat.

If in a pinch, you may be able to create API in SolidWorks, Excel or Word that will identify and open each file in a given folder within Acrobat and execute the print function with a keystroke/mouse macro from a program like EZ Macros (which can create a keystroke/mouse macro into a standalone executable).  It's doable, but would require some serious tinkering.  

Matt
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA
http://sw.fcsuper.com/index.php

RE: PDF batch print

(OP)
I am in the IT dept. The guys that do this kind of programming are up to their ears in other stuff. I was handed the task, but I'm not a programmer.
So, I'm looking for some type of free macro that already exists to use.
If there isn't one, I'll eventually figure it out.
Thanks.

Chris
SolidWorks 07 2.2/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)

RE: PDF batch print

Chris,

It's not a one push button solution, but it may be something your crew might be willing to do.  Goto Printers, drag the printer of your choice and drop it on the desktop.  Select and drag and drop all files (one at a time, or all at once) onto that printer link, and it will print them all at once.  

Matt
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA
http://sw.fcsuper.com/index.php

RE: PDF batch print

(OP)
Yes, I know. But, they are not willing to do that, it's too complicated for them. Imagine managers that have worked here all there lives, no experience anywhere else, and only know how to send/receive email ... that's it. They have their pc's setup to automatically save ALL docs to their desktops so they can find them. Imagine what their desktops look like! It's a mess!
frustrating ...
Thanks

Chris
SolidWorks 07 2.2/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)

RE: PDF batch print

(OP)
Kevin,
That worked well. Thank you!

Chris
SolidWorks 07 2.2/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)

RE: PDF batch print

Sounds like they would want a voice activated computer if they could get one.  "Print files"

Anyway, just FYI.  If you open one PDF file and print it out of Acrobat Viewer and then leave Acrobat Viewer opened, you can selected all the other files you want to print from Explorer and then Right Click and select Print.

The special thing about this, and I've haven't really figured if there is another way to do it, is that it will then use the print settings from the Acrobat Print Preview screen for all the other PDFs that you are printing.

I like that since in Acrobat you can not only choose the paper size, but you can do the shrink to fit, thumbnails, etc.. functions it offers.  And they should be applied to all the other files you are printing.

RE: PDF batch print

(OP)
The link Kevin shows, the program allowed me to setup a file list and save it. I sent the program zip file and file list to my customer. It's not a one-click magic button, but is close enough for them.
Thanks!

Chris
SolidWorks 07 2.2/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)

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