Introduction
Transmittals
Plotting
Management
Installation and Configuration
1. What is Drawpoint?
Drawpoint is a suit of drawing management tools specifically designed to facilitate the creation and sending of transmittals. Apart from this core functionality, Drawpoint also includes a host
of other functionalities including a complete centralized project and file register, batch plotting, drawing superseding and contact management.
2. Can Drawpoint work with non-AutoCAD drawing files?
Currently, the indexing, plotting and conversion functionalities of Drawpoint are only compatible with AutoCAD DWG files. Other files however, can be
indexed as part of projects and sent through transmittals without the special functionality associated with AutoCAD DWG files.
3. Will Drawpoint work with my existing document management system?
As long as your document management system does not lock access to your drawings and files, Drawpoint will be able to work with them. Files stored on your
network are accessed via your mapped network drives.
4. Will Drawpoint lock away my files?
No. Drawpoint accesses your files the same way you do. It does not lock them or store them in its own database.
5. How does Drawpoint generate transmittal sheets?
Drawpoint reads the number, revision and title information from the attributes within your DWG files automatically. This information is then used
to fill in the transmittal sheet. For non-DWG files, the revision and title information must be manually entered for the files.
6. Can I customize the transmittal sheet?
Yes. Drawpoint's configuration system allows the customization of the transmittal sheet using your company logo, colors and details. Further customization
of the transmittal template is available via third party freeware software packages.
7. Can Drawpoint convert or plot my files during a transmittal?
Yes. Drawpoint's plot system is one of the essential tools of the transmittal system. It allows you to email transmittals with PDF or DWF filetypes. Alternatively you can
send transmittals by printing drawings to a physical printer. In this case, Drawpoint does not send an email and will only record the transmittal information.
8. What if I just want to send DWG files?
Drawpoint can send your DWG files either by themselves or as part of an eTransmit package. The eTransmit option allows you to send DWG files
accompanied by their dependencies including xRefs, fonts and images.
9. Does Drawpoint keep track of past transmittals?
Yes. Drawpoint maintains a comprehensive transmittal history for each project and also archives a copy of the files that were sent (if applicable).
The transmittal history browser then allows the user to browse past transmittals and view the files that were sent.
10. Can Drawpoint email my transmittals packages?
Yes. Drawpoint maintains a contact database for each project. A transmittal can then be sent to one or many of these contacts by email.
11. Can I transmit non-DWG files as well?
Yes. However as these files cannot be indexed using the DWG indexer, the title and revision information has to be manually entered. This can
be done through the Project Explorer.
12. How does Drawpoint plot/convert DWG files?
"The Drawpoint Plot Server is used in conjunction with AutoCAD to plot files to a physical printer or convert them to PDF or DWF. This ensures
that plotted drawings are compatible with the latest AutoCAD standards. This means that you do not need to have AutoCAD installed to plot files through Drawpoint.
13. What formats can Drawpoint convert DWG files to?
Drawpoint currently supports conversion to PDF and DWF as well as eTransmit packaging.
14. Does Drawpoint support printing to physical printers?
Yes. Any physical printers accessible to your plot server AutoCAD installation will be accessible to all Drawpoint clients on your network.
15. Do I need to buy an extra license of AutoCAD to use the Plot Server?
No. The plot server can work on an existing workstation with AutoCAD installed. The plot server will open a secondary, hidden instance of
AutoCAD in the background and use it for plotting all batch plot requests. Concurrent requests are handled through a queue.
16. Can the Plot Server work with AutoCAD LT?
No. The plot server requires an installation of AutoCAD 2009 or later.
17. How does Drawpoint index my DWG files?
Drawpoint will read your AutoCAD DWG files and extract information from attributes in your title block. The specific attributes that are
read can be configured to match your existing title block setup.
18. Does Drawpoint index multiple-layout drawing files?
Yes. Drawpoint treats each layout in a DWG file as a separate drawing. Each layout is then indexed and attribute information is extracted
to form the drawing number, revision and title values.
19. Does Drawpoint index multiple-layout drawing files?
Yes. Drawpoint treats each layout in a DWG file as a separate drawing. Each layout is then indexed and attribute information is extracted
to form the drawing number, revision and title values.
19. Do I need to have attributes in my title block to use Drawpoint?
Drawpoint's indexing system uses attributes to extract information from drawings. If you do not have attributes in your title block, this information
cannot be extracted from your drawings and transmittal sheets will not be created automatically. Other functions of Drawpoint such as plotting, eTransmit and content management
will still work as per usual.
20. What does the Supersede function do?
The supersede function has been designed to facilitate the process of backing up old revisions of drawings. This function makes a copy of the
drawing file (including any references if necessary) into the appropriate directory and then increments the revision number on the original drawing.
21. How is Drawpoint installed?
Drawpoint is a server-client software. The installation involves installing the server once, and the client multiple times (as required). Drawpoint comes
with an installation wizard that can install both the client and server separately. A trial installation option is also provided to install both the client and server on a single
computer.
22. Will Drawpoint stay up to date with new AutoCAD versions?
Yes. We use AutoCAD's own software for reading and writing to DWG files. Drawpoint's we update system allows it to receive software updates as soon as they are available.
23. How often do I need to configure Drawpoint?
Once. A configuration wizard guides you through the steps required to configure the software.
24. How long does the initial configuration take? Is there a Wizard?
The configuration should take between 5-10 minutes. A comprehensive wizard and also tutorial video is available to facilitate this process.