Drawing Archive & Transmittal

Version: ShipConstructor 2005

A handy solution to a couple of file management issues is the use of AutoCAD Drawing Interchange Binary (DXB) files, which contain only vectors. The elements within a DXB file are all the same colour, same layer, and same line weights. That's not all bad news though.

Sometimes you need a snapshot of the current revision to archive or to transmit to someone who should not have, or does not need, access to any part of your 3D model. The file itself only contains 2D geometry, but looks exactly like the finished plot (including hidden line removal). The DXB file is 1/10th the size of the original drawing, and if it is read back into AutoCAD, the resulting 2D drawing is 1/3rd the size of the original.

A further advantage of using DXB files is that, because its contents (even text) is made up of base elements (arcs and lines only), it cannot easily be changed – an advantage when using this method to archive important projects.

DXB files are generated through the plot function, using a plotter specifically configured for DXB.

To create your own DXB file, follow these simple steps:

1. If not already available, add a plotter configured for DXB, by going to “Tools > Options > Plot and Publish”. Then click “Add or Configure Plotters”.
2. Use the AutoCAD plot function, selecting the DXB configured plotter. Make sure to select the “Print to file” option.

You have now generated the DXB file defining the 2D geometry of your project. This, much smaller, file can now be archived or transmitted as required.

To view the file, open a new AutoCAD drawing and then use “dxbin” from the command line, or “Insert > Drawing Exchange Binary” to insert the 2D lines and arcs. All the vectors within the file will be set to the current color and to the current layer.

- Mr. Steve Ivison, Project Manager