Creating Monochrome DWFs for Vault Visualization Files

Updated April 2020

 

A Vault user asked how to generate DWF visualization files to be viewed in the Vault Explorer with solid black lines instead of the light colors used to generate the DWFs that were checked into Vault from AutoCAD.

When AutoCAD was set to a black workspace background and used light colors, they were hard to see in the Vault Explorer, as shown above. Because Inventor was also used to check in files, the visualization file's white background was preferred.

There are two adjustments to set the DWF to a use monochrome plot style table.

The first adjustment is in the setup file called TrueViewSetup.dwg located here for Vault Professional 2020:

C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Vault Professional 2020\Explorer\TrueViewSetup.dwg

For other versions:

C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Vault <version> <product year>\Explorer\TrueViewSetup.dwg

Locate and open this file and adjust the DWF6 ePlot.pc3 to plot using monochrome.

Then set this drawing's plot setting to use the modified DWF6 ePlot.pc3 with Monochrome.ctb plot style table.

Note: If a custom plot style .ctb is used, make sure to add it to the Plot Styles folder here:

C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\DWG TrueView 2019 - English\R17\enu\Plotters\Plot Styles

By clicking 'Apply to Layout' and then 'Cancel' the plot settings are saved without needing to generate a DWF. Then save and close the TrueViewSetup.dwg.

The second adjustment is in the Autodesk Vault Client under Tools/Administration/Vault Settings/Visualization tab/Publish Options.

Select the application 'AutoCAD' and Check the option to 'Plot with Plot Styles', then click OK and close.

When you next check in a drawing from AutoCAD, the DWF visualization file should use monochrome lines.

 

 

 

Note: See also the related blog article here: Setting custom page size for PDFs generated in Vault by automated utilities

 

Comments

[Matthew Durst]

Bob,
I appreciate your post on this as this is a common question I get when rolling out Vault with AutoCAD. How do we manage our DWF's among all the different sheet sizes so when our Web Client users plot, they are plotting correctly, because you are essentially plotting the DWF and not the DWG. I usually just have them use the option "Use Page Settings in User DWG" and call it a day. However, I was under the assumption that the Setup.DWG controlled the DWF creation when using AutoCAD to check in - not the TrueViewSetup.DWG like you state above. TrueViewSetup.DWG is used for Update and Job Processor in the Vault. Regardless which one is being used, I am completely unable to create a Monochrome DWF without using the option "Use Page Settings in User DWG". If you are interested in helping me out I can setup a web meeting and we can look at this together. I have followed instructions from Cracking the Vault as well - http://crackingthevault.typepad.com/crackingthevault/2009/11/dwf-creation-fine-tuning.html

[Bob Felton]

Hello Matt, in the tests I ran that produced the screen captures above, I modified the TrueViewSetup.dwg.

Try comparing the "Device and Document Sewttings" and also the layout settings between those in TrueViewSetup.dwg and a sample drawing that produces a monochrome DWF when you select "Use Page Settings in User DWG". There may be a difference that is preventing the monochrome DWF from being created.

[Les]

Hello,

Changes did not take effect until I altered the DWFx ePlot(XPS Compatible).pc3 instead of the DWF6 ePlot as described above.

The final file says .dwf, but seems to use the dwfx plotter to get there.

Thanks for the blog. Very helpful.

[MaxU77]

Following the recommendation doesn't help me.
I tried to change both:
DWFx ePlot.pc3
DWFx ePlot(XPS Compatible).pc3
But I still getting colorish DWG.DWF in the Vault (moreover colors differs much in comparison to DWG itself).
One more thing I've paid attention to - after I set up everything, close TrueViewSetup.dwg and open it again the NONE printer/plotter is chosen by default.
PS: I'm struggling with Autodesk Vault Professional 2014 SR SP1

[Kyle]

I am trying to use this method to create monochrome visualizations but am getting hung up.

First, I am on Vault Basic 2015- but seems to me this method should still hold true.

Changes to the DWFx ePlot(XPS Compatible).pc3 or the DWF6 ePlot did not make any difference to the visualization file.

Any possible ideas why this might not work?

[Bob Felton]

Kyle, make sure you have located, opened and are editing TrueViewSetup.dwg when you are selecting the .pc3 files.

And yes, this will also work for Vault Basic.

[Bob Felton]

For MaxU77:

Make sure that you are clicking 'Apply to Layout' and then 'Cancel' so that the plot settings are saved without needing to generate a DWF.

Then save and close the TrueViewSetup.dwg.

When you re-open TrueViewSetup.dwg the last settings should show rather than 'None' for printer/plotter.

See the third screen capture from the top of the page here.