[V8i] Update Sheet boundary in Print Organizer?

Mary,

You can turn on variable print definitions. In Print Organizer go to EDIT > PREFERENCES > ENABLE VARIABLE PRINT DEFINITONS.
You'll need to restart Print Organizer for this to take effect. We usually use this when we have multiple cross sections in one model, so not sure how it will work with plan sheets. This will scan the file each time. So if a border moves it will get picked up. The drawback (at least with multiple borders in one file) is that all the files show up as 1 entry unit you convert to fixed print definitions. This makes ordering sheets impossible. unit you convert to fixed print definitions. That said, it does handle situations where the border/plot boundary is likely to move around.

Tom F.

If I turn on Variable Print Definitions for myself, and I make a PSET, will it "look" variable to anyone else? I don't think they would like that very much...I also notice that it doesn't let you set any custom settings.

Yes, once a file is added as a variable definition it will display that way for anyone who opens the pset. The preferences has to do with adding the dgns. No, there are no custom settings, so you'll need to have print styles set up. You also can't get to the properties of variable definitions.

Variable defs aren't perfect, but I don't know of another way to handle moving\shifting plot areas.

As far as I can tell, this is the same in CONNECT.

Tom F.

Mary,

Are any of the applicable Print Definitions within the .pset based the same Design File (i.e. multiple Sheets within a single Design File), or are all of them based on separate Design Files (i.e. one Sheet per Design File)? If the latter, you can always update the Boundary for each Print Definition, by:

1. Selecting the desired Print Definitions within your .pset.
2. Right-click on the collection, and choose Properties.
3. Click on the Fence tab.
4. Click Define from shape.
5. Specify the Properties for your Shape Boundary. Then, click OK.
6. Set your Size and scale, and Origin settings (for good measure).
7. Click OK to the Modify Properties window.

Your Print Definition Area should now reflect the adjusted Sheet Border/Boundary.

Important Notes:

• Be sure that your Shape Boundary is unique (you don't want "the wrong" shape to be found/used).
• The above workflow will set the Print Definition Area for the first applicable Shape Boundary found. So, this will cause you issues for Print Definitions, which share the same originating Design File (i.e. multiple sheets within one Design File).

Tom's recommendation works really well also. One other thing to note with Variable Print Definitions is that you cannot selectively print Sheets originating from a Design File (i.e. print Sheets 2, 5, and 8 of 20, all of which reside in a single Design File). When you print a Variable Definition, you get all of the Sheets within the Design File, at print time.

You can create folders within PO to separate you print definitions. I do this for our plan set so when you need to delete one plan sheet I just go in and delete that sheet. Then make sure I have the plan sheet folder selected and add the new sheet to that folder. You still need to move it up in the list, but it is a much shorter list than the entire project.