PDF Conversion – Hagen Business Systems

Bluebeam Revu Tip: Convert Multiple Files to PDF with Stapler

Carol Hagen — Mon, 05 May 2014 14:46:19 +0000

Saving time is a Bluebeamer mantra and the Stapler function can help expedite conversion when you have multiple files that you want in PDF format. Rather than opening each document and converting it to PDF, you can select numerous documents from File Explorer (or in the Open File option inside Bluebeam Revu) and do them all in a batch. You can also combine them all into a single PDF simultaneously. Converting files to PDF makes it easy to share with construction team members, subcontractors and suppliers who may not have the native applications to open all file types you are using. Follow these steps to make File conversion to PDF a breeze:

Multi Select Your Files
Choose all the files you want to convert to PDF then Right Click, pick Save To and choose Bluebeam Stapler. They can be JPEG, Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint (pptx), Word (doc or docx), text files, TIFF, GIF, HTML, PNG, bitmap, rich text format, AutoCAD, DWF or Solidworks files, essentially the active plugins you have access to.

Complete the Bluebeam Stapler Steps
The Stapler then launches and identifies the application associated with each file type. If it cannot resolve what application to use, it will return an “unsupported file type” message. The dialogue box at right
shows you can add more files, folders or subfolders, and using the arrows, control the order of conversion. If you choose to also combine these files into one document rather than keeping each converted document separate, the PDF pages are placed in the sequence of the stapler conversion. Note you also control the output folder. If you have selected all the files and options you want, click Create File to complete the conversion to PDF.

The Stapler Wizard (optional)
If you instead select OK rather than Create File, it will launch the Stapler Wizard. The Stapler can be used to configure
a set of conversions, each conversion being referred to as a “job”. Multiple jobs can be added to the Stapler and converted at once. Use this capability to convert many files in an automated manner.

If you need to convert countless file volumes and file folders to PDF, you may want to consider Bluebeam Q as it can process files directly from a watched folder automatically. Learn more about Bluebeam Q here.

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Bluebeam Tip: How to Make AutoCAD Text Searchable in PDFs

Carol Hagen — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 21:57:49 +0000

Bluebeam Revu is used by many Architects and General Contractors that also use AutoCAD. When you convert AutoCAD files to PDF, there’s a setting that you’ll want to check if you want to make the text searchable in your PDF. It’s called SHX Fonts and is an option at the time of the file transfer found under the General Settings > Transfer Data Tab as shown above.
By turning SHX Fonts on, all of the fonts in AutoCAD will be transferred as searchable text. If you are receiving files from an Architectural firm you’ll want to request that they check the SHX Fonts option. Feel free to share this blog post with those you know using AutoCAD.

For other file types, converting to searchable text can often be accomplished by using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) which is available in Bluebeam Extreme.

Stay tuned as Bluebeam releases Revu 12 in late February 2014. You’re sure to be delighted. I’ll be sharing sneak peeks soon!

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How Architectural and Engineering Firms Convert Thousands of Files to PDF Quickly

Carol Hagen — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 16:34:32 +0000

As an Archtectural and Engineering firm you need to publish files that are easy for your customers, contractors and design teams to access and work with easily. If you create in AutoCAD, Solidworks or Microsoft Office you may need to publish your documents to PDF for distribution purposes. While converting isn’t difficult it can be time consuming, especially if you need to add stamps, footers, and security. This can be a full time job if you generate 1000’s of documents monthly. If gets even more tedious if you also need to act on comments and updates, deciding to accept or reject the design changes suggested. Why not let Bluebeam Q streamline your processes.

[slideshare id=22464564&doc=pdfconversionforconstructionengineeringandarchitecturalfirms-130604215230-phpapp01]

Bluebeam Q provides PDF document conversion for engineering, architectural and construction firms with large volumes of documents. DWFs and large format, Microsoft office and CAD files all can be published to PDF for distribution. Ideal for designs and plans, let Bluebeam Q add stamps, headers , footers etc to make it easy for your customers to conduct business with you. Bluebeam Q is a server based solution that offers four components: Print to PDF, Watched Folders, Scripts and an API. Have your CIO or IT team evaluate Bluebeam Q, just download our free 30 day trial.

If you don’t have this large volume of documents to process and convert to PDF there are other options including Bluebeam Revu that work great for smaller firms. These articles might be of interest to you:

Construction Team Meetings
How General Contractors Streamline Processes

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Construction Collaboration: PDF Secrets Part 3 – Large Format Drawings and Markups

Carol Hagen — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:55:11 +0000

Collaboration on large format construction drawings often has the expectation that all the team players have the same tools. Architects and engineers spend countless hours in AutoCad then share their drawings with the General Contractor. Most smaller GCs have a license of AutoCad just to open these files and make a few annotations. But not everyone on the construction team is fluent in AutoCad nor has a licensed copy. To share details and collaborate the next best thing is make a PDF, but depending upon the PDF software, the drawings may not turn out as detailed as the designer created them. This is a sore spot for Architects and Engineers who are detail oriented. The more you zoom in, the more pixelated they may become. This happens because these PDF programs are not designed to generate Vector PDFs. Bluebeam PDF Revu CAD to the rescue!

Large Format drawings may have sweeping arcs that look like straight lines strung together, not in Bluebeam. The Vector graphics are retained even when you decide to reduce the size of the PDF for emailing. You don’t have to tolerate mediocre PDF conversion any longer!

For AutoCad enthusiasts, Bluebeam speaks your language with the same quick keys for inserting line, text boxes, etc you’re learning curve will be a breeze. Markups are also a snap as you can create tool sets during one markup session, save them and use them again later. A square “cloud” can be colored yellow with a 50% opacity and used over and over again, even changing the shape without having to create it from scratch.

For the non AutoCad user, the multi-click navigation to get to add a text box is eliminated, even if you aren’t familiar with Quick key shortcuts. Bluebeam designed PDF Revu with easy navigation tool bars that are customizable so you can have the cloud, Text box, line, arc, or call out handy. Put them where you want them, or surround the workspace if you like with nav buttons on the top, right or bottom.

Next week I’ll showcase the AutoCad export functions which add flexibility and save time in the the PDF creation process. If you want to experience Bluebeam for yourself, here’s the 30 day trial option.

Have questions? I’m here, yes, to answer Bluebeam questions for you in the AEC industry. If you try the 30 day trial Leave me a commment on your experience.

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