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Licensing / Site Licensing / Download / Purchase

Tips and Tricks

New Features:

1. New file selection options, Manual, Import listing, All file in folder, All files in folder and sub-folders.
    

2. Option to save plot files into a folder named for the printer/plotter.
    

3. Option to save plot settings to drawing files after printing/plotting.
    

4. Option to Import and Export plot settings.

Benefits of using PlotM8

Batch Plot: AutoCAD users have at one time or another had the need to plot out their drawings in one complete set (batch). Whether it's for a check plot set, a final submittal set, a released for production/construction set or just a revised drawing set. The Plot option in PlotM8 allows you to choose a method to batch plot, you can use the printer/plotter assigned to the layout or setup plot batches with user defined settings. Picking the Run button from the main dialog box will plot all the drawings selected. The PLOT option makes for quick and simple batch plotting with an interface similar to AutoCAD's own plot dialog interface.

Zipped Files Only

Purchase a License for PlotM8

Credit cards welcomed.
  

Seat Licenses are U.S.$40.00 each.
(Site Licensing Available for 15 seats or more)

To register: Select the number of seats you wish to license then pick the PayPal buy now button, you will then be redirected to PayPals site for payment.

What is Paypal?

In the main PlotM8 dialog box, the user has these options available:

1. Select more files to plot - Once the user has selected the first batch of drawings to plot, they can select more files from a different drive or directory. This saves time because they will not have to set up the plotter settings again
    

2. Save Listing to File - Once the user has created the list of selected files, they can export the list out to a text file.
    

3. Plot - The user sets up the plotting parameters by selecting the method to plot (Layout settings, Layout settings with a Plot Style or Manual Settings):
   a) Layout settings - Plots using the printer/plotter assigned to the layout(s).
   b) Layout settings with a Plot Style - Plots using the printer/plotter assigned to the layout(s) except uses a picked Plot Style..
   c) Manual Settings - The user picks the plotter, paper size, paper units, drawing orientation, to plot upside-down, number of copies, plot style, enter preplot commands (similar to the Change option), plot the model space tab, plot all model space views, plot current paper space tab or plot all the paper space tabs (layouts), area to plot, plot scale, plot to scale using dimscale, plot offset or centered, plot options of lineweights, plot paper space last, and hide objects, plot to a printer/plotter or to a file.
   d) If you want to have views or layouts that do not plot, rename them by adding a prefix of NP, when PlotM8 plots using the "Plot All MS Views" or "Plot All Layouts" method, it will skip over the views or layouts with the NP prefix.
   Once the user has set all their defaults, they will proceed to the Select Files process.
    

4. Config - Allows user to set startup directories for: project/drawing files, a directory to save plot files and the option to enable a delay if AutoCAD starts losing its network license (this only affects users that run AutoCAD from a network server and AutoCAD is licensed from a network server).  The user will also enter the authorization unlock code here.  They can also view the license agreement and register the software.
    

5. Run - Allows the user to run the files selected for changing, plotting and/or purging.
    

6. Cancel - Allows the user to exit program.
    

7. Help - Brings up the online help.
    

8. Info - Displays PlotM8 information.

Plot

1. Batch Plot Method - The user selects the method that they wish to plot by:
   a) Plot using Layout settings - use plot settings defined in the layout(s). If a layout is named with a prefix of NP it will be skipped while plotting.
   b) Plot using Layout settings w/ Plot Style- use plot settings defined in the layout(s) along with a picked plot style. If a layout is named with a prefix of NP it will be skipped while plotting.
   c) Manual Settings - User defines t he following plot settings:

   1. Plot device - The user picks the plotter they wish to use from a popup list of available plotters.

   2. Paper size - The user can pick from a list of paper sizes specific to that printer/plotter driver.

   3. Paper units - The user can select Inches or Millimeters.

   4. Drawing Orientation - The user can pick the orientations of Portrait or Landscape.

   5. Plot upside-down - The user has the option of having the output printed upside-down on the paper.

   6. How to Plot - The user has four options to pick from on the method used to plot:
      a) Plot Model Space - This option will plot all the selected drawings model space only.
      b) Plot All MS Views - This option will plot every saved model space view in each selected drawing. If a view is named with a prefix of NP it will be skipped while plotting.
      c) Plot Current Layout - This option will plot the current paper space layout but uses the selected plotter and the settings picked in this dialog box.
      The "Append layout name to plot to file name" toggle directly below "Plot Current Layout" radio button lets you control how the plot file is named when saving plot files to disk. When unchecked, it will leave off the layout name, when checked it will append the layout name to the end of the plot file name.
      d) Plot All Layouts - This option will plot all the paper space tabs (layouts) but uses the selected plotter and the settings picked in this dialog box. If a layout is named with a prefix of NP it will be skipped while plotting. (Note: These options do not use the plot settings saved in the layouts when using Manual settings).

   7. Plot Area - The user has the options of plotting:
      a) Display
      b) Extents
      c) Limits
      d) View - When the user picks on View, they will be alerted that the view they want to plot needs to be in every drawing selected.  The user can then enter a view name in the "View to plot" entry box. 
      e) Window - The user enters the start and ending coordinates of a plot window for all drawings to be plotted.

   8. Plot Scale:
      a) Pick a plot scale from the popup list or enter in a custom plot scale.
      b) Plot using DIMSCALE - Allows the user to plot drawings to scale using the DIMSCALE variable in each selected drawing.
      c) Scale lineweights with plot scale- Scales drawings lineweights with the current plot scale.

   9. Plot Offset - The user has the options of:
      a) Center the plot - Automatically calculates the X and Y offset values to center the plot on the paper.
      b) X - Specifies the plot origin in the X direction.
          Y - Specifies the plot origin in the Y direction. 

   10. Plot options:
       a) Plot objects Lineweights - Uses the drawing's line weights.
       b) Plot paper space last - Plots model space geometry first. Paper space geometry is usually plotted before model space geometry.
       c) Hide objects - Plots layouts with hidden lines removed for objects in the layout environment (paper space).
        

2. Copies - The user enters the number of copies desired.
    

3. Plot Styles - The user can pick from a popup list of available plot styles. Note: This option is only available when using "Plot using Layout settings w/ Plot Style" and "Manual Settings".
    

4. Preplot Commands - The user has the option of applying commands to a drawing prior to it being plotted.  The function is similar to the Change option from the main dialog.
    

5. Where to send plotter output:
   a) Printer/Plotter - Plot output is sent directly to printer/plotter.
    
   b) Drawing folder - Plot output is written to a plot file in the same location as the drawing file.
    
   c) Plot file folder - Plot output is written to a plot file in the folder designated in the Config dialog box.
    
   d) User picked folder - Plot output is written to a plot file in the folder that the user picks when selecting this radio button.
    

6. Save Plot Settings to Drawings - When this toggle is checked drawings will be saved after plotting.
    

7. Import Plot Settings - Imports and sets the plot settings in this dialog box.
    

8. Export Plot Settings - Exports the current plot settings for re-use. Import and Export will help standardize network usage of PlotM8.
    

9. OK - When the user picks OK, they will then be prompted to Select Files.

Note: Drawings that are plotted will NOT be saved unless the toggle "Save plot settings to drawings" is checked.

Preplot Commands Dialog Box

The Preplot Commands dialog box allows the user to enter AutoCAD commands that they would like to have applied to drawings. Once entered, these commands appear in a displayed list. Once displayed, the user has a choice of 5 options:

1. Clear - Pick the Clear button to erase all entered commands appearing in the command list.
    

2. Delete - Select a command then pick the Delete button to remove the command from the command list.
    

3. Modify - Select a command then pick the Modify button to either change or correct an entry in the command list.
    

4. Import - Pick the Import button to select a script file to read into the command list.
    

5. Export - Pick the Export option to write out the command list out to a user named script file.
    

6. OK - When the user picks OK, they will then be prompted to Select Files.
    
   Note: Once each drawing file has had the changes applied to it, it will NOT be saved.

Select Files

Select Files Dialog Box

The File Selection dialog box allows the user to select drawing files for processing using one of four different methods.

1. Drawing file type - Sets the type of drawing file you want to select:
   a) Drawing Files (*.dwg).
   b) Drawing Standards Files (*.dws).
   c) Drawing Template Files (*.dwt).
   d) Drawing Exchange Files (*.dxf).
    

2. File Selection Method - Sets the mode for file selection. 
   a) Manual File Selection.
   b) Import File Listing.
   c) All files in folder.
   d) All files in folder and all sub-folders.
    

3. Select Files - Select files via the current file selection method.
    

4. Sort Files - Once files are selected, this option will sort the list, numerically first then alphabetically.
    

5. Reverse - Reveres the order of files in the selected files list.
    

6. Clear Files - Clears the selected files list.
    

7. Move Up - Select a file in the list and move it up one place in the listing.
    

8. Move Down - Select a file in the list and move it down one place in the listing.
    

9. Remove Item - Select a file in the list and remove it from the listing.

The files that were just selected will appear in the main PlotM8 dialog box.

1. The Manual File Selection dialog box lets the user select multiple files within a folder. It will open at a preset path that is user configurable. You can also step through drives, directories and even network shares. (Note: Only current display of files can be selected.)
    

2. When finished selecting files, pick the Open button, this will take the you back to the main File Selection dialog box where you can sort, reverse, rearrange the processing order of the selected files.
    

3. Full UNC paths are supported for either folder selection or file selection (eg: \\server\share or \\server\share\filename).

1. The Import File Listing dialog box allows the user to import a text file that has the full path and file names of drawings that they want to process. This feature is great for processing projects that get processed repeatedly.
    

2. Pick Open to import the file locations listed in the text file. These files will listed in the File Selection dialog box where they can be sorted, reversed, rearranged for the processing order.

1. The All Files in Folder dialog box lets the user select a folder and all drawing files inside that folder.
    

2. Picking OK will list these files in the File Selection dialog box where you can sort, reverse, rearrange the processing order of the selected files.

1. The All Files in Folder all All Sub-Folders dialog box lets the user select a folder and all drawing files inside that folder and all drawing files in all sub-folders.
    

2. Picking OK will list these files in the File Selection dialog box where you can sort, reverse, rearrange the processing order of the selected files.

Info

Info Dialog Box

Selecting the Info button will bring up a dialog box showing M8Tools.com: Address, Phone number and Email address along with four options:

1. Web site link - Take the user to M8Tools.com's PlotM8 page.
    
2. License Agreement - Will bring up a window that displays the Licensing Agreement.
    
3. Registration - Will bring up the Registration dialog box.
    
4. OK - When the user picks OK, they will go back to the Main PlotM8 dialog box.

Config

Config Dialog Box

Selecting the Config button will bring up a dialog box that the user can use to setup operating features of PlotM8.

1. The Authorization/Registration code entry box - After the user registers the software, M8Tools.com will supply the user with an unlock code.   If an unlock code is not entered, the software will stop working approximately 30 days after installation.
    

2. License Agreement - Will bring up a window that displays the Licensing Agreement.
    

3. Registration - Will bring up the Registration dialog box.
    

4. Delay in seconds - If AutoCAD loses its license from a network server. This option will allow you to inserts a delay in the processing of drawings.  The delay can be between zero (which disables the delay) to 59 seconds.  This option might sometimes be needed on networks that experience heavy traffic (usage).
    

5. Where to find project/drawing files - If the user has a default directory that all their project/drawing files or directories are kept, then this would be the ideal location to have PlotM8 start.
    

6. Where to save print/plot files written to disk - Where the user can store plot files written to disk.
    

7. OK - When the user picks OK, they will go back to the Main PlotM8 dialog box.

Registration Dialog Box

Selecting the Register PlotM8 button from either the Config or Info dialog box will bring up this PlotM8 Registration Form dialog box.

To register PlotM8 the user needs to:

1. Pick the Type of registration they need, the choices are:
   1a) Send the above Registration Info along with User Info and payment in U.S. Funds via regular postal mail.
   1b) I have paid the registration fee and I just need to send the above Registration Info and User Info via email.
   1c) Send the above Registration Info via a live Internet connection and pay with a credit card.
   1d) I just need to add the above Registration Info to the PlotM8-Registration.txt file to be mailed later.
    

2. If the user picks the first or second option then they need to fill out User Info fields.
   If the user wishes to register online, then they can pick the third option.
   If a registration form has already been filled out, the user can append PlotM8's Serial and ID Numbers from other computers to the end of the registration file "PLOTM8-REGISTRATION.TXT".
    

3. Pick the number of seats you wish to register by picking the popup "Number of Seats", the total amount due will be displayed below the "Numbers of Seats" popup.
    

4. To register, pick the "Register" button.
   If your are using the Internet to register, you will be directed to the PayPal web site for payment, then you will be directed to our online web registration page to complete the registration process.
   If you filled out the User Info form you will be asked to either accept the default file name or save the file "PLOTM8-REGISTRATION.TXT" to a desired location. Once this file is saved, it can be printed, emailed, mailed or have other Serial and ID numbers appended to it.
    

5. When the user picks OPEN button from the save file dialog box,  the registration file will be saved and the user is taken back to the Info or Config dialog box.
    

6. Once the registration info has been filled in and the number of seats to register selected, and all the Serial and ID numbers appended to it, it can be sent either postal mail or email.
   For email send the "PLOTM8-REGISTRATION.TXT" text file to .
   For postal mail send a printed copy along with payment (in U.S. funds, drawn on a U.S. Bank) to:
   
   M8Tools.com
   5454 Spring Walk
   San Antonio, TX 78247
    

7. Upon receipt of registration information and payment, M8Tools.com will generate the required unlock codes and forward them to you either via email or mail.

Licensing

License Dialog Box

The License Agreement reads as follows:

U.S. and international copyright laws protect PlotM8.
Its use is subject to the terms of the license agreement listed below.
© 2013 M8Tools.com
All rights reserved.

1. Usage
   By using, copying, transmitting, distributing or installing this software (PlotM8), you (the user) agree to all of the terms of this License. If you do not agree to any of the terms of this License, then do not use, copy, transmit, distribute, or install PlotM8.
    

2. Disclaimer
   M8Tools.com provides this program (PlotM8) on an "AS IS" basis with all faults.M8Tools.com specifically disclaims any expressed or implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular use of this program. M8Tools.com does not warrant that the operation of this program will be uninterrupted or error free.
    

3. Copies
   PlotM8 is copyrighted and may only be copied in machine-readable form onto a backup or working disk. Use of the original diskette and said copies is strictly limited to a single computer system on which one or more users run PlotM8.Copies of PlotM8 may be shared with others as defined in the "Shareware - Software Sharing Method" described below, as long as all the source code and support files remain unmodified.
    

4. Alteration
   No part of the program, documentation or support files may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of either the software author or an authorized representative of M8Tools.com.
    

5. Free Upgrade to the latest version
   M8Tools.com will provide one free upgrade of PlotM8, for all new registered users, when and if one becomes available.
    

6. Authorization Code
   This Software requires an Authorization/Registration code. You must register this software product with M8Tools.com before an authorization code can be issued to you. Each installed copy is branded with a serial number that is unique only to the computer it is installed on. The serial number needs to be included with the registration of the software, so the author or a representative of M8Tools.com can supply an authorization code. The purpose of the authorization code is to protect the authors copyright and enforce the license agreement. If an authorization code is not obtained the software will stop working approximately 30 days after installation.
    
   Site Licenses don't require the use of Authorization codes.
   (See Site Licensing)
    

7. Transfer
   Should the need ever arise to transfer PlotM8 to another computer, a new authorization code will be needed. There will be one free transfer per year per seat license after an initial period of 90 days from the registration date. Should more than one transfer per year be required (per seat) a fee of U.S.$5.00 will be required for the generation of new authorization codes. By transferring licenses, the old serial number will become retired and thus inactive. If a user wishes to reinstall PlotM8 on that computer they will need acquire a new license or retire another licensed copy of PlotM8. If registered users wish to acquire new licenses, they can be purchased for the price entry point they last purchased the software.
    
   Please contact for transfer information.
    
   Site Licenses have unlimited transfers.
   (See Site Licensing)
    

8. Registration
   You are free to distribute the shareware version to others to try as long as all the source code and support files remain unmodified. This excludes the registration file (PLOTM8-REGISTRATION.TXT), which you are free to edit, so you may mail along with your registration fee, if you choose.
    
   You are free to try PlotM8 for a period of ten (10) days.
    
   If you like PlotM8 and find it useful,
    
   THEN YOU SHOULD REGISTER IT.
    
   By doing so you will allow the author to spend the time upgrading and making enhancements to this and other utilities in the future.
    
   If you don't find it useful then remove PlotM8 and all related support files from your system.
    
   Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
    
   BY REGISTERING YOU WON'T FEEL GUILTY AND YOU'LL BE SUPPORTING ANY FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
    

9. Shareware
   Shareware is a method of software distribution. M8Tools.com hopes you find shareware to be an effective method of obtaining computer programs. The term Shareware describes a marketing method in which copyrighted programs circulate freely among users for the purpose of evaluation. This gives you the option to "Try Before You Buy". The author of a shareware program typically allows you to use the program for a number of specified days before payment is required. The exact terms of evaluation vary from author to author. So be sure to always check the documentation of the programs you evaluate. By making payment to the author, you obtain the legal right to use the software, and encourage the continued development of quality software within the shareware channel. The process of paying for Shareware is termed "Registration". The exact benefits of registration vary from author to author, but many authors will offer one or more of the following: a current version, technical support, a printed manual, free or discounted upgrades, bonus utilities, and/or special offers. So always consult the registration information included with each shareware program.
    

10. OK - When the user picks OK, they will go back to the Main PlotM8 dialog box.

Site Licensing

Site License packages are available with licensing of 15 or more seats.

Benefits: No individual machine registration information to keep track of (Computer Names, Serial Numbers, ID Numbers and Authorization Codes) that is needed to unlock our shareware software versions of AutoM8, LeaderM8, PlotM8 and RecoverM8.

For more site license information please go to www.m8tools.com/site_lic.htm

Contact M8Tools.com for more information.