[Bob Ritger]

Vince – I’m not sure if I completely understand your query but if the filename is the issue when you choose Extract Pages I typically select the option to “Use page label to name files”. Would this option help? -Bob

[Vince French]

Thanks Bob – I will give that a go.

[Vince French]

I have that all working now using the filename without the prefix. What is throwing me is the useless naming convention on the set of drawings that I have been trying this with – the revision details are in the middle of the file name e.g. “150 – Garages-D2-Single SGB.pdf”.

The “D2” is the revision number!

So, my issue now is that when I slip in the latest revision which is “D5” the drawing title remains as the original set which can be rather confusing if you are expecting to see “D5” somewhere.

The naming conventions here in the UK have a long long way to go before this becomes the simple process that it should be.

[Isaac Harned]

I am curious if anyone here uses any file explorers besides the native windows. The one we use, Directory Opus has a rename feature that can process a whole folder, with find and replace, capitalize words, etc. This would probably solve your prefix issue pretty quick, but IDK if you need that in the file name.

Typically I would take that whole set of drawings and place it in a date sorted folder, i.e. 2023-07-11 – D2, leave everything with just sheet numbers. Then I make my overlays and bid marks in that folder. Then when I transfer to my “Takeoff Set”, it will leave the bid marks and update my consolidated. I think the only process that would be missing for you is the Original Issue Set. Is there a specific purpose for this set?

[Vince French]

Hi Isaac. I use QT Tab Bar with explorer, but this doesn’t offer the same renaming feature that you’ve described.

My big issue with doing this is that the naming of files here is sometimes that bad that I fear I have to rename almost everything each time there is an issue of drawings. And unfortunately certain companies have a tendency to issue a full new set instead of just the revised drawings – this can be up to 800 drawings at a time.

I have sort of come up with a fix using Power Query to take all of the filenames from selected folders and then create a drawing register which is hyperlinked. This still isn’t perfect though.

[Isaac Harned]

Not to plug a whole other product here, but you might want to look a little more at Directory Opus, there are some cool file structure export options and scripting features that might help. Very active forum with developer who actually answers, and a community that shares scripts more than we do here. I admit I am no expert yet, but looking at the options I think it would just the right setup, see my snapshots below.

Here is a link to their forum so you can see the work they are doing:

https://resource.dopus.com/

Also relatively cheap in comparison with some of the software out there.

Wish I had an answer that worked with the tools you have though, probably someone has figured this out, just gotta find them lol

resource.dopus.com

Directory Opus Resource Centre

Technical Support and Add-Ons for Directory Opus

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[Vince French]

Thanks Isaac – I will definitely take a look!

[rob gibson]

Hi Vince,

if the file names are odd…..but consistent……..you could try using the Match By -page region

and then when doing this……..pick the file name first from the title block—then add the revision section ?

[Vince French]

I’ve looked Rob but unfortunately there are just too many adjustments to make – it some cases I will have to individually adjust literally every sheet. Our drawings here in the UK are just shockingly bad!

[Doug McLean]

Vince have you tried changing how the revised pages get stacked by the Set?

You’ll have to go into your preferences, but it should solve some of your issues.

[Vince French]

Thanks Doug. I’ve had a go at changing a few of the settings but unfortunately, I am still left with the original filename which includes the outdated revision number.

I’ll have a play around with some more drawings which use a better naming convention to see if I get better results.