Vdraft Internet Tools (AutoCAD/DXF and SVF Plug-ins)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will they run on my favorite computer?
The SoftSource Plug-ins currently run on PC's with an 80386 or better running
Windows 95 or Windows NT. We do not have a version for Windows 3.1, Windows
for Workgroups, the Macintosh, or Unix.
Will they run with my favorite browser?
The SoftSource Plug-ins require the Windows 95 or Windows NT 32-bit version
of Netscape Navigator version 2.0 or greater,
or Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0, or
Opera.
Unfortunately we can not recommend the use of Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 as
Microsoft no longer fully supports Netscape's plug-in standards.
We also do not recommend the use of Netscape Communicator 4.0 through 4.04 as
there are a number of printing problems with plug-ins in these releases. If you
have one of these versions please upgrage to Communicator 4.05 or later.
There is also a mirror site from which you can
download the latest
version of Netscape for use with our plug-ins.
What versions of AutoCAD drawings are supported in the commercial AutoCAD/DXF
plug-in?
The AutoCAD/DXF Plug-in supports AutoCAD versions 2.5 through Release 14. This
includes DXF and Binary DXF files.
Do I have to pay for this version of Vdraft Internet Tools?
There is both a Public Domain Version of the SVF Plug-in and a demo of the
AutoCAD/DXF Plug-in. The Commercial versions of the Vdraft Internet Tools can be
obtained by visiting our Vdraft Web Site.
A single user commercial license is $50. Multiple unit pricing will be found at
the Vdraft Web site.
I have downloaded a plug-in. Now what?
- Run the file you downloaded (e.g., vit32v15.exe). This will start
a program called WinZip. You should be able to simply select the 'Unzip' button.
This will decompress the install files into the specified directory. These are
temporary files that can be deleted when setup is complete.
- When the install files have been extracted, the setup program will run.
Then just follow the prompts.
- By default Setup will install the plug-in for Netscape. If you wish to
install for Internet Explorer you will have to click on the Browse button
to locate the IE sub-directory containing the IExplore.Exe file. This directory is
usually located at C:\Program Files\Plus!\Microsoft Internet
- When Setup has completed, you can view the sample documents in the install
directory, usually C:\Program Files\Vdraft\Plugins, or view the
DWG/DXF sample page or
SVF sample page online.
I can view the sample images from SoftSource and images on my local hard drive,
but not images on my server. What's going on?
On a local hard drive, Netscape uses a file's extension to figure out which plug-in
to run. When the file comes from a web server, the server sends Netscape a MIME type
so it knows what to do with the file.
Here's more information.
How do I make the plug-in use my fonts, externally referenced blocks (Xrefs) or
images?
The fonts (.SHX files), Xrefs (.DWG files) or images (.BMP, .JPG, .TIF, etc.) must
reside on the local system for the plug-in to find them. They must be in a directory
specified by the ACAD= environment variable.
These files are additional data files referenced by an AutoCAD drawing and do not
download with the drawing file. Hence you will see blank areas where the Xref or
image would normally appear. As for missing .SHX font files, the plug-in will
substitute the TXT font. As for TrueType fonts, if that font does not exist on your
computer then the plug-in will ask Windows for a look-a-like TrueType font.
I can't print from Netscape
Version 4 of Internet Explorer and Netscape 4.0 through 4.04 both have problems with
print. Internet Explorer 3.0 or Netscape 4.05 or later should be used for printing.
Downloading version 1.5 or purchasing the commercial version of our plug-ins should
resolve several printer issues. If you want to print a drawing that is not part of
an HTML document, you will need to puchase the commercial version of our AutoCAD/DXF
or SVF plug-ins.
While printing from Windows 95, I get a "printer overrun" error.
Your printer is configured for 'vector graphics'. The drawings you are printing
are sufficiently large that your printer doesn't have enough memory for this.
Change the printer configuration to 'bitmap graphics'.
What does the public license for SVF look like?
The license agreement is located in the directory where the plug-ins' sample files are
installed. Or you can view the online version of the
Vdraft Internet Tools public license agreement.
Help using the plug-ins.
- General Plug-ins information.
Return to the SoftSource Home Page.
Sales: softsales@softsource.com
Technical Support: softtech@softsource.com