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Export Sheets

Export Present Mode sheets as a PDF or as PNG/JPG images, what the export keeps, and how to fix common export errors.

Export the sheets you lay out in Present Mode as a PDF or as PNG or JPG images, for example to send drawings to a client or attach them to a submission. The export runs in the browser, usually in a few seconds, and the file downloads straight to your computer. Nothing is sent to you by email.

Before you start

  • Sheets are exported from Present Mode.

  • Set up your view styles, fonts and labels first. The export uses whatever the sheets show (see "What the export keeps" below).

  • If you changed the model after placing views, refresh them with Update all views on the Views tab of the left panel so the export shows the current design.

Export sheets as a PDF

  1. Switch to Present Mode.

  2. Click Export at the top right.

  3. Rename the file in File name if needed.

  4. Under Sheets, choose the sheets you want to export (for example All Sheet).

  5. Set File type to PDF.

  6. Select Export as single PDF file to combine the sheets into one PDF, or clear it to export each sheet as its own file.

  7. Click Export. The file downloads when it's ready.

Tip: Choose a single combined PDF when you're sending a full drawing set, so everything arrives as one file.

Export sheets as PNG or JPG images

  1. In Present Mode, click Export at the top right.

  2. Rename the file in File name if needed.

  3. Under Sheets, choose the sheets you want to export.

  4. Set File type to PNG or JPG.

  5. Click Export.

Tip: PNG keeps crisp line work. JPG gives smaller files for email or quick reviews.

What the export keeps

  • View styles and view settings: line colour, weight and type, fills (Monochrome, Texture or Department colour) and opacity set in the View Settings panel all appear in the export.

  • Text and fonts: font, font style, font size and label visibility from view style settings carry over, including text you've overridden on individual labels.

  • Vector plans: 2D plan views and auto-generated diagrams are placed as vector graphics, so in a PDF their lines and text stay sharp at any zoom.

  • Raster content: 3D views, renders, analysis views and plan views that contain BIM objects or furniture are placed as images. They appear as images in the PDF too.

  • Data tables: program data copied from Program Mode and pasted onto a sheet exports as a vector table in PDF.

Note: The export shows each view as it was when it was last updated. A view on a sheet doesn't update by itself when the model changes, so update views before you export.

Troubleshooting

"An export is already in progress"

Only one export can run at a time. If you start another export (for example a PDF, RVT, DWG or IFC export) while one is still running, Snaptrude shows An export is already in progress. Wait for the first download to finish, then start the next export. Clicking Export twice doesn't create a duplicate job.

The export failed

When an export fails, the export dialog closes and a message tells you why. Fix what the message describes and export again. If you can't fix it, contact support and include the message text.

A view is missing or looks out of date

  • Check for a red border around the view. It means the view overlaps the sheet but isn't placed on it. Move it fully onto the sheet.

  • Click Update all views on the Views tab, then export again. Camera, visibility and view-setting changes have to be saved to the view in Design Mode first.

Related articles

  • Creating and Editing Sheets

  • View Styles and View Settings in Present Mode

  • Update Views in Present Mode

  • Export Your Model (RVT, DWG, IFC)

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