PDF Batch Plot program??

[StykFacE]

I am an AutoCAD designer at a Mechanical Company and sometimes we'll get *.zip files with 100+ single PDF files that are saved as 36"x24" or even up to 42"x30" sheets of paper for our construction prints/plans. well, because it takes about $3,000 to upgrade our plotters to accept PDF's within the programs it comes with, that's pretty much out of the question for 'only' plotting PDF's on occasion. basically we have to print them one by one. sometimes i've gotten away with setting the big plotter and paper size to default, then right-clicking all the files and click Print, but that basically puts a strain on the computer worse than me trying to bench press what i used to in high school, lol....

anyone know of a (possibly but not important) free-ware PDF Batch plot programs where i can import them all, set the scaling/paper size/etc and just let it run without taking toooooo much resources? i'm a regular over at Cadtutor.net forums and i posted it over there, but still no luck (besides WAY too expensive alternatives).

Thanks in advance for all who might could help.....

PS: someone mentioned something about AutoIT v3.0?? some type of "script" or automated batch file for Windows? could this be an alternative?? just wondering... thanks.

[mairving]

Anything that you do is going to consume a lot of resources whether it is run as a batch file or manually. Can you offload the print job to another computer so that you won't bog yours down?

[StykFacE]

well i'd rather keep it local - just makes things easier. what about Acrobat Pro? can't i select all the files, combine them as one PDF and then do it that way? i wouldn't know because we don't use full versions of Acrobat and i never have before.... i'm sure my company would be willing to spend the money on Acrobat full or Pro, whichever i can use....

PDF's are great, but MAN they are a serious pain sometimes. lol

[glc]

Why can't they send you all those drawings in .dwg format instead of PDF?

[StykFacE]

Originally Posted by glc Why can't they send you all those drawings in .dwg format instead of PDF?

well they could, but there's a reason they send as PDF's. just for plotting purposes for revisions, or sometimes it's a re-build of a record drawing (no AutoCAD files). if i needed them for AutoCAD files we have programs that convert the vector into a DWG, i'm strictly interested in plotting. but yes, your point is valid, AutoCAD *.dwg files are definitely my preferred method, but i think i found a way....

because our whole system is TIFF, i found this program:
http://www.adultpdf.com/products/pdftotiff/index.html

the demo works extremely well, keeps great quality and it isn't a system hog at all. so, case solved. lol thanks for all the input, if there's still a better program/alternative out than this, please feel free to still let me know.