What is ʼeTransmitʼ in BricsCAD?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

In BricsCAD, etransmit is the ETRANSMIT command used to package a drawing with its dependent files, such as Xrefs, images, fonts, and plot styles, into one ZIP or folder for sharing. The most common professional method is creating a transmittal package from the current drawing. It does not repair missing references automatically.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: If your drawing uses unloaded or unresolved Xrefs, eTransmit can create an incomplete package without obvious errors until the recipient opens it. Custom CTB/STB files, SHX fonts, and support-file paths are also commonly missed if they are not correctly attached or available.

How to Use eTransmit in BricsCAD

  • Command: ETRANSMIT

  • Shortcut: No default shortcut

  • Quick Steps:

    1. Open the main drawing you want to send, then type ETRANSMIT in the command line.
    2. In the Transmittal dialog, review the included files list and choose the package type, usually ZIP for the fastest professional delivery.
    3. Enable a real option such as Bind external references or Include fonts, then click OK to create the package.

Variables & Settings

  • Key Setting: Bind external references

  • Expert Setting: Turn this on when sending files to users who may not maintain the same folder structure. Leave it off if the recipient must keep Xrefs separate for an active project workflow.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): The host drawing references raster images, PDFs, or underlays from broken or moved paths, so the package is incomplete.
  • Cause 2 (layers/Locks): Attached Xrefs may be on locked network locations or read-only project folders, preventing proper collection of all dependent files.
  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): eTransmit packages what is referenced by the drawing, but it does not include unrelated support files that were never attached, such as manually copied CTB files stored outside the configured path.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: Run xref first, resolve all missing references, reload them, and then run ETRANSMIT again with Include fonts enabled.
  • Manager’s Verdict: Use eTransmit for every external issue, client submission, or consultant handoff where reference integrity matters. Avoid plain manual ZIP exports unless you have verified every dependency yourself.

FAQ

Does eTransmit include Xrefs in BricsCAD?
Yes, it is designed to include referenced files used by the drawing.

Can eTransmit create a ZIP file?
Yes, ZIP is the most common professional output format.

Will eTransmit fix broken file paths?
No, you must resolve broken references before creating the package.

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