I think there is a need for this quick post about publishing before taking a few days away for the holiday weekend.  Before that, though, let me say U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!  I’m just in the Independence Day spirit I guess.

PUBLISHCOLLATE is an important system variable to consider when plotting.  It can affect not only your PLT files and PDF files,  but the order and interleafing of plots coming off the machine.

With PUBLISHCOLLATE set to “0″, a sheet set is processed one layout at a time with separate PLT files being created.  Plots from other users sent to the same plotter you are using at the same time may be interleafed, or mixed between yours.  Individual PDF files will be created for each layout when done in this manner.

With PUBLISHCOLLATE set to “1″, a sheet set is processed in its entirety as a multi-sheet PLT file and single job sent to a plotter.  A set sent this way to a plotter will be produced without interruption from other users.  When doing this, a single multi-sheet PDF file is created when sending a set as such.

Also of note, many users have found that when PUBLISHCOLLATE is set to “1″ they have regularly experienced problems.  There have been a whole range of issues from no plots being sent at all, to halfway through a sheet set the publish job will simply stall out.  Some of these issues stem from the fact that to plot multi-sheet files, you must have a driver that supports them.  Make sure you do and use this method with discretion.