Adding Automatically Generated QR Codes on the Current Drawing

Quick Response codes (QR codes) are square-shaped grids that store information that can be read by digital devices, such as scanners, mobile phones, tablets, and cameras.

You can place scannable QR codes on your drawings to point to the URL of a shared drawing in an easy way, without having to write or type the URL.

The CloudField command lets you place QR codes and links on your drawing. The command automatically generates the necessary data linked to the QR code or the link, that you can place on your drawing at the desired location.

You can place QR codes in a specified location or insert them in fields. QR codes are visible in drawing sheets and on the printed drawing.

Many software applications, including applications on mobile devices equipped with a camera, such as iPhone, Android Smartphone lets you scan QR codes either on the printed drawing or in an electronic published form.

Before placing a link or a QR code, decide the following:

  • What version of the shared drawing to link:
    • Latest version
    • Version that has been printed
  • Whether the shared drawing is available for download or for opening in view-only mode
  • Description to display on the QR code

You can place QR codes and links anywhere in the current drawing or use them within a field.

The icon on the QR code specifies whether the drawing is available for download or view-only.

The QR code links to a drawing available in view-only mode.

The QR code links to a drawing available for download.

The background color of the QR code provides information about the version of the drawing.

Latest version of the drawing
Printed version of the drawing

Moving and Resizing QR Codes

Once the QR has been generated and placed on the drawing, you can move it or resize it using grip points. You can resize a QR code as much as necessary.

Click the QR code to display the grip points.

Grip Point Modifications
Upper left corner Move
Upper right corner Stretch

To insert a QR code for downloading the latest version of the drawing:

Note: You can generate QR codes and place them only on drawings stored in the Cloud Storage.

  1. Do one of the following:
    • On the menu, click Draw > QR Code > Cloud Field.
    • On the ribbon, click Annotate > QR Code > Cloud Field.
    • Type CloudField.
  2. In the Cloud Field dialog box, do the following:
    • In Format, specify QR code.
    • In Options, specify the version of the drawing to link with the QR code. Available options let you download the drawing or open it in view-only mode.

      In the preview, the background color of the QR code changes according to your selection.

    • In Description, you can keep the default description or type another text.

      When you scan the QR code, the description displays at the bottom. Once the QR code is created, you can change the description on the Properties palette.

  3. Click OK.

    The QR code frame appears attached to the mouse pointer.

  4. In the graphics area, specify a point.

    The QR code will always appear in the digital drawing and in the printed versions of the drawing. You can use your device to scan the QR code and download the drawing.

To insert a link for downloading the latest version of the drawing:

Note: You can generate URL for download and place them only on drawings stored in the Cloud Storage.

  1. Do one of the following:
    • On the menu, click Draw > QR Code > Cloud Field.
    • On the ribbon, click Annotate > QR Code > Cloud Field.
    • Type CloudField.
  2. In the Cloud Field dialog box, do the following:
    • In Format, specify Linked text. Type the text to display on the drawing.
    • In Options, specify the version of the drawing to link with the text.
    • In Description, you can keep the default description or type another text.
  3. Click OK.

To download a drawing using a QR code:

Note: QR codes are visible in drawing sheets and on the printed drawings.

  1. Use the camera to scan the QR code to access the drawing. If necessary, download a QR code scanning application.

    A browser window opens and the QR code redirects to the URL where the drawing file is stored.

  2. Specify the format to download the drawing:
    • Download DWG. Lets you download the associated version of the drawing in DWG format.
    • Download PDF. Exports the associated version of the drawing into PDF and lets you download the file. The PDF file name is the same as the drawing file name.

Access

Command: CloudField

Menu: Draw > QR Code > Cloud Field

Ribbon: Annotate > QR Code > Cloud Field

Related Topics

Working with Drawings from the Cloud Storage

Parent Topic