What Is An AutoCAD DSD File?

An AutoCAD DSD (Drawing Set Description) file stores the instructions AutoCAD uses to batch plot or publish a group of drawings with consistent settings — including the list and order of drawings, page setups, plot styles (CTB/STB), target output (plotter, PDF, DWF), and other publish options. DSD files let you save and reuse a complete set of batch-plot settings so you can produce identical outputs repeatedly and automate printing for large projects.

Table of Contents

What is an AutoCAD DSD file?

A DSD file is created by AutoCAD’s Publish (batch plot) system. It contains the sheet list and the plot/publish configuration for those sheets. Use cases include:

batch plotting many DWG files to a plotter or PDF with the same settings.
Publishing a set of drawings to a single PDF or DWF.
Saving project sets (groups of drawings) so you can re-run the same plot/publish routine later.

Note: AutoCAD generates DSD files via the Publish dialog; they are intended for reuse with the Publish command.

When and why to use DSD files

To ensure consistent output (scale, paper size, plot style) across many drawings.
To save time when printing or publishing dozens or hundreds of sheets.
To create a reproducible publish workflow for team members or automated jobs.
To combine multiple drawings into a single PDF/DWF with consistent settings.

How to create a DSD file — step by step

Prepare your drawings:
- Make sure each DWG has the correct Page Setup (or apply a standard page setup to sheets).
- Ensure CTB/PC3 (plot style or printer driver) files are available on the machine or network.
- Resolve any missing Xrefs and required fonts.
Open the Publish dialog:
- Type PUBLISH at the AutoCAD command line or use the ribbon: Output tab → Publish panel → Publish.
Add sheets:
- Click Add Sheets or drag files into the sheet list. You can add individual layouts from DWGs or entire drawings.
Configure each sheet:
- For each sheet, select the desired Page Setup, Plot Style (CTB/STB), paper size, and plotter/PC3.
- Use the Page Setup Override column to change per-sheet settings without editing the DWG.
Choose output:
- From the Publish dialog, select Publish to: and choose PDF, DWF, or your plotter/plot queue.
Save the DSD:
- Click the Publish drop-down and choose Save DSD (or Export DSD) — give the file a name and location.
- Optionally, choose whether to use absolute or relative paths when saving.
Run publish (optional):
- You can publish immediately, or close and run the DSD later via the Publish command.

How to use a saved DSD file to publish or batch plot

Open AutoCAD and type PUBLISH.
In the Publish dialog, click Import or the option to Open DSD, then select your saved .dsd file.
Review the sheet list and settings — change page setups or output destination if needed.
Click Publish to execute the batch process (to plotter, single/multi PDF, or DWF).
For automation, you can run DSD files in scripts or from other automation tools if your workflow supports calling AutoCAD’s batch publish.

Editing and inspecting DSD files

A DSD file is generated by AutoCAD and may be opened with a text editor to view contents. Editing manually is possible but error-prone — use AutoCAD’s Publish dialog to make controlled changes.
If you need to change many sheet settings, it’s safer to update the page setups inside the DWGs or rebuild the DSD from the Publish dialog.

Common errors and fixes

Missing CTB/PC3 or printer driver
- Error: plots fail or plot styles are not applied.
- Fix: place required CTB/PC3 files in a shared directory and update AutoCAD’s Printer Support File Search Path (Options > Files). Confirm PC3 is installed on client machines.
Broken Xrefs or missing fonts
- Error: sheets plot blank or with incorrect geometry.
- Fix: ensure all Xrefs and fonts are accessible (use eTransmit or pack Xrefs for a centralized publish). Use full paths or copy files into a common folder.
Incorrect page size or scale
- Error: clipped drawings or wrong layout scale.
- Fix: standardize page setups across drawings; use Page Setup Manager to create and apply saved setups.
Paths and file locations
- Error: DSD can’t find DWGs if moved.
- Fix: save DSD with relative paths when possible or update the DSD by creating it from the current folder structure. Keep DWGs and DSD on the same shared network location for team use.
Publish stops or times out
- Error: long jobs hang or fail.
- Fix: test with a smaller subset first, ensure sufficient disk/print-server resources, and verify the plotter driver is stable. Consider splitting into multiple DSDs.

Alternative methods for batch plotting and publishing

sheet set Manager (SHEETSET/DST): Use AutoCAD’s Sheet Set to manage large projects and publish sheets directly from the sheet set. Better for ongoing project management.
Direct Publish (without DSD): Use the Publish dialog and run the job immediately without saving a DSD. Good for one-off jobs.
Third-party tools: PDF batch conversion tools (Bluebeam, batch PDF printers) or custom scripts can automate plotting outside AutoCAD.
Automation via LISP or .NET: Advanced users can create scripts or add-ins to generate and run publish jobs programmatically.

Best practices and tips

Always standardize and use shared page setups to reduce manual adjustments.
Store CTB/PC3 files on a network location and reference that in AutoCAD’s Options > Files.
Use relative paths in DSD when moving projects between folders or team members.
Test your DSD on a small subset before running a large batch.
For multi-sheet PDFs, verify order in the DSD sheet list before publishing.
Keep a stable print driver and update it on all machines that will run the DSD.
If you publish from a build server or another machine, ensure AutoCAD has access to all fonts, Xrefs, and plot styles.

FAQ

What exactly is stored inside a DSD file?

A DSD file stores the sheet list, page setup references, selected plot styles/plotter, output destination (PDF/DWF/plotter), and publish options. It preserves the batch-publish configuration so you can re-run the same job.

Can I open or edit a DSD file in a text editor?

Yes, you can view a DSD file in a text editor to inspect paths and entries, but manual editing is risky. It’s safer to modify the sheet list and settings from AutoCAD’s Publish dialog.

How do I fix “missing plot style” or “plotter not found” errors when using a DSD?

Make sure the required CTB/PC3 files and plotter drivers are installed or available on the network path referenced by the DSD. Update AutoCAD’s search paths (Options > Files) and test the page setup inside one DWG before batch publishing.

Can a DSD publish multiple DWGs into a single PDF?

Yes — configure Publish to: PDF and choose the option for combined output in the Publish dialog. The DSD controls the order of sheets that will appear in the combined PDF.

What is the difference between using DSD files and the Sheet Set Manager?

A DSD is focused on batch output settings for a publish job. The Sheet Set Manager (DST) is a broader project management tool that organizes sheets, metadata, callouts, and can also publish sheets. Use DST for ongoing project workflows; use DSD for repeatable batch-publish jobs.

Can I automate DSD publishing from a script or server?

Yes, it’s possible if the automation environment can run AutoCAD or an AutoCAD-based batch publisher and has access to the DSD and all referenced files. Many firms use scripts or custom add-ins to trigger DSD-based publishes on servers or build machines.

Why do my DSD jobs fail only on some computers?

Differences usually come from missing CTB/PC3, fonts, Xrefs, or different AutoCAD versions. Standardize resources across machines and centralize plot style and plotter files to ensure consistent results.