AutoCAD R14 featured a set of so called Bonus Tools.

Among these was a most useful AutoLISP routine called 'Pack n Go'.  This tool (program) enables you to gather up all the files that are used by a particular drawing.  This includes such things as any font files (.shx files) that may have been used within the drawing, linetypes, external references etc.  In other words, 'Pack n Go' it gathers together everything that a user in another place will require to recreate the drawing in exactly the format you left it in.  There will be NO missing pieces in the jigsaw puzzle. Experience has shown that much time can be saved, because there is no need for several 'passes' of files between consultants. 

The steps to follow when using 'Pack n Go' are listed below:

1. Start Window Explorer and create a new folder (we prefer to use the C: drive) ready to hold all of the files that 'Pack n Go' will gather together. In the figure below we have called this new folder Pack&Go, but you might call it "C:\Job that I am emailing to a consultant" 

2. Open the your final assembly drawing (the one you want the consultant to work with). An example is shown below.

Now type the Xref command and make a mental note of the number and name of the Xref's that are attached to the drawing.

3. Go to 'Bonus' drop down menu and select the Pack 'n Go menu. 

Select Pack 'n Go. The dialog box shown below will appear.

This dialogue box contains a list of all files used by this 'assembly' drawing.  The list may well contain many items that you almost certainly have not been aware of - fonts, linetypes, attached drawings etc.

4. Click the Browse button (near the bottom right of the dialogue box) and navigate to the folder that you have set up to contain the 'Pack n Go' files.  Click OK.

The name of the folder will appear in the Copy to: dialogue box as shown below.

5. Now click COPY and all the files will be filed (copied) to your nominated folder. Press Close.  At this stage it is a good idea to use Window Explorer to view the files which have been gathered together. They are now ready for transmission.

6.  It is sensible to use a file compression utility to compress files (we like WinZip) in order to gather all these files into a single file for transmission. If you purchase a licensed copy of WinZip, then you can make this file a 'self-extracting' file.

7. Start Winzip, Click New, locate the Pack n Go folder containing your group of files. Create a name for your new archive file. Click 'Add' and 'grab' all of the files needed.  Close WinZip.

8. Now make sure that an archive file has been created, by using Explorer as shown in the figure below.

8. Now email the zip file to your consultant. When you are sure that they have received it, delete all the files from c:\Pack&Go, ready for the next pass.