E2 visa from outside the US - USCIS petition

[BrysonParker]

Is USCIS petition needs to be filed in the US by lawyer prior to submit the case to US embassy when E2 visa is being applied from outside the US?

May I know a high level process for applying E2 visa from outside the US whether USCIS petition is filed from US prior to interview at US embassy? 55 printing color copy for low cost