Where Are Plot Styles in AutoCAD?

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Are you looking for the plot styles in AutoCAD? You might be wondering where they are located and how to access them.

Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we will explore the various ways to find and use plot styles in AutoCAD.

What are Plot Styles?

Plot styles, also known as CTB (Color-Based) and STB (Style-Based) files, are used in AutoCAD to control the colors, lineweights, and other visual properties of objects when plotting or printing. They provide a consistent appearance to your drawings and ensure that they look the same on different devices or printers.

Finding Plot Styles

There are a few different ways to access plot styles in AutoCAD. Let’s explore them one by one:

The Ribbon Menu

To find plot styles using the ribbon menu, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the “Plot” tab in the ribbon menu.
  2. In the “Plot” tab, click on the “Page Setup Manager” button.
  3. A dialog box will appear. In this dialog box, click on “Modify..” next to the currently selected page setup.
  4. In the “Page Setup Editor” dialog box, click on “Plot Style Table (Pen Assignments)” under “Plot options”.
  5. You will now see a list of available plot style tables. Select the one you want to use and click “OK”.

The Application Menu

If you prefer using the application menu instead of the ribbon menu, here’s how you can find plot styles:

  1. Click on the big “A” button in the top-left corner of the AutoCAD window to open the application menu.
  2. In the application menu, click on “Print” and then select “Page Setup Manager”.
  3. Follow steps 3 to 5 from the previous section to access plot styles.

The Quick Access Toolbar

If you have customized your Quick Access Toolbar, you can add a button for quick access to plot styles. Here’s how:

  1. Right-click on an empty space in the Quick Access Toolbar.
  2. In the context menu that appears, click on “Customize Quick Access Toolbar”.
  3. In the “Customize” tab of the Options dialog box, select “Plot Style Table Editor” from the list of commands.
  4. Click on “Add” and then click “OK”.
  5. You will now have a button for plot styles in your Quick Access Toolbar.

Using Plot Styles

Now that we know how to find plot styles, let’s briefly discuss how to use them:

  • Color-Based (CTB) Plot Styles:
    • To use a color-based plot style, make sure that a CTB file is selected in your page setup or plot settings. You can modify the colors and lineweights of individual objects using different pen assignments defined in the CTB file.

  • Style-Based (STB) Plot Styles:
    • To use a style-based plot style, select an STB file in your page setup or plot settings. In this case, objects are assigned to different plot styles rather than individual colors or lineweights. You can create and modify plot styles in the “Plot Style Table Editor” dialog box.

Remember, using plot styles can greatly enhance the visual consistency and quality of your plotted or printed drawings. Take some time to explore the available plot style options and experiment with different settings to achieve the desired results.

That’s it! Now you know where to find plot styles in AutoCAD and how to use them. Happy plotting!