How Do I Create a Plot Style in AutoCAD?

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Creating a Plot Style in AutoCAD

When it comes to plotting your AutoCAD drawings, having a consistent and professional look is essential. This is where plot styles come into play. A plot style, also known as a pen assignment or CTB file, determines how objects are displayed when printed or plotted.

What is a Plot Style?

A plot style is a set of rules that control the appearance of objects in your drawing when they are plotted. It defines line widths, colors, and other characteristics for different layers or object types. By creating and using plot styles, you can ensure that your drawings have a consistent visual representation.

How to Create a Plot Style

Here’s a step-by-step guide on creating a plot style in AutoCAD:

Step 1: Open the Plot Style Manager

To create or modify plot styles in AutoCAD, you need to access the Plot Style Manager. You can do this by either typing “PLOTSTYLE” in the command line or navigating to the “Output” tab in the Ribbon and clicking on “Plot Style Manager.”

Step 2: Create a New Plot Style

In the Plot Style Manager window, click on the “Add-A-Plotter Wizard” button. This will launch the Add Plotter wizard, which will guide you through the process of creating a new plot style.

Step 3: Choose an Existing Configuration File

The Add Plotter wizard will prompt you to choose an existing configuration file from various options available. Select “My Computer” if you want to create a custom plot style from scratch.

Step 4: Specify Printer Information

In this step, you’ll need to specify printer information such as port name and manufacturer/model details. You can choose a generic or specific printer model depending on your requirements.

Step 5: Define Plotter Name and Description

Give your plotter a name and description that will help you identify it later. This information is for organizational purposes and will not affect the plot style itself.

Step 6: Choose a Plot Style Table File

In this step, you’ll need to select a plot style table (CTB or STB file) that defines the pen assignments and other plot style settings. You can either choose an existing plot style table or create a new one.

  • Note: If you want to create a new plot style table, select “No” when asked if you want to use an existing PCP or PC2 file.

Step 7: Specify Plotter Configuration

In this step, you’ll need to specify additional settings such as paper size, printable area, orientation, and resolution. These settings will depend on your printer and output requirements.

Step 8: Save the Plotter Configuration

After specifying all the necessary settings, click on the “Finish” button to save your new plotter configuration. This will create a new plot style based on your chosen plot style table and printer settings.

Applying the Plot Style

Once you have created a plot style, you can apply it to your drawings. To do this:

  • Method 1:
    1. Select the desired layout tab in AutoCAD.
    2. Go to the “Plot” tab in the Ribbon.
    3. In the “Plot Style Table” dropdown menu, select the newly created plot style.
    4. Click on the “Plot” button to plot your drawing using the selected plot style.
  • Method 2:
    1. Type “PLOT” in the command line.
    2. In the Plot dialog box, under “Plot Style Table (Pen Assignments),” select the newly created plot style.

Conclusion

Creating a plot style in AutoCAD allows you to control how your drawings look when printed or plotted. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can easily create and apply custom plot styles to ensure consistent and professional output. Remember to experiment with different settings and test your plots to achieve the desired results.