What Is Plot Style Table in AutoCAD?

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If you’re an AutoCAD user, you may have come across the term “Plot Style Table.” But what exactly is a Plot Style Table and how does it affect your CAD drawings? In this article, we’ll dive into the details of Plot Style Tables and explore their significance in AutoCAD.

What is a Plot Style Table?

A Plot Style Table, also known as a “CTB” file (Color-Based) or “STB” file (Style-Based), is a configuration file that determines how AutoCAD translates object colors into plotted lineweights. It allows you to control the appearance of your drawings when they are printed or plotted. By assigning specific lineweights to different colors, you can achieve consistent and professional-looking prints.

CTB vs. STB

There are two types of Plot Style Tables in AutoCAD – CTB and STB. Let’s take a closer look at each:

  • CTB (Color-Based):

    • A CTB file defines lineweights based on colors. Each color in your drawing is assigned a specific lineweight value.

    For example, you can assign red objects to plot with a thick lineweight while assigning blue objects to plot with a thin lineweight.

  • STB (Style-Based):

    • An STB file defines lineweights based on object properties or styles rather than colors. This means that objects with different colors can have the same lineweight if they share the same style or property settings.

Why Use Plot Style Tables?

You might wonder why bother with Plot Style Tables when you can simply adjust the lineweights of individual objects in your drawing. Here are a few reasons why using Plot Style Tables is advantageous:

  • Consistency: By defining lineweights based on colors or styles, Plot Style Tables ensure that your drawings have a consistent appearance throughout. This is especially useful when collaborating with other CAD users or sharing your drawings with clients.
  • Easy Updates: If you decide to change the lineweight of a specific color or style, you can update the Plot Style Table instead of manually modifying each object in your drawing.

    This saves time and effort.

  • Standardization: Plot Style Tables allow you to adhere to specific drafting standards, such as ISO or ANSI, by defining lineweights according to their guidelines. This ensures that your drawings meet industry-specific requirements.

Creating and Managing Plot Style Tables

To create or modify Plot Style Tables in AutoCAD, follow these steps:

  1. Accessing the Plot Style Manager:

    2. To access the Plot Style Manager dialog box, go to the “Output” tab in the AutoCAD application menu and click on “Plot Style Manager.” Alternatively, you can type “PLOTSTYLE” in the command line.

  2. Selecting a Plot Style Table:

    3. In the Plot Style Manager dialog box, you can select an existing CTB or STB file from the list or create a new one by clicking on “New.”

    You can also import plot styles from other files using the “Add-A-Plotter Wizard. “

  3. Modifying Lineweights:

    4. To modify lineweights, select a color or style from the list and adjust the lineweight value accordingly. You can also assign different lineweight values to screen and plotted lineweights.

  4. Applying Plot Style Tables:

    5. Once you have created or modified a Plot Style Table, you can apply it to your drawings by selecting it in the “Plot” dialog box or by assigning it as a default plot style in your page setup.

Conclusion

Plot Style Tables are an essential component of AutoCAD that allows you to control the appearance of your drawings when printed or plotted. By defining lineweights based on colors or styles, you can achieve consistency, easily update drawings, and adhere to drafting standards. Understanding how to create and manage Plot Style Tables will enhance your CAD workflow and improve the overall quality of your prints.

So next time you’re working on an AutoCAD project, don’t forget to leverage the power of Plot Style Tables for professional-looking results!