In this tutorial, we will learn how to change AutoCAD STB (Style Table) files to CTB (Color-dependent Plot Style Table) files. This conversion is useful when you want to switch from using STB files to CTB files for plotting in AutoCAD.
What are STB and CTB files?
Before we proceed, let’s understand what STB and CTB files are in AutoCAD.
- STB stands for Style Table. It is a file format used in AutoCAD to define plot styles that control the appearance of objects when plotted.
- CTB, on the other hand, stands for Color-dependent Plot Style Table. It is another file format used in AutoCAD for defining plot styles based on colors.
Why convert from STB to CTB?
There can be several reasons why you might want to convert from STB to CTB:
- You have received a drawing from someone who uses CTB files, and you want your plots to match their plotting settings.
- You prefer working with CTB files as they offer more flexibility in managing line weights and colors.
- You are collaborating with others who use CTB files, and it would be more convenient for everyone to use the same plotting style.
How to convert STB to CTB:
Step 1: Open the Plot Style Manager
The first step is to open the Plot Style Manager in AutoCAD. To do this, go to the ‘Home’ tab in the ribbon and click on ‘Plot’ under the ‘Output’ section. In the plot dialog, click on ‘Plot Style Manager’.
Step 2: Select the STB file
In the Plot Style Manager, you will see a list of available plot styles. Look for the STB file that you want to convert to CTB and select it.
Note: Make sure that the STB file you select is not currently assigned to any layouts or objects in your drawing. If it is, you will need to remove those references before proceeding with the conversion.
Step 3: Convert to CTB
Once you have selected the STB file, click on the ‘Convert’ button in the Plot Style Manager dialog. AutoCAD will prompt you to save the converted CTB file. Choose a location and name for the CTB file and click ‘Save’.
Step 4: Assign the new CTB file
After saving the CTB file, it will appear in the list of available plot styles in the Plot Style Manager. To use this new CTB file for plotting, select it from the list and click ‘Close’ to exit the Plot Style Manager.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we learned how to convert AutoCAD STB files to CTB files. By following these steps, you can easily switch from using STB files to CTB files for plotting in AutoCAD. Remember that converting plot styles may affect how your drawings appear when printed or plotted, so make sure to review your plots after making any changes.
Happy plotting!