Are you wondering how to change CTB to STB in AutoCAD? Look no further!
In this comprehensive tutorial, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of making this conversion. Let’s dive right in!
What is CTB and STB?
In AutoCAD, CTB (Color-Dependent Plot Style) and STB (Named Plot Style) are two different plot style settings that control how colors are plotted or printed. While CTB files associate colors with plot styles based on their index, STB files assign properties directly to objects. Converting from CTB to STB can be necessary when you want to streamline your plotting process or collaborate with others who use STBs.
Step 1: Open the Plot Style Manager
To begin the conversion process, open AutoCAD and navigate to the “Plot” tab in the ribbon. Click on the “Plot Style Manager” button in the “Plot” panel. Alternatively, you can type “STYLESMANAGER” in the command line.
Step 2: Create a New Plot Style Table
In the Plot Style Manager dialog box, click on the “Add-A-Plot Style Table Wizard” button at the top-right corner. This will launch a new window where you can create a new plot style table.
Step 2.1: Choose Start from Scratch
In the first step of the wizard, select “Start from Scratch” and click “Next” to proceed.2: Define New Plot Style Table
In this step, provide a name for your new plot style table (e.g., MySTBTable) and choose a location to save it. Click “Next” when ready.3: Choose Plot Style Type
Here, select “Plot Style Table (STB)” and click “Next” to continue.
Step 3: Customize the New STB File
Now that you have created a new STB file, it’s time to customize it according to your requirements.
Step 3.1: Modify Plot Styles
In the Plot Style Table Editor, you will see a list of plot styles on the left side. Select each plot style one by one and modify their properties as needed. You can change colors, lineweights, and other settings for each plot style.2: Create New Plot Styles
If you want to create additional plot styles, click on the “New” button in the editor window. This will open a dialog box where you can define a new plot style with specific properties.
Step 4: Assign Objects to Plot Styles
After customizing your new STB file, it’s important to assign objects in your drawing to the appropriate plot styles.
Step 4.1: Select Objects
In AutoCAD, select all the objects that you want to assign a particular plot style to. You can use selection tools like “Window” or “Crossing” for this purpose.2: Assign Plot Style
In the Properties palette or by right-clicking on selected objects, choose a desired plot style from the newly created STB file in the “Plot Style” section. This will assign the chosen plot style to all selected objects.
Step 5: Save Changes and Apply STB File
Once you have assigned plot styles to all relevant objects, it’s time to save your changes and apply the STB file to your drawing.
Step 5.1: Save Changes
In the Plot Style Table Editor, click on the “Save” button to save all your modifications.2: Apply STB File
To apply the STB file to your drawing, go back to the Plot Style Manager dialog box. Select the newly created STB file from the list of available plot style tables and click “Set Current” followed by “Close”.
Congratulations! You’ve Successfully Converted CTB to STB!
By following these simple steps, you have successfully changed CTB to STB in AutoCAD. Now you can enjoy the benefits of using named plot styles for more efficient plotting and collaboration.
Remember, converting from CTB to STB is a one-way process, so make sure to backup your original files before making any changes. Happy plotting!
- Tips:
- Regularly update and maintain your plot style tables for consistent printing.
- Consider creating separate plot style tables for different projects or disciplines.
- Warnings:
- Changing plot styles may affect how colors appear in previously plotted drawings.
- Carefully review and test your new plot styles before finalizing them for production.
In conclusion,
The process of changing CTB to STB in AutoCAD involves creating a new plot style table (STB), customizing it according to your needs, assigning objects to specific plot styles, saving changes, and applying the new STB file. By following these steps correctly, you can optimize your plotting workflow and ensure consistent printing results.