Are you looking to import a CTB plot into AutoCAD? In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process step-by-step. Let’s get started!
What is a CTB plot?
A CTB plot is a color-based plot style table used in AutoCAD to control the appearance of plotted objects. It allows you to assign specific colors and lineweights to different layers or objects in your drawing.
Step 1: Open the Plot Style Manager
To import a CTB plot into AutoCAD, start by opening the Plot Style Manager. You can do this by typing “STYLESMANAGER” in the command line or by navigating through the Ribbon: Home > Manage > Plot Styles.
Step 2: Import the CTB file
In the Plot Style Manager, click on the Add-A-Plotter Wizard button. This will launch the Add Plotter wizard, which will guide you through the process of adding a new plotter configuration.
In the wizard, select My Computer as the plotter model and click Next. Then choose No, not this time when asked if you want to use an existing driver, and again click Next.
In the next window, select your output device (usually your printer) from the list and click on Next. If your device is not listed, choose a similar one or consult your printer’s documentation for compatible drivers.
Now, in the following window, choose Create a new port, leave it as Local Port, and enter a name for your port. Click Next to proceed.
Next, you will be prompted to select the manufacturer and model for your plotter. Since we are importing a CTB plot, choose AutoCAD DXB File as the manufacturer and AutoCAD DXB File as the model. Click on Next.
In the final step of the wizard, you will be asked to provide a name for your plotter configuration. Enter a descriptive name for easy identification and click Finish.
Step 3: Apply the imported CTB plot to your drawing
Now that you have imported the CTB plot, it’s time to apply it to your drawing.
In AutoCAD, go to the Layout tab. Right-click on your layout tab and select Paper Space Plot Style Table (CTB or STB). This will open a dialog box where you can choose the plot style table for your layout.
In the Plot Style Table Editor dialog box, select the imported CTB file from the list and click on OK. The CTB plot style will now be applied to your drawing.
Tips:
- If you want to import multiple CTB plots into AutoCAD, simply repeat steps 2 and 3 for each additional file.
- You can customize the colors and lineweights in a CTB plot by editing it in the Plot Style Manager. To do this, select the desired CTB file and click on Edit..
- If you’re using AutoCAD LT, note that it only supports STB (named plot style) files and not CTB (color-based plot style) files.
Conclusion:
Importing a CTB plot into AutoCAD is a simple process that allows you to control the appearance of plotted objects in your drawing. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can easily import and apply CTB plots to enhance the visual representation of your designs.
Remember, the Plot Style Manager is a powerful tool that gives you control over the colors and lineweights used in your plots. Experiment with different plot styles to find the one that best suits your needs.
Happy plotting!