How Do I Insert a CTB in AutoCAD?

In this tutorial, we will learn how to insert a CTB (Color-Based Plot Style) file in AutoCAD. A CTB file is used to control the colors and lineweights of plotted objects in AutoCAD. It allows you to have consistent plot styles across multiple drawings.

Step 1: Accessing the Plot Style Manager

To insert a CTB file in AutoCAD, first, we need to access the Plot Style Manager. There are two ways to do this:

  • Method 1: Type ‘PLOTSTYLE’ in the command line and press Enter.
  • Method 2: Go to the ‘Output’ tab in the ribbon and click on the ‘Plot’ button. Then, click on the ‘Plot Style Manager’ option.

Step 2: Importing a CTB File

Once you have accessed the Plot Style Manager, follow these steps to import a CTB file:

  1. Select a CTB File:
    • In the Plot Style Table (Pen Assignments) section of the Plot Style Manager, click on the ‘Add or Edit Plot Styles’ button.
    • A new window will open. Click on the ‘Add or Import..’ button.
    • Navigate to the location where your CTB file is saved and select it.
    • Click ‘OK’ to close this window.

  2. Assign CTB File to Layouts:
    • In the Page Setup Manager dialog box, select a layout for which you want to assign the CTB file.
    • Click on the ‘Modify’ button.
    • In the Plot Style Table (Pen Assignments) section, select the CTB file from the ‘Plot style table (pen assignments)’ dropdown list.

Step 3: Applying the CTB File

Now that you have imported and assigned the CTB file, it’s time to apply it to your drawing. Follow these steps:

  1. Open the Plot Dialog:
    • Type ‘PLOT’ in the command line and press Enter.
  2. Select a Printer/Plotter:
    • In the Plot dialog box, select a printer or plotter from the ‘Name’ dropdown list.
  3. Select a Paper Size and Plot Area:
    • Select an appropriate paper size and plot area from their respective dropdown lists.
  4. Choose Plot Style:
    • In the ‘Plot style table (pen assignments)’ section, select your imported CTB file from the dropdown list.

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