Changing the color of a plot in AutoCAD can help add visual appeal and improve the clarity of your drawings. Whether you want to highlight specific elements or differentiate between different layers, AutoCAD provides several ways to modify plot colors. In this tutorial, we will explore various methods to change the color of a plot in AutoCAD.
Method 1: Modifying Plot Styles
If you want to change the color of a plot for an entire drawing, modifying plot styles is an efficient method. Follow these steps:
- Access the Plot Style Manager: In AutoCAD, go to the “Output” tab on the ribbon and click on “Plot.” In the Plot dialog box, click on “Plot Style Manager. “
- Select a Plot Style: In the Plot Style Manager dialog box, you will see a list of available plot styles. Select the style you want to modify by clicking on it.
- Edit Color: Once you have selected a plot style, click on the “Edit” button.
In the Plot Style Table Editor dialog box, locate and select the color property you wish to change.
- Choose a New Color: After selecting the color property, click on the color swatch next to it. A color selection dialog box will appear. Choose your desired color from this dialog box.
- Apply Changes: Once you have selected a new color, click “OK” in both the Color Selection dialog box and Plot Style Table Editor dialog box to apply your changes.
This method allows you to modify multiple colors at once by editing different properties in each plot style.
Method 2: Changing Object Properties
If you want to change the color of specific objects in your drawing, you can do so by modifying their properties. Follow these steps:
- Select the Objects: Use the appropriate selection method (e.g., window selection or individual selection) to select the objects whose color you want to change.
- Access the Properties Palette: In AutoCAD, go to the “Home” tab on the ribbon and click on “Properties.” Alternatively, press “Ctrl+1” on your keyboard.
- Modify Color Property: In the Properties palette, locate and click on the color property.
A drop-down menu will appear with various color options.
- Select a New Color: From the drop-down menu, choose your desired color. AutoCAD will immediately update the selected objects with the new color.
This method is useful when you need to change colors for specific objects or elements within a drawing without affecting other parts.
Method 3: Using Layers
In AutoCAD, layers provide a powerful way to manage and organize different elements within a drawing. By assigning different colors to layers, you can easily control plot colors. Follow these steps:
- Create Layers: If you haven’t already done so, create layers for different elements in your drawing. Go to the “Home” tab on the ribbon, click on “Layers,” and then click on “Layer Properties Manager.” In the Layer Properties Manager dialog box, click on “New” to create new layers.
- Assign Colors to Layers: In the Layer Properties Manager dialog box, click on each layer individually and modify its color property by clicking on the color swatch.
Choose a new color for each layer.
- Assign Objects to Layers: Select the objects you want to assign to a specific layer. In the Properties palette, locate and click on the “Layer” property. From the drop-down menu, choose the desired layer.
By assigning objects to different layers with distinct colors, you can easily control the plot color of each element in your drawing.
Conclusion
Changing the color of a plot in AutoCAD is essential for creating visually appealing and organized drawings. By modifying plot styles, object properties, or using layers effectively, you can easily control and customize plot colors according to your requirements. Experiment with these methods to enhance the visual impact of your AutoCAD drawings!