How Do You Change the Plot Style in AutoCAD?

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How Do You Change the Plot Style in AutoCAD?

If you are an AutoCAD user, you may be familiar with the importance of plot styles in creating visually appealing and professional-looking drawings. Plot styles control how your objects and linework appear when printed or plotted. In this tutorial, we will explore how to change the plot style in AutoCAD, allowing you to customize the appearance of your drawings.

Understanding Plot Styles

Before we dive into the process of changing plot styles, let’s take a moment to understand what they are and how they work. A plot style is a set of predefined settings that control how colors, lineweights, linetypes, and other visual properties are applied to objects when they are printed or plotted. It allows you to create consistent and standardized output across different printers or plotters.

In AutoCAD, there are two types of plot styles: color-dependent plot styles (CTB) and named plot styles (STB). CTB files use color assignments to control plotting properties, while STB files use named plot styles defined within AutoCAD. Both options have their advantages and can be used depending on your specific requirements.

Changing Plot Styles

To change the plot style in AutoCAD, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Plot Style Manager: The Plot Style Manager can be accessed by typing “PLOTSTYLE” in the command line or by navigating through the ribbon menu under “Output” > “Plot” > “Plot Style Manager”.
  2. Select a Plot Style: Once the Plot Style Manager is open, you will see a list of available plot styles. You can either choose an existing plot style from this list or create a new one by selecting the “New” button.
  3. Modify Plot Style Settings: After selecting a plot style, you can modify its settings by clicking on the “Properties” button.

    This will allow you to customize various aspects of the plot style, such as color assignments, lineweights, and linetypes.

  4. Apply the Plot Style: Once you have made the desired changes to the plot style, click on the “Apply to Layout” button to apply it to your current layout. You can also choose to apply the plot style globally to all layouts by selecting the “Apply to All Layouts” option.
  5. Save Changes: Finally, don’t forget to save your plot style changes by clicking on the “Save and Close” button in the Plot Style Manager. This will ensure that your modifications are retained for future use.

Tips for Using Plot Styles

Here are some additional tips and best practices for using plot styles effectively in AutoCAD:

  • Create a Custom Plot Style: If none of the existing plot styles fit your requirements, consider creating a custom plot style that suits your needs. This allows you to have complete control over how objects are plotted and ensures consistency across your drawings.
  • Test Before Printing: Before sending your drawing for printing or plotting, it’s always a good idea to preview it using different plot styles.

    This allows you to catch any potential issues or discrepancies and make adjustments as needed.

  • Maintain a Plot Style Library: To streamline your workflow and maintain consistency across projects, consider creating a library of commonly used plot styles. This way, you can easily access and apply them whenever needed, saving time and effort.

Conclusion

Changing the plot style in AutoCAD is a straightforward process that allows you to customize the appearance of your drawings when printed or plotted. By understanding the different types of plot styles and following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can create visually engaging and professional-looking output that meets your specific requirements. Remember to experiment with different plot styles and explore their settings to achieve the desired results.

So go ahead, give it a try, and take your AutoCAD drawings to the next level with customized plot styles!