How Do You Plot Without Color in AutoCAD?

by

When working with AutoCAD, plotting without color can be a useful technique for several reasons. Whether you want to save ink, create monochrome prints, or simply prefer a black and white output, plotting without color can be easily achieved. In this tutorial, we will explore the various methods to plot without color in AutoCAD.

Method 1: Using the Plot Style Table

The first method involves using the Plot Style Table (CTB file) to control the colors during plotting. Follow the steps below:

  1. Step 1: Open your drawing in AutoCAD.
  2. Step 2: Go to the “Plot” dialog box by either typing PLOT or selecting “Plot” from the File menu.
  3. Step 3: In the “Plot” dialog box, under the “Plot style table (pen assignments)” section, select “Monochrome.ctb” from the drop-down list.
  4. Step 4: Click on “OK” to close the dialog box and proceed with plotting.

This method uses a predefined plot style table that maps colors to specific lineweights. By selecting the “Monochrome.ctb” plot style table, all colors in your drawing will be plotted as black or white based on their assigned lineweights.

Method 2: Using TrueColor Assignments

If you prefer more control over how colors are displayed during plotting, you can use TrueColor assignments. Here’s how:

  1. Step 1: Open your drawing in AutoCAD.
  2. Step 2: Go to the “Plot” dialog box.
  3. Step 3: In the “Plot” dialog box, under the “Plot style table (pen assignments)” section, select “Use object color”.
  4. Step 4: Click on the “Colors..” button.
  5. Step 5: In the “Color Assignment” dialog box, click on the “Add.
  6. Step 6: In the “Select Color” dialog box, choose a color that you want to plot as black or white.
  7. Step 7: Under “TrueColor”, select either black or white from the drop-down list.
  8. Step 8: Click on “OK” to close all dialog boxes and proceed with plotting.

This method allows you to specify which colors in your drawing should be plotted as black or white. By assigning TrueColor values to specific colors, you have fine-grained control over how your drawing appears during plotting.

Method 3: Using Layer Properties

If you want to plot specific layers in your drawing without color while keeping others with their original colors, you can utilize layer properties. Follow these steps:

  1. Step 1: Open your drawing in AutoCAD.
  2. Step 2: Access the Layer Properties Manager by typing LAYER or selecting “Layer Properties” from the Home tab.
  3. Step 3: In the Layer Properties Manager, select a layer that you want to plot without color.
  4. Step 4: In the “Plot” column, change the plot style to “No Plot”.
  5. Step 5: Repeat steps 3 and 4 for all the layers you want to plot without color.
  6. Step 6: Click on “OK” to close the Layer Properties Manager.

This method allows you to selectively control which layers should be plotted without color. By changing the plot style of specific layers to “No Plot”, those layers will not be plotted when printing or creating a PDF.

In conclusion, plotting without color in AutoCAD can be achieved through various methods such as using the Plot Style Table, TrueColor assignments, or layer properties. Depending on your requirements, you can choose the most suitable method for your projects. By following these steps, you can easily create monochrome prints or black and white outputs in AutoCAD.