What Is CTB in AutoCAD?

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What Is CTB in AutoCAD?

When working with AutoCAD, you may have come across the term “CTB” and wondered what it means. CTB stands for Color-dependent Plot Style and is a file format used to control how colors are displayed and printed in AutoCAD.

Understanding Plot Styles in AutoCAD

In AutoCAD, plot styles determine how objects are plotted or printed. They control various aspects such as lineweights, line colors, line types, and more. There are two types of plot styles: CTB (Color-dependent Plot Style) and STB (Named Plot Style).

Color-dependent Plot Styles (CTB)

In a CTB file, each color is assigned a specific plotting style. These plotting styles define the appearance of objects with that color when they are plotted or printed. CTB files are based on color assignments rather than named styles.

  • Advantages of CTB Files:
    • Easier to set up and manage as they use colors to define plot styles.
    • Can be shared easily with others since they are self-contained files.
    • Suitable for projects where consistent plotting is required.
  • Creating a CTB File:

    • To create a CTB file in AutoCAD:

    1. Select the “Plot Styles” tab from the Application Menu.
    2. In the “Plot Styles Manager,” click on “New” to create a new plot style table.
    3. Assign plot styles to individual colors by double-clicking on a color and selecting the desired style.
    4. Save the CTB file with a descriptive name.
  • Applying a CTB File:

    • To apply a CTB file to a drawing in AutoCAD:

    1. Open the drawing you want to apply the CTB file to.
    2. Go to the “Plot” or “Print” dialog box.
    3. Select the desired plotter/printer and paper size.
    4. In the “Plot Style Table” dropdown, choose “Use Named Plot Style Table,” and then select the CTB file you created.
    5. Adjust other settings as needed and click on “Plot” or “Print.”

    Named Plot Styles (STB)

    In contrast to CTB files, Named Plot Styles (STB) do not rely on colors. Instead, they use named plot styles that can be applied to objects based on their layer assignments. STB files offer more flexibility as they allow you to change colors without affecting plot styles.

    Conclusion

    CTB files in AutoCAD are an essential tool for controlling how colors are displayed and printed. By assigning specific plotting styles to each color, you can ensure consistent and accurate plotting results. Whether you choose to use CTB or STB files depends on your project requirements, but understanding both options will give you more control over your AutoCAD drawings.