The ability to print or plot drawings in AutoCAD is an essential feature for any CAD user. However, it can be frustrating when the final output appears in black and white, especially if you were expecting a color printout. In this article, we will explore the possible reasons why AutoCAD plotting may be limited to black and white and provide solutions to overcome this issue.
Understanding Plot Styles
Before we dive into the reasons behind black and white plotting in AutoCAD, it’s important to understand the concept of plot styles. Plot styles, also known as CTB (Color Table) files, control how colors are displayed on your printed or plotted drawings. They determine whether an object should appear in color or black and white.
Plot styles can be set globally for all objects in a drawing or individually for specific layers or objects. They offer flexibility and control over the appearance of your prints.
Reasons Behind Black and White Plotting
Lack of Color Assignment:
One common reason for AutoCAD plotting in black and white is the absence of color assignments within your drawing objects. If you have not assigned colors to individual objects or layers, AutoCAD will default to printing everything in black and white.
Incorrect Plot Style:
Another reason could be that you are using an incorrect plot style that is set to print everything in black and white. By default, AutoCAD comes with several plot style files (.ctb) that control how colors are plotted. If you have unintentionally selected a plot style file that converts all colors to grayscale or monochrome, your prints will appear devoid of color.
Printer Settings:
The settings of your printer driver can also affect the output color of your prints. If your printer is set to print in black and white or grayscale, regardless of the plot style assigned in AutoCAD, your drawings will be printed without color.
Solutions for Color Plotting
Assign Colors to Objects:
To ensure your drawings print in color, you need to assign colors to individual objects or layers. In AutoCAD, you can do this by selecting an object or layer and modifying its properties through the “Properties” panel. Choose a suitable color for each object or layer, and your prints should reflect the assigned colors.
Check Plot Style Table:
If your drawings have assigned colors but still print in black and white, it’s worth checking the plot style table being used. Open the “Page Setup Manager” by typing “PAGESETUP” in the command line and ensure that the correct plot style table file (.ctb) is selected under the “Plot Style Table (pen assignments)” section.
Printer Driver Settings:
Verify that your printer driver is configured to print in color. Access the printer settings through the Control Panel or Printer Properties dialog box and ensure that it is set to print in color or auto-detect color settings.
Conclusion
In this article, we explored why AutoCAD plotting may be limited to black and white. We discussed possible reasons such as lack of color assignment, incorrect plot style selection, and printer driver settings. By understanding these factors and implementing appropriate solutions like assigning colors to objects, checking plot style tables, and adjusting printer driver settings, you can ensure that your AutoCAD prints reflect their intended colors.
Remember, a well-executed drawing not only conveys information effectively but also enhances its visual appeal with accurate color representation.