Why Is My AutoCAD Plotting in Color?

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Why Is My AutoCAD Plotting in Color?

AutoCAD is a powerful software used by professionals in various industries for creating technical drawings. One common issue that users face is when their AutoCAD plots come out in color instead of the expected black and white.

This can lead to confusion and frustration, especially when the drawings need to be printed or shared with others. In this article, we will explore some possible reasons why your AutoCAD plots are printing in color and how to fix this issue.

1. Plot Style Settings

One of the main reasons why your AutoCAD plots may be printing in color is due to incorrect plot style settings. Plot styles control how objects are displayed and printed in AutoCAD, including their line weights, colors, and fill patterns. To check and modify the plot style settings, follow these steps:

  1. Open the “Plot” dialog box by typing “PLOT” in the command line or selecting it from the “File” menu.
  2. In the “Plot Style Table (Pen Assignments)” section, make sure that the correct plot style table is selected. The plot style table determines how your objects are plotted.
  3. If a color-dependent plot style table is selected, change it to a monochrome or grayscale plot style table. Monochrome plot styles will print all objects as black while grayscale plot styles will maintain shades of gray.
  4. Click on the “Plot Style Editor” button to review and modify individual plot styles if necessary.
  5. Once you have made any changes, click “OK” to apply them and try plotting again.

2. Color Overrides

Another reason why your AutoCAD plots may be in color is due to color overrides. Color overrides are settings that can be applied to individual objects or layers, overriding the plot style assigned to them. To check for color overrides and remove them, follow these steps:

  1. Open the “Properties” palette by typing “PROPERTIES” in the command line or selecting it from the “Home” tab.
  2. Select the objects or layers that are plotting in color.
  3. In the “Properties” palette, check if the “Color” property is set to a specific color instead of “ByLayer.” If it is, change it to “ByLayer.”
  4. If you have multiple layers with color overrides, you can use the “Match Properties” command (type “MATCHPROP” in the command line) to quickly apply the properties of one object or layer to others.

3. Printer Driver Settings

The printer driver settings can also affect how your AutoCAD plots are printed. Some printer drivers have their own settings that override the plot style settings in AutoCAD. To ensure your plots are printed correctly, follow these steps:

  1. Open the “Print” dialog box by typing “PRINT” in the command line or selecting it from the “File” menu.
  2. In the dialog box, select your desired printer from the list.
  3. Click on the “Properties” button next to the printer selection.
  4. In the printer properties dialog box, look for any options related to colors or grayscale printing. Make sure they are set according to your requirements (e.g., black and white or grayscale).
  5. Click “OK” to save any changes and try plotting again.

4. Object Properties

Sometimes, individual objects within your drawing may have their own properties that are causing them to plot in color. To check and modify object properties, follow these steps:

  1. Select the objects that are plotting in color.
  2. Right-click on the selection and choose “Properties” or type “PROPERTIES” in the command line.”
  3. If you have multiple objects with color overrides, you can use the “Match Properties” command (type “MATCHPROP” in the command line) to quickly apply the properties of one object to others.

Conclusion

If your AutoCAD plots are printing in color instead of black and white, it can be frustrating. However, by checking and modifying plot style settings, removing color overrides, adjusting printer driver settings, and reviewing object properties, you can resolve this issue.

Remember to always double-check your settings before printing or sharing your drawings to ensure they appear as intended.