Using plot style tables in AutoCAD

Autodesk Support

Oct 8, 2023

Products and versions covered

Issue:

How to use plot style tables in AutoCAD.

Solution:

Plot style tables contain several of the plot settings you use when plotting a drawing. You can use a table to reduce the number of redundant steps you need to perform each time you plot a drawing.

There are two types of plot style tables:

  • Color-dependent plot styles (CTB files)
  • Named plot styles (STB files)
The PSTYLEMODE system variable determines the used style of a new drawing. You can set the default plot style on the Plot and Publish tab (Plot Style Table setting button) in the Options dialog box.

In a Color-Dependent Plot Style table you can specify the color, lineweight, linetype, screening, and so on that objects of a specific color will have when plotted.

In a Named Plot Style table, you can specify the color, lineweight, linetype, screening, and so on that objects on a specific layer will have when plotted. With this style, it does not matter what color the objects are or even what layer they are on. Named Plot Styles can be attached to specific objects or layers. If a style is assigned to an object, it will override the layer settings.

There are three methods you can use to access the Plot Style Manager to work with plot styles.

Method #1

On the File menu, select Plot Style Manager.

Method #2

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  2. In the Options dialog box, click the Plotting tab.
  3. Click Add or click Edit Plot Styles Table.

Method #3

  1. On the Start menu (Windows), click Settings > Control Panel.
  2. In Control panel, double-click Plot Style Manager.

Products:

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