How to Add Plot Style Table in AutoCAD?

Understanding Plot Styles in AutoCAD

Plot styles in AutoCAD serve as a means to control how the objects in your drawing are printed. These styles determine the visual representation of elements, including color, line thickness, and dither patterns. The significance of plot styles comes to the forefront when preparing a drawing for printing or sharing.

Locating the Plot Style Table

1. Open the Application menu.
2. Navigate to Options.
3. In the Options dialog, switch to the Files tab.
4. Expand the Printer Support File Path by clicking the plus sign (+).
5. Locate the Plot Style Table Search Path and expand it to reveal the directories where AutoCAD searches for plot style files.

Adding a CTB File to AutoCAD

1. Launch the Plot Style Manager from the Application menu.
2. Find the desired CTB or STB file.
3. Double-click or right-click the selected file and choose Open to edit it.
4. Alternatively, during the plot style addition, opt for the Plot Style Table Editor as guided by the wizard’s finish screen.

Implementing a New Plot Style

1. Access the Application menu and select Print, then proceed to Manage Plot Styles.
2. In the Plot Style Manager, double-click the STB file that needs modifications.
3. While in the Plot Style Table Editor, right-click on the desired plot style to duplicate or modify it.
4. To create a new style, right-click in the appropriate section and enter a name for the new plot style in the Add Plot Style dialog.

Finding the Plot Style Folder

The standard location for plot style files in AutoCAD is usually:
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2025\<release number>\enu\Plotters\Plot Styles.

You can confirm this path by checking the Options dialog under the Files tab as detailed before.

Inserting a Missing Plot Style

Sometimes, a drawing might not utilize the correct plot style due to configuration settings. To resolve this:

1. Verify the settings of the drawing. Go to the Plot Style Manager and check whether the intended CTB file is indeed available.
2. If a CTB file is missing, check if the drawing was configured to use an STB file instead.

Adding a Plot Style in AutoCAD 2025

1. Go to the Home tab and find the Properties panel.
2. Click on Plot Style and navigate to the Current Plot Style dialog box.
3. Select an existing plot style from the available list or switch to a different table if necessary.
4. For any adjustments, click on Editor to modify your selection. Confirm and close the dialog afterward.

Creating a New CTB File

1. If the interface permits, click the right-facing arrow to expand the dialog box.
2. Select Start from scratch to initiate a new plot style table.
3. Assign a name to your new plot style (e.g., MY_CUSTOM_STYLE).
4. Proceed to customize your style preferences as needed in the following steps.

Modifying the Plot Style Folder

To relocate the plot style folders:

1. Click on the Plot and Publish tab.
2. Find and click Plot Style Table Settings.
3. From there, choose Add or Edit Plot Style Tables, which will open the directory containing your plot styles for modifications.

FAQ

Q1: How can I switch from one plot style to another in AutoCAD?
To switch plot styles, access the Application menu, select Print, and then Edit Plot Style Tables. From the Active Plot Style Table, choose the desired style table, click Editor, and make your changes.

Q2: Why can’t I find my custom plot style in the manager?
If your custom plot style isn’t appearing, confirm that it has been saved in the correct directory as indicated in the options dialog. Also, ensure that your current drawing is set to use the correct plot style table.

Q3: What steps do I take to export my plot styles?
To export plot styles, go to the Application menu, select Print, and then Manage Plot Styles. Double-click on the STB file you wish to export, edit as necessary, and choose Save & Close after making changes.