Understanding the Need for a Black Background in AutoCAD
Utilizing a black background in AutoCAD can greatly enhance visibility and reduce eye strain, especially during prolonged design sessions. The dark interface allows bright colors to stand out more vividly, helping users identify critical elements in their drawings. This article provides a detailed guide on how to set up and print with a black background in AutoCAD.
Steps to Set a Black Background in AutoCAD
To ensure your drawings are printed correctly on a black background, you will need to adjust both the display settings and the print settings within AutoCAD.
Adjusting Display Settings
1. Begin by launching AutoCAD and opening your project.
2. Navigate to the Application menu located in the upper left corner of your interface.
3. Select the “Options” choice from the dropdown menu.
4. Within the Options dialog, click the “Display” tab.
5. Find and click on the “Colors” button to open the Drawing Window Colors menu.
6. In the dialog that appears, choose “2D Model Space” from the Context dropdown menu.
7. In the “Interface Element” section, select “Uniform Background.” You will be able to change the background color here.
8. Pick a deep black color from the color list or input the RGB values (0,0,0) for pure black.
9. Click “Apply & Close” to save your settings.
Configuring Print Settings for Black Background
After adjusting your display settings, configure your print settings to ensure that your outputs reflect the new background accurately.
1. With your project still open, go to the Application menu and choose “Print.” Then select “Manage Plot Styles.”
2. In the Plot Style Manager, double-click the plot style table you intend to use for printing.
3. In the Plot Style Table Editor, navigate to the Form View tab. Here, choose the plot style intended for your drawing.
4. Ensure the “Color” selection for the plot style is set appropriately. If you want to print with colors that will stand out against the black background, consider using white or bright colors for key elements.
5. Confirm the “Display Plot Styles” option is checked under the Page Setup settings. This ensures that your defined styles are applied during printing.
6. Save and close the Plot Style Table Editor, then proceed to the Page Setup Manager.
7. Choose the layout you want to print and click “Modify.” Confirm that your selected plot style is applied.
8. Finally, select the printer and click ‘Plot’ to print your drawing, ensuring that what is on paper reflects the optimized black background view.
Tips for Enhanced Visibility on Black Background
– Utilize lighter colors and ensure that important elements are set to high-contrast colors for easier visibility.
– Consider adjusting the line weights for different elements in your drawing to make sure they are distinguishable against the dark background.
– Regularly switch back and forth to a lighter background when constructing intricate details to avoid any visual fatigue.
FAQ
Can I change the background color back to white later?
Yes, you can easily revert the background color back to white or any other color by following the same navigation path through the Options and Colors settings.
Will changing the background color affect my prints?
No, the background color adjustment in the display settings does not alter the actual printed output, as prints are typically generated based on the selected plot style.
Is there an effect on performance by using a black background?
Generally, changing the background color to black should not have any significant impact on AutoCAD’s performance, though users with older systems might experience slight variations due to graphical settings.
