How to Export Plot Style in AutoCAD?

Understanding Plot Styles in AutoCAD

Plot styles are essential in AutoCAD as they control how your drawings appear when printed or plotted. They can dictate properties like color, pen assignments, and line weights based on either the color of the object or named plot style. Familiarity with exporting plot style files is crucial for effective drawing management and sharing among users.

What is a Plot Style Table?

A plot style table is a collection of styles that dictate how specific objects or layers are printed in your AutoCAD drawings. Plot styles can either be color-dependent (CTB) or named (STB). These styles help streamline the plotting process and ensure consistency across multiple drawings and projects.

How to Export Plot Styles in AutoCAD

Exporting plot styles in AutoCAD is a straightforward process and can be accomplished by following these steps:

1. Open Your Drawing: Launch AutoCAD 2025 and open the drawing file that contains the plot style you want to export.

2. Access Plot Style Manager:

   • Click on the Application menu (the big red ‘A’ at the top left).
   • Navigate to "Print" and then select "Manage Plot Styles."

3. Select the Plot Style Table:

   • In the Plot Style Manager, you’ll see a list of existing plot style tables.
   • Find the specific STB or CTB file you wish to export.

4. Export the Plot Style:

   • Right-click on the plot style table you want to export.
   • From the context menu, choose “Export.”
   • A dialog box will open prompting you to choose a location where you want to save the exported plot style file. Choose your desired location and provide a name for the exported file, then click "Save."
5. Confirm the Export: Ensure that your plot style has been successfully exported by navigating to the location where you saved it. You should see the new file with the extension corresponding to the style (either .ctb or .stb).

Managing and Modifying Plot Styles

If you need to make changes to an existing plot style before exporting:

• Edit Plot Styles:
  • Double-click on an existing plot style in the Plot Style Manager.
  • Make your changes in the Plot Style Table Editor.
  • Save and close the editor before proceeding with the export process.

Adding a New Plot Style to AutoCAD

To incorporate a new plot style into AutoCAD, follow these steps:

1. Open the Plot Style Manager as described earlier.
2. Add New Plot Style: Click on the “Add-A-Plot Style Table Wizard” to create a new style.
3. Follow the Wizard: Go through the wizard prompts to define the properties of the new plot style.
4. Save the New Plot Style: Ensure that you save the new style in a recognized folder where AutoCAD can locate it for future use.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where are plot styles stored by default in AutoCAD?
Plot styles are typically stored in the Plot Style Table Search Path, which can be accessed by navigating to Tools > Options > Files tab in AutoCAD.

2. Can I convert plot styles between CTB and STB formats?
Yes, you can convert CTB files to STB files using the "Convert" option available in the Plot Style Manager within AutoCAD.

3. How do I ensure that all layouts in a drawing use the same plot style?
To set a common plot style across all layouts, you can modify the Page Setup for each layout. Right-click the layout tab, select Page Setup, and then choose the desired plot style from the Plot Style Table list.