The plot styles manager

The Plot Styles Manager is a window that lists plot style table files (CTB and STB files).

The Plot Styles Manager allows you to:

  • Create Color-dependent Plot Style (CTB) and Named Plot Style files (STB) using the Create a Plot Style Table wizard.
  • Edit existing Plot Style Table files.

Launching the plot styles manager

Do one of the following:

  • Choose Plotstyle manager... in the File menu.
  • Launch the STYLESMANAGER command.

A File dialog box is displayed, showing the content of the PlotStyles folder, which is defined by the PLOTSTYLEFOLDER system variable.

Creating a new plot style table

  1. Launch the Plot Styles Manager.
  2. In the PlotStyles folder, double-click the Create a Plot Style Table shortcut. The Add Plot Style Table Editor dialog box opens.
  3. Choose Create new from scratch.
  4. Do one of the following:
    • Select either CTB or STB from the Table type selection button.
      • CTB (Color-dependent Plot Style Table) - bases plots on entity colors. Plotting parameters, such as pen thickness and linetype, are matched to the color of entities. This system is older and less flexible than named plot styles, but is the default in all new drawings. Creates a CTB file.
      • STB (Named Plot Style Table) - bases plots on plot styles. Plotting parameters can be given to every entity and every layer. This system is new and more flexible, but may be incompatible with other software that reads DWG files. Creates an STB file.
    • Choose Create from existing table, then choose a file in the drop down list box or click the browse button to select an existing CTB or STB file.
  5. Type a name in the Table name field, then click the OK button.

    The Plot Style Table Editor dialog box is displayed.

Creating a new plot style table in the Print dialog box

  1. Launch the PRINT command.

    The Print dialog box appears.

  2. Under Plot style table, click the Create new plot style.

    The Add Plot Style Table dialog box appears.

  3. Type a name in the Table name field, then click the OK button.

    If the Launch Editor option is chosen, the Plot Style Table Editor dialog box appears.

    If the Use this plotstyle for the current drawing option is chosen, the new plot style table is used in the current layout.

Note: The above procedure creates a CTB file in CTB-type drawing and a STB file in a STB-type drawing.

Editing a plot style table

  1. Launch the Plot Styles Manager.

  2. In the PlotStyles folder, double-click the plot style table you want to edit.

    The Plot Style Table Editor dialog appears.

Editing a plot style table in the Print dialog box

  1. Open the Print dialog box.
  2. Select a plot style table from the Plot Style Table list button.
  3. Click the Edit plot style button.