Plot styles in AutoCAD allow you to control how your drawings appear when printed or plotted—without altering the actual objects in your drawing. Whether you’re using color-dependent plot styles (CTB) or named plot styles (STB), creating and managing plot style templates is essential for consistent, professional output. While AutoCAD for Mac shares many features with its Windows counterpart, the interface and workflow differ slightly. This guide walks you through creating and managing plot style templates specifically in AutoCAD for Mac.
Understanding Plot Styles in AutoCAD for Mac
AutoCAD supports two types of plot styles:
- Color-Dependent Plot Style Tables (CTB): Assign plot properties (like lineweight, color, and screening) based on an object’s color.
- Named Plot Style Tables (STB): Assign plot styles by name, independent of object color.
By default, new drawings in AutoCAD for Mac use color-dependent plot styles (CTB). However, you can switch to named plot styles if your workflow requires more flexibility.
Note: AutoCAD for Mac does not include a built-in Plot Style Manager like the Windows version. Instead, you manage plot style files through the Finder and the Plot dialog.
Step 1: Locate the Plot Style Folder
Before creating a new plot style, you need to know where AutoCAD stores these files on your Mac:
- Open Finder.
- Navigate to:
~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD 20XX/roaming/@en@/Support/Plot Styles/
(Replace “20XX” with your AutoCAD version, e.g., 2024) - This folder contains all your
.ctband.stbfiles.
Tip: If the Library folder is hidden, press Command + Shift + G in Finder and type
~/Libraryto access it.
Step 2: Create a New Plot Style Table
Option A: Duplicate and Modify an Existing CTB File
- In the Plot Styles folder, locate an existing
.ctbfile (e.g.,monochrome.ctboracad.ctb). - Right-click (or Control-click) the file and choose Duplicate.
- Rename the copy (e.g.,
MyOfficeStandard.ctb). - Double-click the new file to open it in the Plot Style Table Editor.
Option B: Create from Scratch via the Plot Dialog
- Open a drawing in AutoCAD for Mac.
- Go to File > Plot (or type
PLOTin the command line). - In the Plot dialog, under Plot Style Table (Pen Assignments), click the dropdown menu.
- Choose Add… at the bottom of the list.
- In the dialog that appears:
- Select Create a new plot style table.
- Choose Color-dependent or Named, then click Next.
- Select a base file (e.g.,
acad.ctb) or start from scratch. - Name your file (e.g.,
ArchitecturalPlot.ctb) and click Finish.
AutoCAD will open the Plot Style Table Editor, where you can customize each color’s plot properties.
Step 3: Customize Your Plot Style
In the Plot Style Table Editor:
- Select a color from the list (for CTB) or a style name (for STB).
- Adjust properties such as:
- Color: Override the printed color.
- Lineweight: Set line thickness.
- Screening: Control ink density (useful for grayscale or faded backgrounds).
- Fill Style, Dither, and Line End Style (if supported).
- Repeat for all relevant entries.
- Click Save & Close when finished.
Pro Tip: For architectural or engineering firms, create a standard CTB that maps specific layer colors to consistent lineweights (e.g., red = 0.50mm for walls, blue = 0.18mm for dimensions).
Step 4: Apply Your Plot Style to a Drawing
- Open the Plot dialog (File > Plot).
- Under Plot Style Table, select your new
.ctbor.stbfile. - Ensure Plot with Plot Styles is checked.
- Preview your output using Preview before printing.
To make your plot style available in all new drawings:
- Place the
.ctbor.stbfile in the Plot Styles folder (as identified in Step 1). - Set it as the default in your template files (
.dwt).
Managing Plot Styles Across Projects
- Share plot styles with your team by copying the
.ctb/.stbfiles to their Plot Styles folders. - Back up your custom plot style files regularly—they’re critical for consistent output.
- Use named plot styles (STB) if you need object-specific plotting independent of color (common in large collaborative projects).
Troubleshooting Tips
- Plot style not appearing? Ensure the file is in the correct Plot Styles folder and restart AutoCAD.
- Colors not plotting as expected? Verify that Plot with Plot Styles is enabled in the Plot dialog.
- Can’t edit a plot style? Make sure the file isn’t read-only. Right-click the file in Finder > Get Info > uncheck Locked.
FAQ: Plot Style Templates in AutoCAD for Mac
Q1: Can I use Windows-created .ctb or .stb files on AutoCAD for Mac?
A: Yes! Plot style files (.ctb and .stb) are cross-platform compatible. You can copy them directly from a Windows machine to your Mac’s Plot Styles folder (~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD 20XX/roaming/@en@/Support/Plot Styles/), and they will work as expected.
Q2: Why don’t I see the “Plot Style Manager” in AutoCAD for Mac like in the Windows version?
A: AutoCAD for Mac does not include a dedicated Plot Style Manager dialog. Instead, you manage plot style files through the Finder and the Plot dialog. To create or edit plot styles, use File > Plot > Plot Style Table > Add… or edit .ctb/.stb files directly in their support folder.
Q3: How do I switch a drawing from color-dependent (CTB) to named plot styles (STB)?
A: Use the CONVERTPSTYLES command. Type it in the command line and follow the prompts. Note that this converts the entire drawing and may require reassigning plot styles to objects or layers afterward. Also, ensure your template supports STB before making this change in production drawings.
Q4: Can I assign different plot styles to individual objects when using CTB?
A: Not directly—CTB plot styles are tied to object color. However, you can assign different colors to objects (even if they appear the same on screen via layer or viewport overrides), and those colors will map to different plot styles in your CTB file. For true per-object plot control, switch to STB (named plot styles).
Q5: My custom .ctb file doesn’t appear in the Plot dialog dropdown. What should I do?
A: First, confirm the file is in the correct Plot Styles folder. Then:
- Restart AutoCAD to refresh the list.
- Ensure the file extension is
.ctb(not.txtor another format). - Check that the filename doesn’t contain special characters that might cause issues.
- Verify file permissions—your user account must have read access.
Q6: Is it possible to create a plot style that prints all objects in black without using monochrome.ctb?
A: Yes. Open any .ctb file in the Plot Style Table Editor, select all color entries (click the first, then Shift-click the last), and set Color to Black for all. You can also adjust lineweights or screening while keeping everything black—giving you more control than the default monochrome.ctb.
Q7: Do plot style settings affect PDF output the same way as physical printing?
A: Yes. When you export to PDF using the Plot command (e.g., with the “DWG To PDF.pc3” printer), AutoCAD applies your selected plot style table exactly as it would for a physical printer. Always use the Plot dialog—not “Export” or “Save As”—to ensure plot styles are honored in PDFs.
Conclusion
Creating and using custom plot style templates in AutoCAD for Mac streamlines your printing workflow and ensures consistency across all your drawings. While the Mac version lacks some of the Windows interface conveniences, understanding the file-based system and leveraging the Plot Style Table Editor gives you full control over your printed output. By setting up standardized CTB or STB files early in your project lifecycle, you’ll save time and avoid last-minute plotting surprises.
Start by duplicating an existing plot style, tailor it to your office standards, and share it across your team—you’ll wonder how you ever plotted without it!
