AutoCAD • Windows to Mac

Creating Plot Styles in AutoCAD for Mac (CTB/STB Setup)

by Rachid Khouri
10 min read

AutoCAD for Mac offers powerful plotting capabilities that allow you to control how your drawings appear when printed or exported to PDF. Central to this functionality are plot styles—files that define how objects are rendered during plotting, including line weights, colors, screen tints, and more. AutoCAD supports two types of plot style files: CTB (Color-Dependent Plot Style Tables) and STB (Named Plot Style Tables). Understanding how to create and manage these in AutoCAD for Mac is essential for consistent, professional output.

This guide walks you through setting up and creating both CTB and STB plot styles on macOS.

Understanding CTB vs. STB

Before diving into setup, it’s important to understand the key differences:

  • CTB (Color-Dependent Plot Style Table)
    Assigns plot properties based on the object’s color in the drawing. For example, all red lines might print as 0.5mm thick, while blue lines print as 0.25mm. This is the default in many AutoCAD installations and is widely used in legacy workflows.
  • STB (Named Plot Style Table)
    Uses named plot styles that are assigned directly to layers or objects, independent of color. This offers more flexibility and is preferred in modern, standards-driven environments.

Note: A drawing can use either CTB or STB—not both simultaneously. The plot style type is set at the drawing level.

Step 1: Accessing Plot Style Manager in AutoCAD for Mac

  1. Open AutoCAD for Mac.
  2. Go to the Application menu (AutoCAD > Preferences) or type PLOTSTYLEMANAGER in the command line.
  3. This opens the Plot Style Manager folder in Finder, where your CTB and STB files are stored.

Default Location:
~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD 20XX/roaming/@en@/Plotters/Plot Styles/

You can also access plot style settings through the Page Setup Manager:

  • Go to Output > Plot > Page Setup Manager.
  • Select a layout, click Modify, and look for the Plot Style Table (pen assignments) section.

Step 2: Creating a New CTB File

Method A: Copy and Modify an Existing CTB

  1. In the Plot Style Manager (Finder window), locate an existing .ctb file (e.g., monochrome.ctb).
  2. Right-click (or Ctrl+click) and choose Duplicate.
  3. Rename the copy (e.g., MyOfficeStandard.ctb).
  4. Back in AutoCAD, open the Page Setup Manager, click Modify, and under Plot Style Table, select your new .ctb file.
  5. Click Edit next to the plot style table name. This opens the Plot Style Table Editor.
  6. In the editor:
    • Adjust line weights, colors, screening, and other properties for each of the 255 color slots.
    • Use the Form View tab for a spreadsheet-like interface or Table View for a list.
  7. Click Save & Close.
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Method B: Create from Scratch

  1. In AutoCAD, type STYLESMANAGER in the command line.
  2. In the opened Finder window, right-click and select New Document > AutoCAD Plot Style Table (if this option appears—note: this may vary by macOS version).
  3. Alternatively, copy acad.ctb and rename it as above.
  4. Edit using the Plot Style Table Editor as described.

Step 3: Creating a New STB File

  1. In AutoCAD, go to Output > Plot > Page Setup Manager.
  2. Select your layout and click Modify.
  3. Under Plot Style Table, click the dropdown and choose Create New Plot Style Table…
  4. In the dialog:
    • Select Named Plot Styles (.stb).
    • Click Next.
    • Enter a name (e.g., Architectural_Styles.stb) and choose a location (usually the default Plot Styles folder).
    • Click Finish.
  5. The Plot Style Table Editor opens automatically.
  6. In the editor:
    • Click Add Style to create new named styles (e.g., “Thin Lines,” “Thick Outlines,” “Hidden”).
    • For each style, define properties like color, lineweight, fill style, and screening.
  7. Click Save & Close.

Tip: You can assign STB styles to layers via the Layer Properties Manager. In the Plot Style column, choose your named style from the dropdown.

Step 4: Setting the Default Plot Style Type for New Drawings

To control whether new drawings use CTB or STB by default:

  1. Go to AutoCAD > Preferences > Plotting.
  2. Under Default Plot Style Behavior for New Drawings, choose:
    • Use Color-Dependent Plot Styles (for CTB)
    • Use Named Plot Styles (for STB)
  3. Click OK.

Important: Changing this setting does not affect existing drawings—only new ones created afterward.

Step 5: Assigning Plot Styles to Layouts

  1. Switch to a Layout tab.
  2. Open the Page Setup Manager (Output > Plot > Page Setup Manager).
  3. Select the layout and click Modify.
  4. Under Plot Style Table (pen assignments), select your desired .ctb or .stb file.
  5. Ensure Display Plot Styles is checked in the layout viewport if you want to preview styles on-screen.
  6. Click OK.

Below is a comparison table highlighting key differences between AutoCAD for Windows and AutoCAD for Mac, specifically in the context of plot style (CTB/STB) management and setup:

AutoCAD for Windows vs. AutoCAD for Mac: Plot Style (CTB/STB) Comparison

Feature / Capability AutoCAD for Windows AutoCAD for Mac
Plot Style Manager Access Dedicated Plot Style Manager dialog via STYLESMANAGER or Plot dialog. Opens Finder folder via STYLESMANAGER; no native GUI manager.
Create New CTB/STB File Full GUI: Add-A-Plot Style Table Wizard with step-by-step options. No built-in wizard; must duplicate existing file in Finder or use Page Setup dialog to create STB only.
Edit CTB/STB Files Double-click .ctb/.stb in Plot Style Manager → opens Plot Style Table Editor. Must select plot style in Page Setup → click Edit to open editor.
Default Plot Style Type Control Set via Options > Plotting tab; affects new drawings. Set via AutoCAD > Preferences > Plotting.
Assign Plot Styles to Layers (STB) Directly in Layer Properties Manager with dropdown for named plot styles. Same functionality available in Layer Properties Manager.
On-Screen Plot Style Preview Supported via Page Setup > Display Plot Styles (in layout viewports). Supported; toggle via layout viewport properties or Page Setup.
File Location (Plot Styles Folder) C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD <version>\enu\Plotters\Plot Styles ~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD <version>/roaming/@en@/Plotters/Plot Styles/
Command: PLOTSTYLEMODE / PSTYLEMODE PSTYLEMODE returns 1 (CTB) or 0 (STB). Same command and behavior supported.
Ability to Convert Drawing Between CTB ↔ STB Yes, via CONVERTPSTYLES command. Not supported in AutoCAD for Mac (as of latest versions).
Third-Party Plot Style Tools Wide support (e.g., batch editors, style sync tools). Limited due to macOS file system and lack of LISP/.NET API parity.
User Interface Consistency Full ribbon, dialog boxes, and wizards integrated into Windows UI. Simplified interface; some functions require Finder or indirect workflows.
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Key Takeaways

  • AutoCAD for Windows offers a more robust, integrated experience for managing plot styles, including wizards, conversion tools, and direct file management.
  • AutoCAD for Mac provides core plot style functionality but relies more on manual file handling (via Finder) and lacks certain advanced tools like CONVERTPSTYLES.
  • Both platforms support CTB and STB workflows, but Windows remains the preferred platform for complex or standardized plotting environments.

Tip for Mac Users: If you frequently create or manage plot styles, consider developing templates on Windows and transferring them to Mac, or maintain a shared network folder with standardized .ctb/.stb files.

This table helps users understand platform limitations and plan their workflows accordingly—especially in mixed-environment teams.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Plot styles not showing up?
    Ensure the file is in the correct Plot Styles folder and has the .ctb or .stb extension.
  • Can’t edit a plot style?
    Make sure the file isn’t read-only. Right-click in Finder > Get Info and uncheck “Locked.”
  • Drawing still uses color for plotting?
    If you’re using STB but objects plot by color, check that the drawing is actually set to use named plot styles. Type PSTYLEMODE in the command line—1 = CTB, 0 = STB.
  • Missing “Create New Plot Style Table” option?
    This may occur if your version of AutoCAD for Mac has interface limitations. As a workaround, create the file via Finder duplication or use a Windows machine to generate the STB, then transfer it to your Mac.

Best Practices

  • Standardize: Create a company-wide CTB or STB file and distribute it to all users.
  • Backup: Keep copies of your custom plot style files in cloud storage or version control.
  • Preview: Always use Plot Preview before printing to verify lineweights and colors.
  • Use STB for flexibility: If starting a new project, consider STB—it decouples plot output from object color, offering greater control.

FAQ: Plot Styles (CTB/STB) in AutoCAD for Mac

Q1: Can I use CTB files created on Windows in AutoCAD for Mac?
A: Yes! CTB and STB files are cross-platform compatible. You can copy a .ctb or .stb file from a Windows machine directly into the Plot Styles folder on your Mac (~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD [version]/roaming/@en@/Plotters/Plot Styles/), and AutoCAD for Mac will recognize it immediately.

Q2: Why don’t my plot styles appear in the dropdown menu in Page Setup?
A: This usually happens if the plot style file isn’t in the correct folder. Ensure your .ctb or .stb file is located in the Plot Styles folder (accessible via STYLESMANAGER). Also, restart AutoCAD after adding new files—sometimes the list doesn’t refresh until the application is relaunched.

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Q3: Is it possible to batch-edit multiple CTB files on Mac like I can with third-party tools on Windows?
A: Not natively. AutoCAD for Mac lacks support for many Windows-based LISP routines or .NET tools that batch-edit plot styles. However, you can manually edit CTB files using the Plot Style Table Editor one at a time, or use a scriptable text editor (like BBEdit or VS Code) to modify the underlying .ctb files—though this requires caution, as they are binary by default. Note: CTB files are actually text-based when opened in a hex editor, but editing them manually is not recommended.

Q4: Can I assign different plot styles to individual objects (not just layers) when using STB on Mac?
A: Yes. With STB (Named Plot Styles) enabled, you can assign a named plot style directly to any object:

  • Select the object(s).
  • Open the Properties palette (CMD+1).
  • In the Plot Style field, choose your desired named style from the dropdown.
    This works identically to Windows.

Q5: Why does AutoCAD for Mac not include the CONVERTPSTYLES command?
A: Autodesk has not implemented the CONVERTPSTYLES command in the Mac version due to differences in the underlying codebase and lower demand for this feature on macOS. If you need to convert a drawing from CTB to STB (or vice versa), you must do it on a Windows machine using AutoCAD for Windows, then transfer the file back to Mac.

Q6: How can I back up or share my custom plot styles across multiple Macs?
A: Simply copy the .ctb or .stb files from the Plot Styles folder on one Mac and paste them into the same folder on another. For teams, consider storing these files in a shared cloud folder (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, or a network server) and creating symbolic links (symlinks) to maintain consistency:

ln -s /path/to/shared/Plot\ Styles ~/Library/Application\ Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD*/roaming/@en@/Plotters/

(Use with caution and verify paths match your AutoCAD version.)

Q7: Do plot style settings affect PDF exports the same way they affect physical prints?
A: Yes. Whether you’re printing to paper or exporting to PDF (via Export > PDF or Plot > PDF printer), AutoCAD applies the same plot style rules. Ensure your layout’s page setup uses the correct CTB/STB file before exporting.

Q8: Can I use transparency or fill patterns in plot styles on Mac?
A: Basic screening (grayscale tint) is supported in plot styles on Mac, but advanced features like object transparency, gradient fills, or hatch transparency are not controlled by CTB/STB files. These are handled by object properties and viewport settings, not plot styles—on both Mac and Windows.

These FAQs address real-world challenges Mac users face when managing plot styles, helping bridge the gap between platform limitations and professional output requirements.

Conclusion

Mastering plot styles in AutoCAD for Mac ensures your drawings print exactly as intended, whether you’re producing construction documents, engineering schematics, or presentation plots. While the Mac interface differs slightly from Windows, the core functionality remains the same. By setting up CTB or STB files properly and assigning them consistently across layouts, you’ll streamline your workflow and maintain professional output standards.

For further learning, explore AutoCAD’s built-in help (Help > AutoCAD Help) and search for “plot styles” or “page setup.” Happy plotting!

About the author

Rachid Khouri

Rachid Khouri

I’m Rachid Khouri, a CAD engineer, developer, and Autodesk Authorized Author with more than 30 years of experience using and teaching AutoCAD.
I’ve worked as a draftsman, CAD manager, and trainer for design offices and companies in Canada, and since 1999, I’ve been sharing my knowledge through in-person and online training.

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