About Plotter Configurations and Plot Styles

Plotting a drawing requires the use of several different types of files; plotter configuration and plot styles.

Plotter configuration (PC3) files are used to store the settings of an output device which is used when plotting or publishing a drawing, while plot style (CTB/STB) files are used to control how objects appear during output. PC3 and CTB/STB files typically do not require any changes between releases and have not changed formats since their introduction with AutoCAD 2000-based products.

As with other customizable files, it is recommended that you store PC3 and CTB/STB files in a centralized location separate from those that come with the AutoCAD-based product. You use the Files tab of the Options dialog box to specify the locations of the folders that contain the PC3 and CTB/STB files.

Tip: While not often required, you can convert drawings that use color-dependent (CTB) files to drawings that use named plot styles (STB) files or the other way around using the CONVERTPSTYLES command.

Named page setups are a way to save plot settings with a drawing and then apply them to a layout to ensure consistency for output. Name page setups are created and edited using the PAGESETUP command.

The following utilities are used to create and manage plotter configuration and plot style files:

• Plotter Manager – Creates and edits plotter configuration (PC3) files. (PLOTTERMANAGER command)
• Plot Style Manager – Creates and edits plot style (CTB/STB) files. (STYLESMANAGER command)
• Convert CTB – Converts a color-dependent plot style table (CTB) to a named plot style table (STB). (CONVERTCTB command)
• Convert Drawing Plot Style – Converts the current drawing to either named or color-dependent plot styles. (CONVERTPSTYLES command)