In AutoCAD, we are using plot styles to ensure that the colors and linetypes in our drawings are displayed correctly. A plot-style table file is essentially a set of instructions that tells AutoCAD how to display the different elements in your drawing when it is plotted. These files can be either .ctb (color-dependent) or .stb (named) files. If a plot style is missing or corrupt we may experience some of the following Symptoms:
If you are currently experiencing problems with the plot styles. There could be several possible causes for a missing plot style in AutoCAD:
There can be several solutions to the missing Plot Style problem as there are several different causes. Here we are going to look at the possible solutions one by one.
If the plot style table file is missing or has been moved to a different location, you can try the following steps to locate and restore it:
If you are using drawing created by someone else, and not by you or your colleagues. You can ask the person who sent it to you to include the missing plot-style files. Best way to never forget files connected to your drawing like plot styles, xrefs, etc. Is to learn How to use eTransmit!
Instead of copying the .ctb/.stb files to the default plot style table folder, you can add a new path to the folder containing the missing files.
Usually, when restoring AutoCAD to default settings or reinstalling it, it forgets all custom file paths. Follow the steps below to add a new Plot Style Table Search path:
Now, the plot styles should be listed in the Plot menu. This is a great way to Add and Remove plot styles when needed for the different objects you are working on. However, I would suggest using fewer plot style files as with time, as we tend to forget which one is used where.
If the plot style table file cannot be located or is corrupt, you may need to recreate it from scratch. Here are the steps to do so:
If you are experiencing issues with plot styles in AutoCAD, try the solutions described above to fix a missing plot style (.ctb or .stb) file. These solutions should help you locate and restore the missing plot style table file, add a new search path to your plot style table files or recreate the .ctb/.stb file.
I hope this article has been helpful in troubleshooting your plot style issues in AutoCAD.
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