Plotting a layer in Color

My company uses ctb files to plot in black on white paper.

They don't want me to change the Ctb file.

 

Is there a way to plot a single layer in color using the ctb file

that is set up for black printing on a color printer?

 

Thank you,

I moved your thread to the AutoCAD Drawing Management & Output Forum, please post your threads in the appropriate forum.

 

 

Assign a True Color to the layer.

Like the handsome green guy said , use a different color which still looks the same. At the company I work colors 0-7 are always plotted black but with a different line width. To still be able to plot colors I have what I call a 'high color'. For example color 1 = red , but color 10 is also red. So when I want something , a block / complete layer plotted in black I give it colour 1 , and when I want it to be red , I use colour 10. For every normal color there is also a 'high colour'

 

be aware that objects need to be color by layer and if possible for blocks I use color byblock so I can also decide on a layer which block will plot black and what block will plot in red.

 

Good luck , Rlx

Two different answers were given but for your situation the one from SLW210 is the one you want.

We have around 8 ctb files depending on the situation, colour, mono, thick/thin, jpeg, tiff.

 

We generally use 1-9 as is, plots black with various increasing thickness, 10-250 actual colour but with thickness set, 251-254 greys

 

 

Assign a True Color to the layer.

 

Agreed ^^^^^^^^^^ this is the answer.

Also.........Be sure to assign a line weight to the layer and/or entities, and make sure "Plot Lineweights" is enabled in the page setup IF you want your colored entities to have a non standard lineweight.

I'd go with BIGAL's suggestion for no particular reason.

Even Cyndi Lauper agrees...

 

So don't be afraid to let them show

Your true colors

True colors are beautiful,

Like a rainbow

I would not go with true colors. It seems like a work around to me.

 

Wouldn't some printer settings override that?

I would not go with true colors. It seems like a work around to me.

 

 

How is that a workaround?

It's a documented feature that truecolors are not affected by plot styles.

I did say it seems that way to me.

 

Is it a "feature" or just the nature of true colors?

I did say it seems that way to me.

 

Is it a "feature" or just the nature of true colors?

 

CTB files was the only option when AutoCAD only had 256 colors and required settings for each color. For full plot control including true colors they added STB plot styles with the 2000 release 16 years ago.

How do you assign a True Color to a Layer?

How to you know a layer has a True Color?

Thank you,

How do you assign a True Color to a Layer?

How to you know a layer has a True Color?

Thank you,

 

In Civil3d, open your LAYER MANAGER and under the column PLOT STYLE, set the layer to plot "normal" in the case of an STB file.

How do you assign a True Color to a Layer?

How to you know a layer has a True Color?

Thank you,

 

Start the Layer Manager, pick the color square on any layer, the color dialog comes up, near the top are three tabs, Index, True Color, Color Books. Select True Color or Color Books and pick a color to use.

CTB files was the only option when AutoCAD only had 256 colors

remember the days of a pen plotter some were 4 pens some were 8. Even simpler I think one of the Houston models was 1 pen, it would stop so you could change it.

remember the days of a pen plotter some were 4 pens some were 8. Even simpler I think one of the Houston models was 1 pen, it would stop so you could change it.

 

Remember having the plotter next to my cubicle. Drove me nuts whenever someone would send something with improper linetype scaling. After it would tap, tap, tap… for 10 minutes to draw a 6" line I'd generally unplug it. We gotta stop showing our age!

I would not go with true colors. It seems like a work around to me.

 

Wouldn't some printer settings override that?

 

True Color is the ONLY option for the OP. Workaround or not doesn't matter.

 

They don't want me to change the Ctb file.

 

It also stays with the drawing, something a custom plot style wouldn't.

 

Printer settings can override plot styles, also.

True Color is the ONLY option for the OP.

 

How can you say that when BIGAL already offered another solution?

 

Making another .ctb is not changing the existing one and is a very viable solution.

How can you say that when BIGAL already offered another solution?

 

Making another .ctb is not changing the existing one and is a very viable solution.

 

Because they want to use "the ctb file that is set up for black printing on a color printer":

 

My company uses ctb files to plot in black on white paper.

They don't want me to change the Ctb file.

 

Is there a way to plot a single layer in color using the ctb file

that is set up for black printing on a color printer?

 

Thank you,

 

Otherwise yes a modified CTB would work.