When starting a new drawing in AutoCAD, the user can choose from a variety of templates (DWT) that come with the program. Most users are taught to start with the ACAD.DWT file which is a color-dependent plot style template (CTB) and does not contain preloaded layers or styles. There are also a number of named plot style templates (STB) that are available from the program. A drawing can only use one style either a named or a color-dependent plot style.
One difference between the two styles is that a CTB is based on colors, a color = pen weight. This is the most common type of plot style and very popular in the architectural and building engineering industries. An STB based drawing uses words that are assigned to layers or objects instead of colors. For example, Thick = 0.03mm. In other words, the color of objects in a STB drawing does not control pen weight for plotting. It is controlled by the "name" assigned to it.
One issue with either plot style is when plotting a drawing you will not be able to select both pen weights in the drop-down list. The plot dialog box will only display STB or CTB plot styles depending on the plot style setting of the drawing.
To convert STB to a CTB do the following:
1. Open the STB based drawing
2. On the command line type the variable: CONVERTPSTYLES
3. Select the CTB file and click Open.
To convert from CTB to STB do the following:
1. While you have the CTB style drawing open, type CONVERTPSTYLES at the command prompt.
2. Browse and select the STB file to be converted.
2. Select the STB file and click Open.
To just convert a CTB plot file to an STB plot style file do the following:
1. While you have the CTB style drawing open, type CONVERTCTB at the command prompt.
2. Browse and select the CTB file to be converted.
2. Then browse to the location you want to save the STB file and hit the save button.
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