topic Re: Converting CTB to STB in AutoCAD for Mac Forum

Converting CTB to STB

rubySTXLM — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 08:54:44 GMT

After I updated AutoCad, I can no longer just plot and add a new plot style with the colours down the side of the table. The only available format of plot style is STB, but all of my previous plot styles are CTB which I can see under my plot styles in Finder. I am unable to access these when I try to add a plot style, as the onyl available format is STB. I'm unsure how to import my old CTB plot styles into my AutoCad or even make a new plot style based on colours.

Re: Converting CTB to STB

maxim_k — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 11:28:42 GMT

Hi @rubySTXLM ,

In order to be able to select CTB Plot Style table your drawing has to be based on the CTB based Template.

On Mac you cannot convert STB based drawing to CTB based as you can do in AutoCAD for Windows.

On Mac the only one way is to "convert" STB based drawing to CTB based is to create new drawing with CTB based template - acad.dwt, acadiso.dwt, etc. Then copy all objects from your current drawing and paste them to this new one.

Re: Converting CTB to STB

PaulNXG8Z — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 17:33:07 GMT

This is helpful information thank you! Can you expand on how to create new drawings with a CTB based template? I am fairly new to AutoCAD and the plot styles, and .CTB versus .STB issues have been a continual issue for me.

Re: Converting CTB to STB

maxim_k — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 17:50:10 GMT

Hi Paul,

@PaulNXG8Z wrote:
....Can you expand on how to create new drawings with a CTB based template? ....

It is very simple.

You use NEW command (menu File -> New drawing) and select one of the templates:

acad -Named Plot Styles.dwt

acad -Named Plot Styles3D.dwt

acadISO -Named Plot Styles.dwt

acadISO -Named Plot Styles3D.dwt

These temples create STB Plot style based drawings.

Re: Converting CTB to STB

shannon44WF4 — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:37:21 GMT

WOW, thank you so much, Maxim_K!! Honestly, this was driving me a bit crazy. I've just wasted 45 minutes trying to secure this information! Autocad really doesn't do a great job of explaining anything clearly. This is not even mentioned in their help section, via Mac to PC AutoCAD support.

I appreciate your expertise, and hope I will not regret my transition from AutoCAD PC to Mac!
I hope AutoCAD will make information more accessible and facilitate future improvements.

Cheers

Shannon Cloete

SHANNON CLOETE CONSULTING | Linkedin

Re: Converting CTB to STB

MYS-LeonidB — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:30:14 GMT

Solution is simple - CONVERTPSTYLES

Re: Converting CTB to STB

maxim_k — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 18:20:50 GMT

Hi @MYS-LeonidB ,

Unfortunately there is no CONVERTPSTYLES command in AutoCAD for Mac:

https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACDMAC/2026/ENU/?caas=caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Unable-to-use-CONVERTPSTYLES-in-AutoCAD-for-Mac.html