Adding a CTB File in Autocad for Mac?

[Anonymous]

Any advice on how to add a ctb file for plotting? I was able to navigate to a finder window to try to add an old ctb file, but it seems that the mac version is calling them stb files, and isn't recognizing old ctbs. I was wondering how to setup a new stb file so that it will appear as an option when I setup a new page layout for plotting.

Thank you!

[HawkAIA]

Sounds like your ctb file may have become corrupt.  Might try copying over a fresh copy again.

In the plot dialog box, click on page setup, the click on the little printer icon next to the ctb pulldown.  See attached screenshot.

[Anonymous]

Hi John,

I am trying to copy over the ctb file now as I type this.  However, just a quick question about your screenshot.  Are you using autocad 2011?  I do not see the same options as you do and the screenshot is slightly different than what I am looking at here.  See attached screenshot below.

Any thoughts?

Jerome

Fuse Architects

[HawkAIA]

Yes, I am using 2012.  You are correct that there is no way to edit the pen table in Mac 2011.

[Anonymous]

John,

Thank you for your response.

Jerome

BTW.....for all others reading this post and the previous posts, check out this link.  I am going to try it out now.

http://www.petererkamp.com/?p=93

[Anonymous]

I just updated my driver to Hp driver's for mac (hpprinterdrivers2.6.dmg) at the suggestion of the Hp technical support dept., and have found that I am having the same issue as before.  I am still trying to use our autocad 2000 pen settings, on our new macs.  I have loaded the .ctb file into the appropriate folder and installed the driver listed above, but when I go to print the autocad program is crashing each and every time.

Any help or thoughts?

Jerome

Fuse Architects

[HawkAIA]

The only thought I have is that I imported my pen tables from release 2011 for windows.  Maybe there is a problem with the release 2000 pen tables.  I have attached a couple of my pen table files for you to try.  I use them for my HP500n printer, and my HP 755 cm and 1055cm plotters. If it crashes your system, I think you're probably looking at corruption in your Autocad install, and not a ctb file problem per se. Sadly, that would mean a reinstall.

[maxim_k]

Hi Jerome,

Check if your CTB files have the miter join-style at least for one of the pens. If you are using AutoCAD 2011 without Update 3 (it is now in Beta3 stage available at beta.autodesk.com) - it is likely that crashes occur because of this, because of the bug in AC 2011 for Mac.

Maxim

[Anonymous]

Did you have any problems printing after adding the CTB file.  I am using a ctb file and when I print from my program the lineweights are all the same.  When I print the same file using Autocad for PC the lineweights print fine.  Any ideas why I might be having this problem?

Thanks,

[Anonymous]

I've been trying to add ctb files to AutoCAD LT 2015 for the last 2 hours. I followed every step/word of advise from the previous postings.

My ctb files are in the proper location (see attatchment). I have closed, quit, and re-opened CAD and the plot styles STILL don't show up in my "edit page setup" menu. I have also tried to type in the command "stylesmanager" and absoutely nothing happens. CAD acknowledges that "stylesmanager" is a command, but no window opens... ARGGGHHH!!!

On my last mac, I was simply able to go to "show in finder" in the plot style table pull-down menu to add new ctb files, but since I've gotten my new mac a few days ago, every time I try add ctb files using the exact same method nothing happens - it doesn't even allow me to choose the "show in finder" option.

Does anyone know what I can do to fix this? I have litterally wasted hours trying to figure this out. I'm starting to think it's a glitch in my program and that I should uninstall/reinstall.

[maxim_k]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi,

Could you verify in AutoCAD preferences (Application tab) if you have additional support paths for Plot Style take less files?
If yes, you can try to remove these paths and see what happens.
If you don't have additional paths, than maybe you need to reset AutoCAD.

Maxim

[HawkAIA]

The only suggestion I have is to reinstall.   Sorry I can't be more help.

[Anonymous]

This response is based on OSX 10.10.5 with AutoCAD LT 2015. Your mileage may vary for different operating system/AutoCAD LT combinations.

After sifting through some posts on this issue I discovered a helpful post on the Windows side. 

Type, "STYLES," into the command line. Press, "Enter." Finder brings up, "Plot Styles." Open the folder up to view all available Plot Styles. Open a Plot Style by double clicking. AutoCAD LT 2015 includes a built-in editor. Edit to your heart's content. 

I haven't gotten as far as using a STYLE to plot yet. But, given the files exist in a central location and there is a way to edit them it would stand to reason that it should be possible to use them. 

Happy hunting,

Jake

[Anonymous]

Hello, I didn't read all the comments, but this is how I did it for version 2015:

1. Command PRINT, then you go to PRINT SET UP table

2. Go to PLOT STYLE TABLE (up right side), open the list and go to REVEAL IN FINDER, there you'll find the folder where all the styles are

3. Paste your .ctb files in it

4. Close AUTOCAD and reload it (this is important)

Easy as MAC (My 2 year old daughter sort of uses my mac, that's it)

[bscott8504]

Purchased AutoCAD 2016 LT this year in August. I've tried adding a few CTB files that my company uses for different clients. I've looked through all of the comments and have tried to follow them as best I could. However I'm still not able to add even one CTB file. I'm too lazy to recreate the CTB files individually.  I've tried to located the file the plot styles are loaded to however even after unhiding all of the files in finder I still can not locate the specific folder or files that come preloaded with the application. I've even tried to use the "reveal in finder" feature and no luck. I'm at my wits end and I've spend more than 2 or 3 days looking for solutions. Please someone help.

[maxim_k]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi,

>>>>I've even tried to use the "reveal in finder" feature and no luck.

Please provide screenshot of the Finder window that should open when you select "Reveal in Finder" option (menu Format -> Plot Style -> Reveal in Finder).

Actually Finder should open Plotters folder and you need to open Plot Styles folder in order to see CTB files installed by default.

Maxim

[bscott8504]

[HawkAIA]

You're in Library : Application Support on the main drive.  The support files are in the folder under your user name

Go to Users : YourUserName : Library : ApplicationSupport ... yada yada.

You can also see the path by Command-clicking at the top of the window that appears after you pull down "reveal in finder" (see attached)

[bscott8504]

Sorry everyone

I included captions on all the images but they didn't show up. 

1st image is when I try to go through "Page Setup" I click on the plot style, then on "reveal in finder" and nothing happens.

2nd image is when trying "plot styles" and nothing happens

3rd image is using the "edit plot style table", select "reveal in finder and nothing again happens

4th image shows me trying to go through the preferences and add the folder in which I have my varying CTB files in and as you can see all the CTB and STB files are greyed and can not be selected.

5th image is me trying to use the AUTOCAD plotstyle editor and trying to determine where if I created a CTB file where it would be saved to and located.

6th image is me trying to use the same path but through finder to copy the CTB files into and as you can see the contents folder is not available (should be noted all hidden files are viewable)

7th image is trying to save an existing CTB file and as you can see the file wants to save over its original, 8th however is me trying to save the existing CTB using the new CTB save path and no luck either.

finally 9th image is of me trying to use the application support folder, I can get further along but still can't access the helpers folder to locate the plotters or plot styles.

Sorry didn't just include the screen shots.

Again any help would be greatly appreciated

Beau Scott

Studio Manager

[bscott8504]

thank you John!!!

that has been the most irritating thing in the world.

[maxim_k]

Hi Beau,

Looks like your AutoCAD installation is incomplete, because Application support folder (where plot style table files should be) is absolutely empty.

It should look something like this  (I have full AutoCAD, but for LT it should be the same):

So you need to try to reset AutoCAD, if this will not help, I'd suggest you to perform clean uninstall of AutoCAD:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-for-mac/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticle...

and then install it again.

Maxim