Defaulting/changing colors in blocks/layers to black

[craigcclick]

I need to be able to 'read' dwg's sent to me. How do I change the colors to black so that I can read text, dimensions, etc? If someone could walk me through the process referencing the attached, I would deeply appreciate it. Thanks. FWIW, I'm reasonably proficient in SU.

[maxim_k]

Hi Craig,

If you don't want to explode block, you can change all layers color to White: in Properties palette select all layers, then pick on color swatch and select "White" (If you write about black color you need, I suppose you have light drawing area background, then White color will shows as black).

[craigcclick]

Thanks Maxim for the response, but still not getting it. Specifically referring to the dwg attached to my original post, when I go to Properties/Layer, it looks like there are about 35 layers. I tried to select all by various means, without success, so I tried one layer near the top labeled ‘Cotas’ (dimensions in Spanish), which appear as red in the dwg. Above the Layer palette is the Color palette. From there I can select ByLayer or ByBlock, Selecting either one, I go to the Color Palette, I try selecting different colors, but the ‘Cotas' don’t change from red.

As a separate issue, I would think that dimensions would have their own layer, but not be in a block, correct?

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

Here how I do this:change color.gif

Can you try such a way?

EDIT:

Deselect everything in drawings before working with layers.

[pendean · Accepted solution]

There is nothing built into flip a drawing to no color instantly: AutoCAD has always given the file creator total control, not the recipient. That's just the way it is.

Other than changing the layer colors as noted about, you could simply open PAGESETUP command, select the MONOCHROME.CTB plot style table to make it the default, then check the box DISPLAY PLOT STYLES. Now you don't have to jack with the layer colors at all unless there are RGB format (seems your file have a few of that).

Or ask the file creator to send you their plot style table file and use that in the PAGESETUP command.

HTH

[maxim_k]

>>>>>Other than changing the layer colors as noted about, you could simply open PAGESETUP command,
>>>>> select the MONOCHROME.CTB plot style table to make it the default, then check the box DISPLAY
>>>>>PLOT STYLES. Now you don't have to jack with the layer colors at all
Just want to add that this trick works only in Paper space.

[pendean]

@maxim_k Is that a limitation of MAC versions? Its not in Windows versions, it works in Model and Paper space.

TIA

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

>>>Is that a limitation of MAC versions?
Sorry, that was my mistake. This works on Mac side too.

[craigcclick]

Thanks Maxim & Pendean. It works. Apologies for the late acknowledgement.