Making a grayscale pdf from Autocad 2012 for Mac

[Anonymous]

I am trying to create a grayscale pdf from layouts in my Autocad file. I'm using Autocad 2013 on OSX 10.9.2 

So far I have tried using pagesetup for each layout, chosing monochorme.stb in the Plot Style Table. The box for "print with plot styles" is checked. When I chose "save as pdf" or "open pdf with preview" in the lower left corner, I do get a pdf, but it is not grayscale and is of low quality. 

I have read over threads related to this issue and still haven't found a solution. 

[maxim_k]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi,
What visual style do you have in viewports?
You can print in grayscale only with 2D Wireframe visual style.

Maxim

[Anonymous]

Hi Maxim. Everything is in a 2D Wireframe visual style.

[maxim_k]

Activate viewport and in Properties palette check Shade plot option, it should be "As displayed".

Maxim

[Anonymous]

The properties pallette for the viewport in the properties inspector indicates the shade plot is "as displayed" The problem persists.

[maxim_k]

Do you use True Color for Layers (objects) in your drawing?
Have you tried to plot another file with this plot style table file? It is possible that plot style table file is corrupted.
Can you post your DWG file here (along with plot style table and Xrefs (if any)?

Maxim

[maxim_k]

Try to compress CTB file (right click on it and select Compress), then attach resulting ZIP file.

Maxim

[Anonymous]

Thanks Maxim

[maxim_k]

OK, I'll look at your file today, little bit later, for the moment I'm far from my Mac.

M

[Anonymous]

No prblem. I really appreciate your help.

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

Here are the instructions:
- activate Model space
- open Properties Inspector, ensure that nothing selected, on "Current Properties" tab find Plot Style section, then Plot Style Table
- open drop-down list and select monochrome.stb
-  switch to Layer Properties tab in Properties Inspector and find "Plot style"
- select "Style 1" from list (instead of "Normal"
- at the command prompt type -LAYER (with hyphen before command name) then hit Return, than type PS and hit Return, then type Style 1 and hit Return, then type * (asterisk) an hit Return twice:

Command: -LAYER                         <- Hit Return here
Current layer:  "Dimensions"
Enter an option [?/Make/Set/New/Rename/ON/OFF/Color/Ltype/LWeight/TRansparency/MATerial/Plot/PStyle/Freeze/Thaw/LOck/Unlock/stAte/Description/rEconcile]: PS                    <- Hit Return here
Enter Plot Style Name or [?] <Style 1>: Style 1                       <- Hit Return here
Enter name list of layer(s) for plot style name Style 1 <Dimensions>: *               <- Hit Return here
Enter an option [?/Make/Set/New/Rename/ON/OFF/Color/Ltype/LWeight/TRansparency/MATerial/Plot/PStyle/Freeze/Thaw/LOck/Unlock/stAte/Description/rEconcile]:                         <- Hit Return here

Now go back to the Layout and try to plot.

Maxim

[Anonymous]

Thank you Maxim. That worked for me!

[risha_chitalia]

i want the stb for grayscale could you please send it

[maxim_k]

Hi @risha_chitalia ,

You can create Grayscale STB Plot Style table file yourself:

- open monochrome.stb file in Plot Style Table Editor, use "Save as" button to save it under another name, for example - Grayscale.stb

- select "Style 1" Plot Style on the left, change Color to "Use object color" and check-mark "Grayscale" option

- pick on "Save & Close" button

 - assign this new "Grayscale.stb" to the Layout you want to print

- change "Plot Style" property of all Layers in the drawing to "Style 1"

- print your drawing:

Just in case I have attached an archive with ready for use "Grayscale.stb" file