Monochrome printed in colors

[AIR_123]

Guys,

I've got strange problem.

My Monochrome CTB file set to print all colors in black.

But when I print the drawing to pdf, geometry set to PANTONE colors are printed  in color...

I would like to print everything in black

How to fix this issue? Thx

[imadHabash]

Hi and Welcome to AutoDesk Forum,

selecting MONOCHROME to plot in black this normal if your colors selected from Index Color BUT if any object has a color from True Color or Color Books it will be always printed in color regardless of your CTB. 

 

[AIR_123]

The problem is that the drawing is from 3rd party and there are 100+ layers represented in PANATONE (why would you do that.....).

Is there any way I can fix that quick? Thx

[ennujozlagam]

@AIR_123 hello, you can open your "plot style table editor" > properties > color change color all to black, then saveas in another filename, so next time you can use that plot style table (pen assignments) again. thanks

[AIR_123]

Please read my first post carefully and also first reply.

[imadHabash]

i doubt that.. as far as i know..

[AIR_123]

Is it then for all color schemes besides True Color?
Strange that there is no setting in ACAD to fix that.....

Maybe Lisp can come handy?

Thx

[ennujozlagam]

@AIR_123hello, it could be the answer in your question HERE.  convertpstyles. thanks

[AIR_123]

Thx. I've read this before I've posted my issue...

My monochrome style settings are not ignored, it's the fact that only special color schemes are still printed in colors.

My PSTYLEMODE is set to 1.

[RobDraw]

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@Anonymous.artur wrote:

The problem is that the drawing is from 3rd party and there are 100+ layers represented in PANATONE (why would you do that.....).

Is there any way I can fix that quick? Thx

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Simple, they plot in color. Many more color choices to make their plots pretty.

What king of fix would you like. Changing everything to the same color is easy. If you need to assign different colors, that may not be as quick. You need to determine your needs and develop a strategy.

[AIR_123]

True color schemes are also print in color. 100+ layers of fancy colors!? Very pretty.
How to work with this? Nevermind...
Best case fix I would like is to tick check box and PANATONE and RAL's are printed black. I want the lines to be color distinct on my screen.
To follow "rules" of applied style, all "wrong colors" have to be manually set to true colors... What other strategies you suggest?

[RobDraw]

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@AIR_123 wrote:
Best case fix I would like is to tick check box and PANATONE and RAL's are printed black. I want the lines to be color distinct on my screen.
To follow "rules" of applied style, all "wrong colors" have to be manually set to true colors... What other strategies you suggest?

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I cannot suggest any strategies as I am totally unfamiliar with your workflow.

I think you mean that you want to set everything to index colors as those are the ones that can print black and you also want to maintain distinct colors probably similar to the assigned true colors. I'm sure this question has been asked many times. I'm not sure a conversion can be coded. If it can, it's probably been done, but I couldn't find anything with a quick search.

[AIR_123]

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 I think you mean that you want to set everything to index colors (or true colors, they can also print in black) as those are the ones that can print black and you also want to maintain distinct colors probably similar to the assigned true (PANATONE) colors.

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Exactly!

I can't find anything in this regard. Thx

[pendean · Accepted solution]

CTBs do not work on colors outside the ACI255 colors.

You will need to map STB plot style tables instead: STB ignores screen colors, they are set by object or bylayer.

[AIR_123]

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@pendean wrote:
CTBs do not work on colors outside the ACI255 colors.

You will need to map STB plot style tables instead: STB ignores screen colors, they are set by object or bylayer.

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Ok thx. I've switched my plot style to STB, but plot style column is grayed out in LM. How to make it active?

[pendean]

Your DWG file is still set to CTB: did you use CONVERTPSTYLES command to convert it? Once your file is STB set the column in LM is open for editing.

If you think you did it all correctly, show me your DWG file, post it here, so I can get in it.

[AIR_123]

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@pendean wrote:
Your DWG file is still set to CTB: did you use CONVERTPSTYLES command to convert it? Once your file is STB set the column in LM is open for editing.

If you think you did it all correctly, show me your DWG file, post it here, so I can get in it.

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Yes, conversion went good. PSTYLEMODE state - 0 now. You can see on the picture that STB trying to switch back to CTB.

In the plot style column I can select and edit styles, but when I change style and press OK it sets back to original selection.

Can't post drawing.

[pendean]

Then create a new file and try to replicate the problem: if it also fails, post your new secrets-free file here for me to look at. if it works, INSERT your problem file into this new one, EXPLODE and SAVEAS with a new name for you to continue.

[john.vellek]

Hi @AIR_123,

Can you attach a file for me to look at? Perhaps the simplest thing to do is to just remap the colors of the layers to the  normal index colors - perhaps using LAYTRANS.

I am happy to look if you would like me to.

[AIR_123]

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@pendean wrote:
Then create a new file and try to replicate the problem: if it also fails, post your new secrets-free file here for me to look at. if it works, INSERT your problem file into this new one, EXPLODE and SAVEAS with a new name for you to continue.

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After restarting ACAD everything worked and I can "freeze" new styles on layers without dropping them back to default. Thanks guys.