Can't load any new ctb files

[colinV5BWC]

I am trying to load a new ctb file, but my autocad cannot locate any ctb files. It does a search for .cfg and does not show any .ctb files no matter what folder I put it in. Any ideas on what may be going on?

[user181]

Your drawing is probably setup to use stb instead of ctb.  You would need to run the command convertpstyles to allow the dwg to use ctb.  

[colinV5BWC]

I typed that in and it says "This command converts a Color Dependant plot style drawing to use Named plot styles. You should convert your dependant plot style tables (.CTB files) to Named plot styles tables (.STB file) with Convertctb before you convert your drawing."

I got a new computer and I am transitioning to doing all my work from it. It has all my ctb files loaded that I already had, but does not allow me to add the new one I want which is a Houston standard ctb. When I open the drawing on my other computer it allows me to add that ctb file.

[sboon]

Both .stb and .ctb files should be stored in a directory on your system.  Open the Options dialog and look for the Plot Style Table Search Path.  I'll bet that there is a directory missing from your new computer, or you have a ctb file on the old one that didn't get copied over.

[user181]

In OPTIONS go to the Files tab and expand Printer Support File Path and look at the location under Plot Style Table Search Path. Place your CTB in the location shown there or change or add the location you have it under the path

[colinV5BWC]

I had the ctb file in another folder so I added the directory to plot style table search path and it did not work. I also took the ctb file and added it to the original search path that autocad creates and it can't be found. The search finds no ctb files anywhere I look, even the ones that are already loaded.

[MMcCall402]

In addition to the search path folder, a CTB file located in the same folder as the DWG file will also work. 

(This is nice for those files coming in from other firms. You won't need to place their CTB in your folder, bloat it up and possibly conflict with other CTBs of the same name)

[colinV5BWC]

I just placed the ctb in the same file as the drawing and it still doesn't find it while searching. Luckily the colors are a lot that I don't regularly use, for now I am going to change my plot style to plot those colors differently, but not sure it's a long term sollution.

[sboon]

When you start the plot does it refuse to search for any .ctb files or only this one?  If it won't show any .ctb files then your drawing is in .stb format.  The software will not allow your to plot with the wrong type of pen file.

[colinV5BWC]

All but per my earlier message it says " You should convert your dependant plot style tables (.CTB files) to Named plot styles tables (.STB file) with Convertctb before you convert your drawing." so i figured I'm already in the correct mode and didn't want to mess with it. Am I wrong about this?

[user181]

---

@colinV5BWC wrote:

I just placed the ctb in the same file as the drawing and it still doesn't find it while searching. 

---

Can you post an image of what you mean by searching for the ctb?  How are you plotting?  Also after you move the ctb to the correct folder you probably need to restart Civil 3D

[colinV5BWC]

Trying to plot to pdf through both the sheet set and single page plot. I've restarted CAD several times.

[user181 · Accepted solution]

If you placed it in the correct directory you don't need to select new. It should be in the list when you click on the pen assignments and you just select it. Is yours not there?

[colinV5BWC]

Yes it is, wow, I didn't even think to look to see if it loaded automatically. I'm still confused as to why I can't see the files though, if they are already loaded they do not show up I guess?

Thanks for your help.

[user181]

You were trying to import a CFG file doing that and not a CTB.  If you look at it, it says CFG is saved from release 14.  If the CTB is already created you just put it in the directory and it shows in the list

[colinV5BWC]

I've always loaded it on my other cad, I guess it was just an older version that didn't automatically load it.