Import and purge pen styles

[Anonymous]

Hello,
A friend of mine has some custom pen styles for plotting stuff out in a dwg file which I would like to use. I don’t want to add this to my current drawing I want to use this just when I want to do a page setup manager when plotting stuff. I want to call this pen style say custom_style.stb and put it on my d drive.
Here is the video I am trying to follow:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/civil-3d/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2016/ENU/Civi...
but these steps adds it too the current drawing.
Can this be done the way I want it and if so how?
Thanks

[Joe-Bouza]

That video is for Civil3d styles.

pen styles are not technically in the drawing. Your acad settings point to a location(s) where the pen file is kept. The drawing gets a marker so it knows what was used last.

add your d: drive folder the the pen settings list and you’ll be able to pick when you want. When you want a different one pick it

[Anonymous]

Hello,

Can you show me the steps via a video how to do this and use a dummy.dwg. All I want is like you mention a simple .cbt file called whatever and be able to use it when ever I want to and place it in the d drive.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Enter OPTIONS at the command. Go to the Files tab, open Printer Support File Path, then open Plot Style Table Search Path. Make note of the folder listed there. This is where you have to put the ctb if you want it to appear in the list in the plot dialog. You can Add another folder (your 😧 drive folder).

That's all there is to it. If the ctb is in this folder you can use it. If it isn't you can't. It has nothing to do with the drawing file - this is a global setting for all drawings.

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I understand what you have explain to me but as of now I don't have the pen style (.ctb file) exported from my friends drawing. I am starting from scratch all I have is the dwg file.

How do I get the .ctb file?

I am still new to this and learning?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

It isn't in your friend's drawing. The ctb plot style table is in your friend's Plot Style Table Search Path folder. Ask friend to send you a copy of the plot style table (ctb), or ask them to use eTransmit  to share the drawing. eTransmit will include support files, such as the ctb plot style table (a separate file).

Again - this is an AutoCAD system setting (Plot Style Table Search Path) and file (plot style table). You can specify a plot style table to use when plotting the drawing, but it is not embedded in or a part of the drawing file.

If you cannot get access to the ctb plot style table, but know about what it is supposed to plot like you can create a new plot style table by using the Add-A-Plot Style Table Wizard found in your Plot Style Table Search Path folder. You can also get to this folder by using File>Print>Manage Plot Styles.

Check out https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/getting-started/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2018/ENU/Aut... 

[MMcCall402]

Plot styles can also be placed in the same folder as the .dwg file it is intended to be used with.  This works well for those files that come in from outside sources with their own unique pen styles.  This keeps your pen style location from filling up with a bunch of oddball styles.

[Joe-Bouza]

Tell your friend to email you the ctb file. then follow @Anonymous &/or @MMcCall402 

[lynn_zhang]

Hello @Anonymous ,

Just checking to see if your problem has been solved. Have you tried the suggestions from our experts above and did they work? If yes, please click on the "Accept as Solution" button in their reply, or let us know if you still need help. Thanks!