Plotting Layer Properties vs plot style (ctb, stb)

[Anonymous]

I am trying to set up a system for our Two man Cad department.  I have been in Civil 3d for about 2 years now.  I have been plotting using .ctb and setting lineweights thru there.  However, I am finding some disadvantages in doing that.  What is the general practice at Civil Engineering Consulting firms when plotting?  I feel like using the object lineweight through the layer manager seems like a good practice.  Just looking for some input here.  Thanks In Advance!

-Jon

Civil 3d 2015

intel core i5

8gb ram

[troma]

Sounds like I'm in a similar situation to you.
Engineering department of a survey company, and lots of our work is for the City.

So here's how we make our standard decisions: we're dictated to by the city! They tell us layer names, colours, lineweights, block names, title sheet size and probably more that I've forgotten. So that's something for you to check out: does your city have digital drawing submission requirements?
Actually, we could decide to plot by colour or plot by layer lineweight with a monochrome.ctb, but the specific layer colours and weights are dictated by the city.

I agree you need to use annotative text and paperspace layouts. If you can work out a way to plot using the same layers and colours as your surveyors you'll be able to keep them happy at least. You don't want to disturb them too much when you're just getting set up; you'll need their help too!