When starting a new drawing in AutoCAD, the user can choose from a variety of templates (DWT) that are loaded with the program. Most users are taught to start with the ACAD.DWT file which is a color-dependent plot style template(CTB). It contains not preloaded layers or styles. There are also a number of named plot style templates (STB) to choose from. A drawing can use either named or color-dependent plot styles, but not both.
The difference....a CTB is based on colors. A color = pen wieight. This is the most common type of plot style and very popular in the architectural and building engineering industries. A STB based drawing uses words that are assigned to layers or objects instead of colors. For example, THICK = 0.02mm. In other words, the color of objects in a STB drawing does not control pen weight for plotting. It is controlled by the "name" assigned to it.
Here's the big issue. When plotting a STB drawing you will not be able to select your company's traditional CTB pen weight in the drop-down list. The plot dialog box will only display CTB or STB plot styles.
To convert a STB to a CTB:
1. Open the STB based drawing
2. On the command line type the variable: CONVERTPSTYLES
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
To convert a CTB to a STB:
1. Open the CTB based drawing.
2. On the command line type the variable: CONVERTCTB
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
