plotting from start to finish with autocad 2004 · 2011-08-27 · december 2-5, 2003 mgm grand...

December 2-5, 2003 ◊ MGM Grand Hotel Las Vegas

Plotting from Start to Finish

With AutoCAD® 2004

Speaker: J.C. Malitzke

Assistant: David Harrington

Assistant: Shaan Hurley

Driver: Craig Black

Code: GD11-1L

About the Speaker: J.C. Malitzke is department chair of the Computer Integrated Technologies Department at Moraine Valley Community College in the greater Chicagoland area. He manages and teaches AutoCAD® and has been instrumental in the college’s awards from Autodesk. He was a founding member of the Autodesk® Training Center Executive Committee, which consults with Autodesk on training matters. In 2002, he was selected by the Illinois Drafting Educators Association as Educator of the Year. He presents at numerous conferences, and this is his 10th year presenting at Autodesk University®. He holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's degree in Industrial Technology from Illinois State University.

Plotting From Start to Finish with AutoCAD 2004

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How much do you know about AutoCAD® 2004 plotting? This lab offers both longtime AutoCAD veterans and new users a chance to test their skills on the plotting features of AutoCAD 2004. We'll use short, timed exercises using various discipline-specific drawings to walk through practical examples such as: configuring a plotter, plotting from model space, page-set concepts, creating layouts, PC3 files, non-rectangular viewports, and color-dependent and named plot styles. We'll also cover plotting files using the DWF™ format and the new AutoCAD 2004 Publish command, as time permits.

This hands-on lab will cover the following topics as time permits.

Topics include: (as time permits)

• Introductions

• Objectives

• Preparing to Plot

• Add-a-Plotter-Wizard

• Installing a Plotter using Heidi and Optimized plotter drivers

• How do you Plot now? Tips and techniques

• Plotting from Model space

• Creating Layouts

Model Space and Paper Space

Plot Device tab

Plot Settings tab

Page setups

Non rectangular viewports

Using DesignCenter with Layouts

Creating custom paper sizes

Filtering of papers and devices

True color

Plotting Layouts

• Color Dependent Plot Styles

Setup and organization

Editing Color Plot style tables

Plotting with Color Dependent Plot style Tables

• Names Plot Styles

Setup and organization

Editing Color Plot style tables

Plotting with Color Dependent Plot style Tables

• Converting Drawings

Converting a CTB table to an STB table

Converting a drawing from color

Plotting from Start to Finish with AutoCAD 2004

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Dependant plot style to named plot style Converting a drawing from named plot style to color dependent plot style

• The Design Publisher/The Publish command/DWF file creation/batch plotting

• Questions and Answers

• Evaluations

This hands-on class will explore the plotting features for AutoCAD 2004.

Question: “Is this a class on plotting or a class on Plotting CAD Management?” If you are an experienced AutoCAD user of a new user to AutoCAD but has plotted many drawings, then this is a class on Plotting CAD Management!

As time permits we sill investigate the following six modules.

Module 1: Introduction to Plotting & Device Driver Configuration Preparing to Plot

Module 2: Plotting from Model Space Module 3: Working with Layouts

Module 4: Color Dependent Style Tables Module 5: Named Plot Style Tables

Module 6: The Publish Command and the Express Viewer

Module 1: Introduction to Plotting & Device Driver Configuration - Preparing to Plot

The first operation we need to do is to setup the proper drivers.

• Windows System Drivers for devices such as laser printers.

• Optimized Windows System Drivers for HP DesignJet Plotters.

• Heidi Plotter Drivers for Xerox, OCE, KIPS and other plotters.

Example 1: When configuring a driver for a laser printer to do check plots of to plot to a B size printer, use the Windows driver that comes with the operating systems CD or use the manufacturer’s driver disk. It is strongly recommended that you go to the Internet and download the latest driver for the printer you are using.

Example 2: If you have a Hewlett Packard plotter, use the WINDOWS SYSTEM PRINTER DRIVERS from the AutoCAD 2004 installation CD or download the latest Optimized Windows System Drivers for the HP DesignJet web site.


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Exercise 1. Go to Windows Start\Settings\Printers and ADD PRINTER. Select My Computer, LPT1 and the HP LaserJet 8100 Series PCL printer. Name the printer, AU2003-HP 8100 PCL. Set as the default printer. DO NOT Share the printer and DO NOT print a test page. Click on Finish.

You have created a Windows System Printer configuring the HP LaserJet 8100 PCL as the default printer.

Exercise 2. Go to Windows Start\Settings\Printers and ADD PRINTER. Select My Computer, LPT2 and

Select the HAVE DISK button. Browse to C:\ GD11-L\WINDOWS SYSTEM DRIVERS\OEMSETUP and select the HP DesignJet 1055CM by HP plotter. Name the printer, AU2003-HP 1055CM. DO NOT set as the default printer. DO NOT Share the printer and DO NOT print a test page. Click on Finish.

You have created an Optimized Windows System Printer configuring the HP DesignJet 1055CM plotter as a second Windows System Printer. However, this driver is the Optimized Windows System Driver!

The next step is to create the PC3 files that AutoCAD will use when plotting. We will create three different PC3 files. One for the HP 8100 PCL, one for the HP 1055CM and one for a XES 8830.

Using the one of the following methods to create these new PC3 files.

• AutoCAD File Menu\Plotter Manager

• AutoCAD Tools Menu\Wizards\Add Plotter

• Type In PLOTTERMANAGER at Command Line

• Windows Control Panel\ Autodesk Plotter Manager

PC3 files that use the Windows System Driver or Optimized Windows System Driver have HDI technology wrapped around it.


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PC3 files for the Xerox, OCE, Kips and other plotters use the HDI plotter configuration file containing plot settings such as the device driver and model, the output port to which the device is connected, and various device-specific settings. This method of creating a plotter driver is similar to the way we setup our plotters in AutoCAD Release 14.

Exercise 3. In AutoCAD 2004, go to File\Plotter Manager and double click on Add-A-Plotter Wizard.

Select System Printer. Select the AU2003-HP 8100 PCL printer. Name the PC3 file MY AU2003-HP 8100 PCL. Click on Finish. You have created a new PC3 file using the Windows System Driver.


Select System Printer. Select the AU2003-HP 1055CM printer. Name the PC3 file MY AU2003-HP 1055CM. Click on Finish. You have created a new PC3 file using the Optimized Windows System Driver.


Select My Computer. Select the XESystems Inc. and the Synergix Print System 8830. Select LPT3 as the port. Name the PC3 file MY AU2003-XES 8830. Click on Finish.

You have created a new PC3 file using a HDI driver.

Module 2: Plotting from Model Space

Plotting in Model space with AutoCAD 2004 is very similar in the plotting sequence in AutoCAD Release 14, EXCEPT, it is easier. The Plot dialog box has been streamlined for you. If you have used AutoCAD 2000, 20001 or 2002, the dialog boxes are similar. Always select the Plot Device tab. Make the appropriate settings.


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Select the Plot Setting tab. Make the appropriate settings.

Once all appropriate settings are met, click on Full Preview. If the plot preview is correct, right click and select exit. Click on the Add button and create a page setup. Name the page setup as Model Space-AU2003 plot. A page setup is the saved plotting parameters for the layout. These plotting parameters can also be saved for the Model tab! “One touch plotting”. Once you have saved the page setup, the next time you need to plot the same layout, you just click on OK!


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Exercise 6. Open OURAPARTMENT.DWG. Select the Model tab. Go to File\Plot and select the Plot Device tab. Configure as shown below.

Select the Plot Settings Tab and configure as shown. Click on the Full Preview button. If your plot looks correct, select the Add button and create a page setup. Name the page setup, MODEL SPACE B Size Check Plot.


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Module 3: Working with Layouts

A Layout provides a Paper space environment in which you configure viewports and specify page settings for plotting. OR “what you see on the paper” or “how the drawing looks” or “a layout represents a plotted page!”

The Model/Layouts tabs are configured for each sheet of paper you want to plot. We can setup as many different layouts with different page setups that are saved in our drawing. When we do a Full Preview you get WYSIWYG Layout plots. Shortcut menus are used to help us create layouts. Right Click on the Layout1 Tab to see the short cut menu for the various methods to create and edit layouts.


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Non-rectangular viewports. You can create non-rectangular viewports in a layout.

The creation methods are singular, multiple, polygonal, convert an existing closed object, and clip an existing viewport. Always use the Viewports toolbar!

Exercise 7. Open OURAPARTMENT.DWG. (it should be open from the previous exercises.)

Create a layout From template and use the ANSI B Color Dependent Plot Styles template. Name the layout ANSI B CHECK PLOT. Right click on Layout1 and delete it and then Layout2 and delete it. Double Click in the center of the view and Zoom Extents. Set the proper view scale (3/16”=1’0”) by using the Viewports toolbar.

Exercise 8. Using the same drawing. Create another template using an ANSI E Color Dependent Plot Table template. Make the Viewport Layer current. Double click on the paper layout near the edge of the paper and then erase the default viewport. Create one rectangular viewport and four non-rectangular viewports as shown below. Scale each viewport.


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Exercise 9. Create a page setup using the AU2003-HP 8100 PCL for the ANSI B CHECK PLOT layout. Create a page setup using the AU2003-HP 1055CM for the ANSI E Title Block layout. Do a Full Preview of each layout. Have your neighbor check your work. Save the drawing.

Module 4: Color Dependent Style Tables

AutoCAD Release 14 plotted by-color only. AutoCAD 2000 series and AutoCAD 2004 release plot by-color also. However, we now can use a color table to influence the output of our drawings. A CTB file can be attached to the drawing through a page setup. Color plot style tables can contain one or more plot style definitions, are device independent and are external files.

CTB files store the objects color which defines plot output, properties within the table specify the lineweight, linetype, fill patterns, etc…255 plot styles for true color in ACAD 2004. The CTB files can also be shared.

Use one of the following methods to create these new CTB files.

• AutoCAD File Menu\Plotter Style Manager

• AutoCAD Tools Menu\Wizards\Add Color Dependent Plot Style Table

• Windows Control Panel\ Autodesk Plotter Style Manager


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Double click on the acad.ctb as shown above.

Select Form view to view the table.


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Exercise 10. Create a color plot style table using the following parameters.

Red-Use objects color Yellow-black

Green-black, 50% screen, .60mm lineweight, end style=round

All other colors –black, .35mm lineweight

Save the CTB file as AU2003 COLOR PLOT STYLE TABLE.CTB.

Attach the CTB table to each layout and save the page setups with the CTB attached. Plot each layout using the Full Preview button. Have your neighbor check your work.

Module 5: Named Plot Style Tables

Named plot style tables (STB files) do not use color as a basis to plot. The best analogy for a named plot style table is “the way you work”. What this means is the ability to plot a drawing on the methods of your projects or methodologies based on your specific job. An example of this would be a civil engineer working on a piping project with pipes above ground and pipes below ground. There may be 20 layers that relate to the above ground piping and 20 layers that relate to the below ground piping. When it comes time to plot, you could create a table with two styles (records). One being named above ground and one being named below ground. You would then assign the table to the drawing and assign these to styles (records) to the appropriate layers. You can assign the style to a layer, object or attribute on a block. STB tables specifies lineweights, linetypes, fill Patterns, etc…and objects do not rely on color for plotting, their assigned plot style (record) controls plot output. STB files allow more control over layers with the same color that can be plotted using different styles and removes color dependency when plotting.

The Way You Work!

These styles would be appropriate for our current drawing.

Existing….. (Unique Named Plot Style)

Multiple Object Types

Proposed…(Unique Named Plot Style)


Demolition…(Unique Named Plot Style)


Furniture….. (Unique Named Plot Style)


Fireplace….. (Unique Named Plot Style)


Walls….. (Unique Named Plot Style)


Text….. (Unique Named Plot Style)


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Revision….. (Unique Named Plot Style)


New….. (Unique Named Plot Style)


Appliances….. (Unique Named Plot Style)


Bathroom ….. (Unique Named Plot Style)


Note: the Normal style is WYSIWYG and cannot be changed.

Exercise 11. OPEN OURTOWNHOME.DWG. Create a new STB file with the above styles. Name the file OURTOWNHOME.STB. Edit the table and change the style settings to what you believe would be appropriate for this drawing. Have your neighbor check your work.

Apply the styles (records) to the appropriate layers. Plot the drawing using the FULL PREVIEW button. What do you see?

(Remember, you can apply a style to an OBJECT!)


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Converting for STB table file to and CTB table file or from CTB table file to STB table file.

You may receive a drawing from a contractor that has an attached STB table file. To convert the drawing to an STB table file, just type CONVERTPSTYLES and the command prompt. Select OK and the drawing is converted to a CTB table drawing.

To convert a CTB table drawing to an STB table drawing, you must do two steps. First you must convert the CTB table file first to an STB table file. Type CONVERTCTB at the command prompt. Select the CTB table that is attach to the drawing. Then name the STB table in the Create File dialog box. You have just created a new STB file with unique styles (records). Rename the styles (records) in the file you just created to something that makes logical sense. Then type CONVERTPSTYLES and convert the drawing to a CTB table drawing.

Module 6: The Design Publisher

The Design Publisher allows you to put together a collection of you drawings and plot them directly to you plotter or printer (for batch plotting usage) or to publish to a DWF (Design Web Format) file. Using the PUBLISH command, you can create a digital set of drawings saved to one DWF file! You can use the new Autodesk Express Viewer to view the file.

Exercise 12. Type PUBLISH at the command prompt in AutoCAD. Select the Add Sheets button and select the drawing in the C:\GD11-1L folder as shown below. For the file name, browse to C:\GD11-1L\AU2003. Press the Select button after you have selected all the drawing you want to publish.

Notice the Layout names and any Pagesetups that are assigned. Select in the dialog box any layouts named, Layout 1 or Layout 2. Use the Remove button to remove the layouts from the list. Do not assign a password or phrase in the appropriate area. Select the Publish button to publish the drawings to the file. Name the file, AU2003.DWF


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When publishing is complete you will get a Publishing Complete dialog box that will appear. It may find errors! If so, you need to go back and check your drawings for proper layout names, pages setups and how Xref’s are being attached.


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To view the DXF file you created, select the View Dwf File button or go to, Windows Start\Programs\Autodesk\Autodesk Express Viewer. Either way will launch the Express Viewer! Select the Next Sheet arrow as shown on the next page to cycle through your published sheets!

You can save the list for future use by selecting the Save List… button.


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Batch Plotting

You can also use the Design Publisher to act as a batch plotter. The key to batch plotting is to have the page setup’s properly created and specified. (The dialog box shown below is set to <Default>) If the Page Setups are properly configured in the Publish Drawing Sheets Dialog box, the Design Publisher is a great tool for batch plotting! Also, make sure you have selected the Plotter Named in Page Setups radio button. Look in the Users Guide for AutoCAD 2004, Chapter 30 for Publishing Drawing Sets.


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Give this a try………….

• Creating a monochrome only PC3 file If you plot to a HP color plotting device and what your drawing to plot in monochrome (black and white) you can attach a monochrome plot style table. However, you can create a monochrome ONLY pc3 file. To do this you must edit the pc3 file and change the color setting. To do this, select Custom Properties-Options-Color Control and check the Convert colors to pure black. Save the new pc3 file with Monochrome as part of the name and you have created a pure monochrome pc3 file plot driver. (See below)

Hope you had a great time!

plotting from start to finish with autocad 2004 · 2011-08-27 · december 2-5, 2003 mgm grand...

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