pen assignments

[michiblue]

What about pen assignments in Acad 2004? I am creating a new template - not based on any previous drawing. Do I need to assign a pen to every color I use like I used to do in earlier releases? If so, when I plot do I select a color dependent plot style or what? Is this whole subject completely different in R2004 from R14, R2000 or R2002? I would really appreciate an explanation in a simple to understand form.
Thanks for your help!

[csiarch]

In R14, pen 7 was the best for all colors, assuming you're not using a color plotter.

In 2002, you can specify a whole yard of parameters in the CTB file, which is (line/object) color dependent. It's relatively easy to edit a ctb file to your requirements by accessing one through either My Computer (or whatever it's called in your O/S) or from within AutoCad by clicking on Page Set-up OR by starting the PLOT command.

Ctb files are stored in a folder named Plot Styles. There are several example ctbs that were loaded when AutoCad was installed. You can start with Acad.ctb, modify it to your requirements then Saveas to another file name.

In 2002 setting pens to Pen 7 doesn't seem to make any difference BUT you should probably set the color of each one to black if you want your plotter to produce filled lines. Otherwise, most plotters will try to plot the color of the line/object and on paper, it may look like a screened line.

Study the example ctb files and on-line help for more info. If experimenting, try not to change more than one variable at a time.

[YosSa]

I'f i'm correct, there's a standard b/w tcb file included (monochrome ??)

[csiarch]

Yes, there are several that come bundled with the programs. They can be used as examples of how to set up various color dependent and grayscale ctb files.

If inexperienced messing with ctb files, you can open up the "standard" ctb, acad.ctb, play with the settings and saveas it to another name...and keep doing this until you get things the way you want them.

I just recently had to to plot out some stuff in R14 and compared to later versions, setting up line weights and other parameters was a pain where the sun don't shine. Later versions make this task much easier.