CTB
A color-dependent plot style table that maps object colors to printed lineweights and other output behavior.
- Color-Dependent Plot Style
CTB files control plotting based on object color. In a CTB workflow, colors are not just visual aids on screen; they also influence output behavior such as lineweight.
Where It Appears
CTB files are assigned through plotting and page setup settings. They are common in long-established CAD standards and office workflows.
Why It Matters
If a project uses CTB plotting, color choices carry production meaning. Understanding that relationship prevents plotting surprises.
How This Shows Up in AutoCAD
This term belongs to sheet composition and output planning rather than to raw model creation. CTB sits in the Layout & Plotting part of the glossary, which tells you the term is most relevant when that stage of work is active.
CTB is also commonly referenced as Color-Dependent Plot Style. Those alternate names usually show up in shortcuts, office standards, template notes, or informal team conversations, so recognizing them makes the term easier to spot in real work.
What This Usually Tells You
When it is mentioned, the focus is usually scale, sheet setup, view control, or how the drawing will be published and reviewed. Layout terms matter because a good model still needs disciplined output settings to become a readable deliverable.
For CTB, the practical takeaway is that the term usually marks a repeatable drafting decision, not a one-off trick. It signals something a user should recognize, control, or verify on purpose.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is solving output problems by resizing model geometry. Most plotting issues are really viewport, page setup, or sheet-organization issues.
CTB is easiest to separate from nearby ideas such as STB, Page Setup, Paper Space, and Plot Scale. Reading those terms together clarifies which part of the workflow belongs to CTB and which part belongs to adjacent tools or concepts.