BricsCAD Printing & Plotting Guide

If you already know AutoCAD plotting, BricsCAD will feel familiar. Layouts, Page Setups, CTB/STB and PDF output are similar, but you should still test the exact driver, commands and automation routines before using them on production drawings.

Start here — what you are going to do

Your goal: Print a BricsCAD Layout to PDF or a printer with a repeatable Page Setup.

Where to go: BricsCAD > choose Model or a Layout > press Ctrl+P / File > Print; use PAGESETUP or CPAGESETUP to edit page setups.

Beginner rule: Change one thing at a time. After each important change, use Preview or create one test PDF/print before continuing.

Step by step — follow this in order

Step 1 — Choose the Layout you want to print

Where: Bottom of BricsCAD > click the target Layout.

Do this: For production sheets, start from Paper Space rather than Model Space.

Check: The Layout should show the real paper sheet.

Step 2 — Open Print

Where: Press Ctrl+P, or File > Print, or use the PLOT/PRINT command.

Do this: The Print dialog opens.

Check: You should see Page Setup, printer/plotter, paper size, plot area and scale controls.

Step 3 — Choose or edit a Page Setup

Where: Print dialog > Page Setup, or run PAGESETUP/CPAGESETUP.

Do this: Select a saved setup or edit one with the correct device, paper and plot style.

Check: The setup should match the intended deliverable.

Step 4 — Set paper, area and scale

Where: Print/Page Setup dialog.

Do this: Choose the supported Paper Size, Plot Area = Layout for a prepared sheet, and the intended plot scale.

Check: The preview image should show the correct orientation and placement.

Step 5 — Choose CTB/STB and plot options

Where: Plot Style Table / Plot Options.

Do this: Select the approved style table and enable lineweights/plot styles as required.

Check: Preview should reflect the intended output appearance.

Step 6 — Preview before Print

Where: Click Preview.

Do this: Check clipping, scale, orientation and lineweights, then Print.

Check: The final PDF/print should match the Preview.

A simple example

Migrating a DWG plotting standard

A DWG that uses layouts, named Page Setups and CTB/STB can often move into a BricsCAD environment with familiar concepts. Test the actual printer names, PDF configuration, support paths and command behavior before declaring the production workflow equivalent.

Reusing plot automation

An AutoLISP routine that loads in BricsCAD is not automatically production-safe. Run it on copies, verify command/API assumptions and compare the generated PDFs against the manual BricsCAD output before using it on a project batch.

The BricsCAD plotting pieces to recognize

Familiar DWG workflow

BricsCAD supports Model/Layout printing, Page Setups, plot areas, scales and CTB/STB workflows similar to DWG-based production in AutoCAD.

CTB/STB plot styles

Bricsys documents both CTB and STB management through its Plot Styles Manager and PLOTSTYLEPATH.

Saved plotting settings

Print settings are saved with Model and Layouts; Page Setups can standardize output.

Windows vs Mac differences

Bricsys documents important macOS/Linux limitations for direct system-printer output in some editions/workflows.

Automation

LISP compatibility makes BricsCAD a priority platform for selected plotting automation articles, but commands/API details must still be tested.

How BricsCAD plotting maps to familiar DWG workflows

Why BricsCAD comes early

BricsCAD shares enough DWG plotting concepts with AutoCAD that a carefully adapted knowledge base is efficient, while still deserving its own screenshots, command behavior and platform notes.

CTB/STB portability

The file formats may be familiar, but support paths and office deployment still need to be configured. A drawing in CTB mode will not suddenly list STB tables and vice versa.

Page Setup discipline

Use named Page Setups as the stable unit of plotting configuration. It is easier to compare AutoCAD and BricsCAD output when the intended device, paper, scale and plot style are explicitly documented.

Platform boundary

Bricsys’ own printing documentation notes platform-specific printer behavior. CADPlotting will keep Windows/macOS/Linux instructions separate where that behavior changes the actual workflow.

Common problems and what to check first

What you see	What may be causing it	Check this first
CTB/STB missing	Wrong drawing mode or PLOTSTYLEPATH.	Open Plot Styles Manager and verify table type/path.
Output differs from AutoCAD	Different device/driver/defaults.	Compare Page Setup values field by field.
System printer unavailable on Mac/Linux	Platform limitation documented by Bricsys.	Use the supported PDF workflow and print the PDF externally.
LISP fails	Command prompts/API behavior differ.	Use compatibility-specific code path and test version.
Scale wrong	Same root causes: units, viewport/plot scale, later in the print process PDF scaling.	Measure known geometry and isolate stage.

For AutoCAD-to-BricsCAD migration

When moving standards from AutoCAD, test the real BricsCAD environment: Page Setups, CTB/STB paths, PDF device, printer names and automation. Similar DWG concepts reduce the work, but they do not remove the need for compatibility testing.

Official references

Frequently asked questions

Can BricsCAD use CTB and STB plot styles?

Yes. BricsCAD supports common DWG plotting standards including CTB and STB workflows.

Can AutoLISP plotting routines work in BricsCAD?

Many AutoLISP routines can be compatible, but commands, APIs or environment assumptions may still require testing and adaptation.

Will CADPlotting duplicate every AutoCAD article for BricsCAD?

No. BricsCAD-specific pages will be created when the procedure, interface or troubleshooting differs enough to justify a separate guide.

Should I assume an AutoCAD plotting routine is compatible with BricsCAD?

No. Shared DWG concepts do not guarantee identical command prompts, API behavior or platform support. Test the routine in the exact BricsCAD version and operating system that will run it.

Continue with CADPlotting

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