BricsCAD STB Named Plot Styles: Beginner Guide
BricsCAD supports named STB plot styles as an alternative to color-dependent CTB tables. STB lets named styles control plotted properties instead of using indexed color as the primary mapping.
Beginner takeaway: Use STB only when the drawing and office standard are intentionally built for named plot styles; do not mix CTB assumptions into the workflow.
What you need to understand first
STB can make plotting intent clearer because objects or layers can reference named styles, but it requires a drawing that uses the named plot-style model.
- BricsCAD supports STB named plot-style tables.
- CTB and STB are different drawing/plot-style models.
- The Page Setup still selects the plot-style table used for output.
Related guides: STB Named Plot Styles: Complete Guide, CTB vs STB for CAD Standards: Which Should You Use?, and BricsCAD CTB Plot Styles: Install, Assign and Verify.
Step-by-step workflow
Step 1 — Confirm named-style drawing
Where: Drawing standard
Do this: Verify the DWG is using STB rather than CTB.
Check: Named plot styles are available.
Step 2 — Locate the STB
Where: Plot Styles Manager
Do this: Place/confirm the approved STB in the configured location.
Check: The table is listed.
Step 3 — Assign STB to Page Setup
Where: PAGESETUP > Modify
Do this: Choose the intended named plot-style table.
Check: The Page Setup stores it.
Step 4 — Check object/layer styles
Where: Properties / Layer controls
Do this: Confirm important objects use the expected named style or Normal behavior.
Check: Style assignment matches office logic.
Step 5 — Preview and calibrate
Where: Preview > PDF/hardcopy
Do this: Check black/gray/color and lineweights.
Check: Named styles produce the intended physical hierarchy.
What usually goes wrong
| What you see | Likely layer | First check |
|---|---|---|
| STB not listed | Path or drawing mode | Verify PlotStyles path and STB drawing. |
| Objects print unexpectedly | Named style assignment | Check object/layer style. |
| Normal behaves differently than expected | Object properties | Review lineweight/color inheritance. |
| Copied Layout loses expected style | Page Setup mismatch | Reapply named setup. |
Practical example
An STB project uses `Normal`, `Thin`, `Medium` and `Heavy` named styles. If one viewport annotation prints too heavy, inspect its assigned style or layer rather than changing its display color as if the drawing were CTB-based.
What not to do
- Do not troubleshoot STB by changing indexed colors first.
- Do not mix CTB and STB files under nearly identical names.
- Do not convert an established project standard simply to fix one missing table.
Good office standard
Keep named styles few, descriptive and documented. Use a calibration sheet showing each style at the normal issue paper size.
Quick verification before you move on
- Use one representative drawing or sheet, not a production batch.
- Verify page size, orientation and a known dimension.
- Compare Preview/PDF with the physical output when a printer is involved.
- Save the setting or set only after the result is repeatable.
Official references
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference from CTB?
CTB maps indexed colors; STB uses named plot styles assigned to drawing objects/layers according to the named-style model.
Can I simply pick an STB in any drawing?
No. The drawing’s plot-style model must support named styles.
Is STB better than CTB?
Neither is universally better. Consistency with the project and office standard matters more.
Explore more in BricsCAD Printing & Plotting Guide.