Assigning line thickness during import (using plot style tables in AutoCAD)

Different settings for line thickness were introduced in AutoCAD Version 2000. This means that you do not necessarily need to work with plot styles in AutoCAD. As Allplan cannot analyze plot style tables, it would also be senseless to use plot style tables to exchange data with Allplan. It thus makes sense to draw elements in AutoCAD as they are to be printed later. In other words, use a thick pen for thick lines and a thin pen for thin lines and draw blue objects in blue and red objects in red.

However, if you still use plot styles, you need to contact the persons with whom you are exchanging data to tell them which color is represented by which line thickness in printouts so that they can make correct assignments when importing data to Allplan.

Contact the person with whom you are exchanging AutoCAD data. Every AutoCAD DXF/DWG-format file contains one or more plot style tables, which are usually color-dependent (CTB or STB). Line thickness and other settings are defined in these tables.

Discuss this with your exchange partner in advance to find out which color is represented by which line thickness so that you can assign the corresponding colors in the 'Configuration for Conversion' dialog box. In earlier AutoCAD versions (before V2000), colors always controlled how objects (line thickness, for example) appeared in printouts. You can handle AutoCAD 2000 files using the solution described below.

Note: This requires in-depth knowledge of the operating system, Windows Explorer and text editors. Never modify the original without making a copy first! In the event of errors, you can still fall back on the original file if need be.

To assign colors to pen thickness during import

1. Use a text editor (e.g. Notepad) to open the ad_tools.dat file in the \etc folder.
2. Add the following information to the end of the file:

   #COLOR_AS_PEN

   color_as_pen=1

   Note: Please note the structure of the lines!

3. The file should now look like this:

   

4. Save the file and exit the editor.
5. Start Allplan.
6. When importing data, you can now assign a pen thickness to the AutoCAD colors in the Configuration for Conversion dialog box.
7. Contact the person with whom you are exchanging data in advance to find out which color is represented by which line thickness.