Display full version of the post: How to shade when I plot

Jens C
08.10.2012, 11:39


I use AutoCad 2010 with MagiCad 2013.4 to create electrical drawings.When I plot and print today, my drawings AND my "X-ref drawing" are the colour black.I want to shade my "X-ref-drawings" so the result will be:My drawing (electrical) are blackX-ref drawing (walls, doors, windows) are shaded In options->display->fade control I know how to shade the X-ref drawing, but when I print it it´s still black.

John Connor
08.10.2012, 12:29
Can't you just change the Screening value for the xref layers in your CTB or STB plot style?


Jens C
08.10.2012, 12:40


Where and how do I do that?I´m a beginner

John Connor
08.10.2012, 12:49
You would have to edit the plot style file you are using.  You are familiar with the PLOT dialog box aren't you?


Jens C
08.10.2012, 12:53


No, I don´t think so

John Connor
08.10.2012, 12:58
Start the PLOT command and when the dialog box opens expand it further using the arrow in the lower right hand corner.


Jens C
08.10.2012, 13:17

Oh, that i knew,but where do I change Screening value?I use Sv_kvart.ctb

John Connor
08.10.2012, 13:20
You edit the file.Stop.Did you just want to fade out the xrefs on-screen?  I think there is a fade control for that purpose.  Something to do with transparency.


Jens C
08.10.2012, 13:46


No, I want the X-ref to be fade out when I print it

John Connor
08.10.2012, 14:10
Just checking.  Then edit the CTB.  There is an EDIT button you must click on to the right.


Jens C
08.10.2012, 14:22


I´ve been there. The only thing I can do here, is do change all colors plot color. I cant choose the whole X-ref

John Connor
08.10.2012, 19:20
You can do a lot more than that.


Jens C
08.10.2012, 21:00
Hmm? But where do I fade the X-ref in here?

John Connor
09.10.2012, 00:13

The xrefs are on their own layers aren't they?And these layers have their own color don't they?And under Properties, when you edit the CTB style you are using, there is a separate line that reads"Screening" right?And the default setting is 100 which means you could change that value to something less than 100 right?You do kind of see where this is all going don't you?Yes/No/I don't know?


John Connor2012-10-09 00:14:54

John Connor
09.10.2012, 00:28
mmm


edwinprakoso
09.10.2012, 05:04


Interesting. I never use screening before. So we use screening to plot objects transparently? Basically it just reduce the amount of ink when we plot.Is there a way to really plot object transparently? When I plot the drawing to PDF/DWF the color is faded but still not transparent.edwinprakoso2012-10-09 05:36:11

John Connor
09.10.2012, 12:23

I don't believe there is a way to "plot transparency" because AutoCAD is a vector based program not raster based.If you need transparency then you might want to look at bring your drawing into a program like Sketchup.John Connor2012-10-09 12:23:49

heinsite
09.10.2012, 19:53
You can plot transparency... but it does require conversion of vector to rastor and it does take longer.   And that's why we almost always leave the "Plot transparency" box unchecked in the expanded Plot dialog.
 
But if you check it you might get what you're after.
 
Dave.
 

Jens C
11.10.2012, 11:00


John Connor! It bloody works now! thank you for explain for a beginner like me

edwinprakoso
12.10.2012, 04:01
Thanks Dave. The transparency works. I've been wondering why AutoCAD has transparency if we can't plot it. But now I know that we can.

heinsite
12.10.2012, 04:40
It will take longer via the Plot menu transparency box however, especially in larger and more complex drawings.  So this is where John's suggestion to use a custom Plot Style and screened colors may end up being faster and more efficient.  But both ideas work.AutoCAD usually gives us many ways of doing the same thing.  I like to keep things as simple as I can so I don't lose time months or years later trying to figure out what I did.  And at that I still usually fail pretty miserably!  Dave.