Plot to File

Plot to File
You have the option to plot to a file that can be downloaded to your printer or plotter at a later date. The
Plot To File group lets you specify the default destination for the plot files.

Plot and Publish Log File
You can maintain a plot log file that records information about each plot you make. This can be helpful
when you must keep records of hard-copy output for billing purposes. The location of the plot and publishing
log file can be specified in the Files tab of the Options dialog box under the Plot And Publishing
Log File Location listing. The log file has a .csv filename extension.

Background Processing Options
AutoCAD performs background plots so that after you begin a plot you can immediately return to your
drawing work instead of waiting for the plot to be completed. The options in this group let you turn on this
feature either for standard plotting or for the Publish feature discussed in Chapter 27. You can also control
this option through the Backgroundplot system variable.

Plot Stamp Settings
This button opens the Plot Stamp dialog box, which you saw earlier in the “Plot Options” section of this
chapter. The Plot Stamp dialog box lets you determine what information is displayed in a plot stamp,
which is a label placed on the print of a drawing to provide information about the source file.

Plot Style Table Settings
When you click this button, the Plot Style Table Settings dialog box opens. This dialog box controls the
type of plot styles used in AutoCAD. In the case of named plot styles, you can also select a default plot
style for Layer 0 and a default plot style for objects. Note that the Use Color Dependent Plot Styles and
Use Named Plot Styles radio buttons don’t have an effect on the current drawing; they affect only new
drawings and pre–AutoCAD 2000 drawings being opened for the first time. The Default Plot Style Table
drop-down list lets you select a default plot style table for new and pre–AutoCAD 2000 drawings. These
settings are also controlled by the Pstylepolicy system variable.
The Add Or Edit Plot Style Tables button opens the Plot Styles dialog box. From there, you can doubleclick
an existing plot style table file or start the Add-A-Plot Style Table Wizard to create a new plot style.

Specify Plot Offset Relative To
Here you can determine whether the plot offset is set in relation to the printable area of your printer or
the edge of the paper. The printable area is determined by the printer margin.