can I recreate a .ctb file for a .dwg that no longer has one?

[dlilborn]

I am building templates for a fellow who would like to work in a CAD environment like his old office. He saved .dwgs from that office, and so I have the layers he is used to using. But he never saved the .ctb files to go with them.
Is there any way I can build a .ctb file from the .dwg? The dwg shows lineweights bylayer (default) and plot styles bycolor, so I can't simply test each layer for lineweight. Do I have anyplace to go with this?
thank you
Donna

[david_peterson]

I don't think you can really build a .ctb file from a dwg without know what color is what lineweight since that's what the .ctb file does.
You can set up a .ctb file based on layers and colors and information provided by "the fellow". He'll need to know the order heaviest to lightest colors. Then you can start to make an educated guess as to thicknesses.
Will you ever get it to match exactly? It's possible, but doubtful. If his old office still exists, I'm guessing he should be able to request it. .ctb files aren't exactly industry secrets. You send one along every time you use the etransmit command. Or if the office doesn't exist, I'm guessing a former co-worker may have a copy.
Hope this helps.

[dlilborn]

Thanks, David, it did help to hear your perspective. My thinking has been the same as yours, but I posted the question just in case someone knew something I didn't. So I am thinking I will press him to request the .ctb from his old office. I was contemplating taking a pdf of one of his old dwg's and measuring the width of each line, probably have to do that by bringing it into CAD, but that sounds like a whole pile of unnecessary work.....
Donna

[dgorsman]

Rather than measuring, just eyeball it: "thick" "thin" "medium-thick" etc.

On a somewhat more contentious issue - does he actually have the rights to be providing those drawings from his previous employer? Are they aware he (and now his new employer) has copies of those drawings? They may be OK with it but better (and usually cheaper) to ask permission than seek forgiveness.

[dlilborn]

I haven't got a reply for you, I don't know anything about his relationship with his previous employers.