NCS version 4.0 and problems with .stb files

[aklassen]

Dear members,

I am working with our office CAD standards group to implement a CAD standard for our international company, so we decided to go with the National Cad Standards. We started using version 3.1 and got a few months into it, creating templates containing the NCS layers for every discipline, and using a .ctb file that followed the NCS guidelines, when version 4.0 came out.

The main difference between the version 3.1 and 4.0 is that they switch from color dependant line weights (.ctb files), to layer dependant line weights (.stb files). I understand this is to help with compatibility between 2D and 3D object technology, as most 3D applications use style dependant line weights.

I saw a problem with altering our layers in our template to have line weights, as our templates contain 8x11, 11x17 and 24x36 sheet set-ups. Currently our 11x17 and 24x36 sheet set-ups use 2 different .ctb files so we can have full size line weights for our 24x36 drawings, and halfsize for 11x17 drawings. This is not possible with a .stb file as the line weights are set in your layers.

I'm hoping that I do not have to create a template for 24x36 drawings and one for 11x17 and 8x11 drawings to accommodate two sets of layers with two sets of line weights.

If someone can provide me with a workaround, that will allow layer dependant line weights, and one .stb file in a template containing 11x17 and 24x36 sheet sizes, I would be very happy.

Current Ideas to fix the problem:
Try to locate options to scale the line weights in the plotting options. Our CAD software contains the ability to scale line weights to the plot scale, but as we always print at 1:1, it doesn’t change anything.
I've heard that if you have a printer with the cad HDI drivers that you may be able to add a scale factor to the line weights. I couldn’t confirm this, as our printer does not have HDI drivers.

-Thank you

[Richard.Kent]

STB doesn't restrict you to setting line widths in the layer manager, so if you can set the line widths in the STB(s).

I don't have NCS 4.0 so I can't speak to that directly.
Using the same style names in each STB allows you to use different ones for different widths.

HTH

[cadtag]

NCS 4 lists line weights from Extra Fine to XXXXWide, in black, with GREY screened from 20 to 60%. If you name the styles to match, the a FINE in Regular.stb would be 0.18mm, (and presuming you use a 75% reduction for smaller size prints) while a FINE in Reduced.stb would be 0.135mm.

As long as the layer is mapped to the FINE plot style, you ought to be good to go just by changing the STB

[ekubaskie]

I don't see the problem.

When you do a drawing that is native 8.5x11 or 11x17, a lineweight is a lineweight - so it doesn't need anything but the layer setting.

When you plot half-size, you can turn on the "Scale Lineweights" option in a page setup that scales 2 dwg units = 1 paper unit - so it doesn't need anything but the layer setting.

[cadtag]

yes -- but often I want to display the same type of element at a lighter weight on smaller paper, or even a reduced size.

Example being just regular text objects -- on a D size sheet the notes will be 0.10" high, and plotted with a line weight that's bold enough to read easily. on a B size (NOT a reduced plot, but a native B Size drawing) I'll want my normal text to be 0.07", and plot out at a slightly lighter weight than that used by the D size sheet.

With CTB I just swap from Full.ctb to Reduced.ctb . with STB I _think_ I ought to be able to do the same, as long as the plot style name is the same, regardless of the way the STB has mapped the weights.

[ekubaskie]

yes -- but often I want to display the same type of element at a lighter weight on smaller paper, or even a reduced size.

Example being just regular text objects -- on a D size sheet the notes will be 0.10" high, and plotted with a line weight that's bold enough to read easily. on a B size (NOT a reduced plot, but a native B Size drawing) I'll want my normal text to be 0.07", and plot out at a slightly lighter weight than that used by the D size sheet.

With CTB I just swap from Full.ctb to Reduced.ctb . with STB I _think_ I ought to be able to do the same, as long as the plot style name is the same, regardless of the way the STB has mapped the weights.

I still think you're over-complicating the issue.

With my STB all I do is switch from the full-size to the half-size page setup. I don't need a separate STB file that has reduced lineweights - the page setup itself scales the lineweights down.

Then if you are doing a native 11x17 drawing, why not just have your smaller lineweight on your 11x17 template's text layer?

Unless you're using a 22x34 template for native 11x17 drawings? Or you're not using paperspace layouts at all?

I do native small sizes, fullsize with precise halfsize plots, etc., with one single STB style - "Normal". If I send you a drawing - JUST the dwg file - you can plot it.