Reading plotting files (CTB/STB) using autodesk object ARX or executable

Question

Hello I am working on developing an application that involves usage of plot files (CTB/STB) from autocad. Plot files have color mapping in it and i need a way to read it programatically May be a API or executable to read CTB STB file?

Answer 1

There are two things I would suggest:

1. Take a look at the list of all the formats supported by the Model Derivative service: https://forge.autodesk.com/en/docs/model-derivative/v2/developers_guide/supported-translations. If your file format is there, you can use the Model Derivative service directly to convert your plotting files into a format viewable by the Forge Viewer.

2. If the format can be processed by AutoCAD (or Inventor, Revit, or 3ds Max), and if you could implement an AutoCAD plugin reading/converting your files, you could then use the Forge Design Automation service to run AutoCAD with that plugin remotely, on the Autodesk servers, in an automated way.

Answer 2

There is no official public API to read\write plot style table file (CTB, STB), with in AutoCAD you can use STYLESMANAGER to edit the color tables.

Answer 3

Try PiaNO. A reference library for opening and modifying AutoDesk® plot files (.pc3, .pmp, .stb, .ctb).