Shortcuts

AutoCAD Ctrl+p Shortcut: Plot dialog box

If you need a clear, step-by-step guide to using the Ctrl+P shortcut in AutoCAD, this article explains what the shortcut does, exactly how to use it, common reasons it may not work, alternative commands, practical tips, and a FAQ to answer follow-up questions. The instructions are beginner-friendly and include examples for printing to PDF and plotting viewports.

What is the Ctrl+P shortcut?

The Ctrl+P shortcut in AutoCAD opens the Plot dialog box (the print/plot interface). The Plot dialog is where you choose the printer/plotter, paper size, plot area, plot scale, and other settings before sending your drawing to a physical printer or to a PDF.

Key points:

  • Ctrl+P = open Plot dialog (Windows AutoCAD).
  • On AutoCAD for Mac, the equivalent shortcut is Cmd+P.
  • The Plot dialog controls single-plot settings for the active layout or model space viewport.

How to use Ctrl+P (Step-by-step)

Below is a step-by-step workflow for plotting with Ctrl+P, with common options explained.

  1. Focus the drawing area

    • Click the layout tab or activate the model space viewport you want to print.
    • Ensure the viewport you want printed is active (for Model space, the layout’s viewport must be active).

  2. Press Ctrl+P

    • The Plot dialog box opens. If it does not, see the troubleshooting section below.

  3. Choose the Printer/Plotter

    • From the Name drop-down select a physical printer, a plotter, or a virtual printer (e.g., DWG To PDF.pc3 to create a PDF).

  4. Set Paper Size

    • Choose the correct paper size (A4, A3, ARCH D, etc.), matching the paper and scale you intend to use.

  5. Select Plot Area

    • Options: Layout, Limits, Display, Extents, or Window.
    • Use Window to pick a custom rectangle in the drawing.
    • Use Layout when plotting a layout tab (prints everything on the layout including titleblocks).

  6. Choose Plot Scale

    • Set a scale such as 1:1, 1:50, or choose Scale to Fit.
    • For precise scaling from model space, set the viewport scale first, then use Layout and 1:1 in the Plot dialog.

  7. Set Plot Offset and Orientation

    • Use Center the plot box if you want AutoCAD to center the drawing on the paper.
    • Choose Portrait or Landscape orientation.

  8. Configure Plot Options

    • Check Plot with plot styles to apply a pen table (.ctb/.stb) for lineweights and colors.
    • Choose Shade plot options for visual styles (e.g., Rendered, Hidden).
    • Preview the plot with the Preview button to confirm appearance.

  9. Click OK or Apply to plot

    • If printing to a PDF, choose a file name and location (when using a PDF plotter).
    • If printing to a physical printer, choose number of copies and print.

Example: Printing a single viewport to PDF

  • Activate the layout viewport.
  • Press Ctrl+P → choose DWG To PDF.pc3 → select A3 → Plot area = Window, pick the viewport border → Plot scale = 1:1 (or scale to fit) → Preview → OK → Save PDF.

Common alternatives to Ctrl+P (other plotting methods)

  • Use the PLOT command (type PLOT and press Enter) — identical to Ctrl+P but typed.
  • Use the PRINT command in some AutoCAD versions (alias for PLOT).
  • Use PAGESETUP to create and save named page setups for consistent plot settings across layouts.
  • Use PUBLISH to batch plot multiple layouts or drawings.
  • Use EXPORTPDF or DWGTOPDF (or DWG To PDF.pc3) for direct PDF export.
  • Use PLOTTERMANAGER to install or configure plotters and PC3 files.
  • Use EXPORT → PDF or EXPORTLAYOUT depending on version and plugins.

Why Ctrl+P doesn’t work (errors and fixes)

If pressing Ctrl+P does nothing or the Plot dialog does not appear, try these checks and fixes:

  • AutoCAD not focused

    • Make sure the AutoCAD window is active. Click inside the drawing area and press Ctrl+P again.

  • Shortcut overridden or disabled

    • Check Customize User Interface (CUI): the Ctrl+P keyboard shortcut may be reassigned or removed. Restore default CUI or reassign the shortcut to the PLOT command.

  • Conflicting third-party software

    • Some apps intercept keyboard shortcuts. Close background apps or check hotkey managers.

  • Corrupt profile or settings

    • Reset AutoCAD to default settings via the Reset Settings to Default utility or create a new profile.

  • Missing plotter driver or PC3 file

    • If your selected plotter is missing, open PLOTTERMANAGER and reconfigure or install the correct plotter driver.

  • License or startup issues

    • If AutoCAD is in a state where commands are restricted, restart AutoCAD, check licensing, or run as administrator.

  • Using AutoCAD for Mac / different OS

    • On Mac use Cmd+P; some Windows-specific dialog behavior differs across platforms.

  • Problems with Preview or plot output (wrong scale, clipped drawing)

    • Use Window and carefully select the exact area to plot.
    • Check plot scale, paper size, and plot offset.
    • Ensure viewports are not frozen and that layers intended to print are turned on.

  • Plot dialog opens off-screen

    • If using multiple monitors and the dialog is off-screen, press Alt+Space, then M, and use arrow keys to bring it into view. Alternatively, reset workspace to default.

  • Empty or black prints

    • Check plot style (.ctb/.stb), layer colors/lineweights, and whether objects are on non-plotting layers.
    • Confirm that scale and viewport extents are correct.

Tips and best practices for plotting in AutoCAD

  • Save consistent settings with Page Setups and apply them to layouts to avoid repeated configuration.
  • Use a PDF plotter (DWG To PDF.pc3) for easy digital distribution.
  • Use Publish for batch printing multiple layouts or drawings to one PDF.
  • Preview every plot to catch scale, clipping, or style issues before printing.
  • Create and use plot style tables (.ctb/.stb) to control lineweights and colors consistently.
  • Name and store PC3 and CTB files in a central location if working across a team.
  • For accurate model space printing, set viewport scale in the layout first, then plot at 1:1.
  • Lock viewports in layouts to prevent accidental scale changes.
  • Use Plot stamps or add title blocks to layouts for automatic metadata on printed sheets.
  • If printing frequently to the same settings, create a custom script or macro that calls PLOT with your parameters.

FAQ

How can I print multiple layouts at once?

Use the PUBLISH command: open the Publish dialog, add the desired layouts, choose a printer (or PDF), set page setups for each layout, and click Publish to batch create files or send to the printer.

What is the difference between Plot and Print in AutoCAD?

Plot and Print are often aliases; PLOT is the official AutoCAD command opening the Plot dialog with full plotting options. PRINT may call the same dialog in some versions. Use PLOT for consistent behavior across releases.

Why does my drawing print with wrong lineweights or colors?

Check the plot style table (.ctb/.stb) — it maps colors to lineweights and pen assignments. Also ensure Plot with plot styles is checked in the Plot dialog and that layers are not set to No Plot.

How do I save my plot settings for repeated use?

Create a Page Setup: open the layout, type PAGESETUP, create a new page setup (choose printer, paper size, plot area, scale, plot style), then save it and apply it to other layouts.

Ctrl+P opens nothing — how do I restore the shortcut?

Open CUI (Customize User Interface), search for the PLOT command and reassign Ctrl+P in the Keyboard Shortcuts section, or reset CUI to defaults. Alternatively, type PLOT in the command line to access the dialog.

How do I print just a selected object or area?

Use Ctrl+P → in Plot dialog set Plot Area to Window, then pick a window around the selected objects. Alternatively, use EXPORTPDF or copy the selection to a layout and plot the layout.

Can I print to PDF with layers preserved?

A PDF will contain the visual representation of layers; to have layers preserved as separate PDF layers, use a plotter or PDF driver that supports AutoCAD layer-to-PDF layer mapping (some third-party PDF printers offer this feature).

Is there a way to automate plotting multiple drawings to individual PDFs?

Yes — use the Batch Plot (Publish) function, or create a script/lisp that cycles through drawings and calls the PLOT command with predefined page setups or PC3 files to produce individual PDFs.

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