Base AutoCAD Template

[diamondcat]

In a previous version of AutoCAD, I was able to edit the base acad.dwg file and then every drawing I started from scratch used that file. I am currently working on R14 and I did a search in my computer for acad.dwg and couldn't find the file. Is there a different base file name that I should edit to get the result I want?

The reason I need this is because I am converting a ton of Solidworks files back into AutoCAD and they all need to have their titleblocks replaced. So I want to convert and replace the titleblock at the same time. So I figure if I put the titleblock within the base acad drawing, when Solidworks goes to grab that file when converting, the titleblock will already be in there. I already tried replacing the current acad.dwt file with a new one that had the titleblock in it, but when I opened AutoCAD as a test and did the 'start drawing from scratch' option, the titleblock wasn't there in the started drawing.

Does anyone have any idea what I can do to complete this task?

Thanks

 

[borgunit]

You can start with .DWT (template files) or .DWG

Just start a blank drawing with the settings you like and then save it as either a dwt or dwg file. That becomes your "base" drawing then.

"Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects." — Will Rogers

 

[diamondcat]

So if I do that, next time I open Autocad and 'start from scratch, how does AutoCad know that this new DWT or DWG file I created is what I want to be my starter drawing?
I need to make it so that everytime I start a drawing from scratch it has my titleblock in it. I do not want to have to pick a template drawing everytime. Normally a template would be fine, but I need it for my convertion process.

 

[OZZY84]

when in save-as dialog, and you swith to template, it should change your folder location to acad's template folder. if so, then save your new darwing as "acad.dwt" in this template folder.

acad looks for acad.dwt in the template folder to start.

good idea to back-up your original acad.dwt first.

Intel P4 3.0 GHZ
512 DDRAM
Win 2000 Pro
Autocad 14, 2002 with EP 2.3.1

 

[diamondcat]

I tried this but still when I open AutoCAD, the Startup Dialog comes up. This is where I have the option of using a template or starting from scratch. If I use a template and pick the acad.dwt template, then I get my base drawing with my titleblock. If I pick the 'Start from Scratch' option I get a blank drawing. I want to see my titleblock in place of that blank drawing using the 'Start from Scratch' option. When I convert my drawings from Solidworks to Autocad, it takes the base AutoCAD drawing to make the new file and doesn't let me choose a template.

 

[OZZY84]

ok after further review,

you probably have "acad.dwt" in C:\Program Files\AutoCAD R14

two options:

1. save your new template here, C:\Program Files\AutoCAD R14

2. delete your acad.dwt here, C:\Program Files\AutoCAD R14
and save your new .dwt, in the template folder,

if you have acad.dwt in "C:\Program Files\AutoCAD R14" then acad will not use the one in your template folder, by default

hope this helps

Intel P4 3.0 GHZ
512 DDRAM
Win 2000 Pro
Autocad 14, 2002 with EP 2.3.1

 

[diamondcat]

Well I looked and I don't have an acad.dwt file in c:\Program Files\AutoCAD R14 but I do have it in c:\Program Files\AutoCAD R14\templates and in a few other places. There are a couple in my Mechanical Desktop directories and one or two in my Inventor directory for some reason. Could it be taking the acad.dwt from any of those directories instead of the c:\Program Files\AutoCAD R14\templates directory?

 

[IFRs]

My suggestion is to replace them one by one with your new one to determine which one is being used. A pain in the rear, but sure to succeed.

 

[diamondcat]

Thanks I will try that. Hope it works.