Custom Drawing Sheet Trouble

[V8280Z]

I am using SW 2008 and There are 3 issues I have been having with my custom drawing sheet format that I haven't been able to resolve.

1) Getting my custom template (*.drwdot) to come up as an option in the new drawing box with the other standard template (*.slddrt) files.

2) When I add a sheet, the drawing template I am using is not available on the added sheet (I assume the fix is the same as for #1)

3) My company's logo shows on the screen in the drawing but disappears when I try to print. If I click Print Preview, it is missing and does not show up on the printed page either.

 

[DaveZR2]

Did you go to Tools ->> Options ->> File Locations and add the folder that contains your templates? (Or move the templates into the folders already listed).

Dave

 

[JMirisola]

You can set your default templates under Tools->Options->System Options->Default Templates. There's also an option there to choose whether to always use the default templates or to prompt user. In the path that DaveZR2 mentioned, in the drop down menu, is a selection for sheet format location as well.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP, Certified DriveWorks AE

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

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[JD80]

To get your sheet to show up as an option for the 2nd sheet, 3rd sheet... take the *.drwdot make a copy and rename the extension to .slddrt.

There's a limitation to what will carry over. Only things in the sheet format will copy. No drawing views, or notes will show up.

 

[V8280Z]

I haven't had any trouble finding the files, although it was nice to change the default locations.

I have tried renaming the file from *.drwdot to *.slddrt but I have been unsuccessful, I ended up with *.slddrt.drwdot

"You can set your default templates under Tools->Options->System Options->Default Templates." I can't find this option... can you doublecheck this path?

 

[V8280Z]

I just figured out how to change the file extension, problem number 1 is solved!!

 

[JMirisola]

The path is correct. With SolidWorks open, go to Tools->Options->System Options->Default Templates. Click on the "..." next to each type and browse to your template location.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP, Certified DriveWorks AE

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

Follow me on Twitter

 

[EEnd]

I think that the intended way to create a .slddrt file is to open the template in SolidWorks and select File -> Save Sheet Format. I am surprised that changing the file extension works. It seems almost like creating an assembly from a part by changing the file extension. Thread thread559-179152 has some information about the different purposes of .drwdot and .slddrt files.

Eric

 

[fcsuper]

Also, let's be clear, there is a difference between Drawing Template and Sheet Format. Sheet format is the lines, annotations (linked and otherwise), layers. Drawing Template uses the Sheet format, but also controls drawing properties (settings), along with the title block region and rev block. You cannot insert a Drawing Template into a drawing that already exists. You can only load or reload sheet formats.

Matt Lorono
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA
Lorono's SolidWorks Resources
Co-moderator of Solidworks Yahoo! Group
and Mechnical.Engineering Yahoo! Group

 

[V8280Z]

I can now use my custom template and when I add a sheet it is an option so those problems are taken care of.

The biggest issue I have now is when I try to print a drawing or save it as a .pdf, my company logo is missing from 1 or more of the pages... It is there in the drawing document and in the templates but it is just plain missing when I print.

Any ideas?