Custom title blocks

[RDK]

I use AutoCAD 2002 LT. I am basically a novice AutoCAD user. (I started out only doing some basic modifications to drawings and now because I have found it easier than hiring drafting services have expanded my usage of it.)

I want to make some custom title blocks to use for various paper sizes.

Currently I use the layout wizard to create a standard layout and then explode the title block so I can modify it, and insert standard information, (my logo, company information etc.) This is rather time consuming.

What I would like to be able to do is save some of these title blocks for to reuse on other drawings

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks


Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng

Construction Project Management
From conception to completion

http://www.kitsonengineering.com

 

[RiBeneke]

You probably want to learn about AutoCAD blocks which are predefined groups of entities (objects). Included in these blocks you can have attributes which are predefined text fields (with position, font, prompt etc). A block can be inserted multiple times within a drawing, or it can be a drawing itself which is imported and inserted into many other drawings. Whenever it is inserted, you supply the text for the pre-defined attribute fields.

It may be that the title block you have been using already has defined attributes. Use Modify / Attribute / Edit single.

AutoCAD blocks can be used for title blocks, items of equipment, pieces of building etc in your drawing.

 

[gbednar]

I have created our title block for each size paper as a dwg file. For each new drawing, I open the correct paper sized border and save it as the current project. This is probably a weak way to do this, but I have been doing it for years. I guess I really didn't want to take the time to learn about paper space ect....

 

[sony25]

Dear RDK,

I also have had to insert the same block (company logo) to design drawings. Your question, as far as I understand is that, you would like to save a custome block to reuse later in different drawings. However, I think AutoCAD cannot save a block rather than a drawing.
My suggestion is that you can put all your custome title blocks in a drawing, (named company logo, for example) and when you need, just insert that drawing into your new drawing. Then, making refinement, delete the unrelevant block size, adjust the block position as you want. Or you just separate all your personal blocks in different drawings and insert only the relevant one.

Hope it helps.

 

[Binary]

I do not know LT specifically but in straight-away ACAD I have prepared my title blocks, inserted them onto a paper-space layout, defined the linetypes and dimension styles that I want, and then save the whole shebang as a template (.DWT) file.

When I begin a new drawing I just select the appropriate template.

If you're wanting to insert the title block into pre-existing drawings then you're best to follow the preceding advice about reading up on blocks.

If you're starting your drawings from scratch, though, I'd use the template approach. I'd do so because you can load linetypes, set the default plotter, set up your dim styles, etc.

 

[willb5150tx]

If you send me an example drawing of yours; I will make a standard Attributed Title Block for you. If you want me to do it for you, just reply and ask...ok...

 

[advidana]

I would recommend that you hire a cad operator to help you get started. Then have him train you on the using the acad program. The cad operator could set blocks or other cad things for you a lot faster than you can.

I have recommended this method to several engineers and architect- they are real happy and they jump started thier business right away.

fellow engineer

 

[dpa]

gbednar's approach of using drawings rather than blocks is not weak at all.

There are many advantages to using a drawing rather than blocks. With a drawing you can format units, dimensioning style, text style, add line types, set up layers and layer charactersitics etc. These settings are automatically saved as part of the drawing file. If you do a lot of drawings at qtr inch to the foot you could have drawings saved with names like "B Size Qtr.dwg", "C Size Qtr.dwg" You save a lot of setup time and your settings are consistent from one project to the next.

For drawing formats at qtr inch just draw in the borders for the plot limits of your plotter or printer and scale the whole thing up 48X for qtr inch, 96X for 1/8" etc. That's the point at which you do all your other setups as described above. Rather than spend a whole lot of time setting up every conceivable format and scale just create them as the need arises. Save them to a directory such as "Formats" and save a separate set to a backup directory in case you use one and forget to rename it once you are into a project.


You can then draw in real world scale and see how your drawing layout fits on the paper as you go.

Where you place your borders on the page format depends on your plotter. For example the limits of an HP1220C print just a tiny bit differently than an HP cp1700. Don't push the border lines of your page format all the way to the limits printed in your printer or plotter user manual. You could end up with a missing border at one or two edges.


I almost never use paper space unless I am doing 3D solid modeling. Paper space is a good way to get sections of solids with hidden lines automatically drawn. Otherwise it seems like an unneccessary and cumbersome step. I know some people will disagree especially ACAD instructors but model space works well for me.

Good Luck
DPA

 

[TVE]

The way we handle this in our office is by taking advantage of the fact you can have multiple paper space layouts and AutoCad's Design Center.

We have 1 Drawing that contains all our standard blocks, layers, text styles, dim styles, etc located in the model space. Then we have a paper space layout in that drawing, complete with title block, for each of our standard sheet sizes.

Whenever we need a title block, we just go to the Design Centre and "drag & drop" that paperspace layout into the current drawing.

Dave