Title Block in NX Drafting 1

[BenEddy]

Hello All,

Does anyone regularly use a company-standard title block in NX drafting? Is there an easy way to either import an existing AutoCAD block or create one in NX that can be imported into new drawings? Ideally I'd like to have it automatically inserted when I start a drawing (Almost all my drawings will use the same Arch D size.) I've imported a .dwg title block in before, but it placed it in modeling, too and I don't want that.

The only process I could find in the documentation seemed convoluted and involved creating patterns; I couldn't figure it out.

I used to use I-Deas, and in that, you could simply import a 2d .dwg into drafting (only) and then create a block (I think it called it a symbol?). I could then just import that into each new drawing. I'd be surprised if NX doesn't have something similar.

I'm using NX 4.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[Dave K]

I created a drawing format, with a title block, and saved it with "pattern data". Now I just bring in the pattern file, and it brings in the format, and title block.

Check the Help file, regarding "pattern files".

Another option would be to create a table, and put it on the tables fly out menu (NX3). Then you can drag-n-drop the title block. I haven't tried this one yet, since I'm not sure how to locate the title block(table) on the format, other than guesstimating.

-Dave

-Dave
Everything should be designed as simple as possible, but not simpler.

 

[MBrookey]

Well you could import your autocad file into UG modeling. Save that as a new title block file. If you don't want to use patters you can just import a part file while in drafting and it will put your t-block on the drafting sheet.

I don't use patterns for the simple fact that your file looks back to a dir to find that pattern. If you have to ship your files to a customer and they have UG we give them the native files they wouldn't have any boarders on the drawings. Because UG won't be able to find the pattern...

I normally use a detail file that I have already set up with 20 sht's. This way I don't have to import boarders every time I do a job. I also use attributes in my title block so I don't have to manually update every sheet for a new job. Just something to think about.

Hope this helps

 

[ewh]

Patterns are fairly simple to use. Create your format in modeling, making sure that it is located such that the lower left corner of the drawing is at your absolute origin. Then under file -> save options, under "save pattern data" make sure that "pattern data only" is checked. Save your part.
Now, in a different part, while in drafting, you can retrieve your pattern (format -> pattern -> retrieve pattern).
While what MBrookey points out about having to include the pattern file when sending out native drawing files is true, I feel that it is far outweighed by maintaining control over the company format. Just importing your format as a part makes it very easy for someone unauthorized to change it. It is for that reason that we send out cgm files of our drawings and a separate part file containing the solid to our customers. The master model concept is useful in this regard.
You may want to take it a step further and create seed files to contain your format patterns and any attributes you may need to populate them.

 

[MBrookey]

ehw,

Back in the day we used to send customers cgm drawings with one file of all dumb solids so that no unauthorized changes could be made. Some customers do request the native ug files and they have to have full parameters on them.

But I do agree with the pattern method for control. This works well.

 

[looslib]

With NX, you can also create drawing templates that you can drag from the palette onto the graphics window and have your drawing.


"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli
Sr IS Technologist
L-3 Communications

 

[BenEddy]

Thank you all for your tips. I finally got it to work using pattern data. This morning when I opened the drawing however, the title block would not update (portions were missing) until I opened the title block part with all the original data.

I also tried expanding (exploding?) it and again some of the geometry disappeared. If I could arrange text in the master file the right size, etc. and explode the tb each time I bring it in, then edit the text (or edit attributes) I'd be satisfied. For now I'll just leave the text I need to edit out of the master pattern, and create it in each drawing, I guess. This doesn't seem to me a 'best practice', though.

I'd be interested to hear more about the drawing templates/palette if you get a chance, looslib.

Thanks again,
Ben

 

[ewh]

To use patterns, you need to set a pointer in your ugii_env file (UGII_PATDIR=) directed to where your patterns are kept.

 

[Shadowspawn]

BenEddy,
It kind of sounds to me like you 2 separate part files... 1 containing the pattern data (lines, hatch, non-editable text (ie copyright notice), etc. and another part file containing your 'editable' text (sign off blocks, title, page number, scale, etc...). This second part file can (and probably should) contain attributes that will automatically update.
There's oodles of different approaches you can take, but they largely depend on your companies standards and needs.
One thing I would like to caution you on though.... IF you want to utilize attributes, using the 'copy/paste' (aka drag/drop from a table or palette) functionality to add dwg sheets WILL HOSE your attributes. For example, if you have a seed pallette set up for continuation dwg sheets, and you copy/paste it to your drawings to add additional sheets, then the attributes will not update correctly, if at all. We actually banned the use of this functionality, since it hosed to attributes so bad.
...Another thingy, expanding a pattern into your dwg is generally considered a no-no, as it totally negates / defeats the purpose and advantages of patterns.
Clear as mud?


Regards,
SS
CAD should pay for itself, shouldn't it?