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Question about "Sheet Formats"

Question about "Sheet Formats"

Question about "Sheet Formats"

(OP)
So I am making new sheet formats for the department with revised title blocks and all kind of nifty little features.  The system we use right now is Fubar.

My question is this, I made my file(s) and then I did File->Save Sheet Format

So basically I end up with a slddrt file which is a template file that I can use every time i need to make a new drawing for a new part.  Now the problem is that none of my settings from the Tools->Options->Document Properties carry over... So basically my arrow, text and unit settings, etc etc etc is gone and I have to go and recreate it.

Any idea on how to remedy this?

Thanks Guys

RE: Question about "Sheet Formats"

There are two templates that need to be set.

Document Templates (.asmdot, .prtdot and .drwdot) which contains all the basic Standards settings.
Go to Help > Index > templates, file types

Sheet Formats (.slddrt) which contains the drawing border and annotations. A Document Template for .drwdot can be saved with or without a sheet format.
Go to Help > Index > sheet formats

cheers

RE: Question about "Sheet Formats"

Create a folder for your dwg templates. Open your dwg, make changes, save as Drawing Template (.drwdot) in the folder. Then "File/Save Sheet Format".
Go to "File/Options/System Options/Default Templates" AND "File/Options/System Options/File Locations", set the settings to look for your templates.
Restart SolidWorks.

Chris
SolidWorks 06 5.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)

RE: Question about "Sheet Formats"

(OP)
Oh okay.  I'll look into the help file for more indepth help into this.  But thanks for clarifying to me that there were two things i need to address in order to get a template file.

RE: Question about "Sheet Formats"

The template (.DRWDOT file) determines the initial values of all of the items in the Tools->Options->Document Properties page.  The sheet format (.slddrt file) determines the paper size and includes the lines and text of the boarder information.

It sounds like the new template that you created for your new sheet format was based off from the default template, not the one that you had been using.  You can set them in your new template, or make a copy of your old template, insert your new sheet format into the copy and use that as your new template.

Eric

RE: Question about "Sheet Formats"

uGlay,
You may already know this.
Do not put drawing notes onto the sheet format. Do not put anything onto the sheet format that is not exactly the same on all sheets.

Bradley
SolidWorks Professional x64 2007 SP2.2
Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU
3.00 GHz, 3.93 GB of RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 3400

RE: Question about "Sheet Formats"

(OP)
I am actually putting notes on the template drawing but theyre all our standard notes like ROHS notes, mold stamps, packaging, etc, which go on every drawing anyways...

RE: Question about "Sheet Formats"

per fcsuper,
I have used "CommonNotes" by "Lenny" and edited it myself to match company standards. Works well.

Chris
SolidWorks 06 5.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)

RE: Question about "Sheet Formats"

uGlay,

Serious iteration, don't put notes on the sheet format.  if you feel they are the same and necessary each time, then put them directly on the template itself, but not the sheet format. repeat, don't put them on the sheet format. :)

Matt
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA
http://sw.fcsuper.com/index.php

RE: Question about "Sheet Formats"

Sorry, should have said I also do not put notes on the sheet format templates.

Chris
SolidWorks 06 5.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 02-10-07)

RE: Question about "Sheet Formats"

(OP)
Its still kinda confusing to me why the heck they would use 2 files instead of 1.  As it stands now I saved my drawing file (with title block, notes and all the drawing settings) as a DRWDOT file and then changed the File location on SW to the folder where it was at.  Then i opened it and boom, the template opened up with the title block and all the notes.

RE: Question about "Sheet Formats"

It's two files because each serves a different function.

After you have created a DRWDOT with a SLDDRT (sheet format) embedded in it, you will be able to change the sheet format by RMB clicking on the sheet and selecting properties.

The sheet format is purely the graphical border and title block. (a drawing file)
The template "holds" the standards (ASME, ISO, etc) settings to be used. (a properties/parameters file)

cheers

RE: Question about "Sheet Formats"

(OP)
Yes!  It's kinda confusing since I'm a autocad guy so im used to having one file with all the things already embedded in it.  I guess here its 2 files.  I guess i'll live!

thanks dudes.

RE: Question about "Sheet Formats"

(OP)
Now i have to explain my co-workers this mumbo jumbo all over.

RE: Question about "Sheet Formats"

Also have them work through the Help > SolidWorks Tutorials > Customizing Solidiworks > Creating Custom Templates tutorial.

cheers

RE: Question about "Sheet Formats"

The biggest confusion on this process is that everyone thinks that when they make a Sheet format that its a template. It's not is just what it says it is its a "Sheet Format". The template as describe above is the DOT files. Those files in a drawing can be combined with a Sheet format. So when you select File new you can select the Template that has a particular Sheet format and sheet size already listed for you. This makes it easier to select a sheet, the size, and the settings for your model.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP pc2
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376

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