Working with Templates

In This Chapter
1
In this tutorial, you learn about the AutoCAD „ Setting up the starting
layer
Mechanical predefined templates and how to
„ Setting the mechanical
create your own user-defined templates. options

„ Specifying the drawing

limits

„ Saving a template

„ Using a template

5
Key Terms

Term Definition
base layer A layer made up of working layers and standard parts layers. Base layers are
repeated in every layer group.

layer group A group of associated or related items in a drawing. A major advantage of

working with layer groups is that you can deactivate a specific layer group and a
complete component. The drawing and its overview are enhanced with a
reduction in regeneration time.

part layers A layer where the standard parts are put. All standard parts layers have the suffix
AM_*N.

template A file with predefined settings to use for new drawings; however, any drawing
can be used as a template.

working layer The layer where you are currently working.

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Working with Templates

Getting Started
In AutoCAD Mechanical, you can use templates (*.dwt files) to
create drawings.
You can use the predefined templates, which contain settings for
various drawings, such as acad.dwt or acadiso.dwt, and are supplied
with AutoCAD Mechanical or you can create your own templates.
Any drawing can serve as a template. When you use a drawing as a
template, the settings in that drawing are used in the new drawing.
Although you can save any drawing as a template, you should
prepare templates to include settings and drawing elements that
are consistent with your office or project standards such as the
following
• unit type and precision
• drawing limits
• snap, grid, and ortho settings
• layer organization
• title blocks, borders, and logos
• dimension and text styles
• linetypes and lineweights
If you start a drawing from scratch, AutoCAD Mechanical reads the
system defaults, which have a predefined standard, from the
registry.
If you create a new drawing, based on an existing template, and
make changes to the drawing, those changes do not affect the
template.
To begin working with templates immediately, you can use the
predefined template files stored in the acadm\template folder.
However, for this tutorial you will create your own template.

Getting Started | 7
 Setting Up the Starting Layer
Each time you start AutoCAD Mechanical, layer 0 is active. Since
layer 0 does not belong to the Mechanical layers, it is not displayed
in the Layer Control dialog box of AutoCAD Mechanical, if you
select Mechanical Layer in the Show field.
Therefore, you need to specify the mechanical layer AM_0 as the
default starting layer.
1 Start the Layer Control command.
Toolbutton Layer Control
Menu Assist > Layer / Layer Group > Layer / Layer Group
Control
Command AMLAY

2 In the Layer Control dialog box, choose the Layer Control tab, and
specify:

Name: AM_0
3 Choose Current.

4 Choose OK.

The toolbar shows that the active layer is AM_0.

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 Setting the Mechanical Options
In the Mechanical Options dialog box, you can specify general
settings for AutoCAD Mechanical.
1 Start the Mechanical Options command.
Menu Assist > Mechanical Options
Command AMCONFIG

2 In the Mechanical Options dialog box, choose the General tab,

and specify:

Standard: ISO
Measurement: Metric
Scale: 1:1

3 Choose OK.

NOTE When you change the settings in the Standard field, all
standard-related settings are changed (Dimensioning, BOM,
Symbols, …) and saved in the template file.

Setting the Mechanical Options | 9

 Specifying the Drawing Limits
Now, specify the drawing limits according to size A0
(841 x 1189 mm). This limits your drawing space to the specified
size.
1 Start the Drawing Limits command.
Menu Assist > Format > Drawing Limits
Command LIMITS

2 Respond to the prompts as follows:

Specify lower left corner or [ON/OFF] <0.00,0.00>: Press ENTER

Specify upper right corner <420.00,297.00>: Enter 840,1188

Now, the limits are expanded to A0 format.

Saving a Template
Now, save the previously changed drawing as a template.
1 Start the Save As command.
Menu File > Save As
Command SAVEAS

2 In the Save Drawing As dialog box, specify:

File name: my_own_template

Save as type: AutoCAD Drawing Template File (*.dwt)

10 | Chapter 1 Working with Templates

3 In the Template Description dialog box, specify:

Description: Tutorial Template

Measurement: Metric

4 Choose OK.

Using a Template
Next, you start a new drawing and select a starting template.
1 Start the New command.
Toolbutton New
Menu File > New
Command NEW

2 In the Create New Drawing dialog box, select the Use a Template
icon, and specify:

Select a Template: My_own_template

3 Choose OK.

Now, you start the new drawing, using the settings in the
previously saved template.
In the next step, you specify your template as the default template.
4 Start the Mechanical Options command.

Using a Template | 11
 Menu Assist > Mechanical Options
Command AMCONFIG

5 In the Mechanical Options dialog box, choose the General tab,

choose Browse, and select my_own_template.

6 Choose OK

Now, the my_own_template file will be used when you start

AutoCAD Mechanical.

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