Creating a SolidWorks drawing template is essential for maintaining consistency and efficiency in your design process. A drawing template serves as a starting point for any new drawing you create, ensuring that all the required information, document settings, and formatting are pre-defined.
Step 1: Launch SolidWorks
Open SolidWorks on your computer to begin creating your custom drawing template.
Step 2: Create a New Drawing File
To start designing your template, go to the “File” menu and choose “New”. Then select “Drawing” from the drop-down menu. This will open a new blank drawing file.
Step 3: Define Sheet Size and Orientation
The next step is to set the sheet size and orientation for your drawing. Go to the “Format” menu and select “Sheet Properties”.
Here, you can choose from standard sheet sizes or specify custom dimensions according to your requirements. Additionally, you can select the desired orientation (portrait or landscape).
Step 4: Customize Title Block
A title block is an essential component of any drawing template as it contains vital information about the design. You can customize the title block by adding text fields for properties such as part number, revision number, date, author name, etc.
To do this:
- Select the “Annotations” tab from the main toolbar.
- Click on “Title Block” to add it onto your drawing sheet.
- Edit properties by right-clicking on each field within the title block and selecting “Edit Text”. You can also format text properties like font style, size, etc., using options in the toolbar.
- Create custom fields by selecting “Edit Sheet Format” from the right-click menu. This allows you to add specific information or additional text fields to your title block.
Step 5: Define Annotations and Views
Annotations and views play a crucial role in conveying design information effectively. You can pre-define annotation settings, such as font style, size, dimension styles, etc., in your template.
To do this:
- Add annotations like dimensions, notes, or balloons using the “Annotations” tab in the main toolbar.
- Edit annotation properties, such as font style or dimension precision, by right-clicking on them and choosing the desired options.
- Create custom layers for different annotations or views using the “Layers” tab in the main toolbar. This helps organize your drawing and keeps it visually appealing.
Step 6: Save Your Template
Once you have customized your drawing template to your satisfaction, it’s important to save it for future use. To save your template:
- Select “Save As” from the “File” menu.
- Choose a location on your computer to save the file.
- Specify the file format as “.drwdot”, which stands for drawing template file type.
- Name your template file, preferably with a descriptive name that indicates its purpose or content.
- Note: It is recommended to save your template in a location accessible by all users who require access to it.
Congratulations! You have successfully created a SolidWorks drawing template. Now, every time you start a new drawing, you can use this template as a base, saving time and ensuring consistency throughout your design process.
Remember, you can always make changes to your template as your requirements evolve. Simply open the template file, make the necessary modifications, and save it again.
By following these steps and customizing your SolidWorks drawing template, you will streamline your workflow and enhance the overall efficiency of your design process.