Get Started

Now make sure that your solid object templates (parts, assemblies, etc.) contain the predefined items needed by your drawing templates. For instance, if a drawing template is designed to show the front of a model as the general view or if you need to display an isometric view, ensure that your solid template has those orientations defined in the “saved view” list. If one or more cross-sections are to be shown, apply a uniform naming convention for standard cross-sections so that the template can leverage them. Do the same for exploded views. All general views on a drawing template are derived from the saved model views.

Templates can be made from scratch or from an existing drawing. If you choose to base a template on an existing drawing, remove all models it references to avoid creating unwanted references. One advantage of using an existing drawing is that many of the detail items (notes, symbols, etc.) have already been created.

To begin working with the template functionality, choose Template from the APPLICATIONS menu. The cascading menu title will change to TMPLT DWG, indicating that you are creating a drawing template. At this point, you can create template views, tables, and notes.

Company standards of course influence drawing template requirements. When you use a drawing template, the detail settings are no longer a descendent of the system detail setting file (defined in config.pro via DRAWING_SETUP_FILE), but rather the settings stored in the template. This lets you tweak detail settings according to use of the end document. For example, when a user creates a metric drawing, the appropriate detail settings for first angle projection or dual dimensions are preset—eliminating the need to remember to retrieve a custom detail setting file.

Adding Symbols

Some templates may require placement of default symbols indicating, for instance, that the design is prototype, preliminary, construction, etc. To add the symbol to a template, you must temporarily return to standard drawing mode by selecting Standard from the APPLICATIONS menu and choosing Symbol Instance from the INSERT menu. If the symbol has user-defined (modifiable) text, then use a color-coded symbol group to indicate to end users that they should modify the symbol after using the template.

For example, the symbol (named PRELIMINARY) in the above screen capture has two groups: TODAYS_DATE and TEMPLATE (Fig. 1). When you place the TEMPLATE symbol group on the drawing template, the symbol displays the purple text. This color indicates that the user should take some action—in this case, select the second group to show the correct date. The TODAYS_DATE group includes variable text that reports the current system date via the “&todays_date” system parameter. At this point, the color of the text has changed to the default note color.

Other Considerations

Another item to consider predefining is a default drawing representation. A good example is a representation that includes no views and is zoomed in on the title block so that drawings can get a quick signoff. While having a large number of templates obviously requires more administrative support, it also affords more user benefits. Conversely, fewer templates are easier to administer, but at the cost of document specificity. Keep in mind, however, that after using a drawing template, you can still modify the drawing in standard Pro/ENGINEER fashion. Both the drawing and template may be modified in the future without association.

Ron Harkins is a senior analyst with Enser Corporation supporting machine design and Pro/TOOLKIT application development primarily for the DuPont Corporation in Wilmington, DE, USA. He can be reached by email at harkinre@enser.com.