We are about to migrate from IV 2011 to IV 2012 so it is time for the annual template update. We also use and store our templates and style library in Vault.
Currently we have two idw templates, one for b-sized paper and one for d-sized. We are finding that this does not give enough flexibility when detailing components from 60' weldments down to 1/2" dia machined shafts.
Are we better off to create/ manage a new idw template for each of our large and small weldments, assembly prints, flame cut components, and machined parts. Or should we use a single template idw file and add Sheet Formats, Borders, Title Blocks, Sketched Symbols, Dimension Styles as required to better standardize the final idws?
Steve Walton
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Why can't you just have 1 template.. You can pick the sheet size when you start the idw (right click on sheet:1 and hit edit sheet). Yes the titleblock will "look smaller" but I always think that the text should be the same "readable" size no matter what the sheet size is.
I plan to move to one template and adjust sheet size as required.
My main question is what works better: One templete with resources for all the classes of components that we detail, or seperate templates for each class.
I know that it is dependent on our workflow, but I was hoping to get a feal how others are dealing with this issue.
Steve Walton
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I'll second McGyvr's vote. A single template file. We use different titleblocks for each size to optimize layouts of rev lines, etc.... but it's all in a single template file.
@swalton wrote:I plan to move to one template and adjust sheet size as required.
My main question is what works better: One templete with resources for all the classes of components that we detail, or seperate templates for each class.
I know that it is dependent on our workflow, but I was hoping to get a feal how others are dealing with this issue.
Like you said its up to you.. Currently I have a template for assemblys and one for regular parts and one for sheet metal parts..Why because I have certain notes/tables,etc.. preplaced into those templates.. Why?? just because.. I've had these templates for years and thats just how I did it.. I could proably go to all one template and have sketched symbols/tables that I could just drop in as needed.. It really comes down to exactly what you need on each type of drawing and what can/cannot be accomplished by Inventor.
I'd say whip up a document defining all you need and then see if you can cram it into one template..
Keep in mind that if you have a bunch of sketched symbols and title blocks that this information will be saved into each file. This can make the base template rather large and also all drawings based from it. I really wish all of that data could be stored in the styles library.
@coreyparks wrote:Keep in mind that if you have a bunch of sketched symbols and title blocks that this information will be saved into each file. This can make the base template rather large and also all drawings based from it. I really wish all of that data could be stored in the styles library.
And excellent reason to not have a single template.. Now I'm glad I didn't go with 1 common template for all parts. The ability to store sketched symbols externally would be a excellent enhancement request..
If all the drawing resources were stored in the style libary, I could quit wasting time with the drawing resource transfer wizard when I need to update a copied idw with the new resources.
Steve Walton
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Yes!
swalton wrote:
If all the drawing resources were stored in the style libary, I could quit wasting time with the drawing resource transfer wizard when I need to update a copied idw with the new resources.
We have one idw template with one titleblock. When the scale is too small, we change to a "d-size" paper. We try to stay with "B-szie" when possible. We detail parts from 1/2 x 1/2 keys and the way up to assemblies that are 300ft long. Haven't ran into a problem with it yet.
As far as the symbols, we keep the ones that we use the most in our main template. We also have a symbols template that we use to store the ones that we use less frequently. When I need one of those, it just a matter of copy paste from the symbols.idw.
We also use the Auto drawing update resource add-in to update older templates to our current standard. This is a great tool to get the idws that were created with an older template up to date with your new template.
Where did you get the Auto Drawing Update add-in?
Steve Walton
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