organizing your styles

[MKH-VB]

Old Autocad draftsman struggling with styles!  How do you guys keep your styles current? I can see us working on a project, after starting with a company template. THen, within one of the sheets, we may tweak a style to serve us better than the way we originally had it defined.  I find myself doing this on many occasions, and all of a sudden, the styles in my template are not as I want them. Just wondering how others are handling this scenario. I'd appreciate any feedback.

MKH

[Jay_B]

This is handled by creating master drawing templates and beginning every new drawing with the same template or templates.

After all templates are setup as desired, place these in a read only network folder and define a process for updating them.

The templates can all be specified for QNEW, Plan Production Sheets and Page Setup Overrides files in Options > Files > Templates.

If unfamiliar with the Template hierarchy in Options, search the help for "using the correct templates"

Once everything is set up properly, then everyone will be using the same templates as a basis to create new drawings.

[MKH-VB]

I totally get using master template, but as I mentioned, we are always tweaking styles in our drawings, so when that happens, the master template is not current. How do we stay on top of it?

[Jay_B]

We handle that by reviewing update requests by our Cad Team and the changes to the template the team agrees on are updated on a regular basis by yours truly.

There are many ways to handle this but it's best to identify who will be responsible to complete the updates and define a protocol for template maintenance.

Once these issues are addressed and all users were made aware of the procedure to be followed the templates should be "up to date".

[AllenJessup]

Since only I and our Surveyor touch the Templates. Each time one of us decides that an update of a style is needed. We prefect it in the project we're working in then import it to the template using drag and drop. This will either add it to the template or overwrite the existing style.

The trick is to do it right away and not "when I get a moment". I've fallen in to that trap and then when a new project is started having to go back and remember where I made the change I wanted.

Allen

[Pointdump]

Allen,

"...having to go back and remember where I made the change I wanted."

And that is why naming a new or modified style is so important. Style 1, Style 2, and Style 3 don't tell you much.

Dave

[MKH-VB]

That’s the answer I am looking for! Where do you do the drag and drop? I went thru the “import” function, but seems a bit much.

[MKH-VB]

no doubt...I am trying to get everything set the way I want, and using the company initials within the style I've edited. At least that way I can see that its been touched.

[Jay_B]

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@MKH-VB wrote:
That’s the answer I am looking for! Where do you do the drag and drop? I went thru the “import” function, but seems a bit much.

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Just like This .

[MKH-VB]

ok guys...while we are talking styles and templates, do you use the same template drawing for "creating your sheets" and "starting new projects"? hope that make sence! 

[Pointdump]

MKH,

"...do you use the same template drawing for 'creating your sheets' and 'starting new projects'?"

Yes. Now you're cooking with gas!

 

Dave