topic Updating hundreds of template files. in AutoCAD LT Forum

Updating hundreds of template files.

dwilliamsns — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 23:54:47 GMT

I work in new construction solar design across multiple states where we have a main template that we customize for every unique housing community we design in. Each community has specific house plans for that one community and we are currently working under 25 utility companies and 135 AHJ's all with differing requirements.

The client we design for recently asked for some changes to be made to our overall template and title block and expected everything to immediately be changed in all 532 existing communities. I explained to him we have to go into each community and update the template with these changes and he said our process is flawed and we need to find a better way to do this.

I've been using AutoCAD for 25 years and I'm pretty aware of most ways to do this and from my knowledge and the research I've done i just dont see a better way. He does not use AutoCAD so does not understand what this entails. Does anyone know of a way to update titleblock changes instantly on 532 templates? I need to be able to tell him his expectations are flawed.

Re: Updating hundreds of template files.

Tomislav.Golubovic — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 01:08:16 GMT

What exactly are the changes? You could look at XREF'ing the title block lines/logos/etc and inserting the attributes (in future).

As for your current issue, look at scripting the updates. I've changed hundreds of drawings in minutes using a script to open each file, make changes, then save and close it.

Re: Updating hundreds of template files.

CodeDing — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 01:08:40 GMT

@dwilliamsns ,

It's easy from an outside perspective to speculate on your process. But with what sounds like such a large operation, among many companies, in many jurisdictions; nobody here is going to be able to say one way or another.

If you're looking for specific help:

- You could PM me and we could setup a call or something to talk about it

- You could create a script file to help make some changes you need

- You could learn more about AutoCAD Core Console to automate changes

- You could take a day to brainstorm these required changes and consider any possible internal changes to make them easier in the future

Best,

~DD

Re: Updating hundreds of template files.

dwilliamsns — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 01:31:44 GMT

Hi there. They first changed the entire format they wanted for the document and then they asked us to rearrange the titleblock. The title block changes aren't a huge lift on their own, but updating over 500 is. We use LT so not sure about scripting anything - though if I updated to 2024 or 2025 I think they recently did add that in there.

Re: Updating hundreds of template files.

dwilliamsns — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 01:37:52 GMT

Thanks Ding - I was not aware of the core console. I will admit I'm pretty rusting on coding - we use LT so it hasn't been necessary in the past but it might help us now. I do have a friend who has a lot of experience in this area so I'll give him a ring and see if he could help me script something, but I may reach out if he isn't able to help!

Re: Updating hundreds of template files.

pendean — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 13:35:32 GMT

LT users (which year version?) don't get access to CORE CONSOLE: you posted in the wrong forum. Let's get your post moved to the LT forum.

Someone at your end just needs to get started: most firms user interns for such repetitive tasks, if that's you, welcome aboard.