topic Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file in AutoCAD for Mac Forum

Can't save a new template .dwt file

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 14:40:06 GMT

I'm very new to Autocad and I'm running a Mac with Autocad 2013 education version. I've been trying to save a new template .dwt file. But when I go to save as and save it as a .dwt file and click ok, it acts as if it was saved but it never does. There is no new file in that folder. I tried creating a different folder in a different file location and still no luck. I haven't had any trouble saving .dwg files. I also removed the program and tried reinstalling it, but still didn't work.

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

pendean — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 16:09:35 GMT

DWT files are locked, so you pretty much have to delete the 'old' one in order to create/replace it with a 'new' one.

There is nothing magical about a DWT file: it's a DWG file. If you plan on changing it often, why not just use DWG files for templates and organize them accordingly.

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 16:13:42 GMT

Well, I'm not really sure. I'm pretty new. Just thought it would be nice not to have to change some of the settings everytime I start a new drawing.

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

maxim_k — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 17:09:42 GMT

Hi,

It is strange, because I can save as DWT (template) to any location inside my Home folder, including default location - "~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/local/AutoCAD 2013/R19.0/enu/Template/".

Could you see the name of template you just saved on drawing window title? If not - what you see on title bar?

Could you see saved drawing templates in menu File -> Open Recent? If yes - what happens if you select .dwt file from recent menu?

Have you tried to save .dwt file to Desktop?

Maxim

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 17:20:55 GMT

When i first open Autocad a default blank drawing appears saying "Drawing1.dwg" in the title bar

And that will not change if i try to "save as" template .dwt

I just tried to save a template on my home screen in a new folder i created.. Once again i opened it and there is nothing inside. nothing was saved and the title bar is still reading the same "Drawing1.dwg"

plus there isnt anything in the open recent tab.

keith

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

pendean — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 17:23:40 GMT

When you open a DWT file, AutoCAD displays a generic name: AutoCAD will not let you be inside a DWT file ever. In AutoCAD that's DrawingX.dwg, and X can refer to how many times you opened a blank file in a single session.
See the earlier reply about a 'locked' file.

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 17:26:03 GMT

I guess i dont understand why i cant create my own template then..?

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

pendean — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 17:32:53 GMT

See Maxim's screenshot: does your 'recent files" section show the DWT option?
Where are you saving your DWT file to?

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 17:35:48 GMT

No it is not showing a dwt file that i tried to save in there.. And i tried saving a dwt file in several locations. i.e. the default location, then a folder in a new location and even on my desktop.. all with no luck

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

maxim_k — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 18:04:10 GMT

What name do you give to template file you tried to save?

>>>Once again i opened it and there is nothing inside

Do you drew something in the drawing before you save it as template?

Maxim

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 18:06:38 GMT

i used several different names.. even tried my first name.

i tried to draw something and save it. plus i tried to leave it blank also.

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

maxim_k — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 18:14:24 GMT

OK,

Let's go step by step:

Please describe you workflow when you try to save DWT file:

- you start AutoCAD

- in blank drawing with name Drawing1.dwg (or Drawing2.dwg or 3,4,5 - it doesn't matter)

- you select from File menu Save As

- you type file name

- you select from File Format "AutoCAD Drawing Template (.DWT)" file type

- you select Where you want to save .dwt file

Please continue from tis point - what you do next?

Maxim

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 18:20:29 GMT

-Ok, from that point i notice that the name in the title block does not change.

-so then i go to File>open>file location where i saved the dwt> nothing there...

-then ill minimize autocad and go to the actual folder location and see if there is anything in it. which there is not

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

maxim_k — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 18:30:30 GMT

You missed additional steps:

after you pick on OK button in Save as dialog AutoCAD asks you additional two questions:

Enter Template Measurement [English/Metric] <Metric>: E
Enter a template description: Test template
Command:

Do you answer to the questions about template measurement and about template description?

If not - and if you just hit Esc button, or call some other command -

the template will never saved!

Maxim

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 18:35:17 GMT

Well ill be damned!! I never noticed that before.. they need to have that a little more noticable when saving templates 😉

thank you so much!! big help for a newbie like me!!!

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

maxim_k — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 18:41:39 GMT

Wait a minute!

I want to say you important thing:

When i teach AutoCAD (yes, it take place sometimes - I give free lessons to my colleges) - I always ask them to look at the command prompt carefully, because it is the place where AutoCAD interacts with you, so please: look at the command line.

Maxim

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 18:51:22 GMT

I do my best to look at it. just wasnt expecting it to have a command for saving a file. Now i know, so I'll pay much more attention

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

maxim_k — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 18:55:06 GMT

Good luck in learning AutoCAD! 🙂

Max

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 19:41:38 GMT

THANK YOU SO MUCH....was spending so much time to figure it out!!!! All I needed to do was pay attention to the command line. Lesson learned!!!

Re: Can't save a new template .dwt file

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 01:37:12 GMT

Wow! That's such a departure from Mac user interface conventions, but somewhat consistent with autocad conventions (you really shouldn't go from an OS dialog box (e.g. save-as) to an application command line in order to complete a task.

Nonetheless, so glad I found this thread, even in 2019 it is still relevant for Mac, but apparently not for Windows as I was following a Udemy course in which the instructor was using Windows and definitely didn't have to do this step.