Title Block Template Creation

[Anonymous]

I was wondering if someone could help me out as I don't remember it being this difficult before.

I created a drawing to be used as a Title Block Template.  I ran the Title Block Setup Wizard to select my specific WD_TB attributes.  I saved my drawing as a .dwt file but when I go to create a new drawing using my new template I get the following error:

"Could not find instance of title block name=(My template name)

(referenced in the "BLOCK=" part of the .WDT file)

Also, if I double-click on my newly created .dwt template, the drawing opens up as a drawing, not as a block.

Thanks.

[TRLitsey · Accepted solution]

Hi there,

Sounds like you just missed a little something in the setup.  I would either review the title block setup in Help or one of the tutorials.  If you have the time I think it would be worth reading this great walk through Doug has provided on his web site:

http://www.ecadconsultant.com/tips.html#Template

As far as opening a .dwt file, I do it from within AutoCAD by selecting the file type to open.

Please mark as a solution if this works for you, kudos are always welcome  -  thank you

Good luck

[rhesusminus]

There seems to be a little confusion here. A drawing template (DWT-file) is used to create new drawings. This template IS a drawing and should open as a drawing.
Inside this template, the title block should be a block. And the name of this block is what should be listed in the WDT-file; "NAR TEMPLATE" in your case. Also, WDT and DWT files are two different files. I can understand if it's confusing 🙂

[TRLitsey]

Hi Trond, when I create a template for an electrical schematic format, and make a mistake, say I forgot to insert a logo, I reopen that as a tmp insert the logo and save as a tmp.  Am I doing something wrong or creating a land mine for down the road?  ACE will not create a new drawing from anything but a tmp file so at that level I don't usually try and edits as a dwg file.

Thank you

[rhesusminus]

Just to add to the confusion... are you SURE you are using "tmp" files, and not "dwt"-files :D?

[TRLitsey]

Sorry, my bad, late for a staff meet and got happy fingers,  tmp = template = dwt

Thank you

[rhesusminus]

In that case, you're doing things as expected. Note that if you add a logo, and need to update a lot of drawings, wblock the titleblock to and external DWG-file with the same filename as the block, and use the block swap/update function to update the old title blocks with the new wblocked one.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the link.  That showed me which step I was missing.

I have a new question stem from this now though.  When I did my original drawing, the text looks fine but when I insert it as a block on my new blank drawing that will become the Template, the font looks terrible.  Is there something that I should be selecting to keep my font as it was in the original?

Thanks.

[TRLitsey]

Have you checked to see if the text style in each of the files you are using is the same?  BTW - I should say, if you have not already thought of it, this is a great time set up all of the defaults you typically use.  Things like font, snap settings, typical layers and wire types you use.  The whole default setting can be install/setup in the template and you should be saving a lot of time with next projects.  Just a thought.  -  Good luck

[Anonymous]

Is it required to run the title block setup each and every time for a new project? Or is it possible to create a template (smart title block template dwt) and just update a project with that template?

Ex:

I created a project and added Autocad files (non smart). I am performing the conversion tool method to update non electrical components to AcadE. My project now has non smart title blocks that I want to update with the created title block template?. 

[rhesusminus]

No. Title block setup is normally run when you're setting up a new title block.
Save that drawing as a drawing template, and use it for new drawing sheets.

See my post above, regarding updating title blocks.

[Anonymous]

Apologies for any confusion if I didn't explain my issue correctly through pvt messaging. After your instructions to use wdblock etc..

When I go to edit or insert the fields the following widow pops up "Edit Block Definition" instead of the "Enhanced Attribute Editor" on the title block. Should that be happening? I then explode the title block so that it works like a title block with attribute.  

My main question here is after I update the title blocks using the "Swap Block / Update Block" successfully. Will I then be able to use the "description" and "Title Block Update" option available through ACADE.  

Thanks