Can't save a new template .dwt file

[Anonymous]

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. 

[pendean]

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.

[Anonymous]

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. 

[maxim_k]

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

[Anonymous]

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

[pendean]

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.

[Anonymous]

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

[pendean]

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

[Anonymous]

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 

[maxim_k]

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

[Anonymous]

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. 

[maxim_k]

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

[Anonymous]

-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

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

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

[Anonymous]

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!!! 

[maxim_k]

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

[Anonymous]

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 

[maxim_k]

Good luck in learning AutoCAD! 🙂

Max

[Anonymous]

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!!!

[Anonymous]

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.