Drawing Template description

[CADmgrMike]

Has anyone figured out where the dwt template description is stored to be able to see and/or change it without creating a new template?

[tstorzuk]

The only place I recall seeing it is when you go to save the dwt file. A dialog box pops up and you see it then.

I don't recall seeing it any other way. Perhaps someone else might know if there is another way to view and change it.

You don't have to save it as a different file, just save it as the same file. And of course, if you don't need to change it, then you don't have to save it. Just cancel the save after you've viewed the description information.

[pendean]

Drawing Template description? Can you show us what you are looking at in a screenshot?

[tstorzuk]

Apparently you do have to save the template file before this will pop up. My mistake.

[CADmgrMike]

@pendean , the screen shot above.

I am curious if there was another place to find/modify this description other than here.

[tstorzuk]

Here's the help information for version 2024;

https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2024/ENU/?guid=GUID-EA61BCE3-1D2C-41C3-8912-2DC28CCFB415

[paullimapa]

I think some time in the distance past when AutoCAD's New Select Template window appear this description might have been displayed to assist with template selection. But since they've changed the selection window to include a Preview, the display of the template description has been dropped and thus the usefulness is lost.

[pendean]

yes, that's the "during creation of the DWT" choice, but where do you see or need that to appear afterwards when accessing or using that DWT after all of that?
What value does that add? Or where is that security alert/notice appear afterwards to deter someone from stealing your template and using it?

[tstorzuk]

---

@paullimapa wrote:

But since they've changed the selection window to include a Preview, the display of the template description has been dropped and thus the usefulness is lost.

---

As a CAD manager, I have to disagree with you. The template description is 100% useful for keeping track of what has been added to it.

So much information goes into building these properly. And so much of the information that is added to them is invisible when previewing it in a preview window. Preview window doesn't show what system variables, layers, linetypes, dimstyles, etc.... have been added/revised/set.

In my opinion, this should be expanded greatly to help managers keep track of what's been done. Digital signatures of tasks that have been completed by whom. Being able to add a carriage return (enter) for a new line. Maybe even a comprehensive list of items that should be addressed when customizing a standard titleblock. Being able to resize the menu so that you can see more information. ETC....

[pendean]

---

@tstorzuk wrote:

---

@paullimapa wrote:

But since they've changed the selection window to include a Preview, the display of the template description has been dropped and thus the usefulness is lost.

---

As a CAD manager, I have to disagree with you. The template description is 100% useful for keeping track of what has been added to it....

---

But where is that information accessed after you create the DWT file?

And how would it be used as part of your documentation processes that your current tracking methods fail?

What did you before you "discovered" this pop-up to keep track of DWT changes?

[CADmgrMike]

100% agree.

I'm working on a spreadsheet right now, trying to document what's in a template.

It's helpful for new version upgrades as well as your successor.

I realize I posted in the AutoCAD forum, but anyone that's managed C3D knows that saving an old version template to the new version is a recipe for disaster.

I manage many templates for a multi-discipline firm and in my experience you can never document enough.

[paullimapa]

It may be useful but if Autodesk does not provide a feature for you to access that then it becomes useless...keep in mind we're all just users here. You'll have to contact Autodesk to give them feedback directly. But it'll be up to them to decide what features to add and not us the users.

Now one possible alternative would be to add that information to the template file's drawing properties using DWGPROPS. Then to display that just select the template file, right mouse click>Properties>Summary tab:

[pendean]

---

@CADmgrMike wrote:

100% agree.

I'm working on a spreadsheet right now, trying to document what's in a template.

It's helpful for new version upgrades as well as your successor.

I realize I posted in the AutoCAD forum, but anyone that's managed C3D knows that saving an old version template to the new version is a recipe for disaster.

I manage many templates for a multi-discipline firm and in my experience you can never document enough.

---

"... if Autodesk does not provide a feature for you to access that then it becomes useless..."
Unless you know of a way to access that info of course. Show us where that is exactly.

C3D may have something unique, but it's not going to be this discovery of yours sadly.

I suspect you may wish to explore DWGPROPS command more fully in the interim as a replacement for the dead-end 'feature' you wish to use but cannot reuse ever again https://blog.gstarcad.net/what-does-dwgprops-command-do/#:~:text=DWGPROPS%20command%20is%20used%20to....

It's what you want after all.

[RobDraw]

---

@CADmgrMike wrote:

I'm working on a spreadsheet right now, trying to document what's in a template.

---

I'd keep doing this and include the information in your written CAD standards. That's how most places do it instead of trying to utilize an antiquated function that could be dropped entirely in any new release.