22 Replies Latest reply on Jun 5, 2017 9:33 AM by John Stoltzfus

"Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?

William Knapper May 10, 2017 11:13 AM

Hi all,

I'm trying to update a number of drawings to a new drawing template while keeping the views and dimensional callouts intact. After doing some research, I ended up in the Sheet Properties dialog box, but it's not allowing me to select sheets to modify (see attached image). I'm wondering what obscure setting I have set to the wrong option, or if I'm even on the right track to switching drawing sheet templates. Any help would be appreciated, thanks

SheetFormat.JPG 57.2 KB

Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?

Glenn Schroeder May 10, 2017 2:02 PM (in response to William Knapper)

The sheet properties dialog box allows you to switch sheet formats, not drawing templates. That box will become active if you choose a sheet format from the list and if the Drawing contains more than one sheet (added that in, thank you Deepak). To update to an existing drawing to a new drawing template see the last part of #26 at FAQ - Part 2.

By the way, I don't know how long you've been using SW, but many people confuse drawing templates and sheet formats. If you're not sure, see #2 at Frequently Asked Forum Questions.
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- Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
  
  William Knapper Jun 2, 2017 1:27 PM (in response to Glenn Schroeder)
  
  I did some research (including reading the FAQ you linked) and determined that what I'm trying to update is the drawing template, not the sheet format. I tried following the steps on the last part of #26 as you recommended, and tried saving the drafting standard to an external file, but the 'save to external file' button is grayed out. The 'load from external file' button is accessible, but I don't have the drawing template saved as a drafting standard (.sldstd) file. I tried the 'Save As' and 'Save Sheet Format' options, but none allowed me to save the drawing template as a .sldstd file. I feel like I'm getting closer, but for now it looks like I've hit another dead end.
  
  To reiterate, all I'm trying to do is swap out title block formats on a drawing while keeping all the views and dimensions the same. Any advice?
  
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  - Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
    
    Glenn Schroeder Jun 2, 2017 1:39 PM (in response to William Knapper)
    
    William Knapper wrote:
    To reiterate, all I'm trying to do is swap out title block formats on a drawing while keeping all the views and dimensions the same. Any advice?
    
    That really sounds like you need to change sheet formats and not the drawing template. Title block information is saved in the sheet format. But just to make sure, what specifically are you trying to switch out in the title block? Do you want a completely different title block, or do you want existing title block notes to reference a different list of custom properties?
    
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    - Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
      
      William Knapper Jun 5, 2017 8:01 AM (in response to Glenn Schroeder)
      
      I want a completely different title block, I can fill in the information manually later, or link it to external properties, but that's a problem for another time. Right now I just want a completely different title block format. I have a blank drawing with the new title block I want to change to, now I just want to switch ~150 drawings or so (some with multiple sheets) to that new title block so I don't have to manually copy over dimensions and views for every one.
      
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  - Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
    
    Dan Pihlaja Jun 2, 2017 1:48 PM (in response to William Knapper)
    
    William Knapper wrote:
    
    I did some research (including reading the FAQ you linked) and determined that what I'm trying to update is the drawing template, not the sheet format. I tried following the steps on the last part of #26 as you recommended, and tried saving the drafting standard to an external file, but the 'save to external file' button is grayed out. The 'load from external file' button is accessible, but I don't have the drawing template saved as a drafting standard (.sldstd) file. I tried the 'Save As' and 'Save Sheet Format' options, but none allowed me to save the drawing template as a .sldstd file. I feel like I'm getting closer, but for now it looks like I've hit another dead end.
    
    To reiterate, all I'm trying to do is swap out title block formats on a drawing while keeping all the views and dimensions the same. Any advice?
    It was grayed out because you haven't made an modifications to the drafting standard. Unless you modify some default value, the default ANSI or ISO or whatever, will not need to be saved to an external file. Once you modify something which affects the standard, then you will see "ANSI-MODIFIED" in that box for drafting standard.....THEN you can "Save to External File..."
    
    William Knapper wrote:
    
    I did some research (including reading the FAQ you linked) and determined that what I'm trying to update is the drawing template, not the sheet format. I tried following the steps on the last part of #26 as you recommended, and tried saving the drafting standard to an external file, but the 'save to external file' button is grayed out. The 'load from external file' button is accessible, but I don't have the drawing template saved as a drafting standard (.sldstd) file. I tried the 'Save As' and 'Save Sheet Format' options, but none allowed me to save the drawing template as a .sldstd file. I feel like I'm getting closer, but for now it looks like I've hit another dead end.
    
    To reiterate, all I'm trying to do is swap out title block formats on a drawing while keeping all the views and dimensions the same. Any advice?
    
    The other thing that I notice is that you are confusing "Drawing Template" with "Drafting Standard". They are VERY different things.
    
    The drafting standard is found here:
    This saves as a .sldstd file.
    
    The drawing template is created when you open a drawing and select "Save As..." Then you get this:
    
    The Sheet Format is saved here as a .slddrt file:
    
    Your sheet formats and drafting standards, once set, carry over when you save a drawing template.
    You can have multiple drawing templates with the same sheet format and drafting standard.
    Sheet formats and drafting standards control different areas of the drawing.
    
    2015 SOLIDWORKS Help - Drafting Standards
    Changing Default Drafting Standard...?
    https://www.hawkridgesys.com/blog/drawing-template-vs-sheet-format/
    
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    - Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
      
      William Knapper Jun 5, 2017 8:05 AM (in response to Dan Pihlaja)
      
      Alright, so now I see the drafting standard isn't what I'm trying to change, just the drawing template. Thanks for the info.
      
      As I mentioned in another reply, I'm looking to take a number of drawings with a certain title block layout and convert them to having another title block layout. I have a blank drawing with the title block layout I'm trying to achieve, so I can save that drawing template. I'm not too concerned about preserving the title block info itself, as I can manually put that in later (a bit tedious, but not that big of a deal). What I'm trying to avoid is having to manually copy over (or recreate) all the views and dimensions of the drawings, and just switch the title block layout instead.
      
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      - Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
        
        John Stoltzfus Jun 5, 2017 8:10 AM (in response to William Knapper)
        
        I'm thinking there are macros available to change out the sheet format to a specified sheet format, also I use a macro written by Deepak Gupta that reloads the sheet format.
        
        You can also check out #TASK
        
        http://www.centralinnovation.com.au/
        
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      - Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
        
        Glenn Schroeder Jun 5, 2017 8:18 AM (in response to William Knapper)
        
        William Knapper wrote:
        
        Alright, so now I see the drafting standard isn't what I'm trying to change, just the drawing template. No, that's wrong. You need to save the sheet format and update your existing drawings to use it. See below.
        
        As I mentioned in another reply, I'm looking to take a number of drawings with a certain title block layout and convert them to having another title block layout. I have a blank drawing with the title block layout I'm trying to achieve, so I can save that drawing template. I'm not too concerned about preserving the title block info itself, as I can manually put that in later (a bit tedious, but not that big of a deal). What I'm trying to avoid is having to manually copy over (or recreate) all the views and dimensions of the drawings, and just switch the title block layout instead.
        
        What you need to do is open the blank drawing with the title block set up the way you want, assuming you made those changes while in "Edit sheet format" mode. Go to File > Save sheet format. Save this format in the location you're pointing to at Tools > Options > System Options > File Locations > Sheet formats. Now you should be able to open existing drawings, right-click on the sheet tab, choose Properties, and select this new sheet format. You should be able to do it for all sheets in one operation.
        
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        Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
        
        John Stoltzfus Jun 5, 2017 8:20 AM (in response to Glenn Schroeder)
        
        That will definitely work, but one sheet at a time, there are macros to mass change the formats..
        
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        Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
        
        Glenn Schroeder Jun 5, 2017 8:24 AM (in response to John Stoltzfus)
        
        John Stoltzfus wrote:
        
        That will definitely work, but one sheet at a time..
        
        I'm afraid you're mistaken about that John. See here.
        
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        Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
        
        John Stoltzfus Jun 5, 2017 8:27 AM (in response to Glenn Schroeder)
        
        Not if it's an 2016 or earlier release - but yes 2017 you can, finally
        
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        Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
        
        Glenn Schroeder Jun 5, 2017 8:38 AM (in response to John Stoltzfus)
        
        John Stoltzfus wrote:
        
        Not if it's an 2016 or earlier release - but yes 2017 you can, finally
        You're right, it's only available in SW2017, but that's what the OP is using (see his screenshot in his first post).
        
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        Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
        
        John Stoltzfus Jun 5, 2017 8:46 AM (in response to Glenn Schroeder)
        
        Not sure where you find the 2017 reference, or either I'm blind
        
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        Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
        
        Glenn Schroeder Jun 5, 2017 8:51 AM (in response to John Stoltzfus)
        
        This button wouldn't have been there if he was using an earlier version.
        
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        Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
        
        John Stoltzfus Jun 5, 2017 9:19 AM (in response to Glenn Schroeder)
        
        Well, I guess my eyesight isn't 20 20 anymore
        
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        Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
        
        Bernie Daraz Jun 5, 2017 9:30 AM (in response to John Stoltzfus)
        
        John, I've heard it said "the mind is the first thing to go, I forget what the second thing is".
        
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        Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
        
        John Stoltzfus Jun 5, 2017 9:33 AM (in response to Bernie Daraz)
        
        That might be true for women, actually for men, loosing the mind is the second thing that goes
        
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        Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
        
        William Knapper Jun 5, 2017 8:31 AM (in response to Glenn Schroeder)
        
        Bingo, this did exactly what I was looking for.
        
        Thanks for bearing with me through this. Still got a lot to learn, but this helped a lot. Thanks everyone!
        
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  - Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
    
    Deepak Gupta Jun 2, 2017 1:48 PM (in response to William Knapper)
    
    Until you make any change to default drafting standard, you won't see the option to save to external file.
    
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Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?

Deepak Gupta May 10, 2017 1:49 PM (in response to William Knapper)

You must have more than 1 sheet in order to use that button Change Multiple Sheets Format in Clicks

And in case you looking to change sheet format for various drawings, then you can do that manually, use a macro (search over this forum) or the free awesome #TASK tool.
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Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?

John Stoltzfus May 11, 2017 7:43 AM (in response to William Knapper)

Select the sheet from your list first and then try it
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- Re: "Select Sheets to Modify" button grayed out?
  
  Steve Calvert Jun 2, 2017 1:37 PM (in response to John Stoltzfus)
  
  and if they're now in a different path (thanks IT guy), just type in the new path in the Browse button...
  
  Steve C
  
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