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How do I convince Solidworks to always prompt me to select a drawing template when making a drawing from a part?

Question asked by Christopher Abel on Oct 4, 2018
Latest reply on Oct 4, 2018 by Christopher Abel

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I'm having some issues ever since I updating to SW2018. For some reason the update install was really messy, and left a bunch of files un updated, creating a couple of new folders that it doesn't look at, etc, so maybe that has something to do with this. When I select 'Make Drawing from Part' It opens up the simple selection screen that only has the one drawing template on it, and a Tutorials button below. I have my settings set so that it should prompt me to select the drawing template, which I suppose it does, but it only shows that one template in the dimple selection screen, and I would like it to prompt me with a selection screen similar that allows me to 'Browse' for templates. The paths for my default part, drawing, and assembly files are different because updating broke the previous ones. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Glenn Schroeder Oct 4, 2018 5:37 PM

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First, it seems like you're mixing up the terms drawing template and sheet format. Your "what I want" screenshot is the list of sheet formats you have saved at the location you're pointing to at Tools > Options > System Options > File Locations > Sheet Formats. Your "tut" screenshot is showing the drawing template you have saved at Tools > Options > System Options File Locations > Drawing Templates. If you'd like to be prompted to select a sheet format when you start a new drawing you need to open a new drawing with that template, delete the existing sheet format from at, and then re-save the drawing template.

This information is covered in more detail at What's the difference between a sheet format and drawing template? if you'd like to take a look.

And as Ryan Dark said, this behavior has been unchanged for many years.

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Ryan Dark Oct 4, 2018 5:15 PM

Hi Christopher,

The file selection interface that comes up when you use 'Make Drawing from Part/Assembly' is limited to selections from certain file locations you have already put into the program. You should go into 'Tools', 'Options', 'System Options', 'File Locations' and add whatever additional folders you wish to browse through to the 'Document Templates' list here.

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Christopher Abel @ Ryan Dark on Oct 4, 2018 5:18 PM

Is that limitation new to SW2018? in SW2017, I was always prompted with a screen that allowed me to 'Browse' my files.

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Ryan Dark @ Christopher Abel on Oct 4, 2018 5:23 PM

As far as template behavior this is how it has behaved going all the way back. Now, thinking a little more on your description and looking closer at the images, you are looking to see the Sheet Format dialog appear. To do that you would need to edit the drawing template itself to remove the sheet format that is already inside of it. When a drawing template is selected that has no Sheet Format in it already you are prompted to select one.

To make this change, do this:

Create a new drawing
Delete the Sheet Format from the FeatureManager tree
Go to 'File', 'Save As'
Select 'Drawing Template' as the file type
Save and overwrite the existing drawing template.

Once done, try testing again.

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Christopher Abel @ Ryan Dark on Oct 4, 2018 5:36 PM

I used that picture as a reference for about what I wanted to appear. I suppose that the extra 5 seconds it takes to change the format isn't that big of a deal, but I would still like to browse for it upon Making a Drawing from a Part.

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Ryan Dark @ Christopher Abel on Oct 4, 2018 5:49 PM

Christopher,

If you update your template to remove the built in Sheet Format you will be prompted with the dialog. It shouldn't take but a moment to correct.

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Christopher Abel @ Ryan Dark on Oct 4, 2018 5:21 PM

Also, after making the changes you suggested, nothing new is happening. I am still prompted with the same 'Tutorial' menu. The files that I would like to be able to select are .SLDDRT files, if that helps.

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Toft Bill @ Christopher Abel on Oct 4, 2018 5:37 PM

Please take a screen shot of your System Options for File Locations > Document Templates.

THIS is where you want to ADD the path to the location shown in your Folders.PNG screen shot.

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Glenn Schroeder Oct 4, 2018 5:37 PM

This information is covered in more detail at What's the difference between a sheet format and drawing template? if you'd like to take a look.

And as Ryan Dark said, this behavior has been unchanged for many years.

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Christopher Abel @ Glenn Schroeder on Oct 4, 2018 5:50 PM

Alright, thanks for clearing up my confusion.Your advice yielded exactly what I was thinking of and somehow remember. Maybe it was just a quirk with my install that I got used to.

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Ryan Dark Oct 4, 2018 5:15 PM
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Hi Christopher,
The file selection interface that comes up when you use 'Make Drawing from Part/Assembly' is limited to selections from certain file locations you have already put into the program. You should go into 'Tools', 'Options', 'System Options', 'File Locations' and add whatever additional folders you wish to browse through to the 'Document Templates' list here.
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- Christopher Abel @ Ryan Dark on Oct 4, 2018 5:18 PM
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  Is that limitation new to SW2018? in SW2017, I was always prompted with a screen that allowed me to 'Browse' my files.
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  - Ryan Dark @ Christopher Abel on Oct 4, 2018 5:23 PM
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    As far as template behavior this is how it has behaved going all the way back. Now, thinking a little more on your description and looking closer at the images, you are looking to see the Sheet Format dialog appear. To do that you would need to edit the drawing template itself to remove the sheet format that is already inside of it. When a drawing template is selected that has no Sheet Format in it already you are prompted to select one.
    
    To make this change, do this:
    
    Create a new drawing
    Delete the Sheet Format from the FeatureManager tree
    Go to 'File', 'Save As'
    Select 'Drawing Template' as the file type
    Save and overwrite the existing drawing template.
    
    Once done, try testing again.
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    - Christopher Abel @ Ryan Dark on Oct 4, 2018 5:36 PM
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      I used that picture as a reference for about what I wanted to appear. I suppose that the extra 5 seconds it takes to change the format isn't that big of a deal, but I would still like to browse for it upon Making a Drawing from a Part.
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      - Ryan Dark @ Christopher Abel on Oct 4, 2018 5:49 PM
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        Christopher,
        If you update your template to remove the built in Sheet Format you will be prompted with the dialog. It shouldn't take but a moment to correct.
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- Christopher Abel @ Ryan Dark on Oct 4, 2018 5:21 PM
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  Also, after making the changes you suggested, nothing new is happening. I am still prompted with the same 'Tutorial' menu. The files that I would like to be able to select are .SLDDRT files, if that helps.
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  - Toft Bill @ Christopher Abel on Oct 4, 2018 5:37 PM
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    Please take a screen shot of your System Options for File Locations > Document Templates.
    THIS is where you want to ADD the path to the location shown in your Folders.PNG screen shot.
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Glenn Schroeder Oct 4, 2018 5:37 PM
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First, it seems like you're mixing up the terms drawing template and sheet format. Your "what I want" screenshot is the list of sheet formats you have saved at the location you're pointing to at Tools > Options > System Options > File Locations > Sheet Formats. Your "tut" screenshot is showing the drawing template you have saved at Tools > Options > System Options File Locations > Drawing Templates. If you'd like to be prompted to select a sheet format when you start a new drawing you need to open a new drawing with that template, delete the existing sheet format from at, and then re-save the drawing template.

This information is covered in more detail at What's the difference between a sheet format and drawing template? if you'd like to take a look.

And as Ryan Dark said, this behavior has been unchanged for many years.
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- Christopher Abel @ Glenn Schroeder on Oct 4, 2018 5:50 PM
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  Alright, thanks for clearing up my confusion.Your advice yielded exactly what I was thinking of and somehow remember. Maybe it was just a quirk with my install that I got used to.
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How do I convince Solidworks to always prompt me to select a drawing template when making a drawing from a part?

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