AQD- What is a Template and How do I create one?

AQD- What is a drawing Template?

AutoCAD uses a template every time it starts up. If you do not designate your own template, AutoCAD will use a default one.

A template is a drawing file that includes the following settings that will be used every time you launch a new drawing:

Unit type and precision (DDRMODES)

Drawing limits (LIMITS)

Snap, Grid, and Ortho settings (Status Bar)

Layer organization (LA)

Title blocks

Dimension and text styles (DDIM, ST)

Line types (LT)

In most cases, you do not want to set these things every time you begin a drawing. By having a template with all of these parameters pre-set, you can work more efficiently, faster and consistently.

 There is no difference between a template file (DWT) and regular DWG other than the extension.

Most CAD businesses use a company-wide template that is updated from time to time. This is done to maintain CAD standards through the company. 

To Create a Drawing Template

 Create a new template from an existing drawing or drawing template.

After changing the settings of any drawing file, you can create a template to quickly create new drawings with the same conventions and default settings.

1. Erase all of the objects in the drawing that you do not want to keep
2. Click the Application button Save As - AutoCAD Drawing Template.

DWT files must be saved in the current drawing file format. To create a DWT file in a previous format, save the file in the desired DWG format, and then rename the DWG file using a DWT extension.

3. In the “Save Drawing As” dialog box, File Name text box, enter a name for the drawing template and click Save.
4. Enter a description for the drawing template and click OK.

The new template is saved in the AQ Designer template folder.