AutoCAD LT Drawing Templates

AutoCAD LT Section 4 AutoCAD LT Drawing Templates This section covers: 1. Creating new files and working with existing files a. Start a new drawing from scratch b. Use the new drawing wizard c. Create a new drawing from a template d. Open an existing drawing

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT Setup Overview Section 3-1 Creating a new drawing file Starting with a new drawing should never be a challenge but a welcoming event. Loading the Create New Drawing dialog box Loading the Create New Drawing dialog box can be achieved through several ways in AutoCAD LT. Lets go through the different ways of loading the Create New Drawing dialog box. Menubar To load the Create New Drawing dialog box from the menubar, locate the File menubar and then select New... or File>>New. The set of images shows the Files menubar and the location of New under it (Fig 4.1). Notice the Files menubar is located all the way to the left in the menubars section of the AutoCAD Environment. Fig. 4.1 Toolbar To use the toolbar when you want to load the Create New Drawing dialog box. You will have to first have up on the screen the _Standard Toolbar. By default AutoCAD LT is installed with this toolbar visible and docked in the upper left of the AutoCAD LT environment. The toolbar button that you load the Create New Drawing dialog looks like the following: - Create New Drawing icon You will notice in later sections that a lot of the most commonly used commands have been assembled on a toolbar that has a theme for you convenience. All rights reserved by author of material. Do not make copies of this material.

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-2 Command Line The first type-in command is NEW. This command will bring up the Create New Drawing dialog box with the last New method as the active selection. The other type-in command is N and it will also bring up the Create New Drawing dialog box. Accelerated Keys In previous a section we talked about Accelerated Keys and how common that they are in Windows based software. So the Create New Drawing command is no different than other Windows based programs when it comes to starting a new file. The Accelerated Key combination to bring up the Create New Drawing dialog is CTRL + N. Now that we can successfully bring up the Create New Drawing dialog box, lets take a close look at all the features that this dialog box contains. AutoCAD LT can create a new drawing through three different methods. The first is usually the least useful for use in everyday drawings. This method is known as Start from Scratch. Starting from scratch is exactly that. There are no special settings that AutoCAD assigns to this file. The only two options you have as a user are the Start from Scratch with English or Metric (Fig. 4.2). Fig. 4.2

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-3 The second is usually the best method of creating a new drawing over Start from Scratch. This method is called Use a Wizard (Fig. 4.3). This method is setup for the first time users of AutoCAD LT that would like to try to force some kind of office standards without going through and making their own Drawing Templates (DWT). Even though the drawing wizard maybe very useful it also can be very time consuming to use day after day and drawing after drawing. Fig. 4.3 Tip: Whenever you see a dialog box for the first time in an application don t just interact with the dialog like you have in the past, take a little bit of time and look at what is all contained in the dialog box. You maybe surprised to find out that there was an option that you or a coworker might have been looking for.

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-4 The third and final method of creating a new drawing is the best of all three choices for starting a new drawing. This method is called Use a Template (Fig. 4.4). This method is by far the best out of the three new drawing methods there is, due to the fact that they are usually customized specifically for a companies needs and drawing practices. These files are AutoCAD LT files that are saved with a different file extension. The file extension that is used is DWT. A drawing template also can carry a description with it so it can provide addition information to the end user about the template. Now with a brief understanding of the three methods of creating a new drawing lets now focus in on the more specific details of each type. Fig. 4.4 Tip: If you get a dialog box that doesn t come up, but instead you get a Command Line version of the command. Good chances are that the system variable FILDIA is set to the value of 0. To correct this problem simply type-in FILEDIA at the Command Line and set it to the value of 1. The re-issue the command and you should notice that the dialog box now comes up. Commands that are affected by this are NEW, OPEN, SAVE, EXPORT, IMPORT, DXFIN, 3DSIN, ACISIN, DXBIN, WMFIN, and PSIN.

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-5 Start a new drawing from scratch Lets take in depth look at exactly what you get when you choose the Start from Scratch when starting a new drawing. The Start from Scratch presents only two choices, and the two choices are very different as far as end results go. The two choices are: English and Metric. The English option will setup unit of measurement, drawing units, hatch and line types for English units and nothing more. You will not be starting with a border or any drawing space configurations. The Metric option will setup unit of measurement, drawing units, hatch and line types for Metric units and nothing more. Just like the English selection you will not be starting with a border or any drawing space configurations. Even though the Start from Scratch is the fastest way to get right into drawing, for long term use it doesn t provide as much flexibility and standardization as the new two options that we will be talking about have. Using the new drawing wizard The new drawing wizard was one of the most welcome new enhancements to AutoCAD LT when it first came out and still is to this day. The drawing wizard provides an excellent starting place for new comers to the AutoCAD LT software as well as veterans of the software that are trying to create standards for their company. The wizard is composed of two options: Quick Setup and Advanced Setup. Now lets take a little time and go through both options in the drawing wizard. Quick Setup The Quick Setup is simply used to setup some settings that are more drawing type specific than the Start from Scratch method. It would be similar to buying a new car and wanting a Tape or CD player versus the good old AM\FM radio. You truly didn t change the external appearance of how the car looks, but internally you changed it. So you are just change some of the things behind the scenes that depend on how you as the user will interact with AutoCAD LT. Now lets get started and step through the screens and choices that are involved in the Quick Setup wizard.

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-6 Quick Setup Step 1 Fig. 4.5 Quick Setup Step 1 (Fig. 4.5) is used to setup the unit of measurement that you would like to use for you drawings. This measurement is an important on how AutoCAD reports back distances to you as the user and also how AutoCAD will expect you to type in distances for constructing objects in your AutoCAD LT drawings. Tip: You can always change your unit of measurement inside of AutoCAD LT once you start drawing. To change your units simply use the command DDUNITS for a dialog box or UNITS for a command line version of the units command. Note: Drawing units are stored inside a drawing. So you might someday receive a drawing that uses a different type of units. To correct this problem simply use the DDUNITS or UNITS command.

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-7 Quick Setup Step 2 Fig. 4.6 Quick Setup Step 2 (Fig. 4.6) is used to setup the area that your AutoCAD drawing will be used to represent. In this section you are setting up the limits of your drawing. Drawing limits restrict the coordinates you can enter, to within the area that was specified. The limits also drive the size of how much of the drawing will be covered by the grid that AutoCAD LT provides. Tip: You can always change your area or limits inside of your AutoCAD LT drawing once you have already started drawing. To change your area simply use the command LIMITS for a command line version of the units command. Currently there is no dialog box version of the LIMITS command. Note: The drawing grid can be a very useful tool at times. If you don t want to use the grid simply turn it off. You don t have to drawing with the grid on, some users actually find it very annoying to work with.

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-8 Advanced Setup The Quick Setup is simply used to setup some settings that are more drawing type specific than the Start from Scratch method. It would be similar to buying a new car and wanting a Tape or CD player versus the good old AM\FM radio. You truly didn t change the external appearance of how the car looks, but internally you changed it. So you are just change some of the things behind the scenes that depend on how you as the user will interact with AutoCAD LT. Now lets get started and step through the screens and choices that are involved in the Quick Setup wizard. Advanced Setup Step 1 Fig. 4.7 Advanced Setup Step 1 (Fig. 4.7) is used to setup the unit of measurement that you would like to use for you drawings. This measurement is an important on how AutoCAD reports back distances to you as the user and also how AutoCAD will expect you to type in distances for constructing objects in your AutoCAD LT drawings. Note: You can always change your unit of measurement inside of AutoCAD LT once you start drawing. To change your units simply use the command DDUNITS for a dialog box or UNITS for a command line version of the units command.

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-9 Advanced Setup Step 2 Fig. 4.9 Advanced Setup Step 2 (Fig. 4.9) is used to setup the measurement of angle you will be using when creating your AutoCAD drawing. In this section you are setting up both the precision of angular measure and the units. These units are used when you inquiry about the properties of an object in your drawing or how you have to input information into the commands of AutoCAD LT to draw your objects. Note: You can always change your angular units and angular precision inside of your AutoCAD LT drawing once you have already started drawing. To change your units simply use the command UNITS for a command line version of the angular units and angular precision command or use the DDUNITS command for a dialog box interface.

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-10 Advanced Setup Step 3 Fig. 4.10 Advanced Setup Step 3 (Fig. 4.10) is used to setup the direction of angle measurement for creating your AutoCAD LT drawings. In this section you are setting up the direction and location in which 0 Degrees is measured from. This setting greatly affects how you draw objects when you input you angle of rotation. Note: You can always change your direction of angular measurement inside of your AutoCAD LT drawing once you have already started drawing. To change your angular direction simply use the command UNITS for a command line version of the angular direction command or use the DDUNITS command for a dialog box interface.

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-11 Advanced Setup Step 4 Fig. 4.11 Advanced Setup Step 4 (Fig. 4.11) is used to setup the direction of angle measurement for creating your AutoCAD LT drawings. In this section you are setting up the direction of positive and negative rotation angles. This setting greatly affects how you draw objects when you input you angle of rotation. Note: You can always change your direction of angular measurement inside of your AutoCAD LT drawing once you have already started drawing. To change your angular direction simply use the command UNITS for a command line version of the angular direction command or use the DDUNITS command for a dialog box interface.

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-12 Advanced Setup Step 5 Fig. 4.12 Advanced Setup Step 5 (Fig. 4.12) is used to setup the area that your AutoCAD drawing will be used to represent. In this section you are setting up the limits of your drawing. Drawing limits restrict the coordinates you can enter, to within the area that was specified. The limits also drive the size of how much of the drawing will be covered by the grid that AutoCAD LT provides. Note: You can always change your area or limits inside of your AutoCAD LT drawing once you have already started drawing. To change your area simply use the command LIMITS for a command line version of the units command. Currently there is no dialog box version of the LIMITS command.

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-13 Advanced Setup Step 6 Fig. 4.13 Advanced Setup Step 6 (Fig. 4.13) is used to add a Title Block to your drawing on completion of using the Advanced Setup. In this section you can choose a Title Block by two different methods. The first method is to select a Title Block by a description and the second method is selecting a Title Block by File Name. If your Title Block isn t listed in the list you can simple browse for the Title Block by clicking the Add button. A preview is also supplied for you convenience which is located on the very right side of the tab. Tip: If you need to add a Title Block to your drawing, but need to scale it up you will not be able to select a Title Block in Step 6 and have it automatically scale it up for you. You could however have it added to the drawing and then you would just have to scale it up.

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-14 Advanced Setup Step 7 Fig. 4.14 Advanced Setup Step 7 (Fig. 4.14) is used to setup your drawing so you can take advantage of using viewports in your drawing. In this section you can choose whether or not you want your drawing to be setup to use Paper Space and Model Space or just Model Space. Some companies find it hard to relate what they do to Paper Space, but other companies when implemented into their business process can actually save time and money by using a combination of Paper and Model Space in their drawings. Tip: If you wish to work in Paper Space later you will have to use several commands to setup your viewports and also move between Model and Paper Space. The commands that you will need are TILEMODE, MSPACE, PSPACE, and MVIEW. More about these commands are covered in the Advanced class of AutoCAD LT 97. Notice how easy it is to use the Wizards for setting up your drawings compared to having to do these tasks if you wanted to Start from Scratch. In the next part of this unit we will cover Drawing Templates and why these are the most effective to use out of all the methods for starting a new drawing.

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-15 Create a new drawing from a template The AutoCAD LT drawing template is a base drawing in which you build on to generate all other drawings. There is no difference between a drawing template and a drawing outside of the extension differences. Drawing templates are one of the new editions to the AutoCAD LT drawing process. Before AutoCAD LT 95 they were referred to as a drawing prototype, which was a drawing that was simply opened and used by AutoCAD for the base of all drawings. Contents of a Template Context Description Layer A template usually has a predefined set of layers. This allows you to be standardize on how you name layers. Styles Blocks, Borders and Title Blocks Line Types Drawing Variables Drawing Units Text and dimension styles can be stored in your drawing template to enforce text and dimension standards on your drawings. These are some of the first noticed features of a drawing. If your text is a different from floor to floor or plan to plan it is harder for the end user to read the plans. It also doesn t make the drawings look very professional. Commonly used blocks can be stored in the drawing template to increase the usage of these blocks and so you don t have to worry about calling in blocks from an external file. Increases time for drawing will decrease time for chasing down blocks. Title Blocks can be inserted and scaled in the drawing template prior to using the template. Commonly used line types can be pre-loaded into the drawing template so you don t have to worry about having to always load the line types after loading AutoCAD LT and starting a new drawing. Drawing stored variables that can be predefined by a drawing template as well. Many of these include such things as blipmode, aperture, dimension variables, orthomode, and osmode just to name a few. Units are a very important part of how you drawing and how your drawings end up looking in the end. Correct drawing units can help to increase accuracy in the drawings.

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-16 Converting an existing Drawing to a Template To convert any existing drawing into a drawing template just follow the steps below. Step 1 - Open the drawing that all ready exists on your computer system and go to the menu bar. Select File>>Save As, and the Save Drawing As dialog (Fig. 4.15) will appear on the screen. Select the Save as type to being Drawing Template File (*.dwt). Note: Watch the dialog close. When you select the DWT format from the Save as type list, AutoCAD LT will change the location of where it will save the file to for the template. By default it will want to save it into the directory where AutoCAD LT looks for Drawing Templates. Fig. 4.15 Tech Tip: Whenever you see a dialog box for the first time in an application don t just interact with the dialog like you have in the past, take a little bit of time and look at what is all contained in the dialog box. You maybe surprised to find out that there was an option that you or a co-worker might have been looking for.

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-17 Step 2 - Select Save, once you have entered a name for your template and changed the path of where the file will be saved to if you desire. Step 3 - Give your template a description (Fig. 4.16) which is viewable when you go to use the template to start up a new drawing, and also select whether your template will be based on either English or Metric measurement. Fig. 4.16 Step 4 - Select OK in the Template Description dialog box to use the description and measurements that have been entered. Step 5 - Once the drawing has been saved as a drawing template you can then start a new drawing and select Use a Template (Fig. 4.17). If your drawing template doesn t appear in the Select a Template box you can select the More files from that list and browse for you drawing template. Fig. 4.17

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-18 Starting up with a template as the default You can start AutoCAD LT with a drawing template through the /t switch. This switch uses the template name that is provided with the /t switch as the default drawing template. This command is placed behind the AutoCAD LT shortcut. Lets try this now. Step 1 - Locate the icon called AutoCAD LT 97 that is on the desktop. This icon is the icon that you use to startup AutoCAD LT 97 with. Step 2 - Now that you know where the icon is just Right-Click with the mouse over the top of it. This will force the Windows Popup menu to appear. Select the Properties option from this Popup menu (Fig. 4.18). Fig. 4.18 Step 3 - Now that the Shortcut Properties Window (Fig. 4.19) is up you want to make sure that you are in the Shortcut tab. Locate the Target field (in the middle of the form). It should have in that line the path to the AutoCAD LT executable and the file ACLT.EXE. Make sure that you don t get rid of this path or AutoCAD LT won t run from the icon anymore. Create a space at the end of this path and add the following: /t c:\hyperpics\aclt\icon.dwt

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-19 Fig. 4.19 This file was preset up ahead of time. It can be substituted with any DWT file. Click the OK button at the bottom of the form. When you double click on the icon now AutoCAD LT will not ask you for a drawing template to start with. You will know if it worked correctly due to the fact that some green text will appear in the middle of the screen. The green text should contain ICON.DWT.

AutoCAD LT Introduction AutoCAD LT New Drawing Overview Section 4-20 Starting Up with my Template from the Command Line You can also start a new drawing from the command line with a drawing template. Lets try this now. System variable FILEDIA must be set to 0. Step 1 - Open AutoCAD if its not all ready going. Type in FILEDIA at the command line and set it to a value of 0. Step 2 - Now with FILEDIA set to 0 type in New at the command line. The dialog box will be bypassed and ask you for the drawing template that you wish to startup with. Step 3 - Type in the full path of the drawing template and hit enter. Summary C:\hyperpics\aclt\icon.dwt This past section talked about starting up a new drawing through different methods. We talked about Start from Scratch all the way through Drawing Templates. You should have gotten the feeling that Drawing Templates are the best way to starting any type of new drawing and add the greatest flexibility. Along with starting up a new drawing through these methods we also talked about starting up AutoCAD LT with a pre-determined Drawing Template with the use of the /t switch.