Style Libraries

A style library contains the definition of individual style types. When you apply a style to an object in a document, the attributes of the style are retrieved from the style library.

By default, all styles in the style library associated with the active drafting standard are available for formatting objects in documents. Usually the style library is managed by the CAD administrator, so that the integrity of the library is maintained across design files.

You can use a single global library so that all designers use the same styles, or you can specify a library for a specific set of design files.

What is a style library?

Autodesk Inventor LT provides a style library that contains a set of common materials, colors, and lighting for parts, as well as common drafting standards such as ANSI, ISO, and DIN for drawings. Style libraries are a common source of styles for all documents. Each style library is a collection of .xml files, one for each style type. For example, there is a file for dimensions, layers, and all other style types.

You can see a list of the style types in the browser of the Style and Standard Editor. Click Manage tab Styles and Standards panel Styles Editor .

When to use style libraries

A style library is a good way to manage styles so that they can be shared across documents. For example, material styles can be made available so that all parts have access to the same definitions. In drawings, using styles assures uniform annotations, including such details as arrowheads, dimensions, leaders, center marks, and so on.

A good time to start using style libraries is when you start a new design project, are new to Autodesk Inventor LT, or are an individual designer or work in a small group. You can use the default style library associated with the drafting standard.

To get started, you can use the default styles that are associated with each drafting standard. That is, ANSI comes with its own set of styles, as does DIN, JIS and other international standards. As your company standardizes on how to format objects, styles can be added or edited, and the changed styles saved to the style library. New documents will automatically have the styles available for formatting.

You might want to transition to using a style library later if you have active legacy files, you work in a large workgroup, and have need for one or more custom style libraries.

Use a style library when:

You work in a workgroup that needs a common source of styles.
You use document formatting changes from a CAD Administrator.
Need to easily deploy changes to styles.
You share formatting standards without providing internally controlled templates or documents.

Consider using a Style Library out of the box if you:

Are starting a new project or are a new user.
Work as an individual or in a small workgroup.
Can probably use the Default Style Library that shipped with Autodesk Inventor LT.

Working without a style library

The Application Options dialog box includes a setting that turns off a style library. When you turn a style library off, styles are only available in a document template. Use the document template for access to styles. If you change styles in the templates, all future documents will access the changes, but previously created documents will not.

Updating documents to consume style changes from a CAD Administrator and sharing styles between documents is more difficult. Styles must be manually exported, and then imported into every document requiring the change, including all template files for a project.

If you later decide to work with the style library on, update the styles for previously created documents.

To transfer styles from one document to another, import or export styles.

Working with a style library

To specify the style library to use, turn on the style library and then specify the default style library on the File tab of the Application Options dialog box.