Create a drawing template

Add the title block, set drawing properties, and define wire layers while creating a drawing template.

A drawing template file is used to provide consistency in the drawings that you create by providing standard styles and settings.

When a drawing template file is used to start a new drawing it can:

• Predefine AutoCAD Electrical toolset drawing properties such as component tagging, wire numbering format, and so on.
• Predefine layers and layer properties.
• Predefine wire layers.
• Provide your drawing border and title block.

By default, drawing template files are stored in the template folder, where they are easily accessible.

1. Enter QNEW at the command prompt to start a new drawing.
2. Select the acad.dwt template.
3. Click Open.
4. Enter INSERT at the command prompt.
5. Click Browse.
6. Navigate to and select the title block ACADE_TITLE.DWG created for the border.
7. Click Open.
8. On the Insert dialog box, make sure the Explode option is not checked.
9. Click OK.
10. Specify the insertion point at 0,0,0.
11. If prompted for attribute values, leave them blank.
    Note:

    Attributes are invisible if no default values are assigned.

12. Click Schematic tabOther Tools panelDrawing Properties. Find

    The alert displays.

    
13. Click OK to insert the WD_M block.
14. Set the default drawing properties such as component tagging, wire numbering, cross-referencing, and so on.
    Note:

    No specific changes are needed for this tutorial.

15. Click OK.
16. Click Schematic tabEdit Wires/Wire Numbers panelCreate/Edit Wire Type. Find
17. Add wire layers as needed. Set the properties, color, linetype, and lineweight for each layer. For example:
    • In the Create/Edit Wire Type dialog box, click inside the Wire Color column for a blank row and enter RED for a new wire layer.
    • Click inside the Size column and enter 12 for the size.

      The Layer Name RED_12 is automatically created.

    • Click Color.
    • Select Red and click OK.
    • Click OK.

      The layer is created and defined as a wire layer.

18. Enter SAVEAS at the command prompt.
19. Set the file type as AutoCAD Drawing Template (*.dwt).
20. Enter the file name, AEGS_ELECTRICAL.
21. Click Save.

    The Template Options dialog box displays.

22. Select OK.
23. Close the drawing, AEGS_ELECTRICAL.DWT.