About Templates for Weldments

You can use the default template or another predefined template, modify one of the predefined templates, or create your own templates.

Each new weldment file is created from a template. When you install Inventor, your selection of default units of measurement sets the default template used to create weldments.

Any weldment file can be used as a template. A weldment file becomes a template when you save it in the Templates folder. For example, if you have a weldment file that contains settings and properties you want to use for other weldments, save a copy of it in the Autodesk\Inventor [version]\Templates folder. The next time you create a weldment file, the new template is available.

Deciding what to include in a weldment template

Any settings that streamline the creation of weldments or established default values can be included in a template.

• Set and define the default weld bead material.
• Set the visibility and enabled status of the weld bead.
• Change the sizes of the origin work planes to accommodate the average size of the weldments you create.
• If you use differing units of measurement in different weldments, create separate templates for each.
• Define the columns and format for the bill of materials.
• Define commonly used parameters or link to a spreadsheet of parameters. Use this method to establish your own parameter names, enter instructions or other explanatory text in the parameters list, or set up your own parameters.

Setting properties

As with standard assemblies, you can specify properties such as cost center, project name, or manager, and then save them as part of the template. Use properties to find, track, and manage files. They can also be used to add and maintain information in title blocks, parts lists, and bill of materials automatically.

You can also specify properties that are specific to weld beads such as the weld bead material and weld bead visibility and enabled status.

Setting a default weldment template

You can set any template to be the default template for creating new weldments. To make a template the default, save it in the Templates folder with the file name "weldment.iam." To avoid replacing the existing default template, move or rename the existing standard template before saving the new template.

Files that reside in the Templates folder appear on the Default tab of the New dialog box when you create new files. Files that reside in a subfolder of the Templates folder appear other tabs in the New dialog box.

Note: To add tabs to the New dialog box, create new subfolders in the Templates folder, and then add template files to them. The New dialog box displays a tab for each subfolder in the Templates folder.