Can I Change Drawing Templates For Existing Drawings Solidworks

Solidworks is a powerful software used by engineers and designers to create 3D models and drawings. One of the great features of Solidworks is the ability to change drawing templates for existing drawings. This allows you to update the look and layout of your drawings without having to recreate them from scratch.

In this blog post, we will explore how you can change drawing templates in Solidworks and provide step-by-step instructions on various actions, such as creating a new template, creating a default template, moving a template to a different folder, and saving a drawing as a template. We will also answer common questions like what is Slddrt in Solidworks, how to create a custom drawing sheet, and more.

So, if you’re ready to give your Solidworks drawings a fresh new look or customize them to your specific needs, read on to discover the ins and outs of changing drawing templates in Solidworks.

Can I Change Drawing Templates For Existing Drawings in Solidworks

Solidworks is a powerful software that allows engineers and designers to create detailed and accurate drawings of their designs. However, there may come a time when you want to change the template of an existing drawing. Maybe you want to give your drawings a fresh look or align them with your company’s branding. Whatever the reason, you might be wondering: can I change drawing templates for existing drawings in Solidworks? The answer, my friend, is a resounding YES!

The Magic of Solidworks Templates

Before we dive into the process of changing drawing templates, let’s first understand what templates are in the world of Solidworks. Think of templates as the magical blueprints that define the structure and formatting of your drawings. They determine the layout, dimensions, title blocks, and other essential elements of a drawing.

Unleash Your Creative Powers

Now that we know what templates are, let’s unleash our creative powers and change that boring old template! Solidworks makes it super easy to swap out the template for an existing drawing. All you need to do is follow a few simple steps, and voila! Your drawings will be reborn with a fresh new look.

Step 1: Open the Drawing

First and foremost, open the drawing that you want to work on. Find it in your Solidworks project, click on it, and watch the magic happen as the drawing appears before your eyes. Ah, the power of technology!

Step 2: Go to the Sheet Properties

Once your drawing is open, go to the magical land of Sheet Properties. You can find this enchanting place by clicking on the “File” menu, then selecting “Properties.” Alternatively, you can use the shortcut method by pressing the “Ctrl”+”D” keys on your keyboard. Easy peasy, right?

Step 3: Embrace the Change

Now that you’re in the Sheet Properties window, it’s time to embrace change. Here, you’ll find a tab called “Sheet Format.” Open it and let the possibilities unfold. Within this tab, you’ll see an option to change the sheet format file. Click on that, and a world of templates will reveal itself to you.

Step 4: Find Your Dream Template

Once you’ve opened the door to the template realm, browse through the available options until you find the template of your dreams. Solidworks provides a variety of templates to choose from, so take your time and explore your options. Remember, this is your chance to let your creativity shine!

Step 5: Apply the Template

Once you’ve found your perfect match, apply the template to your drawing by clicking the “Apply” button. Solidworks works its magic behind the scenes, seamlessly integrating the new template into your existing drawing. In the blink of an eye, your drawing will transform into a work of art that would make even the Mona Lisa jealous.

Step 6: Revel in your Awesomeness

Take a moment to revel in your awesomeness! Admire your newly transformed drawing and bask in the glory of your design prowess. Solidworks has unleashed your creative powers, allowing you to personalize your drawings like never before. Let the world know that you, my friend, are a master of templates!

So, my fellow designers, fear not! Changing drawing templates for existing drawings in Solidworks is as easy as waving a magical wand. With a few simple steps, you can breathe new life into your drawings and unleash your creative potential. So go forth, my friends, and let your imagination run wild in the enchanted realm of Solidworks!

FAQ: Can I Change Drawing Templates For Existing Drawings in SolidWorks

What is Slddrt solidworks?

Slddrt stands for SolidWorks Drawing Template. It is a file that contains predefined settings, such as page layout, units, fonts, and other formatting options, which are used as a starting point when creating new drawings in SolidWorks.

How do I create a new template in SolidWorks?

To create a new template in SolidWorks, follow these steps:

  1. Open a new drawing or an existing template.
  2. Customize the settings, including title block, sheet size, borders, dimensions, annotations, etc.
  3. Click on “Save As” from the “File” menu.
  4. Choose a location to save the template.
  5. Enter a name for the template in the “File name” field.
  6. Select “Drawing Template (*.drwdot)” from the “Save as type” dropdown menu.
  7. Click on “Save” to create the new template.

How do I create a default template in SolidWorks?

Creating a default template in SolidWorks ensures that it is automatically selected every time you start a new drawing. Follow these steps:

  1. Create a new template or customize an existing one.
  2. Save the template using the steps mentioned in the previous question.
  3. Go to “Tools” > “Options” in the menu bar.
  4. In the “System Options” dialog box, click on the “Default Templates” tab.
  5. Choose the desired template from the dropdown menu for each category, such as part, assembly, and drawing.
  6. Click on “OK” to save the changes.

How do I move a template from one template folder to another folder?

To move a template from one folder to another in SolidWorks, follow these steps:

  1. Locate the template file on your computer.
  2. Cut the file (Ctrl+X) or copy it (Ctrl+C).
  3. Navigate to the desired template folder.
  4. Paste the file into the new folder (Ctrl+V).
  5. SolidWorks will detect the file in the new location when you access the template list.

How do I save a drawing as a template in SolidWorks?

Saving a drawing as a template allows you to reuse the same format for future drawings. Follow these steps:

  1. Open the drawing you want to save as a template.
  2. Customize the drawing settings, including dimensions, annotations, title block, etc.
  3. Click on “Save As” from the “File” menu.
  4. Choose a location to save the template.
  5. Enter a name for the template in the “File name” field.
  6. Select “Drawing Template (*.drwdot)” from the “Save as type” dropdown menu.
  7. Click on “Save” to create the new template.

How do I create a custom drawing sheet in SolidWorks?

To create a custom drawing sheet in SolidWorks, follow these steps:

  1. Open a new or existing drawing.
  2. Right-click on the drawing sheet and select “Properties” from the context menu.
  3. In the “Sheet Properties” dialog box, customize the sheet settings, such as size, name, orientation, etc.
  4. Click on “OK” to apply the changes and create the custom drawing sheet.

How do I change a drawing template?

To change the drawing template for an existing drawing in SolidWorks, follow these steps:

  1. Open the drawing you want to change the template for.
  2. Click on “Sheet Format” from the Format menu.
  3. Choose “Browse” and navigate to the desired template file.
  4. Select the new template file and click on “Open.”
  5. Confirm the changes by clicking on “Yes” in the dialog box.
  6. The drawing will now use the new template for its format.

What is a Drwdot?

A Drwdot file is a SolidWorks Drawing Template file. It serves as the starting point for creating new drawings in SolidWorks. Drwdot files contain predefined settings, such as fonts, dimension styles, tables, title blocks, and other formatting options.

How can you correct an over defined sketch?

To correct an over defined sketch in SolidWorks, follow these steps:

  1. Select the over defined sketch entity.
  2. Right-click on the selected entity and choose “Delete” from the context menu.
  3. Alternatively, you can modify the dimensions or constraints of the sketch to remove the over definition.
  4. Adjust the sketch until it no longer shows any over defined entities or dimensions.
  5. Click on “Rebuild” to update and validate the sketch.

How do I edit a drawing in SolidWorks?

To edit a drawing in SolidWorks, follow these steps:

  1. Open the drawing you want to edit.
  2. Make the desired changes, such as modifying dimensions, annotations, views, etc.
  3. Save the modifications by clicking on “Save” from the “File” menu.
  4. Close the drawing when you’re done editing.

How do I change the drawing of a logo in SolidWorks?

To change the drawing of a logo in SolidWorks, follow these steps:

  1. Open the drawing containing the logo.
  2. Locate the logo image on the drawing sheet.
  3. Right-click on the logo and select “Edit Sheet Format” from the context menu.
  4. Modify the logo by replacing it with a new image or edit the existing one.
  5. Save the changes and close the “Edit Sheet Format” mode.
  6. The logo in the drawing will now reflect the modifications made.

What is Treehouse in SolidWorks?

Treehouse in SolidWorks is a project management application that allows users to create, modify, and visualize the hierarchical structure of assemblies. It provides a visual representation of the assembly’s components, sub-assemblies, and their relationships. This tool helps users plan and organize their design projects efficiently.

How do I install a template in SolidWorks 2023?

To install a template in SolidWorks 2023, follow these steps:

  1. Download the template file to your computer.
  2. Open SolidWorks 2023 on your system.
  3. Go to “Tools” > “Options” in the menu bar.
  4. In the “System Options” dialog box, click on the “File Locations” tab.
  5. Select “Document templates” from the dropdown menu.
  6. Click on “Add” and browse to the location where you saved the template file.
  7. Click on “OK” to save the changes.
  8. The template will now be available in the template list when creating new drawings.

Where are SolidWorks drawing templates saved?

SolidWorks drawing templates are saved in a default folder location determined by the software installation. The default template folder for SolidWorks is usually: C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS\templates.

How do I choose a template in SolidWorks?

To choose a template in SolidWorks when creating a new drawing, follow these steps:

  1. Go to “File” > “New” > “Drawing” in the menu bar.
  2. In the “New SolidWorks Document” dialog box, choose the desired template from the list.
  3. Preview the template by selecting it and clicking on “Preview.”
  4. Once you’ve selected the preferred template, click on “OK” to create the new drawing using that template.

How do I change the template folder in SolidWorks?

To change the template folder location in SolidWorks, follow these steps:

  1. Go to “Tools” > “Options” in the menu bar.
  2. In the “System Options” dialog box, click on the “File Locations” tab.
  3. Select “Document templates” from the dropdown menu.
  4. Click on “Add” and browse to the new folder location where you want to store your templates.
  5. Click on “OK” to save the changes.
  6. SolidWorks will now use the new folder as the template location.

When you start a new SolidWorks document, what is the choice of standard templates?

When starting a new SolidWorks document, you are presented with a range of standard templates to choose from. These include templates for Part, Assembly, Drawings, Sheet Metal, Weldments, and more. Each template is tailored to a specific design discipline or requirement, ensuring an efficient and accurate start to your project.

How do you update a SolidWorks drawing template?

To update a SolidWorks drawing template, follow these steps:

  1. Make the necessary changes to the existing template or create a new template with the desired modifications.
  2. Save the updated template using the steps mentioned earlier.
  3. Open any existing drawing that uses the template you want to update.
  4. Click on “Sheet Format” from the Format menu.
  5. Choose “Browse” and navigate to the updated template file.
  6. Select the new template file and click on “Open.”
  7. Confirm the changes by clicking on “Yes” in the dialog box.
  8. The drawing will now be updated with the changes from the new template.

How do I change the scale of a drawing in SolidWorks?

To change the scale of a drawing in SolidWorks, follow these steps:

  1. Open the drawing you want to change the scale of.
  2. Click on the view you want to modify the scale of.
  3. In the PropertyManager, under the “Standard Scale” section, choose a desired scale from the dropdown menu.
  4. Alternatively, you can enter a custom scale in the “Custom Scale” field.
  5. The view will now be adjusted according to the new scale you specified.

What is an engineering drawing template?

An engineering drawing template in SolidWorks is a file that contains predefined settings and formatting options specifically designed for engineering documentation. It includes elements such as title blocks, borders, symbols, and other graphical information necessary for clear and consistent communication of engineering designs.

What is the difference between “edit sheet format” and “edit sheet” in SolidWorks?

In SolidWorks, “Edit Sheet Format” allows you to modify elements that are part of the drawing sheet’s background, such as the title block, border, logos, and company information. It doesn’t affect the views or annotations on the drawing.

On the other hand, “Edit Sheet” mode allows you to modify the drawing views, annotations, dimensions, or any other graphic elements added to the sheet. In this mode, you can make changes to the content without affecting the sheet format surrounding it.


Now that you have answers to some common questions about changing drawing templates in SolidWorks, you’re well-equipped to customize your drawings to meet your specific needs. So go ahead, unleash your creativity, and make your SolidWorks drawings truly stand out!

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