GoEngineer Blog

PDM templates have the power to radically change how files are created. In this article, we'll demonstrate how we can use templates to create folder structures and files from existing templates inside of PDM and SOLIDWORKS, using inputs to create a semi-intelligent part number system.

Every SOLIDWORKS Electrical project begins with a template - even a default template. But with many templates, one size does not often fit all right out of the box. If you find yourself making the same changes to a new project each time, even a few minor ones, then it is time to create a template.

In 2023, Dassault Systèmes announced enhancements to the SOLIDWORKS Plastics Report feature, which included updated templates for Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint. Classic and Light report templates from previous years were replaced with more organized, modern reports.  

 

In SOLIDWORKS, tables are used to annotate drawings and assemblies. Their appearance can be driven by a company standard, personal preference, or for clarifying information. A table template helps maintain consistency and avoid customizing tables for each use. Here, we will take a look at the tools available and how to use a customized table template in SOLIDWORKS.

 

You can save all Flow Simulation project data to a template, such as boundary conditions, sources, and goals. By creating Flow Simulation templates, you can save yourself some time setting up your next Flow Simulation study on any models similar to the one that you saved your template from.

At times, SOLIDWORKS users will need to customize their drawings to meet company and industry standards. This generally starts with modifying an existing drawing template and sheet format, whether it’s the default templates and sheet formats included with SOLIDWORKS or an existing sheet format used by their company. This allows us to change everything that first appears in the drawing when you create a new one, along with several items you can’t see initially, such as settings or drafting standards.

 

Every few releases it’s always a good idea to update your SOLIDWORKS templates to the latest version you and your company are currently using. Being one of the techs on the Technical Support team, we run into the rare occurrence that a part, assembly or drawing seems to have become corrupt.

Template files for parts, assemblies, and drawings are the storage location for default environmental settings used when creating new files. These control the items such as unit systems, drafting standards, first/third projection angles of drawings, dimension formatting, annotation formatting, image quality of parts, and many more options.

When you create a new document, import a file from another application, or create a derived part in SOLIDWORKS, the default template is used for the new document. However, sometimes if the file paths are not set up correctly, you may get the error message “The default templates are not valid. The problems can be resolved by correcting the default templates under the options dialog. Do you want to continue with a blank template?”