Getting Started with Templates
Ok, this has taken me a while to figure out, between searching the Help and the forums, and some comments folks have left on this blog, but I think I got it. The reason it has taken so long is that I have pre-existing assumptions about templates, coming from SolidWorks and MSWord. I’ve only gotten to part templates so far, nothing yet for assembly or drawing templates. I need to also point out that Luc (SolidDNA) wrote up a nice tutorial in the comments of an earlier post. Thanks for that.
Solid Edge templates work a little differently than other programs I’ve used. They are more like start documents. They keep the same sort of info that templates hold in SolidWorks, though. For example, I like to work with white backgrounds, just out of habit for writing for publications. Gradients can look like crap when printed, and even when screen captured. So I figured how to set that (View > View Overrides > Backgrounds), and then saved it to a template, and made that template the default.
Here are a few things beginners coming from SW need to know about Solid Edge templates:
- Templates don’t have different file extensions in SE like they do in SW. A part template has the same extension that a regular part has: *.par. So when making a template, just get a file with whatever settings you want to use as a starting point, and save it to your template folder. You can even save parts with geometry in them and use them as templates for special cases.
- In Solid Edge, you have to first establish a location for user defined templates, and then save a template or two, then they become available on tabs in the New dialog, like the Advanced interface for selecting SW templates. Solid Edge options are available by clicking the Solid Edge icon in the upper left, then Solid Edge Options > File Locations > User Templates.
- To save a template in SE, you just save a regular part, there is no special command for saving a template.
- To set the default template (after creating a custom template in Step 2 above) go to App Menu > Solid Edge Options > Helpers > Set Default Templates > … But you also have to make sure that on the same page, you have the Start Using This Template setting set to whatever kind of document you want to create when you first open Solid Edge. For me, for now, I always want to create a new part when I open SE.
So, for you veterans, this is old news, but for a learning noob, this is important to know.
Also, you can put your main generic templates in a folder and then put special templates in sub-folders beneath it and then point the “user template” location to the folder, and the sub-folders will show up as tabs in the new file form…
matt, when you create (sub)folders in your template folder you get extra tabs in the dialog. Easy when working for different clients or projects or whatever…
Matt, backgrounds that use gradient shading or an image are file specific meaning they have to be set in the template with the view override. If you set it to “Solid Edge Default”, then the user specific workstation setting for Background color found in Options/Colors is used… This is nice if using a company wide template from a network location and each user has his or her own preference of which color they want their background to be…
OK, I bit. I don’t have time for Beta, but I’m assuming this will be a more focused, less time consuming interaction with a possibly bigger payoff.
Jerry Steiger
I believe I’ve signed up for this twice. Haven’t heard anything as of yet. I recall seeing the ImpactXoft stuff a couple years ago. The demo was impressive, as most ‘canned’ demos are.
I agree with Devon, SW should pay for it’s users expertise. I’d like to see this, I mean I don’t consider myself a plastic part designer, yet. I’d like to think that the software I’m using would be able to handle some complexe designs (which it doesd currently) but also help me with those designs using somekind of plastic guide book.
Steve
Hi Matt-
I hope you check out this beta software. Better yet, SolidWorks should pay you for your expertise and your time to test this application.
I’d be more interested in a fully mature and tested application.
Devon