Article Scope
VIEWWorx drawings require AutoCAD drawing template (*.dwt) files. This article describes the steps to create them for plan, elevation, and isometric drawing layouts. These templates must reside within a specific Windows directory set within the Worx Settings. Once templates exist, they can be selected to produce many layout drawing types.
Contents
STEP 1 - Set the VIEWWorx Template Folder Location
STEP 2 - Add AutoCAD Viewports within templates
STEP 3 - Save Templates with purposeful file names
STEP 4 - Refresh the Template list and use them
Step 1 - Set the VIEWWorx Template Folder Location
Create and name many templates because having them available to service a broad array of use cases is advantageous and saves time.
Creating templates for plan, elevation, and isometric views is possible. Templates can have numerous AutoCAD Viewports to make the typical front, top, and side views, and perhaps there is an excellent reason to include an isometric viewport for even more clarity.
The first step is to set the VIEWWorx folder locations. This is accomplished under the Worx Settings.
Step 2 - Add AutoCAD Viewports within templates
Open new or existing *.dwt files to add and set up Viewport layouts within them.
VIEWWorx automatically creates drawings where 3D objects are inserted as External References (XREF).
Those objects will be displayed within the Layout tab viewports. Templates generally only need one Layout tab, but there are no restrictions.
settingsInsert drawing borders within the target Layout tabs. View Types, Visual Styles, Shade Plots, and Scale settings are set here before adding Viewports. Once set, click the 'Draw Area for Views' button to insert them.
Repeat and add more Viewports for the desired Layout results.
ProTip: All Viewports inserted are set as Locked by default, so users must unlock them before alterations can be made.
Pick the Viewport corners. Repeat this for another View Type to fill drawing templates with desired Layout views.
Worx Settings control the Viewport bounding rectangle layers and colors, and they are found here alongside some other layer and color settings.
Step 3 - Saving templates with purposeful names.
Users will become informed and make better choices with Template names that describe their purpose.
Naming conventions should be established, and users should be trained against them. There are no rules, so develop something sustainable.
For example, the Worx Project templates are named as follows: (#)_(BorderSize)_(ViewportTypes Scale).dwt
# - equals the drawing type, plan, elevations, isometrics, and
BorderSize - equals the drawing dimensions, and
Viewport types and their ViewPort scales.
ProTip: The Worx Projects content is available to Worx Plugin customers and contains many AutoCAD, AutoCAD PLANT 3D, and CADWorx project setups and configurations. Contact us for more information.
STEP 4 - Refresh the Template list and use them
Layout drawing production is finished by selecting one or more Worx Boxes to create drawings under the Drawing Production section of the Named Views and LIne Views.
Remember to refresh the palette so that newly added templates are displayed. Then select on or more Worx Boxes, a Template, set the Scale, and click the Create drawings button.
In this example, the ISO-SE template was used to produce 3D isometrics.
ProTip. The LIne View tab will process any AutoCAD PLANT 3D or CADWorx piping route with its LineTag value populated.
