Custom Document Templates
Every part, assembly, and drawing made in SolidWorks uses a document template. These templates can be used to set Drafting Standard, Material Properties, Standardized Drawing Title Blocks, and much more. SolidWorks has default document templates, however it does allow you import and create Custom Document Templates as well.
Any file can be saved as a document template, so that when a file is used as a template when creating a new file, a copy is created. You can take advantage this by making templates out of parts/assemblies/drawings you frequently create for FRC (such as 2x1 tube, pullies, hex shaft, spacers, ect.). This can save a tremendous amount of CAD busy work.
3512 Custom Document Template Files
You can download our custom document template files here!
Custom Document Template Examples
Here is a list of all the Custom Document Templates we have created:
We use the term Generator for document templates that use a combination of equations and configurations to create different versions of the same part.
- Equations and Configurations will be covered in a different post.
Aluminum Box Tube Generator
This template allows you to create different types of tube with hole patterns on both faces:
- 1.0 x 1.0
- 1.5 x 1.5
- 2.0 x 1.0
- 2.0 x 2.0
The hole pattern will parametrically adapt based on the user inputted tube length by managing equations.
Hex Shaft Generator
This templates allows the you to choose between different types of hex shaft using configurations:
- 3/8" and 1/2" Hex w/ Snap Ring Grooves
- 3/8" and 1/2" Hex ThunderHex
- 3/8" and 1/2" Hex Captive Shafts
Additionally, you can quickly change the Length of the shaft (among other things) by managing equations.
HTD Pulley Generator
This template allows you to change the pulley tooth count on the fly by Managing Equations to get almost any size HTD pulley you desire. Additionally, the tooth count and part name are automatically embossed into the pulley face as well as having an integrated 0.0625 spacer.
HTD Belt Generator
This template allows you to specify Pulley 1 Tooth Count, Pulley 2 Tooth Count, and Belt Tooth Count to generate a HTD belt with the correct center-to-center distance.
- The belt generators are a rare example of a COTS part that we have a Generator for. This is because while 2 70T HTD 5mm belts are identical in real life, if the pulleys driving those belts are different sizes the outside shape of the belt appears different in CAD which means its essentially a different part as far as SolidWorks is concerned.
Creating and Using Your Own Custom Document Templates
As mentioned above, and part can be be saved as a part template. The example below uses a standoff.
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Design a simple standoff
Make sure to set drafting standard, material properties, appearance, and anything else you’d like the finished document template to have.
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Save the standoff as a .partdot file
Note that when you switch the file type to .partdot SolidWorks may change the file location on you initially. Make sure to save this into a known folder, and you want to save all of your custom document templates into the same folder.
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Add your custom document template to SolidWorks
Click the Options gear, then choose File Locations from the menu on the left. Next choose Document Templates from the drop down menu. Click the Add button, select your folder, and click Select Folder. Finally, click OK. You may have to agree to a few Windows pop-ups.
- Note this step only has to be done the once, you can skip this step when creating subsequent document templates
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Create a new standoff using the template
You are finally ready to use your part template! Create a New Part, click the Advanced button at the bottom left, select the tab corresponding to the name of your template folder, then select your Standoff. Click OK.
This will create a brand new standoff part, and you are free to change its dimensions to fit your needs.
