Starting a New Drawing

You can create a new drawing starting from an existing template file or from a previously created custom template file.

About Drawings and Templates

A template is a prototype drawing containing the settings you want for the new drawing, such as units, styles, layer properties, dimension and text styles, etc. As the templates store the settings, you should not specify any settings after creating the drawing.

The software provides a set of public templates that are visible for all users. Additionally, you can create custom templates outside the application and upload them to the Cloud Storage, in the My Templates area.

Using drawing templates saves time because you can reuse the elements and settings of an already existing drawing.

• Templates are useful for drawing elements such as logos, title Blocks, frames, boundaries, rulers, guidelines, and views.
• Every drawing requires specific settings for units, snap and grid, and drawing bounds. In templates, you determine these settings according to specific requirements.
• Use templates to set up DimensionStyles and load LineStyles and TextStyles that you frequently use.
• Set local settings that are loaded with the template to standardize drafting and editing defaults.
• Create layers in the template to group drawing entities and assign them colors, LineStyles, and LineWeights.

Creating templates with these elements and parameters ensures that new drawings follow the standards of your company, organization, or industry.

Templates use the .dwt extension.

Automatic Saves

By default, the application automatically saves the drawing (as a new version) after 10 changes made in the drawing or after 5 minutes if there were any changes.

The drawing is automatically saved in the current folder. As you work, the drawings are automatically saved in the location specified at creation time.

You can move drawings to another folder using the Cloud Storage Explorer.

To start a new drawing:

1. On the Cloud Storage Explorer's toolbar, click Create new drawing .
2. In the dialog box, do the following:
   • Name. Specify the drawing name.
   • Template. Specify the template. The list includes all existing public templates as well as custom templates that you have created.
3. Click Create.

   The drawing is open.