Chapter 20: Automating Drawings: The Basics
FIGURE 20.13Using the Title Block function
Select each Note item to add it to the list in the PropertyManager selection box. Use the arrows to
the left of the box to assign the order in which the user cycles through the boxes. The idea is that
the user clicks in a box within the Title Block area, fills it in, then presses Enter or Tab to get to the
next box. The order will loop if the user does not start on the first box listed in the
PropertyManager.On the CD-ROM
You will find a sample template with a format with a Title Block definition added to it on the CD-ROM. The file
is called title block.drwdot. Add it to your template library folder and try it out. n
Creating a format from a blank screen
SolidWorks is not good at manipulating a lot of 2D sketch-line data, such as what you find when
drawing title blocks. I have gone through the process of making my own formats, as well as the
process of importing DWG data from which to create them. If you choose to custom build one size
and then use it to create the rest of the sizes, you need to be patient. SolidWorks typically select
the most useful parametric sketch functions when working with a format (what SolidWorks con-
siders a large sketch) because of speed problems. If you would like to select these settings, you can
find them by choosing Tools ➪ Sketch Settings.If you insist on creating your own borders and title blocks, set aside some time for it and have an
idea of what you are trying to achieve, maybe sketched out by hand or in a printout of a title block
that you would like to replicate. You can also use the DWG Editor, which is much better suited to
this kind of work.