Part V: Creating Drawings
FIGURE 20.2Creating a new customized drafting standard
The drafting standard file type has the extension of *.sldstd. If someone else has sent you a
standard file, you can read it in to your drawing and assign it, and your drawing will assume all the
customized properties.On the CD-ROM
I have saved a custom standard file and put it on the CD-ROM for Chapter 20. You can load this file into an open
drawing by choosing Tools ➪ Options ➪ Document Properties ➪ Drafting Standard and using the interface. n
Creating Drawing Formats
Creating drawing formats can be either simple or difficult. Generally, copying existing drawing
borders from other drawings imported through DXF (Data eXchange Format) or DWG format is
the easiest way to go. Trying to edit an existing border into a different size is usually much more
difficult. Adding all the automated annotation information is much easier than editing the lines in
the border and title block.Customizing an existing format
The simple solution is to customize an existing format of the size or sizes you require for your own
use. This generally works well, and you can usually finish the task in a few minutes, depending on
your requirements. The easiest option is to take the existing SolidWorks sample formats and add a
few things such as a company name, logo, and tolerance block to them. You can also use formats
from other drawings, editing and saving them out as your own.Sample formats
The sample formats installed with SolidWorks include ANSI sizes A through E, and ISO sizes A0
through A4. You can probably find enough space on the formats to place a company logo and some
standard notes. These templates are located in different directories in Windows XP, Windows Vista,
and Windows 7. Choose Tools ➪ Options ➪ File Locations to locate the path for your templates.You cannot open a format directly — it must be on a drawing — and, so, to get a closer look at the
format, you must make a new drawing using the format.