File Templates

Cimatron uses various types of templates to speed up the work process and automate different operations.

Using File Templates

What is the difference between a File Template and the Preferences?

Loading (Applying) a File Template

Saving (Creating) a File Template

Importing Data from a File Template to an Existing File

Note: All user-defined templates are stored in the same location.

Using File Templates

There are many useful ways of using the File Template; some of which are mentioned below.

Default parameters

Each parameter in the system has a default parameter. In most cases that parameter is kept in the File Template. For example, the default size of the extrude operation is 100 millimeters or 1 inch. If your typical parts are bigger or smaller than that, you can create a template with other default settings. You do that by opening a new file and creating an extrude operation with the size you want to use as a default. You can see that on the part future extrude operations will use the same parameter. Saving this part as a template will set that size as the default size for extrudes. Note that the defaults for Add/New Extrude and Remove Extrude are different, so make sure you set them all to the size you want. It is recommended to always open a new file, make the changes you want to have, and then save it as a template. This way you have good control over which changes are saved to the template.

Sets and M-Views

The default Sets that appear in a new file can also be changed using File Templates. In order to do that, open a new file of the type you want to change; for example, a Part file. The default Part File Template contains the following Sets:

• All Entities and Archive - These two Sets are hard-coded Sets and are created in any file.

• Curves - Criteria Set holding all the curves that will be created in the file.

• Planes -Criteria Set holding all the planes that will be created in the file.

• PMI - Criteria Set holding all the PMI (Product and Manufacturing Information) that will be created in the file.

• Points - Criteria Set holding all the points that will be created in the file.

• UCS - Criteria Set holding all the UCSs that will be created in the file.

Note: You can see these Sets by clicking the Sets tab in the Features Tree.

In order to change these default Sets, you may add or remove Sets (you may also add selection Sets but these will naturally be empty on new files). Once you have changed the Sets to your liking, you may save the File Template, and those Sets will appear in new files which were opened using the saved template. Again, it is advisable to make the change on a new file so that you have complete control over what is changed.

Determine various display settings

Some settings can be set in a template; for example, if you want to determine the default setting of the items under View > Settings (are Edges on or off, are Datums on or off, etc.), or if you want to determine the default settings of items under View > Settings (your preferred Display Settings, Display Effects (Lights and Textures & Material settings), etc.), you can simply determine your preferred settings and then save the file as a template and have these preferred settings brought in to new files that are created from that template. Again, it is advisable to make the change on a new file so that you have complete control over what is changed.

What is the difference between a File Template and the Preferences?

Some settings that relate to different types of files can be set using templates. These are usually parameters that can change from one file to another (for example, you could have different settings for large or small parts or for different kinds of metal, etc.). Such parameters can be display settings, parameters of functions, Sets, and M-Views. Basically, items that are in the Preferences cannot be set by the File Template, and vice versa.

Some functionality may be dependent on the product package. Contact your Reseller if you require a license.