What is a ʼStandard Templateʼ in SolidWorks?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

A Standard Template in SolidWorks is a predefined part, assembly, or drawing file used when you create a new document through New. It typically stores units, drafting standards, document properties, and default settings. The most common professional method is setting custom template paths and assigning default templates. Limitation: it does not automatically update older files.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: If your Standard Template has wrong units, drafting standard, or custom properties, every new file created from it will inherit those errors. A common failure is teams mixing ISO and ANSI templates, which causes dimension style mismatches and drawing rework later.

How to Set a Standard Template

  • Command: New

  • Shortcut: Ctrl+N

  • Quick Steps:

    1. Open a clean part, assembly, or drawing, then go to Tools > Options > Document Properties and set the required standard, units, dimensions, and annotations.
    2. Use File > Save As, choose the correct template type: Part Templates (.prtdot), Assembly Templates (.asmdot), or *Drawing Templates (.drwdot)**, and save it in your company template folder.
    3. Go to Tools > Options > System Options > Default Templates or File Locations > Document Templates, assign the template path, and enable the proper default template selection behavior.

Variables & Settings

  • Key Setting: Tools > Options > System Options > Default Templates

  • Expert Setting: This controls which template SolidWorks uses automatically for new part, assembly, and drawing files. If these are not mapped correctly, Ctrl+N may open the wrong company standard or trigger the template selection prompt instead of using the intended default.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): The drawing template may reference an incorrect sheet format, sheet size, or predefined views setup, causing broken title blocks or wrong paper layout.
  • Cause 2 (layers/Locks): The template file may be stored in a read-only network folder or users may not have permission to the document template location, so SolidWorks cannot load or update it properly.
  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): Users often confuse document templates with sheet formats; editing a drawing template alone does not update title block content stored in the sheet format file.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: Use Tools > Options > System Options > Default Templates and File Locations > Document Templates to point all users to the approved network template folder, then recreate new files from that template only.
  • Manager’s Verdict: Use Standard Templates for all production work to lock down units, standards, and properties. Avoid ad hoc local templates because they create inconsistent deliverables across teams.

FAQ

What file types are used for Standard Templates in SolidWorks?

Part templates use .prtdot, assembly templates use .asmdot, and drawing templates use .drwdot.

Does changing a Standard Template update existing files?

No, it only affects new documents created from that template.

Is a drawing template the same as a sheet format?

No, a drawing template stores document settings, while a sheet format stores the title block and border layout.

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