Streamline Template control in Solid Edge ST7

With over 1,300 customer requests addressed in Solid Edge ST7, I feel it’s worth covering the highlights of this latest release.

I’d like to start with the new template control. In previous versions it has been a tedious process to change the standard of the default templates. In ST7, the template folder and template control mechanism has been restructured to make this much easier. Let’s explore this new mechanism.

When you launch ST7, you’ll notice the newly designed startup screen.

Notice the list of default templates. These templates are populated based on the standards selected in the initial installation.

From the startup screen, click the Edit List link.

Notice that the new Template List Creation dialog appears.

From the Standard Template column, on the left hand side, select the ANSI Inch standard.

Click OK, and notice that the default templates have been updated to the ANSI Inch standard.

This new approach allows for users to set and change their own template standards, regardless of the initial setup standards.

For you users, that may have existing custom templates, it’s very easy to reuse them with this new mechanism. Simply tell Solid Edge where your custom template folder resides. This is the same process as in previous versions. Bring up the Solid Edge Options > File Locations tab.

Select the User templates header and click the Modify button.

Browse to where your custom template folder resides, in your data base. In this example I’m using a “My custom templates” folder.

Click OK to accept the folder location. Then click OK to close the Solid Edge Option dialog.

Notice that the startup screen now contains my custom templates. If you click on the Edit List link again, you’ll notice that the User Templates have been added to the left column, above the Standard Templates.

Again, this new approach allows for users to set and change between their own template standards, including custom templates, regardless of the initial setup standards.

Another new option is the ability to mix templates into a custom list. Suppose that your job requires you to create a series of mechanical drawings. You could create a custom list of different draft templates to allow you to select different standards directly from the startup screen.

To set this up, click on the Edit List link. At the bottom of the Template List Creation dialog, click the create new list button.

In the List name field, type in Draft Templates.

Click OK, and notice that the Draft Templates header is added under a Custom Templates header.

Using the Browse button, located beside the Add Template field, browse to the ANSI Inch Templates and select the “ansi inch draft.dft” file

Click OK. In the Displayed name field, type in ANSI Inch Draft and click the Add button. Notice that you can also add a description if you wish.

Repeat this step and add as many draft templates that you will need. In this example I added the following Draft templates:

• ANSI Metric Draft
• DIN Metric Draft
• ISO Metric Draft

Click OK. Notice the list has been added to the Startup screen.

Click on the Edit List link again. Notice the other options at the bottom of the dialog.

1. You can rename a list.

2. You can delete a list.

3. You can save a list without having it appear on the startup screen.

Even with the creation of a list, you can always switch back to other standards as your need requires.

This is just one of the many useful and time saving enhancements in Solid Edge ST7. DesignFusion also offers a “What’s new in ST7” course, for those of you who prefer a more instructed hands-on approach.
www.designfusion.ca

For more Solid Edge tips and tricks, check out Designfusion’s blog.
www.designfusion.com

John Pearson is a Senior Technical Trainer and Application Specialist at Designfusion. He has over 24 years’ experience in the CAD/CAM industry, is a Certified Adult Trainer and has taught evening CAD courses at colleges in Ontario. He is also a major contributor of articles on the Design Fusion blog.