Blog How to Eliminate 2D Drawings with SOLIDWORKS MBD - Part 2
SOLIDWORKS MBD templates allow you to edit the background, add text blocks, and images. To customize the template they have included a handy button right on the main toolbar.
Inside the template editor you will find more tools to customize your template. Let's take a look!
By default the Snap tool is turned on, this snaps the selected entity to other template entities.
To change the background click Change Background from the toolbar. This will allow you to use a preset or define an image of your own.
You can choose the following file types: .JPG, .JPEG, .PNG, .TIFF, .GIF, .BMP
It's also possible to add images to the template, just click Insert Image on the main toolbar. This allows an image to be placed and can be moved by dragging to any location. Size and aspect ratio can be set while dragging the handles; it also allows you to replace an image by clicking the path portion of the toolbar.
Inserting text place into the template is a snap too! There are a few different varieties of text information that you can add to your template. Use the click Insert Text on the toolbar to access this menu.
The menu options are:
- Text Field – this allows a text block with static text that is editable by the template user that will appear on the final document. This also allows you to enter instructions for the template user to follow for the particular field.
- Template Text Field – this allows a text box that is on the template that is NOT editable by the template user or the end document user.
- Custom Property Text – this allows a custom property to be linked that will appear on the final document. ** Be sure to match your custom property exactly** The SOLIDWORKS software will try to match the text you enter here to a custom property name at publish time. If there is a match, the software will complete the field.
- PDF Form Field – this allows you to enter an area for the end user of the published document to place notes.
A quick look at the use of these text types:
Enter an area for your BOM table by clicking Insert BOM Table. If a model is published that has a bill of material, it will be placed in this area.
Previews are placed in the bottom panel of this example. This area will show previews of the 3D views created for the final document.
- How to Eliminate 2D Drawings with SOLIDWORKS MBD – Part 1 (Bryan Pawlak 3/2/15)
- How to Eliminate 2D Drawings with SOLIDWORKS MBD – Part 2 (John Van Engen 3/3/15)
- How to Eliminate 2D Drawings with SOLIDWORKS MBD – Part 3 (Blake Cokinis 3/4/15)
- How to Eliminate 2D Drawings with SOLIDWORKS MBD – Part 4 (Neil Bucalo 3/5/15)
John Van Engen
CATI Sr. Support Technician
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.