TechDraw Templates

Overview
Every TechDraw page is based on a Template object. The Template controls paper size and contains fixed text graphics and text, for example, a page frame or border.

The Template can also contain editable text fields for attributes like Title, Subtitle, Author, Date, Scale, Weight, Drawing number and Sheet.

Templates are SVG files which can be created and modified outside of FreeCAD, with an application such as Inkscape.

Properties

 * : Portrait or Landscape.
 * : Paper width in mm.
 * : Paper height in mm.
 * : A copy of the original Template file including all changes to editable texts. This allows users who may not have a copy of the Template file to see the Page as intended. Not typically useful for end users.
 * : a) A pointer to the copy of the original Template file which is incorporated into this *.FCSTD file, or b) a filepath to a template accessible on the current machine. Use the file selection ellipsis (...) to change to a different template.

Exchanging a Template file
To exchange the template of a drawing: The new template will immediately replace the old one.
 * 1) Locate the desired Page object in the tree view.
 * 2) Expand the Page branch if necessary.
 * 3) Select the Template object.
 * 4) In the property panel first click on the path field of the  property
 * and then on the (ellipsis) button that has appeared at the end of the path.
 * 1) A file dialog opens the default template folder (as set in the TechDraw Preferences).
 * 2) Select another template file.
 * 3) Press the  button.

If you want to update an exchanged template file, note that you have to load another file before you can select the same file again. This is because the selection of the same file is ignored.

Custom Templates
A limited number of pre-formatted templates in various standard page sizes are included with FreeCAD. These are found in

Where is the directory where FreeCAD was installed, for example

Custom templates can also be specified as a default in the TechDraw Preferences.

See also How to make a custom TechDraw template.