TechDraw TemplateHowTo

Introduction
This tutorial shows you how to create an SVG file that can be used as a bacground template for the TechDraw Workbench pages.

This tutorial assumes you are moderately familiar with Inkscape and SVG, as well as FreeCAD and the TechDraw Workbench.

Steps
We're going to make a simple template for US Letter size paper in landscape orientation. A copy of the result of this HowTo is available in your FreeCAD Template directory (HowToExample.svg).


 * open a new document in Inkscape
 * in Document Properties
 * select a page size (US Letter) & orientation (landscape)
 * set default units and page size units to mm (279.4 x 215.9)


 * use the XML Editor to add freecad namespace clause to the item
 * xmlns:freecad="http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Svg_Namespace "


 * draw outlines, zone numbers, centerlines, etc
 * draw the boxes and lines for the title block.
 * add and position your static text
 * add and position your editable text
 * you now have your finished artwork - something like this:


 * use the XML Editor to add "freecad:editable" tag to each editable item
 * assign a meaningful field name to each editable text


 * use XML editor to adjust viewbox to match your page size in mm


 * your template will now appear much too big.


 * We need to shrink it.
 * Edit>Select All in All Layers (or box select. make sure you select everything)
 * adjust the W: and H: spinboxes to match your artwork's size in mm
 * page-size less any applicable margins
 * use "Align and Distribute" or X/Y spinboxes to position artwork on page if required.
 * your template should now look right, just like it did in the finished artwork picture above.


 * ensure that all your editable texts are "ungrouped" (shift-ctl-g)
 * select everything on your page (box select or Edit>SelectAll) and Edit>Copy
 * Layer>Delete Current Layer
 * Edit>Paste in Place


 * Your template should now look right and shouldn't have any unwanted transforms
 * Save your template
 * try it in FreeCAD.