AutoCAD starter template (DWT)
A ready-to-use drawing template for AutoCAD: layers with colours, line weights and linetypes, text and dimension styles, and sheet layouts with a frame, a title block and a locked 1:1 viewport. Start a new drawing from it and the setup is done. Choose the metric version (millimetres, ISO sheets A4 to A1) or the imperial one (inches, ANSI sheets A to D).
Free to use and modify in your own projects, including commercial ones. The ZIP holds the template, a plot style table and a README; no add-in needed. Layer names, colours and styles are common practice, not a standard: check them against your office or client standard. Library terms (CXL-1.0)
Metric or imperial
This template comes in two versions, each with its own ZIP. Take the one that matches the units and sheets you work in.
Metric: millimetres, ISO sheets A4 to A1
Units in millimetres, ISO text and dimension styles, four layouts (A4, A3, A2, A1) at 1:1.
Imperial: inches, ANSI sheets A to D
Units in decimal inches, single-stroke text and an inch dimension style, four layouts (A, B, C, D) at 1:1.
What is in the ZIP
- AutoCAD-Starter-Template-Metric.dwt / AutoCAD-Starter-Template-Imperial.dwt
Drawing template (DWT, AutoCAD 2018 format) - CADXChange-Monochrome.ctb
Plot style table (CTB) that prints every colour black - README.txt
README with the layer list and how to use the files
Sheet layouts
Every layout has a frame with centring marks, a title block with attributes and a locked viewport. Pick the tab of your sheet size and plot from it.
Metric: millimetres, ISO sheets A4 to A1
| Layout | Sheet | Paper size | Viewport scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO-A4 | A4 | 297 × 210 mm | 1:1 |
| ISO-A3 | A3 | 420 × 297 mm | 1:1 |
| ISO-A2 | A2 | 594 × 420 mm | 1:1 |
| ISO-A1 | A1 | 841 × 594 mm | 1:1 |
Imperial: inches, ANSI sheets A to D
| Layout | Sheet | Paper size | Viewport scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANSI-A | ANSI A | 11 × 8.5 in | 1:1 |
| ANSI-B | ANSI B | 17 × 11 in | 1:1 |
| ANSI-C | ANSI C | 22 × 17 in | 1:1 |
| ANSI-D | ANSI D | 34 × 22 in | 1:1 |
Layers
Every layer of the template with its colour, line weight and linetype. The colours show on screen; the plot style table in the ZIP prints everything black and keeps the line weights.
| Layer | Colour | Line weight | Linetype | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Layers of this template | ||||
| OBJECT | 7 | 0.50 mm | Continuous | Visible object lines |
| HIDDEN | 8 | 0.25 mm | HIDDEN | Hidden lines |
| CENTER | 1 | 0.18 mm | CENTER | Centre lines and axes |
| PHANTOM | 6 | 0.18 mm | PHANTOM | Phantom lines: adjacent parts and alternate positions |
| THIN | 7 | 0.18 mm | Continuous | Thin lines: projection, leader and section lines |
| HATCH | 8 | 0.13 mm | Continuous | Hatching and fills |
| CONSTRUCTION | 9 | 0.13 mm | Continuous | Construction geometry (not plotted) |
| DIM | 3 | 0.18 mm | Continuous | Dimensions |
| TEXT | 7 | 0.18 mm | Continuous | General text |
| NOTES | 7 | 0.18 mm | Continuous | Notes, tables and legends |
| XREF | 9 | 0.13 mm | Continuous | External references and underlays |
| Sheet and symbol layers | ||||
| 0 | 7 | default | Continuous | Default layer, keep it empty |
| FRAME | 7 | default | Continuous | Sheet frame and centring marks |
| TITLEBLOCK | 7 | default | Continuous | Title block |
| VIEWPORT | 8 | default | Continuous | Layout viewports (not plotted) |
| DRAWING-AREA | 8 | default | Continuous | Drawing area outlines (not plotted) |
| SYMBOL | 7 | 0.25 mm | Continuous | Symbols (the layer used by the CADXChange symbol libraries) |
Text and dimension styles
Defined in the template, so you do not have to set them up in every new drawing.
Metric: millimetres, ISO sheets A4 to A1
| Kind | Name | Settings |
|---|---|---|
| Text style | ISO | isocp.shx, variable height |
| Text style | ISO-2.5 | isocp.shx, height 2.5 mm |
| Text style | ISO-3.5 | isocp.shx, height 3.5 mm |
| Text style | ISO-5 | isocp.shx, height 5 mm |
| Dimension style | ISO-25 | Text 2.5 mm, arrows 2.5 mm, extension lines 1.25 mm beyond the dimension line and 0.625 mm from the object, dimension lines 3.75 mm apart, overall scale 1:1 |
Imperial: inches, ANSI sheets A to D
| Kind | Name | Settings |
|---|---|---|
| Text style | ANSI | simplex.shx, variable height |
| Text style | ANSI-0.125 | simplex.shx, height 0.125 in |
| Text style | ANSI-0.1875 | simplex.shx, height 0.1875 in |
| Text style | ANSI-0.25 | simplex.shx, height 0.25 in |
| Dimension style | ANSI-0.125 | Text 0.125 in, arrows 0.125 in, extension lines 0.0625 in beyond the dimension line and 0.0625 in from the object, dimension lines 0.38 in apart, overall scale 1:1 |
Works with these resources
Draw on the template with these symbol libraries, and take the title block templates if you need another sheet size, style or label language.
How to use it
- In AutoCAD choose NEW (or QNEW) and pick the DWT file from the ZIP. Copy it to your template folder to find it in the list next time (OPTIONS, Files, Template Settings).
- Copy the CTB file to the Plot Styles folder (STYLESMANAGER opens it). The layouts already point to it, so plots come out black with the line weights of the layers.
- Draw in the Model tab on the layers of the template. Pick the layout tab of your sheet size: the viewport shows the model at 1:1 and the sheet is ready to plot.
- Double-click the title block to fill in company, project, title and drawing number. Add your own layers and styles, then save the file as your own template.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a DWT file and how do I use it?
- A DWT is a drawing template: a drawing without content that holds the settings, such as layers, text and dimension styles, units and layouts. In AutoCAD choose NEW or QNEW and select the file; the new drawing starts with all of these settings and you save it as a normal DWG.
- Metric or imperial: which one do I take?
- Take the one that matches the units you draw in. The metric template works in millimetres with ISO sheets A4 to A1; the imperial one works in decimal inches with ANSI sheets A to D. For house and site plans in feet and inches see the floor plan and site plan templates.
- Does it follow a standard?
- The layer names, colours and line weights are common practice, not a standard. The text and dimension settings follow common ISO practice (metric) and common US practice (imperial) without claiming conformance. Check them against your office or client standard and change what differs.