D-Tools Template - D-Tools Forum

TouchToBegin · 06-12-2007, 05:53 PM

I am working on my own title block. I followed the instructions base on a video here that I think Blake put together. The one thing I wanted to do a little differently than what the video instructs, is to use vector images for the logo instead of jpeg. I removed the D-Tools image and also the company info text box from the title block. I inserted my own visio generated logo in a vertical position, i.e. the logo runs perpendicular to the title info. I inserted the text for the company info as a cut/past from Adobe Illustrator because my font is not true type which apparently Visio only supports true type fonts.

All that said, when I drag in my template onto a drawing, everything is scaling to the page except the items I put in there myself. I noticed while editing the stencil master, that the text boxes D-Tools uses are anchored in a way that only allows them to move up or down and not left to right. I am guessing that this is related to their scalability.

How would I go about getting my vector graphics to do the same?

Head Tool · 06-12-2007, 06:43 PM

Not sure, send me the vector logo and I will insert.

adam(@)d-tools.com

TouchToBegin · 06-12-2007, 06:58 PM

I just found that thread by avzone about customizing the templates, so before I send an image to you, let me straighten out the appropriate process in my mind. I apologize in that most of these issues are a lack of understanding of Visio and not really anthing to do with D-Tools I think.

The templates in the D-Tools folders are used only to start the initial project correct? If that is the case I can edit my copies of the templates and then there is no worry about scalling anything.

The stencil 'Landscape Title Frame' that I am dragging over onto a new page, should I just make enough stencils as I have templates that match the size of the page? I really will only ever use 11x17, 24x36, or 32x40 templates so why bother with a scalable single stencil right? The scalable stencil ends up looking funny on large drawings because it is disproportioned.

Am I on the right path?

1) Make a template for each drawing size so the title block keeps consistent text and image sizes.

2) Make stencils base on each template to keep in DT Annotations so inserting a new page in the drawing allows me to drag the new titile over and remain consistent.

Head Tool · 06-12-2007, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by TouchToBegin

I just found that thread by avzone about customizing the templates, so before I send an image to you, let me straighten out the appropriate process in my mind. I apologize in that most of these issues are a lack of understanding of Visio and not really anthing to do with D-Tools I think.

The templates in the D-Tools folders are used only to start the initial project correct? If that is the case I can edit my copies of the templates and then there is no worry about scalling anything.

Yes, just save as a .vst

The stencil 'Landscape Title Frame' that I am dragging over onto a new page, should I just make enough stencils as I have templates that match the size of the page? I really will only ever use 11x17, 24x36, or 32x40 templates so why bother with a scalable single stencil right? The scalable stencil ends up looking funny on large drawings because it is disproportioned.

Am I on the right path?

yes

1) Make a template for each drawing size so the title block keeps consistent text and image sizes.

2) Make stencils base on each template to keep in DT Annotations so inserting a new page in the drawing allows me to drag the new titile over and remain consistent.

If you want to

In any case we have improved and enhanced all of the SI5 templates so you may want to wait before doing a bunch of custom stuff. Send me the logo in the meantime and I will insert it for you so it scales.

Visio Guy · 08-06-2007, 02:08 PM

Hey TouchToBegin,

One idea regarding your non-true-type fonts: in Illustrator, you can convert text to paths -- essentially making shapes out of text. This should allow your graphic to behave better when you import to Visio.