About the Document Template Definition Window        

The Document Template Definition window can be accessed by:

The Documents tab

  

 
The Documents tab shows the complete path and Action of the files referenced in the Template. The Action status can be either:

If the document is seen as New Document, it is then duplicated and has no link with the original component (equivalent of the New from... command.)

If the document is seen as Same Document, a link is maintained with the original file.

The button enables you to modify the Action of the components.

The buttons of the External documents sections enable you to select external documents and insert them into the template.

It is now possible to associate non-CATIA (ENOVIA V5 VPM, ...) documents with a template. To do so, make sure you have enabled the desired environment in the Document Environments field (Tools>Options>General>Document.) Your documents will be accessible via the Document Chooser.  

The Inputs tab

 
The Inputs tab enables you to define the reference elements making up the Template by selecting them in the geometry or in the specification tree.
 
The Accept instantiation even if not all inputs are filled option enables users to determine if the template can be instantiated even if not all inputs are valuated. If all inputs are not valuated, old inputs will be kept and isolated at instantiation. This option can be useful if there is more than one way to position the template in context, if you want all these combinations to be available but you want to use only one of them at the same time. To see an example, see Creating a Part Template and lnstantiating a Part Template.

For a clearer definition, you can select these items in the viewer and enter a new name in the Role field.

The Role field enables you to select one of the items displayed in the window and to rename  it. It is used at instantiation through Use identical name in the Insert object window.

The Type column indicates if the input is manual or automatic. The inputs are considered as

  • Manual if they are added manually
  • Automatic if they are external references that point an object defined outside the template.

The Meta Inputs tab

  

 
The Meta Inputs tab lets you define the meta inputs, and their association with real inputs. It also allows you to optionally associate a type with each meta input.  
Add/Remove enable you to add/remove meta inputs. The Role field enables you to enter the name assigned to the meta input.  The enables you to remove inputs from the list of inputs making up the meta input. The button enables you to add inputs to those making up the meta input.
The ... button enables you to associate a type to the meta input. For more information, see Assigning a Type to the Meta Input.
The Force meta inputs instantiation option enables you to decide if you want the user to select the instantiation mode. If checked, only the Meta inputs instantiation mode will be available in the Insert Object dialog box. If unchecked, the user will be able to choose the instantiation mode he wants to use i.e. Meta inputs instantiation mode or Meta inputs normal instantiation. For more information, see Creating a Document Template Containing Meta Inputs and Instantiating a Document Template Containing Meta Inputs.

The Published Parameters tab

 
The Published Parameters tab enables you to define which parameter value used in the Template you will be able to modify when instantiating it.

Edit List... enables you to access the list of parameters, and to select those you want to publish. These parameters are displayed in the Part Numbers viewer.

The Auto modify part numbers with suffix check box, if checked, automatically modifies the part numbers at instantiation if the part numbers already exist.

  • Note that if you want to manage the way part numbers are modified at instantiation, uncheck this option and click, at instantiation, Parameters in the Insert Object dialog box. This way you can access the part numbers that you want to modify.
  • The unicity of part numbers is now ensured when instantiating document templates into different documents or when the document template is used by different users. When the part numbers renaming mode is set to automatic, a suffix parameter is automatically published by the document template. At instantiation, after valuating the inputs of the document template, suffixes can be changed by clicking Parameters in the Insert Object window. Note that it is impossible to "unpublish" the suffix or to change its role.

The Properties tab

 
The Properties tab enables you to modify the icon identifying the Template in the specifications tree. A subset of icons is available when clicking Icon choice.

Clicking  ... displays the Icon Browser, showing all icons loaded in your CATIA session.

Grab screen enables you to capture an image of the template to be stored along with its definition.

Remove preview enables you to remove the image if you do not need it.
The assembly structure of the documentation template must not be modified after the document template definition (you cannot add or remove documents for example.)