Optimizing the Environment

ConceptDraw lets you use templates to make you work more effective - they are helpful when you need to create many documents with similar settings or elements.
You can also optimize your working environment by creating and using workspace files. A workspace lets you save the needed state of the application - the open documents and libraries and their on-screen arrangement - and restore it every time you need it.

Templates
Workspace Files

 

 

Templates

A template is a ConceptDraw file which is used to store the desired set of default settings for new documents (measurement system, grid spacing, page size etc.), the list of libraries to open, and a sample document.

Template files have the .cdt extension.

Using Templates
The Default Template
Location of Templates
Transporting Templates

 

Using Templates

When you open a template, you open a copy of the sample document stored in the template, and then all the libraries according to the list. The document appears in a new window, and the libraries are added to those already open in the library window.

Templates are particularly helpful in several cases:

When you need to create multiple documents that have a similar look (for instance, a weekly report form, or a product presentation template) and include common basic elements (company Logo, standard header, etc.). In this case, simply save the sample as a template once, and use this template for creating new similar documents.
 
When your documents require specifically customized settings (related to your country specifics or to your purposes). This may involve page size, units of measure, font styles, text formatting, grid properties etc. To eliminate the need to reconfigure your documents each time, set all the parameters once and save them in one or more template files.
Note that the settings for each new document are taken from the Blank Drawing.cdt template stored in the Libraries folder.
 
When you have to create a document related to a specific field (for instance, draw an office layout or a company structure), it is usually a good idea to use task-related object libraries supplied with the program. ConceptDraw includes ready-made templates with lists of the necessary libraries you may use for each specific task. These templates are stored in the same folders as the corresponding libraries. You can create similar templates which include the libraries you need for your custom purposes, and they will be opened each time you use the template.

For more information about opening templates please refer to the "Creating a New Document from a Template" section.
For specifics on creating and saving templates, see the "Saving a Document as Template" section.

 

The Default Template

By default, the settings for each new document are taken from the Blank Drawing.cdt template which is stored in the Libraries folder.

To create a new document from another template, use the New / Browse Templates option from the File menu.
For more detailed information on opening templates, see the "Creating a New Document from a Template" section.

If you need to change the default template for all new documents, use the Edit / Preferences menu. On the Default tab, specify the location of the needed template file, and click OK to save the new setting. Then every new document will be created from the template you specified.

 

Location of Templates

All the provided templates are located in the Libraries folder of the program's root directory. The Libraries folder may contain task-related subfolders. The library files themselves (.cdl files for Windows) are located in these folders.

The path to the Libraries folder is stored in the Preferences dialog (Edit / Preferences) on the File Paths tab. It is completed by default, and this path determines which folder should be initially opened by the Browse Templates command.
So if you move the Libraries folder to another location, specify it on the File Paths tab: it will be easier to find the templates every time you need them.

As you create your own templates, you may store them in any location. But it is better to store all the templates in one location: they will be easier to access.

 

Transporting Templates

When moving a template file from one computer to another, keep in mind that a template file only stores references to its libraries rather than the actual libraries. So, you should move the required libraries along with the template. Make sure that the template and the libraries keep their relative positions with respect to one another. Alternatively, you can place the libraries in the same folder with the template.

 

 

Workspace Files

ConceptDraw lets you save the entire workspace if you often need to work with the same set of documents and libraries.
A workspace file stores information about the sizes and arrangement of all windows open in the application, and the list of open documents and libraries. This allows you to customize your work environment only once and use it repeatedly.

Workspace files have the .cdw extension.

Using Workspace Files
Saving a Workspace File
Transporting Workspace Files

 

Using Workspace Files

By opening a workspace file, you reproduce the state in which the application was before you saved the workspace: all the open documents and libraries, along with their on-screen arrangement.

Saving a workspace is especially helpful in several cases:

When you often work with the same set of documents and libraries.
 
When you work with documents displayed in a specific way (this may concern magnification, tables of object parameters, the active pages of documents, etc.) Saving a workspace lets you easily reproduce the suitable arrangement of windows.

To open a workspace file:

  1. On the File menu, click Open.
  2. In the dialog which appears, navigate to the desired folder.
  3. In the File of Type box, choose ConceptDraw Workspace Files (.cdw)
  4. Select the workspace file you want to open.
  5. Click Open.

Saving a Workspace File

To save the current state of the application in a workspace file:

  1. If necessary, save all the open documents and libraries.
  2. Select Save Workspace from the File menu. The Save As dialog comes up.
  3. In the dialog, navigate to the desired folder where the new file will be located.
  4. Enter the workspace filename in the corresponding field.
  5. Click Save.

All information about the currently opened documents and libraries and their look and on-screen arrangement will be saved in the workspace file.

Ctrl + Alt + S Cmd + Opt + S

 

Transporting Workspace Files

When moving a workspace file from one computer to another, keep in mind that a workspace file only stores references to the documents and libraries. So, you ought to move all the necessary documents and library files along with the workspace. Make sure that the workspace file and the required components keep their relative positions with respect to one another. Alternatively, you can place the document and library files in the same folder with the workspace file.

 

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