Introduction:  The instructions below show how-to create and use Panel Templates (Auto Default Templates) in OpenRoads SignCAD.

The Panel Templates tool is used to create Auto Default Templates that specify the text, route markers, arrows, fill color and object spacing to use on a panel. Once created, Auto Default Templates can be selected and applied in the General section of the Place Rectangular, Standard Sign and Lane Control panel dialogs. Some standards like Arizona and Indiana have predefined Auto Default Templates that can be applied to panels when working in those standards. Auto Default Templates can be created or edited within the Panel Templates Manager.

Step 1:  Review the Panel Templates found in the Arizona standard.

a. Pick the File tab to access the BackStage and select Standard: Arizona and Units: Imperial.

b. Select the New File button, enter a File name and click Save.

c. Pick Panels>Panel Templates. 

d. The Panel Template Manager toolbar from left to right includes: save, add new template, rename and delete.

e. The Panel Template Manager has the following tabs: Text, Route Marker, Arrow and Other. Click on the D1-1 (ramp crossroad) template and select each tab to see the specified Auto Default Template settings.

Text - Allows you to specify the text font, size and spacing to use for the panel template.

Route Marker - Allows you to select the route marker(s) and specify the size and spacing to use for the panel template.

Arrow - Allows you to select the arrow(s) and specify the size to use the for the panel template.

Other - Allows you to specify the fill color mode, fill color and object spacing to use for the panel template.

Step 2:  Create a new Panel Template in the Iowa standard.

a. Pick the File tab to access the BackStage and select Standard: Iowa and Units: Imperial.

b. Create a new file.

c. Pick Panels>Panel Templates. 

d. In the Panel Template Manager, select the add new template icon.

e. Pick the rename icon and type Destination 2 Line with arrow.

f. In the Text tab, set the following values:

g. In the Arrow tab, set the following value:

h. Press the save icon in the Panel Template Manager to save the settings. Press Close to exit the dialog.

Step 3:  Applying the Panel Template.

a. Click on Panels>Rectangular. In the Place Rectangular Panel dialog, pick the General>Auto Default Template drop-down and select the Destination 2 Line with arrow template to apply to the Rectangular Panel.

b. Enter the values shown below in the Place Rectangular Panel dialog. Left-click to place the rectangular panel on the workspace. Close the Rectangular Panel dialog.

c. Click Text>Place Text. In the Place Text dialog, type National Guard and press the Place Text button. Position the text cross-hair over the panel and left-click to place National Guard on the Rectangular Panel. NOTE: You can ignore the text font and size information in the Place Text dialog since that information is controlled by the Text settings in the applied Panel Template.

d. In the Place Text dialog, left-click on the right edge of Guard and drag the mouse left to highlight the National Guard text. Type Armory.

e. Press the Place Text button and position the text cross-hair over the Rectangular Panel. Left-click to place Armory when the black rectangle displays below National Guard. Close the Place Text dialog.

f. Click on Arrows>Up Arrow. In the Place Up Arrow dialog, change the Angle = 180 and left-click to place the arrow on the Rectangular Panel below Armory to finish the Destination 2 Line with arrow sign.