Overview
This article walks through the AutoCAD .dwg drawing templates Cadgen provides for FireCAD projects. The templates give you a ready-made starting point — sized to match common architectural sheet formats, pre-populated with model space guidance, and set up with layout tabs that correspond to the model space working areas.
Note: This article assumes familiarity with the basics of creating a FireCAD project. If needed, review the Getting Started playlist on YouTube before continuing.
Available Templates
Three sheet sizes are available:
- D-size — 24 in × 36 in layout pages
- E-size — 36 in × 48 in layout pages
- E1-size — 30 in × 42 in layout pages
Each template contains commentary and instructions in model space to guide you through filling it out.
How to Use a Template
- Download the
.dwgfile from the links below. - Open the file in FireCAD.
- Select the model space tab to view the in-drawing instructions.
- Modify the template as needed — place your logo, adjust borders, etc.
- Rename and save the file to use as a starting point for your projects.
Download Links
Click a link to download the corresponding .dwg file. You can reuse and duplicate them freely.
- FireCAD Generic Template - ARCH D Size.dwg
- FireCAD Generic Template - ARCH E Size.dwg
- FireCAD Generic Template - ARCH E1 Size.dwg
- FireCAD Generic Template - ARCH E Size Customizeable.dwg
- FireCAD Generic Template - ARCH E1 Size Customizeable.dwg
- FireCAD Ember Template - ARCH D Size Customizeable.dwg
After downloading, copy the file into any project folder and use it as a project drawing, substituting content for your project-specific needs.
Template Walkthrough
Below is an image of the template's model space after opening it in FireCAD.
NFPA 72 Requirements for Shop Drawings
The template places yellow-colored guidance text in model space on an AutoCAD non-plotting layer. The text is visible to you while working but will not appear on your published drawings.
The yellow text on the left side of the model space lists the 2019 NFPA 72 requirements for shop drawings. Most AHJs will look for this information when reviewing plans.
If you are new to AutoCAD layers, this video tutorial is a good starting point.
Model Space and Layout Sheet Relationship
Model space is where you place your objects — think of it as a drawing board of unlimited size. The template draws 10 yellow rectangles (on the no-plot layer), each representing an area for content that will line up with one of the 10 layout sheets.
Paper space is where you arrange model space content for plotting — either to a PDF or a printer — by separating it into layout tabs. The template includes 10 layout tabs, each one corresponding to one of the 10 yellow rectangles in model space.
Layout Tab Example
Selecting layout tab 1 switches to the view below. The layout includes the content from yellow rectangle 1 in model space, plus a title block that will appear on the published PDF or paper document.
A viewport (bordered by a magenta rectangle) is what reveals model space content on a layout tab — think of it as a porthole cut into the layout that shows the drawing content behind it.
Paper space view of layout tab 1:
Model space view of what is in the viewport area of layout tab 1:
Completing the Project Layout
The rest of this article focuses on completing the system layout in model space. Separating model space content into scaled layouts in paper space is covered in a separate article.
For most submittals, include a title page similar to the example above. Edit its content for your specific project.
Floor Plan Layouts
Projects typically require one or more floor plan layouts. The template provides areas for up to three floor plans.
First floor area:
Second floor area:
Other Required Content
Plan ahead to include everything the AHJ will require. Below is a sample of content a basic project will typically include:
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