Are you looking to give your construction plans a professional and polished look? In this video tutorial, we will show you how to create your own custom title block using the cadvilla software. First, you will learn step-by-step how to draw frames, insert text and company logos, and utilize practical Autotext functions for the date or scale. Finally, you can save the finished title block as a 2D symbol, allowing you to conveniently insert it into your future projects and print it out directly.

Please note: The zoom functions demonstrated in the video are only valid up to version 5. In newer versions, you can zoom simply by scrolling the mouse wheel. For further details, please refer to our post on zooming in the 2D and 3D view.

General Information on Using a Title Block

• Important: Title blocks must always be created in the exact same scale as the plan for which they are intended. Therefore, for a plan with a scale of 1:100, you must also create the title block at a scale of 1:100.
• Furthermore, always keep a small safety distance to the edge of the title block when entering text. Consequently, the size of the texts may vary slightly during printing.

1. Create Title Block and Draw Frames

[01:12] Open a New 2D View

• First, open a new 2D view via New view and maximize the window.
• Deactivate the grid (Grid off) and the line width (Line width off) to be able to snap and orientate yourself better.

• Additionally, deactivate the ‘Environment’ layer in the project window on the right.

[01:43] Define the Scale

• Make a right mouse click in the view and select Properties.
• Under the General tab, select the appropriate scale from the Scale dropdown (e.g., 1:100) and confirm with OK.

[02:20] Set Guidelines for the Frame

• Use guidelines to define the frame and the subdivisions of the title block.
• To do this, select the functions under 2D Layout > 2D guidelines > Guideline.
• Start by setting a Horizontal guideline and a Vertical guideline.
• For instance, the width of the title block should be 18.5 cm. At a scale of 1:100, 18.5 cm equals 18.5 m. Consequently, to set the width of the title block, you place a Numeric parallel guideline exactly 18.5 m away from the vertical guideline.
• In addition, define all further horizontal and vertical guidelines using the Numeric parallel guideline function to complete the guideline grid for the title block.

[06:12] Draw the Frame Lines

• To finally draw the frame, select 2D & Layout > Line > Between 2 points.
• Draw the lines exactly along the guidelines you set previously.
• If drawn lines are hidden underneath the guidelines, simply select the line, right-click, and choose Move to foreground in the selection menu.

2. Insert Texts, Autotexts, and Images

[07:48] Add Text

• Select 2D Layout > Text > Labeling.
• Click in the area where the text should be placed. The Properties Text window will open.
• Here, you define the font, Font size (e.g., 0.6 m for a 1:100 scale), and style.
• Important: Check or uncheck the Link to scale box depending on whether the text size should dynamically adapt to the scale. Let’s enter the text in the Input text field and confirm with OK.

[09:32] Position Text Exactly

• Select the text.
• To move the text, choose Move with reference point from the Edit tab.
• Click on a reference point (e.g., the top-left corner of the text box). Holding CTRL while moving allows you to perfectly align the text vertically or horizontally to your guidelines.

[11:01] Insert an Image (e.g., Company Logo)

• Select 2D Layout > Insert bitmap > Rectangle.
• Choose your logo file, confirm with OK, and draw it as a rectangle.
• To adjust the size perfectly, select the image, press the right mouse button, and select Adjust scaling.
• Furthermore, to remove the black frame around the logo, select the image, press the right mouse button, and choose Properties.
• Click the Outline tab and select Invisible for the line type.

[16:14] Add Autotext (Example for the Scale)

• Select 2D Layout > Text > Labeling and click the desired spot.
• The Properties Text window opens. Set your text size and ensure Link to scale is checked.
• First, type the word Scale: into the input text field.
• Then, open the Autotext dropdown menu, go to View, and select the entry Scale.
• Important: The program now inserts the variable [$ViewScale] into the text field. Consequently, exactly in this place, the correct scale of your plan (e.g., 1:100) will automatically appear later.
• Tip: Via the Autotext menu [24:00], you can also automatically insert other details (e.g., Project last changes ⇾ Date or User). Finally, confirm your entries with OK.

3. Save Title Block as a 2D Object

[33:22] Save as Symbol File

• Select the entire title block by drawing a selection box around it.
• Press the right mouse button and select Save selected objects as 2D symbol....
• Choose a directory, assign a name (e.g., Title_Block_1_100), and confirm with OK.
• Caution: If you save directly in the cadvilla folder, pay attention to the Windows User Account Control warning and confirm it, or alternatively, save under “My Documents”.

4. Add Title Block to a Project and Print

[35:08] Insert Title Block into the Plan

• Open your project and maximize the 2D view constraint.
• Open the Catalog panel on the right side and look for the 2D Symbols folder where you saved your title block.
• Select the title block with a double mouse click and place it into the 2D view.

[36:52] Edit Texts Subsequently

• To edit individual texts in the inserted title block, select it first.
• Press the right mouse button and select 2D symbols separate to base objects (or break 2D symbol into single objects). Now, you can easily edit any text element with a double click.

[38:02] Print the Project

• Open the File menu (main menu) and select Print 2D view.

• In the Page Setup dialog, define the Size (e.g., A3) and Orientation (e.g., Landscape).
• Confirm with OK. Subsequently, the print preview opens, perfectly displaying your plan including the completed title block.