The Templates feature in the CAST Architecture Checker allows you to define one or more templates (that can be freely distributed as Windows files) and which can be selected as a basis for a new Architecture Model.

In essence, templates function exactly like Architecture Models in that you can define layers and sets and can save the configuration to file. However, a template can be used as the starting point for a new Architecture Model (see Define a new Architecture Model).

• Creating a new custom template
• Opening and editing an existing custom template
• Saving an existing custom template that you have edited
• Using an existing custom template as a basis for a new model

Creating a new custom template

• Define a new model - see Define a new Architecture Model
• Define the layers and sets you require as the basis for the template (exactly as you would when working with an Architecture Model):
  • Define Layers, Sets and Dependencies
  • Define Layer or Set Contents
• Use the File > Save As option to save the configuration to file - when using this option, the CAST Architecture Checker will offer you the default template storage location (%USERPROFILE%\Documents - you can change this using the Edit > Settings menu option) and save the configuration as a .CASTArchitect file

• The configuration is now saved and can be loaded in the future as a Template (or as An Architecture Model).

Opening and editing an existing custom template

• Use the File > Open Template option to locate a saved template (.CASTArchitect file) on disk.
• The CAST Architecture Checker will offer you the default template storage location (%USERPROFILE%\Documents - you can change this using the Edit > Settings menu option).
• Select the template you require - it will now open and CAST Architecture Checker will notify you that you are working with a template (as oppose to an Architectue Model):

Saving an existing custom template that you have edited

• Use the File > Save Template option to save the open template on disk.

Using an existing custom template as a basis for a new model

If you have existing templates that you would like to use as a basis for a new Architecture model:

• Click the File > New Architecture Model option
• Select the custom template you require from the drop downlist - the CAST Architecture Checker will offer you all predefined templates shipped with the software, and any custom templates you have saved to the default template storage location (%USERPROFILE%\Documents - you can change this using the Edit > Settings menu option):

• Your new model will open containing all configuration saved to the custom template you have chosen.