How To Create a ModelBaker Template

The following article describes how to create a ModelBaker template based upon an existing ModelBaker project. It assumes you already have created a ModelBaker project called 'college' and it is sitting on your desktop. Pay special attention to the naming conventions in this article.

1. Create a new ModelBaker project and save it "college.modelbaker".

   To get started, we need to have a project, saved to the desktop.

   

2. Create a new folder on your desktop and name it "college".

   After you create the 'college' folder, drag 'college.modelbaker' into it.

   

3. Create a new text file called "info.plist" and save it to your "college" folder.

   The 'info.plist' file can be edited with TextEdit or a similar text editing program. If you have Apple's Developer tools installed, you can use the Property List Editor located in your Developer Applications folder. Follow the XML elements and values examples below, and save your file.

   

4. Create a ModelBaker preview image by saving a "college.png" file into the "college" folder.

   This .PNG file gets loaded when you are reviewing the selection of Templates from the Template Chooser. These preview files are typically screenshots of your web application. You can use the Application Preview to resize and crop your screenshot. ModelBaker will eventually scale this .PNG file to a resolution size of 252(w) x 192(h).

   

5. Rename your "college" folder to "college.mbtemplate"

   By renaming your 'college' folder, you have created a plugin bundle, which we will add to ModelBaker's Application Support folder.

   

6. Drag your "college.mbtemplate" plugin bundle to your '~/Library/Application Support/ModelBaker/Templates' folder.

   To install you new template, you need to place this file within your home directory's 'Library' folder. Within 'Library' locate the 'ModelBaker' directory and the 'Templates' directory. Drag and drop your file into the 'Templates' directory.

   

7. Launch ModelBaker and select File > New from Template Chooser...

   A window sheet will appear and you should see your new template available for selection. By choosing your template you will create a new 'untitled' project file with all your entity models, attributes, relationships, validation rules and so on.