Creating custom AV designs from scratch every time can be time-consuming and inefficient, especially when many projects share similar requirements. For AV integrators, consultants, and designers, having a personalized library of templates can significantly boost productivity, accuracy, and consistency across projects. With the right AV Design Software, like XTEN-AV, building and organizing your own template library is easier than ever.
XTEN-AV is a cloud-based platform that leads the industry in intelligent AV Design Tools. It empowers users to create, store, and reuse AV design templates for conference rooms, classrooms, auditoriums, home theaters, digital signage systems, and more. In this blog, we will walk you through the benefits of having an AV template library and guide you on how to build one effectively using best practices.
Why Build an AV Design Template Library
A well-organized AV design template library provides several advantages:
Speed: Speeds up the design process for repeatable systems
Consistency: Ensures standardized layouts, wiring schemes, and documentation
Accuracy: Reduces errors by using proven configurations
Scalability: Supports enterprise-wide deployment for multi-location projects
Training: Helps new team members understand your design standards faster
With AV Design Software like XTEN-AV, your template library becomes a dynamic resource that evolves with your projects and technology updates.
Step 1: Identify Your Most Frequent AV System Types
Start by listing the most common AV systems you design. These could include:
Huddle rooms
Conference rooms
Training rooms
Classrooms
Home theaters
Video walls
Multi-room audio systems
Digital signage layouts
For each system type, identify the basic structure, required devices, and any recurring signal flow patterns. The goal is to create a base layout that can be reused and modified as needed.
In XTEN-AV, you can start each design using X-Draw and save these templates under categories for easy reference.
Step 2: Build Base Diagrams Using XTEN-AV
Using the X-Draw module in XTEN-AV, start building your base system designs.
Here is how to do it:
Drag and drop core components from the product library
Create signal flow with smart cabling between source, switcher, amplifier, and display
Label ports and connections clearly for installers and technicians
Add control systems such as touch panels or mobile control devices
Use layers to separate AV, control, power, and network wiring
XTEN-AV’s intelligent AV Design Tools allow you to connect components accurately while automatically generating wiring diagrams and device configurations.
Step 3: Organize Templates by Use Case or Room Type
Once you have built multiple base designs, organize them into folders or categories based on use cases. This makes it easy to retrieve the right template when a new project begins.
Examples of categories:
Corporate Rooms
Standard Meeting Room
Large Boardroom
Video Conferencing Room
Residential
5.1 Home Theater
Dolby Atmos Living Room
Outdoor AV System
Education
Smart Classroom
Lecture Hall
AV-over-IP Lab
XTEN-AV lets you manage templates in the cloud, so your entire team can access and use the same standardized layouts from any location.
Step 4: Customize with Manufacturer-Specific Equipment
Generic templates are a great starting point, but over time, it is helpful to tailor your templates to match the brands and models your company frequently installs.
In XTEN-AV, you can:
Select devices from real-time manufacturer databases
Save templates with specific brands like QSC, Shure, Biamp, Crestron, or Extron
Include exact product names, port counts, and connectivity options
Store template variations based on budget or performance level
This level of customization makes your AV Design Software more powerful and reduces quoting and design errors.
Step 5: Include Documentation in Each Template
A complete AV design template should go beyond the diagram. It should include:
Bill of materials
Scope of work or system notes
Rack layout diagrams
Signal flow charts
Cable schedules
XTEN-AV automates most of this documentation. Once your design is ready, you can generate professional PDFs and Word files using the X-DOC module. This ensures every template includes everything needed for client approvals and installation.
Step 6: Update and Improve Your Templates Regularly
Technology changes fast. Your AV design template library should evolve too.
Regularly review and revise templates to:
Replace outdated equipment
Adjust layouts based on field feedback
Incorporate new features or standards
Improve signal routing for efficiency
XTEN-AV makes it easy to clone or edit existing templates, so your library stays current without having to start from scratch.
Step 7: Train Your Team to Use the Library
Templates are most valuable when the entire team uses them consistently. Host a short training session or create a guide on:
Where to find templates
How to customize them for new projects
How to submit requests for new template types
When to update or retire a template
With XTEN-AV’s collaborative features, team members can access shared templates, leave comments, and update files—all within a unified platform.
Bonus Tip: Use Templates for Faster Proposal Generation
Once your design is templated in XTEN-AV, you can use the X-Pro module to instantly generate proposals that include equipment pricing, images, descriptions, and brand logos. This saves hours of formatting and data entry, especially when working on repeat business or multi-site deployments.
Conclusion
Building a personalized AV design template library is one of the smartest moves an AV professional or integrator can make. It streamlines your workflow, improves project consistency, and reduces the chance of costly mistakes.
With the help of advanced AV Design Software like XTEN-AV, creating, managing, and updating templates is simple and efficient. XTEN-AV combines intelligent AV Design Tools with real-time product databases and automated documentation to make your template library a powerful asset.
Whether you design a handful of systems a year or hundreds, a robust template strategy ensures you stay productive, professional, and ready to deliver high-quality AV experiences every time.
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