The ID badge software can store any number of badge template designs. These templates describe the physical layout of the badge. By this we mean the size and shape of the badge and the format of the various text, photograph and graphic data to be displayed on it. We specifically do not mean the actual text, photograph and graphic data that will be displayed on the badge. These designs are stored in files with the .CTM extension.
Badge templates are used when designing a badge database. A given template can be used in any number of badge databases. Once a database has been designed using a specific template, that template design is “remembered” by the database and subsequent changes to the .CTM template design file will have no effect on the database. (There are alternative ways of changing the current database badge design once it has been assigned to a database. See Modifying An Existing Badge.)