Abstract: Template design markup language （TDML） based on XML is proposed to facilitate the quick and secure transmission,clear understanding,easy processing and verification of product components data. Its syntax,semantics,visualized design environment,and the framework for implementation and running are illustrated.A template may be composed of individual subtemplates,its structure and parameters are stored in separate files,geometric modeler interprets the configuration definition and assembly relationships of components and generates visual presentation.Templates for stamping die and sofa design are implemented as examples to verify the effectiveness of TDML in collaborative design.