Where are software update deployment templates in the Configmgr 2012 console? can't find them.

They are gone. See http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg682168.aspx#BKMK_WhatsNew:

"There is no longer a Deployment Templates node in the Configuration Manager console to manage your templates. Deployment templates can be created only in the Automatic Deployment Rules Wizard or Deploy Software Updates Wizard. Deployment templates store many of the deployment properties that might not change from deployment to deployment, and they can save much time for administrative users when they deploy software updates.

Deployment templates can be created for different deployment scenarios in your environment. For example, you can create a template for expedited software update deployments and planned deployments. The template for the expedited deployment can suppress display notifications on client computers, set the deadline for zero (0) days from the deployment schedule, and enable system restarts outside maintenance windows. The template for a planned deployment can allow for display notifications on client computers and set the deadline for 14 days from the deployment schedule."

I've saved a deployment as a template, where can I view that and make changes to it then? I don't see that name under anything in the software updates node.

You're right, it's not there and there is no way to edit them after being created. The most you can do is delete or rename themfrom the Select a Template dialog box shown when you click the Select Deployment Template button on the General page of the Deploy Software Updates Wizard.

This is an older string, but I have been recently looking for a resolution to this same issue and found there is a method to edit existing templates in 2012 R2. You can edit an existing template by running through the steps of creating a new deployment, select your template that you wish to edit, change whatever settings need revision by clicking through the screens and changing the existing settings. When you get to the summary tab you can click "Save as template" and save it with the same name and the new settings will be applied. After saving you can cancel out of the deployment without scheduling.

I wouldn't really call this editing, but you're right that it does effectively accomplish that purpose. Thank you for posting this.

Hi,

as this is the post most recent to my current problem I have a question to ask you. I just ran through this proces of creating a very complicated filter in my automatic update. I saved it as Template (almost) every check field was checked. Then I tried to create another automatic deployment with this template, but no filter was shown and nothing from the template was overtaken. 

Do you have any ideas?