AutoCAD: Secrets Every User Should Know

Chapter 3 – Customizing the AutoCAD Interface

Tool Palettes (TP or Ctrl+3)

• Tools on Palettes Can Be – Links to block references in saved

drawings– AutoCAD commands– Macros– AutoLISP programs

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Tool Palettes (TP or Ctrl+3)

• Blocks– Add by dragging from open

drawing– Add individually from

DesignCenter– Add all blocks from a saved

drawing using DesignCenter

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Tool Palettes (TP or Ctrl+3)

• All Blocks on Tool Palette– Right-click drawing name

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Tool Palettes (TP or Ctrl+3)

• Customize Palettes

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Tool Palettes (TP or Ctrl+3)

• Create New Palette Group

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Tool Palettes (TP or Ctrl+3)

• Add Tool Palette to Group

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Tool Palettes (TP or Ctrl+3)

• Turn Off Tool Palette Groups

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Tool Palettes (TP or Ctrl+3)

• Change Properties of Tools

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Tool Palettes (TP or Ctrl+3)

• Place Other Tools on Palette

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Tool Palettes (TP or Ctrl+3)

• Tool Palette Flyouts

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Tool Palettes (TP or Ctrl+3)

• Command Tools, Copy, and Modify

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The CUI

• XML Files Not Edited Directly– Use CUI command– Backup ACAD.cui

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The CUI

• Enterprise CUI– Company standards, not modified

by users

• Partial CUI– Third-party menus or custom

menus

• Main CUI (ACAD.cui)– Modified by each user

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The CUI

• Creating a New Toolbar

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The CUI

• Adding Commands to Toolbar

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The CUI

• New Toolbar

• Existing buttons, control windows, custom button, flyout

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The CUI

• Creating New Command

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The CUI

• Pull-Down Menus

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The CUI

• Keyboard Shortcut F1^C^C^C(sssetfirst nil)

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Linetypes

• ACAD.lin or ACADISO.lin

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Linetypes

• ACAD.lin or ACADISO.lin

• Basic Linetypes0 Represents a dot

-value Represents length of space

+value Represents length of line

• Complex Linetypes– Contain text– Contain shapes

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Complex Linetypes - Text

• Copy Existing and Edit– Hot water exists– Cold water doesn't

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Complex Linetypes - Shapes

• Express Tools– MKSHAPE– MKLTYPE

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Complex Linetypes - Shapes

• MKSHAPE– Create geometry and insert with

SHAPE command

• MKLTYPE– Use inserted shape

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Complex Linetypes - Shapes

• Use Linetype

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