How Do I Customize the Menu Bar in AutoCAD?

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Are you tired of the default menu bar in AutoCAD? Do you want to customize it to suit your own preferences and workflow?

Look no further! In this tutorial, we will walk you through the steps on how to customize the menu bar in AutoCAD using simple HTML styling elements and commands.

Step 1: Understand the Menu Bar Structure

Before we dive into customization, let’s understand the structure of the menu bar in AutoCAD. The menu bar is divided into several menus, such as File, Edit, View, and so on. Each menu contains a list of commands that can be accessed by clicking on the respective menu title.

Step 2: Open the CUI (Customize User Interface) Editor

To begin customizing the menu bar, open AutoCAD and type “CUI” in the command line. This will open up the Customize User Interface (CUI) editor.

Step 2.1: Customize Existing Menus

To customize an existing menu, navigate to the “Partial Customization Files” section in the CUI editor. Expand “Menus” and select the desired menu you want to modify.

For example, let’s say we want to customize the “File” menu. Select it from the list and a new window will appear displaying all the commands within that menu.2: Create a New Menu

If you want to create a completely new custom menu, navigate to “Partial Customization Files” > “Menus”, right-click anywhere in that section, and select “New Menu”. Give your new menu a unique name and press Enter.

Step 3: Add Commands to Your Customized Menu

Once you have selected the menu you want to customize or created a new one, it’s time to add commands to it. In the right-hand pane of the CUI editor, you will see a list of available commands.

To add a command:

  1. Select the desired command from the list.
  2. Drag and drop it into your customized menu.

You can rearrange the order of commands within your menu by dragging and dropping them into the desired position.

Step 4: Assign Icons and Keyboard Shortcuts

Icons and keyboard shortcuts make accessing commands in your customized menu even more convenient. To assign an icon to a command:

  1. Select the command within your customized menu.
  2. In the Properties pane, click on the ellipsis button next to “Large Icon” or “Small Icon”.
  3. Browse and select an appropriate icon file from your computer.

To assign a keyboard shortcut:

  1. Select the command within your customized menu.
  2. In the Properties pane, click on “Access” under “Properties”.
  3. Type in your desired keyboard shortcut in the input field.

Step 5: Save and Load Your Customization

Once you have finished customizing your menu bar, don’t forget to save your changes. Click on “Apply” followed by “OK” in the CUI editor. Your customizations will now be applied to AutoCAD.

To load your customization every time you start AutoCAD, type “OPTIONS” in the command line, go to the “Files” tab, and add your customization file (.CUIX) under “Customization Files”.

Conclusion

Customizing the menu bar in AutoCAD can greatly improve your productivity and workflow. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can create a personalized menu bar that caters to your specific needs and preferences.

Remember to experiment with different customization options, icons, and keyboard shortcuts to find what works best for you. Happy customizing!