Creating a custom button in AutoCAD can greatly enhance your workflow and productivity. With a custom button, you can conveniently access frequently used commands or automate complex tasks with just a single click. In this tutorial, we will walk through the steps of creating a custom button in AutoCAD using the CUI (Custom User Interface) Editor.
Step 1: Launching the CUI Editor
To begin, open AutoCAD and type “CUI” in the command line. Press Enter to launch the CUI Editor.
Step 2: Creating a New Ribbon Panel
In the CUI Editor, navigate to the “Ribbon” tab on the left-hand side. Right-click anywhere within the “Ribbon” tab and select “New Panel” from the context menu.
Step 3: Naming and Assigning an Icon to the Panel
After creating a new panel, right-click on it and choose “Rename”. Give your panel an appropriate name that describes its functionality.
To assign an icon to your panel, right-click on it again, select “Properties”, and click on the small box next to “Large image”. Choose an icon from AutoCAD’s extensive library of icons or import your own custom icon.
Step 4: Adding Buttons to the Panel
Now it’s time to add buttons to your custom panel. Right-click on your panel and select “New Button” from the context menu. A new button will appear within your panel.
Naming and Assigning an Icon to a Button
To rename your button, right-click on it, choose “Rename”, and give it a meaningful name that reflects its purpose. To assign an icon to your button, follow the same steps as we did for the panel icon.
Assigning a Macro or Command to a Button
To make your button functional, you need to assign a macro or command to it. Right-click on your button, select “Properties”, and locate the “Macro” field. Here, you can enter the desired command or create a custom macro using AutoCAD’s scripting language.
Step 5: Saving and Loading the Customization File
Once you have finished creating your custom button, click on the “Apply” button in the CUI Editor to save your changes. To load your customization file every time you start AutoCAD, type “OPTIONS” in the command line and press Enter.
In the Options dialog box, navigate to the “Files” tab and click on the “Support File Search Path” button. Add the location of your customization file (*.CUIX) to ensure it loads automatically.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we have explored how to create a custom button in AutoCAD using the CUI Editor. By following these simple steps, you can customize your AutoCAD interface and streamline your workflow by creating buttons for frequently used commands or complex tasks.
Experiment with different icons and organize your buttons into panels for easy access. With these customization options at hand, you can optimize your productivity and work more efficiently in AutoCAD.