In AutoCAD, symbols are commonly used to represent different objects or elements in a drawing. Having a symbol panel can greatly enhance your workflow by providing easy access to frequently used symbols. In this tutorial, we will learn how to insert a symbol panel in AutoCAD.
Step 1: Open the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor
To begin, open AutoCAD and navigate to the “Manage” tab on the ribbon. In the “Customization” panel, click on “Customize User Interface” (CUI) Editor.
Step 2: Create a New Ribbon Tab
In the CUI Editor, you will see a list of customization files on the left-hand side. Right-click on “Ribbon” and select “New Tab.”
Give your new tab a name, such as “Symbols. “
Step 3: Add Panels to the New Tab
With your new tab selected, right-click on it and choose “New Panel.” Repeat this step to create multiple panels for different categories of symbols you want to include in your symbol panel.
Step 4: Populate Panels with Buttons
Now it’s time to add buttons to each panel. Right-click on a panel and select “New Button.”
In the properties window that appears, you can specify the name of the button and assign an appropriate command or script that inserts the desired symbol. Repeat this step for each button you want to add.
Note:
- You can assign custom icons to buttons by specifying an image file.
- The command or script assigned to each button should be set up beforehand for proper functionality.
Step 5: Arrange Panels and Buttons
To arrange the panels and buttons in a logical order, simply drag and drop them within the CUI Editor. You can also use the “Move Up” and “Move Down” buttons in the toolbar to adjust their position.
Step 6: Save and Load the Customization File
Once you are satisfied with your symbol panel setup, click on the “Apply” button to save your changes. You can then close the CUI Editor.
To load your customized ribbon tab, type “CUILOAD” in the command line and select your customization file from the list. Alternatively, you can set it as a startup variable so that it loads automatically when AutoCAD starts.
Note:
- Make sure to save a backup of your customization file for future reference or in case you need to restore it.
- If you want to remove or modify your symbol panel later, you can reopen the CUI Editor and make the necessary changes.
Congratulations! You have successfully inserted a symbol panel in AutoCAD. With this handy addition to your workspace, accessing frequently used symbols will be quicker and more convenient than ever before.