How Do I Show Icons in AutoCAD?

by

Showing icons in AutoCAD can greatly enhance your workflow and make it easier to navigate the interface. Icons are graphical representations of commands or tools that can be accessed directly from the toolbar. In this tutorial, we will explore how to show icons in AutoCAD and customize their appearance to suit your preferences.

Step 1: Accessing the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor
To show icons in AutoCAD, we need to access the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor. This powerful tool allows you to customize various aspects of the AutoCAD interface, including the display of icons.

Here’s how you can access the CUI Editor:

  1. Click on the “Customize” tab in the menu bar.
  2. Select “Customize User Interface” from the drop-down menu.
  3. The CUI Editor dialog box will appear.

Step 2: Navigating through CUI Editor
The CUI Editor is divided into two main sections:

  1. Command List: This section displays a list of all available commands in AutoCAD.
  2. Customize: This section allows you to customize various aspects of the AutoCAD interface, including icons.

To navigate through CUI Editor:

  1. In the Command List section, expand the desired command category by clicking on the plus sign (+) next to it.
  2. Select a specific command from within the expanded category.
  3. In the Customize section, locate the “Toolbar” tab which displays available toolbars and their corresponding buttons.
  4. Select a toolbar where you want to show an icon for your chosen command.
  5. Click on the “Add Command” button located at the bottom of the Customize section.

Step 3: Adding an Icon to a Toolbar
Once you have selected a command and a toolbar, it’s time to add an icon to the toolbar.

Here’s how you can add an icon:

  1. In the “Add Command” dialog box, click on the “Browse” button next to the “Command” field.
  2. A new dialog box will appear, displaying a list of available icons.
  3. Select an icon that represents your chosen command and click on the “Open” button.
  4. The selected icon will now appear in the “Icon” field of the “Add Command” dialog box.
  5. Click on the “OK” button to add the icon to your chosen toolbar.

Step 4: Customizing Icon Appearance
AutoCAD allows you to further customize the appearance of icons by adjusting their size, style, and transparency.

To customize icon appearance:

  1. In the Customize section of CUI Editor, select the toolbar containing your added icon.
  2. In the right-hand pane, locate and select your added command from within that toolbar.
  3. In the Properties section below, adjust various settings such as size, style, and transparency for your icon.
    • Size: You can specify a custom size for your icon using pixel dimensions or choose from predefined sizes like small, medium, or large.
    • Style: AutoCAD offers different styles for icons such as standard or grayscale. Choose a style that suits your preference.
    • Transparency: Adjusting the transparency of an icon can make it blend better with the toolbar, giving it a more seamless appearance.
  4. Once you have customized the appearance of your icon, click on the “Apply” button to save your changes.
  5. Repeat these steps for any other icons you wish to add or customize.

Showing icons in AutoCAD can significantly improve your productivity and streamline your workflow. By following these steps and customizing their appearance, you can create an interface that is visually engaging and tailored to your specific needs.

Now that you know how to show icons in AutoCAD and customize their appearance, unleash your creativity and take full advantage of this powerful feature!