How Do You Customize a Command in AutoCAD?

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Customizing commands in AutoCAD can greatly improve your workflow and efficiency. By creating personalized shortcuts and modifying existing commands, you can tailor the software to suit your specific needs. In this article, we will explore how to customize a command in AutoCAD using various techniques.

1. Modifying an Existing Command

If there is a command in AutoCAD that you frequently use but find its default settings inconvenient, you can modify it to better suit your requirements. To do this:

  1. Access the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor: This can be done by typing “CUI” in the command line or navigating to the “Customize” tab in the ribbon and selecting “Customize User Interface”.
  2. Expand the “Partial Customization Files” tree: Here, you will find a list of customization files available.
  3. Navigate to the desired customization file: Choose the file that matches your workspace or create a new one if needed.
  4. Expand the “Command List” tree: This will display a list of all available commands.
  5. Select the command you want to modify: You can either scroll through the list or use the search bar for quicker access.
  6. Edit the properties of the selected command: You can change its name, icon, keyboard shortcut, or other settings according to your preference.
  7. Save your changes: Click on “Apply” and then “OK” to save your modifications and exit the CUI Editor.

2. Creating a New Command

If there is a specific action or sequence of commands that you frequently perform in AutoCAD, you can create a new command to simplify the process. Here’s how:

  1. Access the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor: Follow the same steps as mentioned in the previous section.
  2. Right-click on an existing command: Choose an existing command that closely resembles the desired functionality of your new command.
  3. Select “Copy” from the context menu: This will create a duplicate of the selected command.
  4. Rename and modify the properties of the duplicated command: Change its name, icon, keyboard shortcut, or other settings as per your requirements.
  5. Create a macro for your new command (optional): If you want to execute multiple commands in sequence with your new custom command, you can create a macro by specifying each step in the “Macro” field.

3. Loading Customizations

Once you have customized commands according to your preferences, you need to load these customizations into AutoCAD for them to take effect. Follow these steps:

  1. Access the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor:

    This can be done by typing “CUI” in the command line or navigating to the “Customize” tab in the ribbon and selecting “Customize User Interface”.
  2. Click on the “Transfer” tab:

    This tab allows you to transfer customizations from one workspace or profile to another.
  3. Select the customization file that contains your custom commands:

    Choose the customization file where you made your modifications.
  4. Click on “Load”:

    This will load your customizations into AutoCAD.
  5. Save your changes:

    Click on “Apply” and then “OK” to save your modifications and exit the CUI Editor.

With these techniques, you can fully customize commands in AutoCAD to match your workflow and increase productivity. Experiment with different modifications and shortcuts to find what works best for you. Happy designing!