Previously I reviewed the basics behind why Ribbons are here and I will now continue to how one is created or edited using the editing inferface in AutoCAD.
In order to edit or create a ribbon you must first enter the editor that comes with AutoCAD for this purpose. Don’t worry it is built into AutoCAD so you won’t need to install a seperate program. This is called the CUI (or Customise User Interface).
It can be accessed by typing CUI on the command line,
or by going to the menu: tools –> customise interface
or as most of you will be using the Ribbon now (I hope!) you can find it under Manage.
Once you have the editor open you will probably be confused. There are many panes and sub-directories and other items that appear daunting. However I will break it down and actaully it is quite simple and fairly logical in the end!
All information for AutoCAD’s interface is stored in various files. More on those in a moment.
So we have two tabs, CUSTOMISE and TRANSFER and three panes PROPERTIES, CUSTOMIZATIONS IN ALL FILES and COMMAND LIST.
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Customise Tab
The CUSTOMISE tab is most of the work is done, under the “customisations in main file” section, there is a drop down. This lists the main customisation file (above the first line) usually called ACAD.CUIX or ACADLT.CUIX, however this could change on a vertical platform. I would not work on these as an upgrade could wipe any settings. Instead I would create a new file (that comes a little later).
There are usually a couple of files listed in the second section of this drop down, in full AutoCAD this is where express tools is loaded and under LT you usually get content explorer listed here. These are called partial customisation files as they do not contain information regarding the entire interface, rather only a part. We will be creating one of these partial files later on.
If you select one of these files the command list at the bottom changes to reflect the commands stored in that CUI file.
The properties on the right will display the properties of the current object selected, be it a CUI file, a ribbon, a toolbar or just a command.
Tranfer tab
The TRANSFER tab allows varies commands etc. to be moved from one file to another. Simples.
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