AutoCAD 2012 Customization Guide February 2011
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Contents Chapter 1 Basic Customization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Overview of Customization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Organize Program and Support Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Overview of File Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Multiple Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Multiple Drawing Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Locate Customized Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Work with User Interface Elements . . . . . . . Manage and Modify Action Macros . . . . . . . . . . Manage Action Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . Insert User Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pause for User Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Work with Coordinates . . . . . . . . . . . . . Insert Base Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Work with Object Selections . . . . . . . . . . Tips for Using the Action Recorder . . . . . . . . . . Examples of Action Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Create a Shortcut Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Customize Shortcut Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Create a Double Click Action . . . . . . . . . . . Create a Mouse Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Create and Modify Workspaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . Create a Workspace from the User Interface . . . Create a Workspace with the CUI Editor . . . . . Create and Manage Customization Files . . . . . . . . . . . Basics of Customization Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Create and Load a Partial CUIx File .
Create a Pull-Down Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Create a Shortcut Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Create Submenus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reference Pull-Down or Shortcut Menus . . . . . . Swap and Insert Pull-Down Menus . . . . . . . . . Quick Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rollover Tooltips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keyboard Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shortcut Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
>= (greater than or equal to) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400 and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400 angtos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400 edtime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401 eq . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403 eval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403 fix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The ACADDOC.LSP File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439 The MNL File for an AutoLISP Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . 440 Prevent AutoLISP Errors When Loading Startup Files . . . . 441 S::STARTUP Function: Postinitialization Execution . . . . . 442 ObjectARX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444 Overview of ObjectARX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444 Use ObjectARX Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unicode Font Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 542 Superscripts and Subscripts in SHX Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543 Chapter 9 Migrate and Transfer Custom Settings and Files . . . . . . . . 547 Migrate Custom Settings and Files from Previous Releases . . . Migration Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Determine How to Migrate Custom Settings . . . . . . . Migrate Custom Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . View the Migration Log File . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Basic Customization 1 Your dealer can offer you independently developed applications that can further tailor AutoCAD to your needs. Overview of Customization AutoCAD can be customized in simple ways. For example, you can change the directory structure or create a custom title block to use on a layout. If you want to change the interface further, you can edit the CUIx file and use DIESEL statements to create custom commands.
■ Run external programs and utilities from within AutoCAD. You can, for example, copy a disk or delete a file from within AutoCAD by adding the appropriate external command to the program parameters (PGP) file, acad.pgp. ■ Define command aliases. You can define simple abbreviations, or aliases, for frequently used commands from within AutoCAD by adding the command to the PGP file acad.pgp. For example, you might want to start the BLOCK command by entering b.
Introduction to Programming Interfaces on page 425 briefly describes these APIs and provides cross-references to more information.
System Variables TOOLTIPS Controls the display of tooltips on the ribbon, toolbars, and other user interface elements. Organize Program and Support Files You can change the default directory structure for the program and support files to suit your needs.
The following LISP script creates the CUSTFILES command, which launches Windows® Explorer in the correct folder. (defun c:custfiles () (command "shell" (strcat "explorer \"" (getvar "roamablerootprefix") "\"") ) (princ) ) Library Search Path The library search path specifies where the program searches for files when you do not specify a full path name, as follows: ■ Current directory. (This is typically determined by the “Start In” setting in your shortcut icon.
The default location for AutoCAD is in the Program Files folder. You can create a new directory on the same level (for example, /AcadApps) and store your custom AutoLISP and VBA macros, customization files, and other third-party applications in subdirectories on the next level. If you want to maintain multiple drawing directories (for separate job files), you can create a directory such as /AcadJobs with subdirectories for each job.
6 AutoCAD checks the command name against the list of system variables. If the command name is in the list, AutoCAD executes the SETVAR command, using the input as the variable name. 7 If the command name corresponds to a command alias defined in the program parameters file, AutoCAD uses the expanded command name and continues the search, starting a new search against the list of built-in commands. 8 If all the preceding steps fail, the search terminates with a warning message about illegal command names.
The default location of the acad2012.cfg configuration file is listed in the Options dialog box, Files tab, under Help and Miscellaneous File Names, but you can specify an alternative path or file name. Typically, only a single configuration is necessary, but you may need multiple configurations.
in /AcadJobs/Job1. Specifying support (with no path prefix) in the Support path adds the support directory within the current directory to the Support path. Notice that if you use the Options dialog box to specify a directory, AutoCAD creates a hard-coded path to that directory. To use the relative naming convention previously described, you must specify the Support path with the /s switch on the command line. See “Customize Startup” in the User's Guide.
Quick Reference System Variables CMDECHO Controls whether prompts and input are echoed during the AutoLISP command function. Locate Customized Files Beginning with AutoCAD 2004, the location of some of your customized files has changed. The reasons for the file location changes include the following: ■ Limited user rights on a workstation. You can run AutoCAD as a limited user. This means that you no longer need power user or Administrator permissions to run AutoCAD once it is installed.
To locate your data link files 1 Do one of the following: ■ (Windows XP) Click Start menu ➤ Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ ➤ . ■ (Windows Vista) Click Start menu ➤ All Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ ➤ . 2 Click application menu ➤ Options. 3 In the Options dialog box, Files tab, click the plus sign (+) to the left of Data Sources Location. 4 Under Data Sources Location, click the path name to view the location of your data link files.
NOTE You can also locate your plot style files by entering stylesmanager on the AutoCAD command line. Locate Plotter Files Beginning with AutoCAD 2004, the default location of your plotter files has changed. For information about the default location of these files, see Locate Customized Files on page 10. To locate your plotter files 1 Do one of the following: ■ (Windows XP) Click Start menu ➤ Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ ➤ .
■ (Windows Vista) Click Start menu ➤ All Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ ➤ . 2 Click application menu ➤ Options. 3 In the Options dialog box, Files tab, click the plus sign (+) to the left of Printer Support File Path. 4 Under Printer Description File Search Path, click the path name to view the location of your PMP file. Locate Support Files Beginning with AutoCAD 2004, the default location for some of your support files has changed.
3 In the Options dialog box, Files tab, click the plus sign (+) to the left of Help and Miscellaneous File Names. 4 Click the plus sign (+) to the left of Configuration File. 5 Under Configuration File, click the path name to view the location of your configuration file. To find the default location of the customization files 1 Do one of the following: ■ (Windows XP) Click Start menu ➤ Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ ➤ .
2 Click application menu ➤ Options. 3 In the Options dialog box, Files tab, click the plus sign (+) to the left of Customization Files. 4 Under Custom Icon Location, click the path name to view the location for the custom button image files used with your customization files. To find the default location of the Help and miscellaneous files 1 Do one of the following: ■ (Windows XP) Click Start menu ➤ Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ ➤ .
To find the default location of the alternate font file 1 Do one of the following: ■ (Windows XP) Click Start menu ➤ Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ ➤ . ■ (Windows Vista) Click Start menu ➤ All Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ ➤ . 2 Click application menu ➤ Options. 3 In the Options dialog box, Files tab, click the plus sign (+) to the left of Text Editor, Dictionary, and Font File Names. 4 Click the plus sign (+) to the left of Alternate Font File.
To locate your drawing template files 1 Do one of the following: ■ (Windows XP) Click Start menu ➤ Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ ➤ . ■ (Windows Vista) Click Start menu ➤ All Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ ➤ . 2 Click application menu ➤ Options. 3 In the Options dialog box, Files tab, click the plus sign (+) to the left of Template Settings. 4 Under Template Settings, click the plus sign (+) to the left of Drawing Template File Location.
Customize a Publish to Web Template You can create customized templates to use in the Publish to Web wizard by modifying one of the Publish to Web template (PWT) files provided. Use any HTML editor or text editor. To create a custom template, add or modify any of the following elements: ■ Images ■ Text ■ Hyperlinks ■ Color ■ Title ■ Video, animation, and so on There are four default Publish to Web templates that you can customize: ■ Array of Thumbnails.
To create quick access to the Publish to Web templates 1 Click Tools menu ➤ Options. 2 In the Options dialog box, Files tab, click the plus sign (+) next to Template Settings. Then click the plus sign next to Drawing Template File Location. 3 Move the cursor to the path name that is displayed and click inside it, and press F2, and press CTRL+C to copy it. 4 Click OK or Cancel to close the Options dialog box. 5 Click File menu ➤ Open.
5 Reopen the PTWTemplates folder, and right-click the new folder and rename it. 6 Right-click the new folder and click Open to display its contents. 7 Rename the Publish to Web template (PWT) file with an .htm or .html file extension. 8 Open the template file in an HTML editor or a text editor. The template file contains comments that help you determine which areas of the code you can modify to create your new web page.
While AutoCAD is running, you can invoke other programs or utilities, such as the following: ■ Windows system commands and utilities, such as start, type, dir, or copy ■ Applications such as text editors or word processors ■ Database managers, spreadsheets, and communications programs ■ User-supplied programs, such as batch files or VBA macros When you enter an external command, AutoCAD looks for the command in acad.pgp. The first section of acad.pgp defines external commands.
8 Put the argument string in quotes. Bit values 2 and 4 are mutually exclusive; if both are specified only the 2 bit is used. Using value 2 or 4 without value 1 should be avoided, because AutoCAD becomes unavailable until the application has completed. Bit value 8 allows commands like del to work properly with file names that have embedded spaces. This eliminates the possibility of passing a space-delimited list of file names to these commands.
The start command starts a separate window and runs a specified program or command. If start is used without any parameters, it opens a new command prompt window. The start command has many command line switches that affect the display of the new window. To launch a Windows application, use start without any switches. The start command is also very useful for starting a document that is associated with an application.
DXB2BLK passes the specified DXB file name to the dxbcopy batch file, which copies that file name to the file name $cmd.dxb. AutoCAD then creates a block from the specified DXB file. The name provided to the DXB file prompt is used as the new block name. To create the dxbcopy.cmd file, enter the following at the Windows Command Prompt: echo copy %1.dxb $cmd.dxb > dxbcopy.cmd This creates the dxbcopy.cmd file in the current directory.
An alias can be defined for any AutoCAD command, device driver command, or external command. The second section of the acad.pgp file defines command aliases. You can change existing aliases or add new ones by editing acad.pgp in an ASCII text editor (such as Notepad). In addition to command aliases in acad.pgp, you will also find comment lines which are preceded by a semicolon (;). Comment lines allow you to add textual information to acad.pgp, such as when or who revised the file last.
System Variables RE-INIT Reinitializes the digitizer, digitizer port, and acad.pgp file. Record and Modify Action Macros Action macros can be used to automate repetitive tasks by recording a series of commands and any values entered. Overview of Action Macros You use the Action Recorder to record an action macro. After an action macro is recorded, you save the recorded commands and input to an action macro, which has the file extension ACTM.
To change the preferences for the Action Recorder 1 On the ribbon, click Manage tab ➤ Action Recorder panel ➤ Preference. 2 In the Action Recorder Preferences dialog box, do the following: ■ Select Expand on Playback to have the Action Recorder panel expand when an action macro is played back. ■ Select Expand on Recording to have the Action Recorder panel expand when an action macro is being recorded.
RIBBON Opens the ribbon window. System Variables ACTPATH Specifies the additional paths to use when locating available action macros for playback. ACTRECORDERSTATE Specifies the current state of the Action Recorder. ACTRECPATH Specifies the path used to store new action macros. ACTUI Controls the behavior of the Action Recorder panel when recording and playing back macros. Work with the Action Recorder With the Action Recorder, you can create action macros that can be used to automate repetitive tasks.
Insert a user message on page 42 ----- Insert a user message to display information about an action macro during playback. Insert a user request for input on page 43 ----- Change a recorded value to request input when an action macro is played back. Play back an action macro ----- Play back the recorded actions that are in an action macro.
Once you are done recording an action macro, you then have the option to save or discard the recorded action macro. If you save the action macro, you must specify a name and optionally, a description and the playback settings for the action macro. The playback settings control if the view prior to the playback of the action macro is restored when a request for user input is made or when playback is complete.
■ Menu AutoLISP (MNL) File - A MNL file can be used to load files that contain custom commands specific to a CUIx file. ■ Customization User Interface (CUIx) File - AutoLISP files that define custom commands can be associated to a CUIx file by adding them to the LISP node in the CUI Editor. ■ Script Files - A script file can be used to load AutoLISP, ObjectARX, VBA, or .NET files. To record the running of a script file, set FILEDIA to 0 before using the SCRIPT command.
■ Under Restore Pre-playback View, select Once Playback Finishes to restore the view prior to the playback of the action macro. ■ Select Check for Inconsistencies when Playback Begins to have the Action Recorder validate the action macro before playback. 4 Click OK. To cancel the recording of an action macro 1 On the ribbon, click Manage tab ➤ Action Recorder panel ➤ Stop. 2 In the Action Macro dialog box, click Cancel.
To change the location used to save a recorded action macro 1 On the application menu, click Options. 2 In the Options dialog box, Files tab, in the list of nodes, click the plus sign (+) next to Action Recorder Settings. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to Actions Recording File Locations, and specify a folder path. 4 Click OK. Quick Reference Commands ACTRECORD Starts the Action Recorder. ACTSTOP Stops the Action Recorder and provides the option of saving the recorded actions to an action macro file.
Action Node Icons When an action macro is being recorded or is current, each action in the action macro file is represented by a node in the Action tree. To help determine the type of action or input used during the recording of an action macro, icons are displayed next to each one of the nodes on the Action tree. The following table explains what each of the different action nodes represent and the icon that is displayed next to them in the Action tree.
Icon Action Node Name Description Real (Double) A real or double number value. Integer An integer number value. String A text string value. Scale Factor A scaling percentage value. Color A color value. Selection Results The final selection set that is used by a command. It contains a node for each sub-selection. Macro-created object Selection A selection that contains only the objects that have been created within the current action macro.
Icon Action Node Name Description Properties panel. Indicates which object filter type was used. Modal Dialog A node that contains the recorded dialog box that will be displayed during playback. View Change (Observation Change) A view change occurred that was not explicitly made by a command or coordinate change. UCS Change UCS change that was not explicitly made by a command or coordinate change. Quick Reference Commands ACTRECORD Starts the Action Recorder.
■ DesignCenter User Interface Elements You Cannot Record Not all actions preformed with the Properties palette and Quick Properties palette are recorded. The following actions are not recorded: ■ Property changes made from a dialog box in the Properties palette or Quick Properties palette. ■ Value changes made to the Vertex properties of 3D faces and polylines with the Properties palette or Quick Properties palette. ■ Actions that do not execute a command from the status bars.
Not all actions performed in DesignCenter are recorded. The following actions are not recorded: ■ Inserting blocks from the DC Online tab. ■ All actions from shortcut menus except Attach as Xref and Insert as Block. ■ Dragging named objects (such as layers and linetypes). Quick Reference Commands ACTRECORD Starts the Action Recorder. Manage and Modify Action Macros There are several methods for modifying and managing an action macro.
■ Properties. Changes the command name and playback settings for the action macro. Action nodes that represent commands can be deleted and value nodes can be edited. Action nodes in an action macro are modified through the Action tree, which is displayed when the Action Recorder panel is expanded. The following modify options are available when you right-click an action node in the Action tree: ■ Delete. Removes an action node from the current action macro. ■ Edit.
5 In the Action Macro - Confirm Deletion dialog box, click Delete. NOTE When you delete an action macro, the file that the action macro was stored in is also moved to the Windows Recycle Bin until deleted. If you might need the file later, move the file from the Actions folder to a different folder. To copy an action macro 1 On the ribbon, click Manage tab ➤ Action Recorder panel. Click the down arrow next to the Action Macro list. 2 In the Action Macro list, select the action macro you want to copy.
5 In the Action Macro dialog box, change the properties of the action macro by doing the following: ■ Enter a command name for the action macro in the Action Macro Command Name text box. ■ Enter a description for the action macro in the Description text box. ■ Under Restore Pre-playback View, select When Pausing For User Input to restore the view prior to the playback of the action macro.
Quick Reference Commands ACTRECORD Starts the Action Recorder. RIBBON Opens the ribbon window. ACTMANAGER Manages action macro files. Insert User Messages User messages can be inserted into an action macro to provide information about or specific instructions for playing back an action macro. While recording an action macro, you can insert a user message into an action macro that is displayed during playback.
6 Click OK. To edit a user message inserted into an action macro 1 On the ribbon, click Manage tab ➤ Action Recorder panel. Click the down arrow next to the Action Macro list. 2 In the Action Macro list, select the action macro whose user message you want to edit. 3 Expand the Action Recorder panel. 4 In the Action tree, right-click the Text Message node and click Edit Message. 5 In the Insert User Message dialog box, change the text message. 6 Click OK.
To toggle the pause for input of a value during the playback of an action macro. 1 On the ribbon, click Manage tab ➤ Action Recorder panel. Click the down arrow next to the Action Macro list. 2 In the Action Macro list, select the action macro that contains the value node that you want to pause for input during playback. 3 Expand the Action Recorder panel. 4 In the Action tree, right-click the value node and click Pause for User Input. Quick Reference Commands ACTRECORD Starts the Action Recorder.
You can toggle the behavior of a coordinate value from the Action tree on the Action Recorder. You can also change all coordinate values in an action macro to be relative or absolute from the top node in the Action tree. To toggle a coordinate value to be absolute or relative to the previous point 1 On the ribbon, click Manage tab ➤ Action Recorder panel. Click the down arrow next to the Action Macro list.
NOTE To be sure all coordinate values are absolute when All Points Are Relative is not checked, select All Points Are Relative twice to avoid some coordinate values being absolute while others are set relative to the previous point. ■ To make all coordinate values relative to the previous point, except for the first coordinate value, click Relative to Previous if a check mark is not present before it.
2 In the Action Macro list, select the action macro that you want to modify by inserting a base point. 3 Expand the Action Recorder panel. 4 In the Action tree, right-click a node and click Insert Base Point. 5 Click OK. Quick Reference Commands ACTRECORD Starts the Action Recorder. ACTBASEPOINT Inserts a base point in an action macro. RIBBON Opens the ribbon window.
2 In the Action Macro list, select the action macro that contains the selection results node that you want to pause for user input during playback. 3 Expand the Action Recorder panel. 4 In the Action tree, right-click the selection results to node and click Pause for User Input. To toggle the use of macro-created selection during playback 1 On the ribbon, click Manage tab ➤ Action Recorder panel. Click the down arrow next to the Action Macro list.
RIBBON Opens the ribbon window. Tips for Using the Action Recorder The Action Recorder is designed to be intuitive and allow you to create custom commands that can reduce the number of actions required to perform a repetitive task. There are some things to consider when recording an action macro. Recording Action Macros When recording an action macro, you should be aware of the following: ■ The current drawing settings used when recording an action macro are not completely retained by an action macro.
VBANEW VBAPREF -VBARUN VBARUN VBASTMT VBAUNLOAD XOPEN ACTBASEPOINT ACTMANAGER ■ Actions recorded with the Action Recorder are limited to interactions with the Properties palette, Quick Properties palette, the Layer Modeless dialog box, and any user interface element that starts a command. Some of the user interface elements that start commands are: most tools on tool palettes, some actions in DesignCenter, and some tools on the status bars.
■ The direction of an arc segment created with the Arc option of the PLINE command is not played back correctly unless the Direction option is used to define the arc segment. ■ While recording an action macro, you can record the current default value displayed on the command line or use the default value that is current when the action macro is played back.
Exchanging Action Macros When exchanging action macros with others, you should be aware of the following: ■ Action macros recorded with one of the AutoCAD based vertical products may not play back correctly based on the commands that were used when the action macro was recorded. ■ Action macros may not play back correctly when recorded in one language of AutoCAD and then played back with a different language of AutoCAD. Quick Reference Commands ACTRECORD Starts the Action Recorder.
■ Insert base point ■ Pause for user input ■ Play back an action macro Start Recording an Action Macro You start recording actions in the Action Recorder panel. To display the Action Recorder panel and start recording, follow these steps: 1 On the ribbon, click the Manage tab. 2 On the Action Recorder panel, click Record. Record commands and input values to create and modify a new layer Once the Action Recorder starts recording, you use the Layer Properties Manager to create a new layer.
Record Commands and Input Values Used to Create and Modify Objects Creating the Bolt layer has been recorded. Next, you create a circle and then a six sided polygon based on the center of the circle for a hexagon bolt. Once the circle and polygon are drawn, you use the SCALE command to control the size of the hexagon bolt when the action macro is played back. Follow these steps: 1 At the Command prompt, enter circle and press Enter.
■ In the Description box, enter Creates a hexagon bolt. 3 Click OK. Insert a User Message With a user message, you can provide instructions or general information about the action macro to the user before any changes are made to the drawing during playback. To insert a user message in the action macro, follow these steps: 1 On the Action Recorder panel, click the title bar to expand the panel. 2 In the Action tree, select the CreateBolt node and right-click. Click Insert User Message.
Play Back the Action Macro When you play back the action macro, you are prompted to specify a base point of a circle and the scale factor for the SCALE command. To see the results of the action macro, follow these steps: 1 On the Action Recorder panel, on the Action Macro list, select CreateBolt. 2 Click Play. 3 In the User Message dialog box, click Close. 4 When prompted to specify a base point, click a coordinate point in the drawing window. 5 The circle and polygon are drawn.
LAYER Manages layers and layer properties. POLYGON Creates an equilateral closed polyline. RIBBON Opens the ribbon window. SCALE Enlarges or reduces selected objects, keeping the proportions of the object the same after scaling. Insert a Block and Change a Dynamic Property Value This example shows how to insert a dynamic block from a tool palette and change its dynamic properties using the Properties palette.
Record Actions from the Tool Palettes Window You can use tools from a tool palette and then play back the action that is performed by a tool. From the Tool Palettes window, you will place the I Beam - Imperial dynamic block from the Structural tool palette. Follow these steps: 1 At the Command prompt, enter toolpalettes to display the Tool Palettes window. 2 At the Command prompt, enter properties to display the Properties palette.
2 In the Action tree, select the TOOLPALETTES action node under the Action Macro node and right-click. Click Delete. 3 Select the Properties action node and right-click. Click Delete. Play Back the Action Macro When you play back the action macro, you are prompted to specify the insertion point of the block. To see the results of the action macro, follow these steps: 1 On the Action Recorder panel, on the Action Macro list, select InsertIPEA140. 2 Click Play.
Modify Circles with the Properties Palette This example shows how to apply an object filter to select objects and then change the color property of the selected objects. In this example, you learn how to ■ Record and save an action macro ■ Modify an object using the Properties palette ■ Select objects and use an object selection filter ■ Use Pick First selection ■ Play back an action macro Start Recording an Action Macro You start recording actions on the Action Recorder panel.
2 In the Action Macro dialog box, do the following ■ In the Action Macro Command Name box, enter BlueCircles. ■ In the Description box, enter Changes the color of all selected circles to blue. 3 Click OK. Change the Selection Set to Use the Pick First Selection Set With a request for user input, you are prompted for a value to be entered instead of using a recorded value when playing back an action macro. In this action macro, you change the selection set created to use the Pick First selection.
selection and you are not prompted to select the objects in the drawing when the action macro is played back. Quick Reference Commands ACTRECORD Starts the Action Recorder. ACTSTOP Stops the Action Recorder and provides the option of saving the recorded actions to an action macro file. PROPERTIES Controls properties of existing objects. RIBBON Opens the ribbon window. System Variables PICKFIRST Controls whether you select objects before (noun-verb selection) or after you issue a command.
Custom Linetypes 2 AutoCAD® provides a library of standard linetypes in the acad.lin and acadiso.lin files. You can use the linetypes as they are, modify them, or create your own custom linetypes. Overview of Linetype Definitions Linetypes are defined in one or more linetype definition files that have a .lin file extension. The linetype name and definition determine the particular dash-dot sequence, the relative lengths of dashes and blank spaces, and the characteristics of any included text or shapes.
Quick Reference Commands LINETYPE Loads, sets, and modifies linetypes. System Variables MEASUREINIT Controls whether a drawing you start from scratch uses imperial or metric default settings. Simple Custom Linetypes Each linetype is defined on two lines in a linetype definition file. The first line contains the linetype name and an optional description. The second line is the code that defines the actual linetype pattern.
Linetype Name The linetype name field begins with an asterisk (*) and should provide a unique, descriptive name for the linetype. Description The description of the linetype should help you visualize the linetype when you edit the LIN file. The description is also displayed in the Linetype Manager and in the Load or Reload Linetypes dialog box.
Pattern Descriptors Each pattern descriptor field specifies the length of segments making up the linetype, separated by commas (no spaces are allowed): ■ A positive decimal number denotes a pen-down (dash) segment of that length. ■ A negative decimal number denotes a pen-up (space) segment of that length. ■ A dash length of 0 draws a dot. You can enter up to 12 dash-length specifications per linetype, provided they fit on one 80-character line in the LIN file.
6 At the Enter Pattern prompt, specify the pattern of the line. Follow these guidelines: ■ All linetypes must begin with a dash. ■ Enter zeros for dots. ■ Enter negative real numbers for spaces. The value defines the length of the space in drawing units. ■ Enter positive real numbers for dashes. The value defines the length of the dash in drawing units. ■ Separate each dot, dash, or space value from the next with a comma. ■ Use a space between a dot and a dash. 7 Press Enter to end the command.
Quick Reference Commands LINETYPE Loads, sets, and modifies linetypes. System Variables MEASUREINIT Controls whether a drawing you start from scratch uses imperial or metric default settings. Text in Custom Linetypes Characters from text fonts can be included in linetypes. Characters from text fonts can be included in linetypes. Linetypes with embedded characters can denote utilities, boundaries, contours, and so on. As with simple linetypes, lines are dynamically drawn as you specify the vertices.
characters come from the text font assigned to the STANDARD text style at a scale of 0.1, an upright rotation of 0 degrees, an X offset of -0.1, and a Y offset of -0.05. This pattern continues for the length of the line, ending with a dash 0.5 drawing units long. The linetype would be displayed as shown below. Notice that the total upstroke length is 0.2 + 0.2 = 0.4 and that the text origin is offset -.01 units in the X direction from the end of the first upstroke.
NOTE Drawings containing legacy linetypes that do not use the U (upright) rotation flag can be updated to the latest linetype definition by reloading the linetype from the LIN files. Custom linetypes can be updated by changing the R (rotation) flag to the U (upright) flag prior to reloading a linetype definition. For information on loading a linetype, see Load Linetypes. xoffset X=value. The shift of the text on the X axis of the linetype, which is along the line.
Shapes in Custom Linetypes See also: ■ Shapes and Shape Fonts on page 467 A complex linetype can contain embedded shapes that are saved in shape files. Complex linetypes can denote utilities, boundaries, contours, and so on. As with simple linetypes, complex lines are dynamically drawn as the user specifies vertices. Shapes and text objects embedded in lines are always displayed completely; they are never trimmed.
Except for the code enclosed in square brackets, everything is consistent with the definition of a simple linetype. As previously described, a total of six fields can be used to define a shape as part of a linetype. The first two are mandatory and position-dependent; the next four are optional and can be ordered arbitrarily. The following two examples demonstrate various entries in the shape definition field. [CAP,ep.shx,S=2,R=10,X=0.5] The code above draws the CAP shape defined in the ep.
degrees (if omitted, degree is the default), r for radians, or g for grads. If rotation is omitted, 0 relative rotation is used. NOTE Drawings containing legacy linetypes that do not use the U (upright) rotation flag can be updated to the latest linetype definition by reloading the linetype from the LIN files. Custom linetypes can be updated by changing the R (rotation) flag to the U (upright) flag prior to reloading a linetype definition. For information on loading a linetype, see Load Linetypes.
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Custom Hatch Patterns 3 AutoCAD® provides a library of standard hatch patterns in the acad.pat and acadiso.pat files. You can use the hatch patterns as they are, modify them, or create your own custom hatch patterns. Overview of Hatch Pattern Definitions In addition to using the predefined hatch patterns that are supplied, you can design and create your own custom hatch patterns.
and is defined as follows: *ANSI31, ANSI Iron, Brick, Stone masonry 45, 0,0, 0,.125 The pattern name on the first line, *ANSI31, is followed by a description: ANSI Iron, Brick, Stone masonry. This simple pattern definition specifies a line drawn at an angle of 45 degrees, that the first line of the family of hatch lines is to pass through the drawing origin (0,0), and that the spacing between hatch lines of the family is to be 0.125 drawing units.
of hatch lines is generated parallel to an initial line with an absolute origin to guarantee proper alignment. If you create a very dense hatch, AutoCAD may reject the hatch and display a message indicating that the hatch scale is too small or its dash length too short. You can change the maximum number of hatch lines by setting the MaxHatch environment variable using (setenv “MaxHatch” “n”) where n is a number between 100 and 10000000 (ten million).
HATCH Fills an enclosed area or selected objects with a hatch pattern, solid fill, or gradient fill. HATCHEDIT Modifies an existing hatch or fill. SOLID Creates solid-filled triangles and quadrilaterals. System Variables FILLMODE Specifies whether hatches and fills, 2D solids, and wide polylines are filled in. HPANG Sets the angle for new hatch patterns. HPBOUND Controls the object type created by HATCH and BOUNDARY. HPDOUBLE Specifies hatch pattern doubling for user-defined patterns.
drawn. If the length is negative, the segment is pen-up, and it is not drawn. The pattern starts at the origin point with the first segment and cycles through the segments in circular fashion. A dash length of 0 draws a dot. You can specify up to six dash lengths per pattern line. The hatch pattern ANSI33, shown on the Hatch contextual ribbon tab or in the Hatch and Gradient dialog box, looks like this: and is defined as follows: *ANSI33, ANSI Bronze, Brass, Copper 45, .176776695,0, 0,.25, .125,-.
Now change the pattern to *SKEWED 0, 0,0, .5,.5, .5,-.5 It is the same, except that you have set delta-x to 0.5. This offsets each successive family member by 0.5 in the direction of the line (in this case, parallel to the X axis). Because the lines are infinite, the dash pattern slides down the specified amount. The hatched area would look like this: To create a hatch pattern with dashed lines 1 Open the acad.pat or acadiso.pat file in a text editor that saves in ASCII format.
Quick Reference Commands ADCENTER Manages and inserts content such as blocks, xrefs, and hatch patterns. FILL Controls the filling of objects such as hatches, 2D solids, and wide polylines. HATCH Fills an enclosed area or selected objects with a hatch pattern, solid fill, or gradient fill. HATCHEDIT Modifies an existing hatch or fill. SOLID Creates solid-filled triangles and quadrilaterals. System Variables FILLMODE Specifies whether hatches and fills, 2D solids, and wide polylines are filled in.
HPSPACE Sets the hatch pattern line spacing for user-defined patterns. Hatch Patterns with Multiple Lines Complex hatch patterns can have an origin that passes through offsets from the origin and can have multiple members in the line family. Not all hatch patterns use origin points of 0,0. Complex hatch patterns can have an origin that passes through offsets from the origin and can have multiple members in the line family.
The first line (the up bar) is a simple dashed line with 0,0 origin. The second line (the top bar) should begin at the end of the up bar, so its origin is 0,.5. The third line (the down bar) must start at the end of the top bar, which is at .5,.5 for the first instance of the pattern, so its origin is at this point. The third line of the pattern could be the following: 90, .5,0, 0,1, .5,-.5 or 270, .5,1, 0,1, -.5,.
■ An X,Y origin point ■ A delta-x of any value if you want to offset alternating lines in the line family ■ A delta-y of any value ■ A value for a dash length ■ A value for a dot length ■ An optional second value for a different dash length ■ An optional second value for a different dot length 5 Create a second line including all the parameters in the previous step. 6 (Optional) Create additional lines to complete the multiple-line hatch pattern.
System Variables FILLMODE Specifies whether hatches and fills, 2D solids, and wide polylines are filled in. HPANG Sets the angle for new hatch patterns. HPBOUND Controls the object type created by HATCH and BOUNDARY. HPDOUBLE Specifies hatch pattern doubling for user-defined patterns. HPNAME Sets the default hatch pattern name. HPSCALE Sets the hatch pattern scale factor. HPSPACE Sets the hatch pattern line spacing for user-defined patterns.
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User Interface Customization 4 When you work in the program, you use a variety of ribbon panels, menus, toolbars, shortcut keys, and other user interface elements to help you accomplish your tasks efficiently. You can also streamline your environment by customizing these elements. Understand User Interface Customization Using the customization tools of AutoCAD, you can tailor your drawing environment to suit your needs.
■ Create or change macros ■ Define DIESEL strings ■ Create or change aliases ■ Add descriptive text for command tooltips ■ Control the properties displayed when using rollover tooltips Customizable User Interface Elements The editor allows you to create and manage commands that are used in the CUIx file in a centralized location. Along with commands, you are able to customize many of the different user interface elements.
Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. CUIEXPORT Exports customized settings from the main CUIx file to an enterprise or partial CUIx file. CUIIMPORT Imports customized settings from an enterprise or partial CUIx file to the main CUIx file. CUILOAD Loads a CUIx file. CUIUNLOAD Unloads a CUIx file. QUICKCUI Displays the Customize User Interface Editor in a collapsed state.
Use the Customization Environment You customize the XML-based CUIx file with the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor to create new commands, user interface elements, and workspaces. Overview of the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor The Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor is used to customize the user interface of AutoCAD. Before you start customizing your own menus, toolbars, and other user interface elements, you should familiarize yourself with the customization environment.
Customize the user interface to make the drawing environment specific to certain types of tasks. For example, if you want a toolbar that contains the commands you use most often, you can create a new Favorites toolbar in the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor and then load the new toolbar in AutoCAD. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. CUIEXPORT Exports customized settings from the main CUIx file to an enterprise or partial CUIx file.
CUIIMPORT Imports customized settings from an enterprise or partial CUIx file to the main CUIx file. CUILOAD Loads a CUIx file. CUIUNLOAD Unloads a CUIx file. QUICKCUI Displays the Customize User Interface Editor in a collapsed state. System Variables DBLCLKEDIT Controls the double click editing behavior in the drawing area. ENTERPRISEMENU Stores the enterprise customization file name (if defined), including the path for the file name.
able to create user interface elements and add commands to a user interface element, you can change the order in which commands appear on toolbars, menus, and ribbon panels by dragging them up and down. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. Work with the Command List Pane The Command List pane is used to create and locate commands that are contained in the loaded customization files.
Command list box. There are many different categories that you can select from, for example ■ All Commands. Displays all of the commands for each of the loaded customization files. ■ Custom Commands. Displays the user defined commands that have been added to the loaded customization files. These commands are not part of a customization file that ships with AutoCAD. ■ Controls Elements.
Work with the Dynamic Display Pane The Dynamic Display pane controls the display of additional panes that respond to the item that is selected in either the Customizations In pane or Command List pane.
Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. How Customization Has Changed Although the basic customization techniques remain the same as in previous versions of the product, the environment that you use to customize the product was changed starting with AutoCAD 2006. All of the previous customization options are still available.
customization files; you can use macros and advanced entries such as DIESEL expressions and AutoLISP routines. However, you no longer perform customization tasks by creating or editing MNU or MNS text files by hand. All customizations are done through the program interface, in the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor. Menu Files Versus Customization Files In releases prior to AutoCAD 2006, you customized the user interface by editing an MNU or MNS file in an ASCII text editor such as Notepad.
Menu files mapped to CUIx files Menu file Description In Auto- Description of change CAD 2012 face elements. The main MNU file, acad.mnu, was automatically loaded when you started the product. Partial MNU files could be loaded or unloaded as you needed them during a drawing session. ments. The main CUIx file, acad.cuix, is automatically loaded when you start the product. Partial CUIx files can be loaded or unloaded as you need them during a drawing session. MNS Source menu file.
Menu Text File Structure Versus CUI and CUIx Structure In releases prior to AutoCAD 2006, you added, edited, and deleted menu information directly in a text file. In AutoCAD 2006 and later, you use the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor. Following is an example of how the Window menu looked in the legacy menu file acad.mnu. Contents of the Window menu in acad.
Window menu, Properties pane for the Close command Window menu, Properties pane for the Close All command Window menu tree node, shortcut menu displayed with Insert Separator option 100 | Chapter 4 User Interface Customization
Menu Group Versus Customization Group There is no difference between a menu group (the term used in previous releases) and a customization group. A CUIx file loaded into AutoCAD must have a unique customization group name to prevent conflicts between customization files in the program. The main CUIx file, acad.cuix by default, has a customization group named ACAD. You can load as many customization files into the program, as long as they each have a unique customization group name.
Dynamic Help may not display properly if a command is not available: ■ In one of the loaded CUIx files ■ On an accessible menu, ribbon panel, or ribbon tab in the current workspace NOTE Dynamic Help only works with the online Help documents that come with AutoCAD, and has no affect on third-party documentation.
Customization Glossary You should know several terms for customizing AutoCAD 2012. Customization (CUIx) file A package file that contains multiple XML-based files and custom image files. Each one of the XML-based files contain the data for a different type of user interface element that can be customized. The custom images that are stored in the file are those that are referenced by the commands defined in the customization data and are not stored in a resource DLL.
Legacy Menu (MNS) file An ASCII based file that stores menu customization data for AutoCAD 2005 and earlier. Most of the file needed to be edited outside of AutoCAD using a text editor such as Notepad, but there were a few features that could be customized in AutoCAD using the CUSTOMIZE command. The MNS file has been replaced by the CUIx file. A CUIx file can be generated from an MNS file using the Transfer tab of the CUI command.
Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. CUIEXPORT Exports customized settings from the main CUIx file to an enterprise or partial CUIx file. CUIIMPORT Imports customized settings from an enterprise or partial CUIx file to the main CUIx file. CUILOAD Loads a CUIx file. CUIUNLOAD Unloads a CUIx file. CUSTOMIZE Customizes tool palettes and tool palette groups. QUICKCUI Displays the Customize User Interface Editor in a collapsed state.
System Variables DBLCLKEDIT Controls the double click editing behavior in the drawing area. ENTERPRISEMENU Stores the enterprise customization file name (if defined), including the path for the file name. MENUNAME Stores the customization file name, including the path for the file name. ROLLOVERTIPS Controls the display of rollover tooltips when the cursor hovers over an object. TOOLTIPS Controls the display of tooltips on the ribbon, toolbars, and other user interface elements.
information about creating custom commands, see Customize Commands on page 142. Set the working CUIx file on page ----- Determine which CUIx file to add to the custom 122 command. Add the new command on page 144 ----- Create a new command in a CUIx file. Define the macro on page 154 Define the series of actions that should be ----- executed when the command is used from the user interface. Control how the command and its ----- Define the label for the command.
Associate an extended tooltip on page 177 Optional: Assign extended help to the command ----- which, is used for the extended tooltip of a command. Assign an image on page 182 ----- Optional: Assign an image to the command. A standard or custom image can be assigned. Optional: Assign status line text to the command Define a status line help message ----- which, is used when it is added to a pull-down on page 180 menu.
Add commands and controls on page 196 ----- Add the commands and controls to the Quick Access toolbar that you want to use. Display a Quick Access toolbar on ----- Assign the Quick Access toolbar to a workspace. page 362 Set a workspace current on page 353 ----- Set the workspace containing the Quick Access toolbar current. Customize the Ribbon Ribbon customization is broken out into three main components: panels, tabs, and contextual tab states.
associated dialog box. For more information about ribbon panel customization, see Ribbon Panels on page 201. Create a new ribbon panel on page 203 Create a new ribbon panel to organize the ----- commands and controls you want to display on the ribbon. Add a row on page 211 Add rows to organize the commands and controls ----- you want to add. Rows can also hold drop-downs and sub-panels.
Add commands and controls on page 213 ----- Add commands and controls to the rows, sub-panels, and drop-downs on the ribbon panel. To change the display and behavior of a command, control or drop-down on page 216 Optional: Change the display and behavior of ----- the commands, controls, or drop-downs on the ribbon panel. Assign a command to the Panel ----- Optional: Add a command to the Panel Dialog Dialog Box Launcher on page 206 Box Launcher for the ribbon panel.
Create new ribbon panels as needed for the Create a ribbon panel on page 109 ----- commands and controls you want to display on (workflow diagram) the ribbon. Assign a ribbon panel to a ribbon ----- Assign a ribbon panel to a ribbon tab. tab on page 242 Assign a ribbon tab to a workspace ----- Assign a ribbon tab to a workspace. on page 364 Set a workspace current on page 353 ----- Set the modified workspace current to see the ribbon tab and its associated ribbon panels.
Create a ribbon tab on page 111 (workflow diagram) Create new tabs as needed to control the display ----- of ribbon panels when the context of the contextual tab state is met. Assign a ribbon tab on page 245 ----- Assign the ribbon tabs to the contextual tab state. Create a Toolbar Toolbars organize commands and controls on small dockable windows. You can add commands and controls to a toolbar making it easier to access the commands you use.
Add commands and controls on page 253 ----- Add commands and controls to the toolbar and flyouts. Assign a toolbar to a workspace on ----- Assign the toolbar to a workspace to display it. page 369 Set a workspace current on page 353 ----- Set the modified workspace current to see the toolbar. Create a Pull-Down Menu Pull-down menus take up the least amount of space in the application frame of AutoCAD of all user interface elements, while providing access to a wide range of commands.
Add a submenu on page 286 ----- Optional: Add submenus to organize multiple commands into a single drop-down menu. Create a new command on page ----- Create new commands as needed. 106 (workflow diagram) Add commands on page 273 ----- Add commands to the pull-down menu and submenus. Change the caption for a command on page 274 ----- Change the caption for the command when displayed on the pull-down menu.
Create a Shortcut Menu Shortcut menus provide contextual access to commands based on right-clicking. Contextual states vary depending on if a command is active, an object is selected, or if no command or object is selected. You create custom shortcut menus that replace the default shortcut menus in AutoCAD or to insert additional commands into a specific shortcut menu. Commands on a shortcut menu can be displayed as a single item or as a grouping of items with a submenu.
Change the caption for a command on page 284 ----- Change the caption that is used for the command when displayed on the shortcut menu. Customize Shortcut Key Shortcut keys start a command by with a combination of the Ctrl or Alt key and some additional keys. You assign commands to a shortcut key combination to make it easy to start the command. You use a key combination instead of clicking a menu item or a button.
about double click action customization, see Double Click Actions on page 324. Create a new command on page ----- Create new commands as needed. 106 (workflow diagram) Create a double click action on page 324 ----- Create a new double click action to start the command when an object is double clicked. Create a Mouse Button Mouse buttons start a command based on a mouse click and a key combination. You assign commands to mouse button and key combinations.
You create and manage workspaces from the user interface of AutoCAD or with the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor. Creating and managing workspaces from the user interface is limited; the CUI Editor gives you full control over all user interface elements in a workspace. For more information about workspace customization, see Customize Workspaces on page 343. Create a Workspace from the User Interface You can perform some basic customization of a workspace from the user interface.
Save the workspace on page 348 ----- Save the changes made to the user interface elements to a workspace. Create a Workspace with the CUI Editor The CUI Editor provides an editing environment to customization a workspace. From the CUI Editor, you can control the display of the Quick Access toolbar, ribbon tabs, toolbars, menus, and palettes. You can also control the display of certain features in the application and drawing windows.
Control the display settings for a toolbar when Change the display properties of a ----- the workspace is set current. You can control toolbar on page 371 settings such as default position and docking, among others. Display a menu on page 372 ----- Display a menu on the menu bar when the workspace is set current. Display a palette on page 374 ----- Display a palette when the workspace is set current.
Create and Manage Customization Files Customization (CUIx) files are used to store commands, user interface elements, and references to partial CUIx files and AutoLISP files. CUIx files can be designated as main, partial, or enterprise. Basics of Customization Files Customization files are loaded into AutoCAD to define elements that make up the user interface and are edited using the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor.
All new commands created are added directly to the working CUIx file. If the CUIx file that you want to work with is not loaded, select Open from the Customization Files drop-down list. Then browse to and select the CUIx file you want to work with. To create a CUIx file from scratch 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Transfer tab, in the right pane, click the Create a New Customization File button.
(Windows XP) :\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Autodesk\\\\support\.cuix (Windows Vista) :\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\\\\support\.cuix NOTE The folders under your profile may be hidden by default. To display these files, you may need to change your display settings.
4 Enter a new customization group name and press Enter. NOTE You can click, wait, and click again on the customization group name to edit its name in-place. NOTE The customization group name cannot contain spaces. 5 Click Apply. To restore a customization backup file 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, right-click the customization group name. 3 Click Restore .
2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, right-click over the customization group name. 3 Click Reset . NOTE Only CUIx files found in the UserDataCache folder under the install location of AutoCAD can be reset. 4 Click Apply. To designate a CUIx file as the main CUIx file 1 Click Application menu ➤ Options. 2 In the Options dialog box, Files tab, click the plus sign (+) next to Customization Files to expand the list.
5 In the Select a File dialog box, browse to and select the customization file to load. Click Open. The file you selected is now designated as the main customization file for the program. 6 In the Options dialog box, click OK. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. MENU Loads a customization file. OPTIONS Customizes the program settings. System Variables MENUNAME Stores the customization file name, including the path for the file name.
Commands and user interface elements can be added to a partial CUIx file that is loaded under the main CUIx file, but not the enterprise CUIx file unless it is loaded as the main CUIx file. Before adding commands to a partial CUIx file, the partial CUIx file must be set as the working CUIx. For more information on adding a command to a partial CUIx file, see To add commands to a partial CUIx file on page 130. When a partial CUIx file is loaded, any workspaces defined in the file cannot be set current.
NOTE If the partial CUIx file you are attempting to load has the same customization group name as the main CUIx file, you need to change the customization group name before loading it. Open the partial CUIx file in the CUI Editor, select the customization group name, and right-click to rename it. 4 To verify that the file has been loaded into the main CUIx file, in the Customizations In pane, select the Main Customization File (.cuix) from the drop-down list.
3 In the tree view of the main CUIx file, click the plus sign (+) next to the Partial Customization Files node to expand it. Any partial CUIx files loaded in the main CUIx file are displayed. 4 Right-click the partial CUIx file that you want to unload. Click Unload .cuix. The partial CUIx file is unloaded and removed from the list. 5 Click Apply. To add commands to a partial CUIx file 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
4 Adjust the properties of the new command in the Properties pane as necessary. 5 Click Apply. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. CUILOAD Loads a CUIx file. CUIUNLOAD Unloads a CUIx file. Create an Enterprise CUIx File An enterprise CUIx file typically stores customization information that is shared by many users, but is controlled by a CAD manager.
file so you make edits to all of the different user interface elements. Make sure to note which customization file is currently designated as the main customization file, as you will need to restore it later. ■ Modify the contents of the enterprise CUIx file. Once the customization file is designated as the main customization file, you can change the customization group name and modify the CUIx file contents as needed.
2 In the Options dialog box, Files tab, click the plus sign (+) next to Customization Files to expand the list. 3 Click the plus sign next to Enterprise Customization File to open it. 4 Select the item below Enterprise Customization Files and click Browse. 5 In the Select a File dialog box, browse to the location of the enterprise customization file. Click Open. The enterprise CUIx file if shared, must be saved in a location that all users can access. 6 In the Options dialog box, click OK.
Take note of the current main CUIx file’s name and location as you will need to restore it later. 4 Select the item below Main Customization Files and click Browse. In the Select a File dialog box, browse to the location of the enterprise customization file. Click Open. 5 Click the plus sign next to Enterprise Customization File to expand it. Take note of the current enterprise CUIx file’s name and location as you will need to restore it later.
CUIEXPORT Exports customized settings from the main CUIx file to an enterprise or partial CUIx file. CUILOAD Loads a CUIx file. CUIUNLOAD Unloads a CUIx file. MENU Loads a customization file. OPTIONS Customizes the program settings. System Variables ENTERPRISEMENU Stores the enterprise customization file name (if defined), including the path for the file name. MENUNAME Stores the customization file name, including the path for the file name.
■ Expand the search to include all properties in all tree view nodes in the Customizations In pane. This type of search finds all instances or a search string. For example, if you search for the string “line” and start in the tree view, a message similar to the following is displayed: “Search string found in ‘Linear’ property ‘Name’ at position 0 (1/55).” To find a search string in a CUIx file 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
4 Click Find Next to continue your search. 5 Click Close. 6 In the Customize User Interface Editor, click Apply. To find a search string in the Command List pane 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Command List pane, right-click anywhere in the Command list. Click Find. 3 In the Find and Replace dialog box, Find tab, do the following: ■ In the Find What box, enter the search string.
4 Click Find Next to continue your search. 5 Click Close. 6 In the Customize User Interface Editor, click Apply. To find where a command in the Command List pane is used 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Command List pane, right-click the command name you want to find. Click Find. 3 In the Find and Replace dialog box, Find tab, do the following: ■ In the Find What box, enter the command name.
4 In the search results text that is displayed, review the location of the matching search string, its exact position in the tree node or Properties pane, and the number of instances in which the command or search string occurs. 5 Click Find Selected Command to continue your search. 6 Click Close. 7 In the Customize User Interface Editor, click Apply. To replace a search string 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
■ In the Ignore Case option, clear the check box if you want the search to find every instance of the search string, regardless of its case. ■ In the Restrict Search To option, select the check box if you want to restrict the search to just one CUIx file. Then, under this option, select a CUIx file from the drop-down list. ■ To step through each instance of a found string before replacing it, click Replace.
3 In the Find and Replace dialog box, Replace tab, in the Find What box, the command name you selected in the previous step is displayed. To complete the dialog box, do the following: ■ In the Replace With box, specify the command name you want to use to replace the found command. ■ In the Ignore Case option, clear the check box if you want the search to find every instance of the command, regardless of its case. ■ To step through each instance of a command name before replacing it, click Replace.
Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. Customize Commands Commands in the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor are used to define custom macros which are used to start standard and custom commands which can be executed from the command prompt in AutoCAD. Overview of Commands You can easily create, edit, and reuse commands.
Properties for the Scale command in the Command List pane Properties Description pane item Example the object the same after scaling Extended Help File Displays the file name and ID for the extended tooltip that is displayed when the cursor hovers over a toolbar or panel button. Command Display Name String that contains the name of the command that is related to the command. SCALE Macro The command macro. It follows the standard macro syntax.
Properties for the Scale command in the Command List pane Properties Description pane item Example derscore (_). It can also be a user-defined bitmap. Click the [ ] button to open the Select Image File dialog box Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. Create, Edit, and Reuse Commands You can create a new command from scratch, copy an existing command to create a new command, or edit the properties of an existing command.
A new command (named Command1) is displayed in both the Command List pane and the Properties pane. 3 In the Properties pane, do the following: ■ In the Name box, enter a name for the command. The name is displayed as a tooltip or menu name when the command is added to a user interface element. ■ In the Description box, enter a description for the command. The description will be displayed on the status bar or in a tooltip.
To remove a command 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, Command List pane, select Custom from the Command Filter drop-down list. The list is filtered to only show the commands that you have created in the loaded customization files. 3 Select the command to be removed, and right-click over the command. 4 Click Remove.
3 In the Properties pane, do any of the following to edit the command: ■ In the Name box, enter a name for the command. The name is displayed as a tooltip or menu name when the command is added to a user interface element. ■ In the Description box, enter a description for the command. The description will be displayed on the status bar or in a tooltip.
■ In the Tags box, enter the tags you want to use when search for commands with the Search field of the application menu. ■ In the Element ID box, enter an element ID for the command. (For new commands only. You cannot modify the element ID of an existing command). For information about adding button images to a command, see Create Custom Images for Commands on page 184. To use a command 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
To copy and paste a command 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, Command List pane, locate the command you want to copy. 3 Right-click over the command. Click Copy. 4 Right-click over a user interface element like a toolbar or menu. Click Paste.
NOTE The key combination Ctrl+C can be used to copy a command and Ctrl+V can be used to paste a command. To duplicate a command 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, Command List pane, locate the command you want to duplicate. 3 Right-click over the command. Click Duplicate. A copy of the selected command is created in-place directly above the selected command in the Command List pane.
Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. Create Macros A macro defines the action that results when an interface element is selected. A macro accomplishes a drawing task that would otherwise take a series of actions by a user. Overview of Macros A macro can contain commands, special characters, DIESEL (Direct Interpretively Evaluated String Expression Language) or AutoLISP programming code.
For example, the macro ^C^C_circle \1, draws a circle with a radius of 1 unit. The components that define this macro are explained in the table below. Components in CIRCLE macro Component Component type Result ^C^C Special control character Cancels any running commands _ Special control character Automatically translates the command that follows into other languages CIRCLE Command Starts the CIRCLE command \ Special control character Creates a pause for the user to specify the center point 1
Terminate Macros Some macros require special terminators. Some commands (TEXT, for example) require you to press Enter rather than Spacebar to terminate the command. Some commands require more than one space (or Enter) to complete, but some text editors cannot create a line with trailing blanks. Two special conventions resolve these problems. ■ A semicolon (;) in a macro automatically issues Enter at the Command prompt. ■ If a line ends with a control character, a backslash (\), a plus sign (+), or a sem
To assign or modify a command macro 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, Command List pane, locate the command you want to assign (or modify) a command macro. 3 In the Properties pane, select the Macro field and click the [ ] button that is displayed. The Long String Editor dialog box is displayed. 4 In the Long String Editor, edit the macro as desired and click OK. You are returned to the Customize User Interface Editor.
Macros use the special characters listed in the following table. Special characters used in macros Character Description ; Issues Enter ^M Issues Enter ^I Issues Tab [blank space] Enters a space; a blank space between command sequences in a command is equivalent to pressing the Spacebar \ Pauses for user input (cannot be used with accelerators) . Allows you to access a built-in AutoCAD command even if it was undefined using the UNDEFINE command.
Special characters used in macros Character Description ^Q Echoes all prompts, status listings, and input to the printer (equivalent to Ctrl+Q) ^R Turns command versioning on or off. Command versioning is required for some commands to ensure command macros written in an older release work properly in the latest release.
NOTE LAYER normally prompts for another operation and exits only if you press Spacebar or Enter. In the macro, the semicolon (;) is the equivalent of pressing Enter. A macro typically resumes after one user input, such as a single point location. Therefore, you cannot construct a macro that accepts a variable number of inputs (as in object selection) and then continues. However, an exception is made for SELECT: a backslash (\) suspends the SELECT command until object selection has been completed.
NOTE When command input comes from a command, the settings of the PICKADD and PICKAUTO system variables are assumed to be 1 and 0, respectively. This preserves compatibility with previous releases of AutoCAD and makes customization easier because you are not required to check the settings of these variables. Quick Reference Commands CHANGE Changes the properties of existing objects. LAYER Manages layers and layer properties. SELECT Places selected objects in the Previous selection set.
Use Built-in Commands in Macros To develop macros that use built-in commands that are part of AutoCAD, precede each command with the period character (.). The period character allows the built-in command to be used even if it has been undefined with the UNDEFINE command making the macro predicable when it is used on other systems that share the same customization file. Quick Reference Commands REDEFINE Restores AutoCAD internal commands overridden by UNDEFINE.
Each macro in the example starts a command and then prompts you to select an object. Any other prompts necessary to complete the command are displayed, and then the command ends and starts again. NOTE Command repetition cannot be used in macros for image tile menus. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. Use Single Object Selection Mode in Macros Single Object Selection mode cancels the normal repetition of the Select Objects prompt in editing commands.
element of the same type in the main CUIx file, or it can come from a partial CUIx file. You cannot swap interface elements that are of different types (menus and mouse buttons, for example). However, within a given type, you can swap any user interface element for any other element. NOTE Swapping can lead to some strange behavior for tablet menus, because they typically have a different number of macros. Use the following syntax in a macro to swap elements: $section=customizationgroup.
Use Conditional Expressions in Macros You can add conditional expressions to a macro by using a command that introduces macro expressions written in DIESEL (Direct Interpretively Evaluated String Expression Language). The format is: $M=expression Introducing the macro with $M= tells AutoCAD to evaluate a string as a DIESEL expression, and that expression is the DIESEL expression.
Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. System Variables FILLMODE Specifies whether hatches and fills, 2D solids, and wide polylines are filled in. Use AutoLISP in Macros Creating commands that use AutoLISP is a more advanced way to use the AutoCAD customization feature. You can use AutoLISP variables and expressions to create macros that perform complex tasks. To use AutoLISP efficiently in macros, place AutoLISP code in a separate MNL file.
Preset Values An application that uses block insertion presets could provide commands like these: [Set WINWID][Set WALLTHK][Insert Window] ^C^C^P(setq WINWID (getreal "Enter window width: ")) ^P ^C^C^P(setq WALLTHK (getreal "Enter wall thickness: ")) ^P ^C^C_INSERT window XScale !WINWID YScale !WALLTHK This code inserts the block named “window,” scaling its X axis to the current window width and its Y axis to the current wall thickness.
A menu or ribbon button item can be displayed as: ■ Grayed out (disabled) ■ Marked with a check marker or border ■ Both grayed out and marked Ribbon button items do not display a check mark when marked; only a border is displayed. NOTE To disable or mark ribbon button items, the “~” or “!.” sequence cannot be placed before a command name explicitly; it must be inside a DIESEL expression.
DIESEL string expressions are used to conditionally disable or enable a menu or ribbon button item each time they are displayed. For example, the DIESEL string expression in the Macros cell of the Properties pane disables the MOVE command while any other command is active. $(if,$(getvar,cmdactive),~)MOVE^C^C_move The AutoLISP menucmd function can also be used to disable and enable items from a macro or application. For examples, see Reference Pull-Down or Shortcut Menus on page 288.
Menu items can and ribbon button items must contain DIESEL string expressions to conditionally mark them each time they are displayed. When the following DIESEL string is added to the Macros cell for the applicable command in the Properties pane, a check mark is placed to the left of the menu item whose related system variable is currently enabled. $(if,$(getvar,orthomode),!.)Ortho^O $(if,$(getvar,snapmode),!.)Snap^B $(if,$(getvar,gridmode),!.
As with the previous examples, a DIESEL expression can be used to simultaneously disable and mark a command item. To gray out (disable) a command's menu or ribbon button label 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the menu that contains the command you want to disable. 3 Select the command you want to gray out.
NOTE The command must be selected from the Customizations In pane, otherwise you are just modifying the name of the command and not the label that is displayed to the user. 5 Click Apply. The changes to the command will be visible after the changes have been applied and the CUI Editor is closed. To mark command's menu or ribbon button label 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
5 Click Apply. The changes to the command will be visible after the changes have been applied and the CUI Editor is closed. To simultaneously gray out (disable) and mark a command's menu or ribbon button label 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the menu that contains the command you want to disable and mark.
Assign Search Tags With search tags, you can search for a command or a group of commands with the application menu. You can assign one or more tags to a command to make it easy to locate when performing a search from the application menu. You add tags to a command using the Tag Editor dialog box. When a tag is assigned to a command, it is displayed on a tooltip (when the command is on a toolbar or ribbon panel and the cursor hovers over the command).
4 In the Tag Editor dialog box, in the Tags box, enter a tag. As you enter a tag, a popup menu might display showing a list of previously used tags. Click a tag on the menu to use that tag. You can add more than one tag to a command; separate each tag with a comma. 5 To add another tag for a command, press the Left Arrow key and enter the tag. Repeat as needed. 6 Click OK. 7 In the Customize User Interface Editor, click Apply.
The Properties pane is displayed on the right side. 3 In the Properties pane, select the Tags field and click the [ ] button. 4 In the Tag Editor dialog box, in the Tags box, click the tag you want to remove. Press Delete. The tag is removed. 5 Click OK. 6 In the Customize User Interface Editor, click Apply.
Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. OPTIONS Customizes the program settings. Create Tooltips and Extended Help for Commands Tooltips are descriptive messages that are displayed near the cursor when it hovers over a toolbar or panel button, or menu item. The Description property associated to a command provides a simple description for what the command does.
Example of an XAML File The XAML structure is a format that was developed by Microsoft. The following is an example of what an XAML file might look like for two custom commands that exist in your CUIx file.
NOTE Extended tooltips defined to work with AutoCAD 2009 need to be updated to work with AutoCAD 2012. For information on converting an extended tooltip created for AutoCAD 2009 to work with AutoCAD 2012, see the procedure To convert an AutoCAD 2009 extended tooltip to work with AutoCAD 2012 on this page. The Stack Panel element groups the TextBlock and Image elements together. You can have as many TextBlock and Image elements under a StackPanel element that you need.
To add extended help to a command 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, Command List pane, click the command to which you want to add extended help. 3 In the Properties pane, select the Extended Help File field and click [ ] button. 4 In the Select Extended Help File dialog box, browse to and select the XAML file that contains the extended help for the command. Click Open.
6 Click Apply. When the command is added to a toolbar or ribbon panel, the extended help is displayed if extended help is enabled for tooltips and the cursor hovers over the command for the designated time interval. To create an XAML file 1 In a text editor (for example, Microsoft® Windows® Notepad), create a new file and enter the elements needed to define the extended help content. As an example, enter the text below in the text editor: PAGE 1892 Save the file as ASCII text (TXT file), with a file extension of .xaml. To convert an AutoCAD 2009 extended tooltip to work with AutoCAD 2012 1 Open the XAML file in a text editor (for example, Microsoft® Windows® Notepad). The following is an example of an extended tooltip created to use with AutoCAD 2009. You change the text shown in italic.
System Variables TOOLTIPS Controls the display of tooltips on the ribbon, toolbars, and other user interface elements. Create Status Line Help Messages Status line help messages are simple, descriptive messages that are displayed on the status line (at the bottom of the application window) when the cursor hovers over a menu item. You can change or add descriptions for menu items by updating the Description property for a related command.
4 Click Apply. The next time you use the command, the descriptive text you added is displayed in the status line when the cursor hovers over the command on a menu. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. OPTIONS Customizes the program settings. Create and Manage Images for Commands Images can be assigned to commands, and can be of two different types: standard and custom.
AutoCAD comes with a library of standard images that are used for the standard commands; these can be assigned to your own custom commands. You can create your own custom commands using the Button Editor dialog box found in the Customize User Interface Editor or an external image editor. For more information about creating custom images for your commands, see Create Custom Images for Commands on page 184. To assign an image to a command 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
■ Select an image from the image list and the image name is assigned to the Small, Large, or both the Small and Large image properties of the selected command. NOTE As you select an image from the image list, the image’s name is displayed below the Export button in the Button Image pane. Import and assign a custom image ■ In the Button Image pane, right-click in the list of images and click Import Image.
4 Click Apply. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. Create Custom Images for Commands Custom images can be created and assigned to a command. Create custom images using the Button Editor (available from the CUI Editor), or using an external image editor. Start with an existing button image or create your own from scratch. By default, custom images are saved in the working customization file.
To create or edit a button image 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Command List pane or the Customizations In pane, click a command to display the Button Image pane (in the upper-right corner). 3 In the Button Image pane, select an image from the image list that is closest in appearance to the image you want to create or select an existing image to edit. Click Edit.
NOTE Click Import to import a BMP file stored on a local or network drive to edit it in the Button Editor dialog box and store it in the working CUIx file. 5 Click Save. The Save Image dialog box is displayed. 6 In the Save Image dialog box, Image Name text box, enter a name and click OK. The image is saved to the working CUIx file. 7 Click Close. You are returned to the Customize User Interface Editor. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product.
To import a custom image to the image list and the working customization file 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Command List pane, select any command to display the Button Image pane. 3 In the Button Image pane, right-click the image list and click Import Image. 4 In the Open dialog box, browse to and select the BMP file that you want to import and click Open.
4 In the Export Image File dialog box, browse to the folder to which you want to export the image and enter a name for the image in the File Name text box. 5 Click Save. NOTE You can only export images in the BMP (*.bmp, *.rle, or *.dib) format. To import an image into a loaded customization file using the Image Manager 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
4 In the Import Images dialog box, browse to and select the images you want to import. Click Open. If the CUI Editor - Image Already Exists dialog box is displayed, click Import Image as Copy to create a copy of the image being imported or Overwrite Existing Image to replace the image with the one being imported. 5 Click OK. To export an image from a loaded customization file with the Image Manager 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
4 In the Custom Images list, select the image you want to export and click Export. 5 In the Browse For Folder dialog box, browse to the folder to which you want to export the selected images. Click OK. 6 Click OK. To delete an image from a loaded customization file 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click Launches the Image Manager Dialog.
4 In the Custom Images list, select the image you want to remove and click Delete. 5 In the CUI Editor - Confirm Deletion of Image dialog box, click Delete Image. If the selected image is assigned to a command, the CUI Editor - Confirm Deletion of Referenced Image dialog box is displayed. The deletion of the image cannot be undone. 6 Click OK. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product.
Customize User Interface Elements User interface elements in the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor are used to control how standard and custom commands can be started. To copy and paste a user interface element 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, Customizations In pane, expand the main node for the user interface element that you want to copy. 3 Right-click the user interface element, and click Copy.
NOTE The key combination Ctrl+C can be used to copy a user interface element and Ctrl+V can be used to paste a user interface element in the Customizations In pane. 5 Click Apply. To duplicate a user interface element 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, Customizations In pane, expand the main node for the user interface element that you want to duplicate.
Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. Quick Access Toolbars The Quick Access toolbar is located along the top of the application window (above or below the ribbon) and provides direct access to a defined set of commands. The Quick Access toolbar is always located in the same place in the program, but different commands may be displayed on it based on the current workspace.
To create a Quick Access toolbar 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, right-click Quick Access Toolbars. Click New Quick Access Toolbar. A new Quick Access toolbar (named Quick Access Toolbar1) is placed at the bottom of the Quick Access Toolbars tree. 3 Do one of the following: ■ Enter a new name over the default name Quick Access Toolbar1. ■ Right-click Quick Access Toolbar1.
4 Click Apply. To add a command or control to a Quick Access toolbar from the CUI Editor 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Quick Access Toolbars node to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to the Quick Access toolbar that you want to modify.
A splitter bar is displayed to indicate the location where the command or control will be added when you release the pointing device button. 5 Once the splitter bar is in the location you want to insert the command or control, release the pointing device button. 6 Click Apply. To remove a command or control from a Quick Access toolbar with the CUI Editor 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
5 Click Apply. To add a command to the Quick Access toolbar outside the CUI Editor Do one of the following: ■ Right-click a command on the ribbon, and click Add to Quick Access Toolbar. ■ On the Quick Access toolbar, click the Customize button located on the right side and select one of the listed commands or select More Commands. Selecting More Commands displays the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor in a compact state.
3 Click the plus sign (+) next to the Quick Access toolbar that you want to modify. 4 Right-click the Quick Access toolbar which you want to add a drop-down to. Click New Drop-down. A new drop-down (named New Drop-down) is added to the bottom of the Quick Access toolbar. 5 Right-click the new drop-down. Click Rename. Enter a new name. NOTE You can click, wait, and click again over a drop-down name to edit its name in-place in the Customizations In pane.
A visual indicator bar is displayed to indicate the location where the command or control will be added when the pointing device button is released. 8 Once the splitter bar is in the location where you want to insert the command or control, release the pointing device button. 9 Adjust the properties of the drop-down as desired to control the appearance of the drop-down and the commands under the drop-down.
Ribbon You can customize the ribbon by creating and modifying ribbon panels and organizing ribbon panels into groups of task-based tools with ribbon tabs. Ribbon tabs can be displayed on the ribbon with a workspace or based on a contextual tab state when they are needed. Ribbon Panels By customizing ribbon panels, you can organize commands that you use frequently similar to toolbars. With ribbon panels, you can quickly access commands, and reduce the number of user interface elements that are displayed.
Properties for the Home 2D - Draw Ribbon Panel Properties Description Pane Item Example Aliases Specifies the aliases for the panel. Click the [ ] button to open the Aliases dialog box. Each alias in the CUIx file should be unique and is used to reference the panel programmatically. ID_Draw Element ID Tag that uniquely identifies a panel. ID_PanelDraw Create a Ribbon Panel Ribbon panels can be created from scratch or from an existing toolbar or dashboard panel.
To create a ribbon panel 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Ribbons node to expand it. 3 Right-click Panels. Click New Panel. A new panel (named Panel1) is placed at the bottom of the Ribbon Panels tree. 4 Right-click Panel1. Click Rename. Enter a new panel name.
To copy a toolbar to a ribbon panel 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Toolbars to expand it. 3 Right-click the toolbar that you want to copy to a ribbon panel. Click Copy to Ribbon Panels. 4 In the CUI Editor - Confirm Copy to Ribbon Panels Node dialog box, click Yes. The copied toolbar is copied to the Panels node under the Ribbons node.
The copied dashboard panel is copied to the Panels node under the Ribbons node. 8 Drag the new ribbon panel from the Customizations In pane on the right to the Panels node of one of the loaded CUIx files in the Customizations In pane on the left. 9 Click Apply. To remove a ribbon panel 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
WARNING There is no way to undo the removal of a user interface element, so be careful when removing user interface elements. If you remove the wrong user interface element, the best thing to do is click Cancel to not save changes, but this will also undo any other changes that you might have made. 5 In the AutoCAD message box, click Yes. 6 Click Apply. To control the display of ribbon panel titles on the ribbon ■ Right-click a ribbon tab on the ribbon, and click Show Panel Titles.
4 Click the plus sign (+) next to the ribbon panel where you want to assign a command to its Panel Dialog Box Launcher node. 5 Drag a command from the Command List pane to the Panel Dialog Box Launcher node for the panel. 6 Click Apply. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. RIBBON Opens the ribbon window. RIBBONCLOSE Closes the ribbon window.
You can add and rearrange the commands and controls on a row that you use often, and you can remove those from a row that you use infrequently. Rows are used to hold and organize commands and controls on a ribbon panel. Along with using rows to organize commands, you can also create drop-downs that contain multiple commands and only take up the space of a single command. For more information about drop-downs on ribbon panels, see Add Drop-downs to a Ribbon Panel on page 219.
Properties for the Line Command on Row 1 of the Home 2D - Draw Ribbon Panel Properties Description Pane Item Example Button Style for the command or drop-down menu must be set to LargeWithoutText. Group Name Specifies the group name assigned to the command that is used to control the organization of the command on a drop-down. Command Name Text that contains the name of the command as it appears in the Command List pane.
Properties for the Line Command on Row 1 of the Home 2D - Draw Ribbon Panel Properties Description Pane Item Example Element ID Tag that uniquely identifies a command. UIDU_0005 Small Image ID string of the small-image resource (16 × 16 bitmap). The string must include alphanumeric characters with no punctuation other than a hyphen (-) or an underscore (_). It can also be RCDATA_16_LINE a user-defined bitmap. Click the [ ] button to open the Select Image File dialog box.
To add a row to a ribbon panel 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Ribbon to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to Panels to expand it. 4 Right-click the ribbon panel to which you want to add a row. Click New Row. 5 Click Apply.
7 Click Apply. To remove a row or sub-panel from a ribbon panel 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Ribbon to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to Panels to expand it. 4 Click the plus sign (+) next to the ribbon panel from which you want to remove a row or sub-panel. 5 Right-click the row or sub-panel that you want to remove. Click Delete.
2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Ribbon to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to Panels to expand it. 4 Click the plus sign (+) next to the ribbon panel where you want to reposition a row or sub-panel. 5 Drag the row or sub-panel that you want to reposition up or down under the ribbon panel’s node. Use the visual indicator bar to position the row above or below other rows or sub-panels. 6 Click Apply.
7 In the Properties pane, change the properties of the command you added on page 216. 8 Click Apply. To remove a command from a ribbon panel 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Ribbon to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to Panels to expand it. 4 Click the plus sign (+) next to the ribbon panel where you want to remove a command. 5 Click the plus sign (+) next to the rows, sub-panels, or drop-downs to get to the location you want to remove a command. 6 Right-click the command that you want to remove. Click Remove. 7 Click Apply.
7 Click Apply. To change the display and behavior of commands, controls and drop-downs on a ribbon panel ■ Do one of the following: To show the label and set the orientation of a command or drop-down on a ribbon panel 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Ribbon to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to Panels to expand it.
8 Click Apply. To set the size of a command or drop-down on a ribbon panel 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Ribbon to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to Panels to expand it. 4 Click the plus sign (+) next to the ribbon panel which has the command or drop-down for which you want to set the size.
8 Click Apply. To set the button and style of a drop-down on a ribbon panel 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Ribbon to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to Panels to expand it. 4 Click the plus sign (+) next to the ribbon panel where you want to change the style of a drop-down.
7 Click Apply. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. RIBBON Opens the ribbon window. RIBBONCLOSE Closes the ribbon window. System Variables RIBBONICONRESIZE Controls whether to resize icons on the ribbon to standard sizes. Add Drop-downs to a Ribbon Panel Drop-downs can be used to group multiple related commands into a single button. Ribbon panel drop-downs, like toolbar flyouts, that can hold a number of commands in a single place on a ribbon panel.
how the properties of a drop-down are configured. When a drop-down is set as a split button, the main button can reflect the most recently used command or not, or display the image of the most recently used command with a static label. The following table describes the properties for the Arc drop-down of Row 1 on under Sub-Panel 1 of the Home 2D - Draw ribbon panel as they appear in the Properties pane.
Properties for the Arc Drop-down on Row 1 of the Home 2D - Draw Ribbon Panel Properties Pane Item Description Example BONICONRESIZE to 0. AutoCAD does not resize ribbon icons to a standard size when RIBBONICONRESIZE is set to 0. Additionally, Button Style for the command or drop-down menu must be set to LargeWithoutText. Grouping Controls whether the commands assigned to a drop-down are grouped based on the values assigned to their Group Name properties.
2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Ribbon to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to Panels to expand it. 4 Click the plus sign (+) next to the ribbon panel where you want to add a drop-down. 5 Right-click the row to which you want to add a drop-down. Click New Drop-down. A new drop-down (named New Drop-down) is created in the last position of the row. 6 Right-click the new drop-down. Click Rename.
8 Adjust the properties of the drop-down as desired to control the appearance of the drop-down and the commands under the drop-down. on page 216 9 If the drop-down will use the Split behavior, add a command to the Primary Command node under the drop-down to set the command for the main button. 10 Click Apply. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. RIBBON Opens the ribbon window. RIBBONCLOSE Closes the ribbon window.
The following table describes the controls found in the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor that can be used on ribbon panels. Controls available for ribbon panels Control element Control Type Description 3D Navigation PointTriplet1 Multiple Controls the point of view (position of the camera) in the current viewport. 3D Navigation PointTriplet2 Multiple Controls the target point of the camera (center point) for the current viewport.
Controls available for ribbon panels Control element Control Type Description Ribbon Toggle Button - Advanced Render Settings Toggle Displays or hides the Advanced Render Settings palette. Ribbon Command Button - Animation Pause Button Pauses the recording of the current animation being recorded. Ribbon Command Button - Animation Play Button Plays back the recently recorded animation. Ribbon Command Button - Animation Record Button Starts the recording of a new animation.
Controls available for ribbon panels Control element Control Type Description Ribbon Command Button - Block Visibility Mode Button Controls how objects that are made invisible for the current visibility state are displayed in the Block Editor. Ribbon Command Button - Block Visibility State Button Makes objects invisible in the current visibility state or all visibility states in the block definition opened for edit in the Block Editor.
Controls available for ribbon panels Control element Control Type Description Ribbon Toggle Button - Dynamic Constraint Display Toggle Displays or hides dynamic constraints. Ribbon Combo Box - What to Export Drop-down list Controls which part of the drawing should be exported to a DWF, DWFx or PDF file. Ribbon Combo Box - Page Setup Drop-down list Allows you to export the drawing to a DWF, DWfx, or PDF file using the page setup settings in the Page Setup Manager or to override these settings.
Controls available for ribbon panels Control element Control Type Description Ribbon Combo Box - Font Drop-down list Displays and changes the current font style for the selected text in the multiline text editor. Ribbon Combo Box - Text Height Drop-down list Displays and changes the current text height for the selected text in the multiline text editor. Ribbon Gallery - IPE Text Style Gallery Displays and changes the current text style for the selected text in the multiline text editor.
Controls available for ribbon panels Control element Control Type Description Ribbon Toggle Button - Light Glyph Display Toggle Displays or hides the light glyphs in a drawing. Brightness Slider Adjusts the global brightness for the lighting used when rendering. Ribbon Toggle Button - Lights in Model Toggle Displays or hides the Lights in Model palette. Contrast Slider Adjusts the global contrast for the lighting used when rendering.
Controls available for ribbon panels Control element Control Type Description 3D Navigation Combo Control Multiple Displays and sets the current view to a standard orthographic or isometric view, or a saved name view based on the current space. Lens length Slider Adjusts the lens length of a perspective view. Step size Slider Adjusts the step size for the 3D walk and fly features. Step velocity Slider Adjusts the step velocity for the 3D walk and fly features.
Controls available for ribbon panels Control element Control Type Description Ribbon Label - ReferenceEditName Label Displays the name of the block that is directly being edited in the current drawing. Ribbon Progress Bar - Render Button and progress bar Shows the amount of time left to complete the current rendering. Ribbon Button - Render Output File Browse Button Specifies a location and file name for the rendered output.
Controls available for ribbon panels Control element Control Type Description Transparency Slider Displays and sets the transparency level for the selected section object. Ribbon Combo Box - Section Type Drop-down list Displays and sets the section type for the selected section object. Ribbon Toggle Button - Sheet Set Manager Toggle Displays or closes the Sheet Set Manager palette.
Controls available for ribbon panels Control element Control Type Description Ribbon - Underlay, Display Monochrome Toggle Button Toggle Determines if the selected underlay should be displayed in monochrome colors only. Fade Slider Displays and sets the current fade value for the selected underlay. Ribbon - Clip Toggle Button Toggle Determines if the selected underlay is fully visible or just the area based on the clipping boundary.
Controls available for ribbon panels Control element Control Type Description Ribbon Gallery - Visual Styles Gallery Displays and sets the visual style for the active viewport. Ribbon Combo Box - Visual Styles Intersection Edge Color Drop-down list Displays and sets the color used for intersecting lines for the current visual style.
Controls available for ribbon panels Control element Control Type Description Ribbon Toggle Button - X-Ray Effect Toggle Indicates x-ray mode for the current visual style, and enables or disables x-ray mode. Ribbon Toggle Button - Xref fading Toggle Indicates the objects of xrefs are faded into the background, enables or disables xref fading. Layer Combo Control Drop-down list Displays and sets the current layer.
7 Drag a control from the Command List pane to add it to the panel. Use the visual indicator bar to specify the position of the control. 8 Click Apply. To reposition a control on a ribbon panel 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Ribbon to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to Panels to expand it.
7 Click Apply. To remove a control from a ribbon panel 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Ribbon to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to Panels to expand it. 4 Click the plus sign (+) next to the ribbon panel where you want to remove a control. 5 Click the plus sign (+) next to the row where you want to remove a control.
RIBBONCLOSE Closes the ribbon window. Ribbon Tabs Ribbon tabs control the display and order in which ribbon panels are displayed on the ribbon. You add ribbon tabs to a workspace to control which ribbon tabs are displayed on the ribbon. Ribbon tabs do not contain any commands or controls like a ribbon panel does; instead, they manage the display of ribbon panels on the ribbon.
The following table describes the properties for the Home - 2D ribbon tab as they appear in the Properties pane. Properties for the Home - 2D ribbon tab Properties Description pane item Example Display Text Title of the tab; displayed when the ribbon tab is assigned to a workspace and the Ribbon palette is displayed. Home Contextual Display Type Specifies whether the ribbon tab is displayed on its own tab or is merged with the ribbon tabs already displayed on the ribbon.
The Add Tab Only option displays the ribbon tab as its own tab, while the Merge Tab Only option merges the ribbon tab with a ribbon tab in the main CUIx file that is assigned the same alias. The Merge or Add Tab option attempts to merge the ribbon tab before a new ribbon tab is created on the ribbon. NOTE You might need to use the CUILOAD command to reload a partial CUIx file in order for the ribbon tabs to be properly added to all existing workspaces.
A new ribbon tab (named New Tab) is placed at the bottom of the Tabs node. 4 Right-click New Tab. Click Rename. Enter a new name for the ribbon tab. 5 Select the new ribbon tab in the tree view, and update the Properties pane: ■ In the Display Text box, enter a text string that will appear on the ribbon tab. ■ In the Contextual Display Type box, specify how the ribbon tab should be displayed on the ribbon when used with a contextual ribbon tab state.
4 Right-click the ribbon tab that you want to remove. Click Remove. WARNING There is no way to undo the removal of a user interface element, so be careful when removing user interface elements. If you remove the wrong user interface element, the best thing to do is click Cancel to not save changes, but this will also undo any other changes that you might have made. 5 Click Apply. To add a ribbon panel to a ribbon tab 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
7 Click Apply. To remove a ribbon panel from a ribbon tab 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Ribbon to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to Tabs to expand it. 4 Click the plus sign (+) next to the ribbon tab where you want to remove a ribbon panel. 5 Right-click the ribbon panel that you want to remove. Click Remove.
To set the initial position of a ribbon panel on a ribbon tab 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Ribbon to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to Tabs to expand it. 4 Click the plus sign (+) next to the ribbon tab where you want to reposition a ribbon panel. 5 Select the ribbon panel that you want to reposition and drag it to a new location.
4 Click the plus sign (+) next to the ribbon tab that contains the ribbon panel for which you want to adjust the resize style. 5 Select the ribbon panel that you want to change. 6 In the Properties pane, Resize Style, select an option (Collapse as Needed, Never Collapse, or Collapse Last). 7 Click Apply. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. RIBBON Opens the ribbon window. RIBBONCLOSE Closes the ribbon window.
2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Ribbon to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to Tabs to expand it. 4 Click the plus sign (+) next to Contextual Tab States to expand it. 5 Drag a ribbon tab from the Tabs node to a ribbon contextual tab state. 6 Click Apply. To remove a ribbon tab from a contextual tab state 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
To set the contextual display type a ribbon tab 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Ribbon to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to Contextual Tab States to expand it. 4 Click the plus sign (+) next to the contextual tab state that contains the ribbon tab for which you want to change the contextual display type.
RIBBONCLOSE Closes the ribbon window. System Variables RIBBONCONTEXTSELECT Controls how ribbon contextual tabs are displayed when you single- or double-click an object. RIBBONCONTEXTSELLIM Limits the number of objects that can be changed at one time with the ribbon property controls or a contextual tab. RIBBONSELECTMODE Determines whether a pickfirst selection set remains selected after a ribbon contextual tab is invoked and the command is completed.
NOTE When you create a toolbar, you should determine in which workspaces you want to display the toolbar. By default, a new toolbar is displayed in all workspaces. The following table shows the properties of the Standard toolbar as they appear in the Properties pane. Properties for the Standard toolbar Properties pane item Description Example Name String used as the caption for the toolbar. Standard Description Text used to describe the element; does not appear in the user interface.
NOTE The properties On By Default, Orientation, Default X Location, Default Y Location, and Rows are used only the first time the CUIx file is loaded and when no default workspace is set. After a toolbar is loaded the first time, a workspace is used to control the Appearance properties of a toolbar. See the procedure To change the properties of a toolbar on page 371 for more information. When you create a new toolbar, the first task you need to do is to provide a name for it.
To display toolbars from the user interface on page 359 To display toolbars using the CUI Editor on page 369 To create a toolbar 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, right-click Toolbars. Click New Toolbar. A new toolbar (named Toolbar1) is placed at the bottom of the Toolbars tree. 3 Do one of the following: ■ Enter a new name over the default name Toolbar1.
■ In the Aliases box, enter an alias for the toolbar. 5 In the Command List pane, drag the command you want to add to a location just below the name of the toolbar in the Customizations In pane. 6 Click Apply. To create a toolbar from a pull-down menu 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Menus tree node to expand it.
4 Update the workspace as desired to update the display and position for the new toolbar. To add a command to a toolbar in the Customizations In pane 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Toolbars tree node to expand it. 3 In the Command List pane, drag the command to the toolbar you want to add it to in the Customizations In pane.
3 Select the toolbar you want to add a command to. 4 In the Command List pane, drag the command you want to add to the selected toolbar and drop it on the toolbar’s preview in the Toolbar Preview pane. You can control where the command is placed by releasing the mouse button when the black vertical splitter bar is displayed. 5 Click Apply. To add a command to a toolbar outside the CUI Editor 1 Display the toolbar you want to add a command to by right-clicking over a toolbar button.
You can control the location of the command you are adding by using the visual or horizontal indicator bar. 4 Click Apply. To reposition a command or control on a toolbar in the Customizations In pane 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Toolbars tree node to expand it.
While dragging the command or control, use the visual indicator bar to specify the new position of the command or control. When the left arrow appears, the command or control is moved to the front of the toolbar. 5 Click Apply. To reposition a command or control on a toolbar in the Toolbar Preview pane 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
The Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor is displayed. 3 Drag the command on the toolbar that you want to reposition. While dragging the command, use the visual indicator bar to specify the new position of the command. 4 Click Apply. To remove a command or control from a toolbar in the Customizations In pane 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
To remove a command or control from a toolbar in the Toolbar Preview pane 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Toolbars tree node to expand it. 3 Select the toolbar that contains the command or control you want to reposition. 4 In the Toolbar Preview pane, drag the command or control that you want to remove and drop it outside of the preview.
5 In the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor, click Apply. To change properties of a toolbar 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Toolbars tree node to expand it. NOTE Making changes to a toolbar’s properties here only affect the initial appearance of the toolbar after the CUIx file has been loaded.
Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. QUICKCUI Displays the Customize User Interface Editor in a collapsed state. RIBBON Opens the ribbon window. RIBBONCLOSE Closes the ribbon window. System Variables TOOLTIPS Controls the display of tooltips on the ribbon, toolbars, and other user interface elements. Add Flyouts to a Toolbar You can use flyouts to group related commands together on a toolbar.
Properties for the Zoom flyout on the Standard toolbar Properties pane item Description Example Description Text used to describe the element, does not appear in the user interface. Source Toolbar A read-only value used to specify which toolbar is being referenced to create the flyout. TB_ZOOM Use Own Button Controls whether the last used toolbar button is set as the current button or not. The possible values are Yes or No. No Small Image ID string of the small-image resource (16 × 16 bitmap).
A new flyout toolbar (named Toolbar1) is placed below the toolbar you selected. 4 Right-click Toolbar1. Click Rename. Enter a new toolbar name. NOTE You can click, wait, and click again over a toolbar name to edit its name in-place in the Customizations In pane. NOTE Just renaming the toolbar won’t change the name of the flyout. You must select and rename the flyout independently if you want them to both have the same name.
6 Click Apply. To create a flyout toolbar from another toolbar 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Toolbars tree node to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to the toolbar to which you want to add a flyout toolbar. 4 Locate the toolbar you want to use as a flyout. Drag the toolbar to a location in the expanded toolbar.
5 Click Apply. To create a flyout toolbar from a pull-down menu 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Toolbars tree node to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to the toolbar to which you want to add a flyout toolbar. 4 Click the plus sign (+) next to the Menus tree node to expand it.
6 Reposition the new flyout on the toolbar. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. Add, Remove or Switch Toolbar Controls Toolbar controls are drop-down lists of items that can affect the objects in a drawing or the way the program behaves from a toolbar. For example, the Layers toolbar contains controls for defining layer settings. In the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor, you can add, remove, and relocate controls within toolbars.
Control elements for toolbars Control element Description Find Text Control Allows for searching on a text string contained in the current drawing. Layer Control Displays the current layer and allows you to set a layer current. Line Type Control Displays and sets the current linetype. Line Weight Control Displays and sets the current line weight. Multileader Style Control Displays and sets the current multileader style. Named View Control Displays and sets the current named view.
To add a control to a toolbar in the Customizations In pane 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Toolbars tree node to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to the toolbar to which you want to add a control. 4 In the Command List pane, Categories list, click Toolbar Control Elements.
To add a control to a toolbar in the Toolbar Preview pane 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Toolbars tree node to expand it. 3 Select the toolbar to which you want to add a control. 4 In the Command List pane, Categories list, click Control Elements. The Command List pane displays the list of toolbar control elements only.
To switch a control in a toolbar 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Toolbars tree node to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to the toolbar to which you want to add a control. 4 Click the control element under the toolbar. 5 In the Properties pane, Control box, click the down arrow to display a list of toolbar controls.
Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. Pull-down and Shortcut Menus Pull-down menus are displayed as a list under a menu bar. Shortcut menus (also called context menus) are displayed at or near the crosshairs or cursor when you right-click in the drawing window, text window, command window, in toolbar areas, or the ribbon. Overview of Pull-Down and Shortcut Menus A pull-down menu can contain up to 999 commands.
NOTE When you create a pull-down or shortcut menu, you must also add at least one command to the menu. Otherwise, the menu will not be displayed on the menu bar. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. System Variables MENUBAR Controls the display of the menu bar. Create a Pull-Down Menu You can create a pull-down menu, add submenus and commands to it on the Customize tab of the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor.
To create a pull-down menu 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, right-click Menus. Click New Menu. A new menu (named Menu1) is placed at the bottom of the Menus tree. 3 Do one of the following: ■ Enter a new name over the default name Menu1. ■ Right-click Menu1. Click Rename. Enter a new menu name.
NOTE You can change the name of a command after it has been added to a menu. This allows you to define how the user can access the menu item using keyboard navigation with the Alt key. To do this, select the menu item under the Menus node and then change the Name property in the Properties pane. 6 Click Apply. To add a command to a pull-down menu 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
NOTE You can change the name of a command after it has been added to a menu. This allows you to define how the user can access the menu item using keyboard navigation with the Alt key. To do this, select the menu item under the Menus node and then change the Name property in the Properties pane. 4 Click Apply. For information about creating a command, see Create, Edit, and Reuse Commands on page 144.
Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. System Variables MENUBAR Controls the display of the menu bar. Create a Shortcut Menu Shortcut menus are displayed at or near the location of your cursor when you right-click on the pointing device. The shortcut menu and the options it provides depend on the location of the cursor and other conditions, such as whether an object is selected or a command is in progress.
Aliases for context-sensitive shortcut menus must be numbered between POP500 and POP999, with the exception of the Object Snap menu which uses an alias of POP0. The following aliases are reserved for use by the program: Program aliases for shortcut menus Alias Description GRIPS Defines the Hot Grip shortcut menu. (Right-click the drawing area while a grip on an object is selected.) CMDEFAULT Defines the Default mode shortcut menu.
table shows the object names that are specific to inserted objects (blocks, dynamic blocks, and xrefs).
Command Specific Shortcut Menus Like the CMEDIT menu, the CMCOMMAND menu can contain context-sensitive commands. Menus named COMMAND_commandname control which commands are appended to the CMCOMMAND menu when a command is active. The text of commandname can be any valid AutoCAD command, including custom-defined or third-party commands. In many cases, you can enter a hyphen before a command to suppress the display of a dialog box and display prompts for the command instead.
d In the Properties pane, Description box, optionally enter a description for the shortcut menu. e In the Aliases box, click the [ ] button. f In the Aliases dialog box, press Enter so you are on a new line. Enter additional aliases for the menu, and after each one, press Enter. An alias is automatically assigned, and defaults to the next available POP number, based on the number of shortcut menus already loaded in the program.
For example, if you want the commands on the shortcut menu to appear when using the LINE command use the alias COMMAND_LINE. The commands from the shortcut menu will appear at the bottom of the shortcut menu with the alias CMCOMMAND when it is displayed. a Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. b In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, right-click Shortcut Menus. Click New Shortcut Menu.
g In the Command List pane, drag the command that you want to add to the location just below the shortcut menu in the Customizations In pane. h Continue adding commands until the new shortcut menu is complete. i Click Apply. ■ To create an object shortcut menu In order for the commands on the shortcut menu to appear when an object or objects of the same type are selected, make sure to use the alias OBJECT_objecttype or OBJECTS_objecttype.
b In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, right-click Shortcut Menus. Click New Shortcut Menu. The new shortcut menu (named ShortcutMenu1) is placed at the bottom of the Menus tree. c Do one of the following: ■ Enter a new name over the default name ShortcutMenu1. ■ Right-click ShortcutMenu1. Click Rename. Enter a new shortcut menu name. ■ Click ShortcutMenu1, wait, and click again over the shortcut menu’s name to edit its name in-place.
g In the Command List pane, drag the command that you want to add to the location just below the shortcut menu in the Customizations In pane. h Continue adding commands until the new shortcut menu is complete. i Click Apply. To add a command to a shortcut menu 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the menu to which you want to add a command.
NOTE You can change the name of a command after it has been added to a menu. This allows you to define how the user can access the menu item using keyboard navigation with the Alt key. To do this, select the menu item under the Shortcut Menus node and then change the Name property in the Properties pane. 4 Click Apply. For information about creating a command, see Create, Edit, and Reuse Commands on page 144.
6 Click Apply. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. System Variables SHORTCUTMENU Controls whether Default, Edit, and Command mode shortcut menus are available in the drawing area. Create Submenus You can create submenus to organize and group similar commands together. Submenus are created in much the same way that you create a menu.
Special characters for submenus Character Description Example ~ Makes a command unavailable. ~Plot Style !. Marks a command with a check mark or if an icon is displayed for the menu item it appears sunken. !.Layer... & Placed directly before a character, specifies the character as the menu access key in a pull-down or shortcut menu label. S&le displays Sample (with the letter a underlined). \t Pushes all label text entered after these characters to the right side of the menu. Help\tF1 displ
■ Click Menu1, wait, and click again over the menu’s name again to edit its name in-place. 5 In the Properties pane, do the following: ■ In the Description box, optionally enter a description for the submenu. 6 In the Command List pane, drag the command you want to add to a location just below the name of the submenu in the Customizations In pane. 7 Continue adding commands until the new submenu is complete. 8 Click Apply.
Reference Pull-Down or Shortcut Menus Using a method similar to that used to activate submenus, you can activate or deactivate another pull-down or shortcut menu. This is called menu referencing. Pull-down or shortcut menus can be referenced using two different methods: relative and absolute. Relative referencing uses the customization group name and element ID. Absolute referencing uses the absolute position of a menu item in the menu hierarchy.
(through the loading of partial CUIx files), the following syntax will not work in all cases. (menucmd "P1.2=~") This syntax relies on the location of the menu item and does not work if a new item is inserted before POP1 by the CUILOAD command. Menu item numbering is consecutive regardless of the hierarchy of the menu. To make it easy for an item to address itself regardless of its location in the menu hierarchy, use these forms: $P@.@=xxx References the current or most recently chosen command. $P@.
Swap and Insert Pull-Down Menus Using the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor, you can use workspaces to control the swapping of pull-down menus. However, you can also swap one pull-down menu programmatically for another (for example, when a user loads an application that requires an additional menu). Swap Pull-Down Menus Because the program has cascading pull-down menus, there is little need to swap menus. Also, swapping menus can detract from the consistency of the user interface.
■ A - Mouse buttons ■ I - Image tile menus ■ T - Tablet menus The syntax for the swapping of partial menus is as follows: $section=customizationgroup.menuname section B1-4, A1-4, P0-16, T1-4 customizationgroup Customization group name in the desired CUIx file menuname Main label or alias You can use the AutoLISP menucmd function to insert or remove a pull-down menu.
This is the syntax for removing a menu: (menucmd "Gcustomizationgroup.menuname=-") Gcustomizationgroup.menuname=- The following shows how to remove the menu NEW3 that is a member of the MyMenu group. (menucmd "Gmymenu.new3=-") $Gmymenu.new3=-" As you might expect, the preceding format is preferable to the Pn= format because it removes only the specified menu. The following shows how to remove the menu at the P4 location (whatever it is).
Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. CUILOAD Loads a CUIx file. CUIUNLOAD Unloads a CUIx file. -TOOLBAR Displays, hides, and customizes toolbars. WORKSPACE Creates, modifies, and saves workspaces and makes a workspace current. Quick Properties The Quick Properties palette displays a customizable subset of the properties displayed in the Properties palette.
control the display of the general properties for the selected object type, or by clicking the General button at the bottom of the Objects pane you can override the general properties of all object types. When the General button at the bottom of the Objects pane is clicked, a list of the general properties that can be used to override the general properties of all object types is displayed along with the Reset Overrides button.
3 In the Objects pane, click Edit Object Type List. 4 In the Edit Object Type List dialog box, select the object types you want to display properties for on the Quick Properties palette.
If an object type is checked, the properties for the object type are displayed on the Quick Properties palette when an object of the same type is selected, QPMODE is set to 2, and PICKFIRST is turned on. Clear the check mark next to an object type to remove support for the object type from the Quick Properties palette. 5 Click OK. 6 In the Customize User Interface Editor, click Apply.
3 In the Objects pane, select an object from the Object Type list. 4 In the Properties pane, select the properties you want displayed for an object type on the Quick Properties palette. If a property is checked, the property is displayed on the Quick Properties palette when an object of the same type is selected in the drawing window. Clear the check mark next to a property to remove the property for the selected object type from the Quick Properties palette. 5 Click Apply.
3 In the Objects pane, select Block Reference from the Object Type list. 4 In the Properties pane, select the check box next to Custom and Attributes. If the Custom category is checked, the dynamic properties for a block are displayed on the Quick Properties palette. If the Attributes category is checked, the attributes for a block are displayed on the Quick Properties palette 5 Click Apply. To override the general properties for all object types 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
3 In the Properties pane, select the check boxes next to the general properties you want the Quick Properties palette to display for all object types. 4 Click Reset Overrides. 5 Click Apply.
To restore the default settings for Quick Properties 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, right-click Quick Properties. 3 Click Restore Default. 4 Click Restore the Default Quick Properties Settings. 5 Click Apply. To synchronize Quick Properties with rollover tooltips 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
4 Click Apply Rollover Tooltips Settings to Quick Properties palette. 5 Click Apply. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. DSETTINGS Sets grid and snap, polar and object snap tracking, object snap modes, Dynamic Input, and Quick Properties. System Variables QPLOCATION Sets the location for the Quick Properties palette.
QPMODE Controls whether the Quick Properties palette is displayed when objects are selected. Rollover Tooltips Rollover tooltips display the current values of selected properties. The properties and values that are displayed in a rollover tooltip can be customized by object type. When customizing the display of the properties for a rollover tooltip, you can display properties common to all object types or properties that are specific to an object type.
Display Rollover Tooltips Rollover tooltips are displayed for objects when the ROLLOVERTIPS system variable is set to 1. See Set Interface Options in the User’s Guide for more information about controlling the display of rollover tooltips and other tooltip settings for the program. To control which objects support rollover tooltips 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
If an object type is checked, the properties for the object type are displayed on a rollover tooltip when the cursor hovers over an object of the same type. Clear the check mark next to an object type to remove support for the object type from rollover tooltips. 5 Click OK. 6 In the Customize User Interface Editor, click Apply. To control which properties are displayed on a rollover tooltip 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
3 In the Objects pane, select an object from the Object Type list. 4 In the Properties pane, select the properties you want to display on a rollover tooltip. If a property is checked, the property is displayed on a rollover tooltip when the cursor hovers over an object of the selected object type in the drawing window. Clear the check mark next to a property to remove the property for the selected object type. 5 Click Apply.
3 In the Properties pane, select the check boxes next to the general properties you want rollover tooltips to display for all object types. 4 Click Reset Overrides. 5 Click Apply. To restore the default settings for rollover tooltips 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, right-click Rollover Tooltips. 3 Click Restore Default. 4 Click Restore the Default Rollover Tooltips Settings. 5 Click Apply. To synchronize rollover tooltips with Quick Properties 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, right-click Rollover Tooltips.
4 Click Apply Quick Properties Settings to Rollover Tooltips. 5 Click Apply. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. OPTIONS Customizes the program settings. System Variables ROLLOVERTIPS Controls the display of rollover tooltips when the cursor hovers over an object.
Keyboard Shortcuts Shortcut keys can be used to start commands and to be temporary override keys to execute a command or change a setting when a key is pressed. Shortcut Keys You can assign shortcut keys (sometimes called accelerator keys) to commands you use frequently. Overview of Shortcut Keys Shortcut keys are key combinations that start commands.
Properties for the Save Shortcut Key Properties Description pane item Example Macro The command macro. It follows the standard macro syntax. ^C^C_qsave Key(s) Specifies the keystroke combination that is used CTRL+S to execute the macro. Click the [ ] button to open the Shortcut Keys dialog box. Tags Keywords associated to a command. Tags provide an additional field to search in the application menu. Element ID Tag that uniquely identifies a command.
■ To modify a shortcut key, select a shortcut key. In the Properties pane, the properties for the shortcut key are displayed. 5 In the Key(s) box, click the [ ] button to open the Shortcut Keys dialog box. 6 Hold down the modifier key Ctrl with a combination of Shift and Alt if desired and press a letter, number, function, or virtual key such as F1 or Insert.
■ Ctrl+Shift+letter, Ctrl+Shift+number, Ctrl+Shift+function, Ctrl+Shift+virtual key ■ Ctrl+Shift+Alt+letter, Ctrl+Shift+Alt+number, Ctrl+Shift+Alt+function, Ctrl+Shift+Alt+virtual key NOTE The virtual keys that are supported are Escape, Insert, Delete, Home, End, Page Up, Page Down, Left Arrow, Right Arrow, Up Arrow, and Down Arrow. The virtual key Escape can only be used by itself or with the modifier combination Ctrl+Shift+Alt.
3 In the Shortcuts pane, filter the type and status of keyboard shortcuts to print. ■ In the Type drop-down list, select the type of keyboard shortcuts to display in the list. Choices include All Keys, Accelerator Keys, or Temporary Override Keys. ■ In the Status list, select the status of keyboard shortcuts displayed in the list. Choices include All, Active, Inactive, and Unassigned. 4 In the Shortcuts pane, click Print.
The following table lists the default actions for shortcut keys.
Shortcut Key Assignments Shortcut Key Description CTRL+F Toggles running object snaps CTRL+G Toggles Grid CTRL+H Toggles PICKSTYLE CTRL+SHIFT+H Toggles the display of palettes with HIDEPALETTES and SHOWPALETTES CTRL+I Toggles the Coordinates display CTRL+J Repeats last command CTRL+K Inserts a hyperlink CTRL+L Toggles Ortho mode CTRL+M Repeats last command CTRL+N Creates a new drawing CTRL+O Opens an existing drawing CTRL+P Plots the current drawing CTRL+SHIFT+P Toggles the Quick
Shortcut Key Assignments Shortcut Key Description CTRL+SHIFT+V Pastes data from the Windows Clipboard as a Block CTRL+X Cuts objects from the current drawing to the Windows Clipboard CTRL+Y Cancels the preceding Undo action CTRL+Z Reverses the last action CTRL+[ Cancels current command CTRL+\ Cancels current command CTRL+PAGE UP Moves to the next layout tab to the left of the current tab CTRL+PAGE DOWN Moves to the next layout tab to the right of the current tab F1 Displays Help F2 Togg
Shortcut Key Assignments Shortcut Key Description F11 Toggles Object Snap Tracking F12 Toggles Dynamic Input NOTE In the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor, you can view, print, or copy a list of shortcut keys, temporary override keys, or both. The shortcut keys and temporary override keys in the list are those keys used by the CUIx files that are loaded in the program.
Properties for the Object Snap Override : Endpoint Temporary Override Key Properties Description pane item Example Description Text used to describe the element; does not appear in the user interface. Object Snap Override : Endpoint Keys Specifies the keystroke combination that is used SHIFT+E to execute the temporary override. Click the [ ] button to open the Shortcut Keys dialog box.
■ Right-click TemporaryOverride1. Click Rename. Enter a new temporary override name. ■ Click TemporaryOverride1, wait, and click again over the temporary override’s name again to edit its name in-place. 5 Select the new temporary override in the tree view, and update the Properties pane: ■ In the Description box, enter a description for the temporary override key. ■ In the Key(s) box, click the [ ] button to open the Shortcut Keys dialog box.
2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, click the plus sign (+) next to Keyboard Shortcuts to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to Temporary Override Keys to expand it. 4 In the Customizations In pane, click the temporary override key you want to modify. 5 Update the Properties pane as necessary: ■ In the Description box, enter a description for the temporary override key. ■ In the Key(s) box, click the [ ] button to open the Shortcut Keys dialog box.
To print a list of shortcut keys or temporary override keys 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customizations In pane, click the Keyboard Shortcuts node. 3 In the Shortcuts pane, filter the type and status of keyboard shortcuts to print. ■ In the Type drop-down list, select the type of keyboard shortcuts to display in the list. Choices include All Keys, Accelerator Keys, or Temporary Override Keys.
System Variables TOOLTIPS Controls the display of tooltips on the ribbon, toolbars, and other user interface elements. TEMPOVERRIDES Turns temporary override keys on and off. Examples of Temporary Override Keys The CUIx file that ships with AutoCAD defines the default temporary override keys. You can use the default temporary override keys as examples when creating your own temporary override keys. The following table lists the default actions for temporary override keys on an English U.S. keyboard.
Temporary Override Key Assignments Temporary Override Key Description SHIFT+.
Double Click Actions You can create a double click action which starts an editing command when the cursor is positioned over an object in a drawing and a double-click event is registered from a pointing device. Overview of Double Click Actions Double click actions execute a command that displays either the Properties palette or a specialized editor that is more powerful, convenient, or frequently used for the object type that is double-clicked in a drawing.
The new double click action (named DoubleClick1) is placed at the bottom of the Double Click Actions tree. 3 Do one of the following: ■ Enter a new name over the default name DoubleClick1. ■ Right-click DoubleClick1. Click Rename. Enter a new double click action name. ■ Click DoubleClick1, wait, and click again over the double click action’s name again to edit its name in-place. 4 In the Properties pane, do the following: ■ In the Description box, enter a description for the double click action.
NOTE Only a single command can be associated with a double click action at a time. 6 Click Apply. To modify a double click action 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, click the plus sign (+) next to Double Click Actions to expand it. 3 Click a double click action. In the Properties pane, the properties for the double click action you selected are displayed.
6 Click Apply. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. OPTIONS Customizes the program settings. System Variables DBLCLKEDIT Controls the double click editing behavior in the drawing area. PICKFIRST Controls whether you select objects before (noun-verb selection) or after you issue a command.
“Attribute Dynamic Block” in the acad.cuix file uses the object name ATTDYNBLOCKREF. which is used for insert objects that contain attributes and dynamic actions. The following table shows the DXF names for many of the objects commonly found in a drawing. In most cases, the DXF name and the object name are the same value with the exception of the INSERT DXF name.
DXF Names for Commonly Used Objects DXF Name Description IMAGE Raster image INSERT The Object Names for the different types of block reference objects are as follows: ATTBLOCKREF Block reference with attributes ATTDYNBLOCKREF Dynamic block reference with attributes BLOCKREF Block reference without attributes DYNBLOCKREF Dynamic block reference without attributes XREF External reference (xref) LEADER Legacy leader LIGHT Point light, spotlight, web light, and distant light LINE Line LOFTEDSURFACE
DXF Names for Commonly Used Objects DXF Name Description RAY Ray REGION 2D region REVOLVEDSURFACE 3D revolved surface SECTIONOBJECT Section object SHAPE Shape insert SOLID 2D solid SPLINE B-spline curve SWEPTSURFACE 3D swept surface TABLE Table TEXT Single-line text TOLERANCE Geometric tolerance VIEWPORT Floating viewport WIPEOUT Wipeout XLINE Construction line NOTE If more than one object is selected or if an object type is not associated with a double click action, the defaul
The following table shows some of the object names that are set up in the acad.cuix file. Expand the Double Click Actions node in the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor for a complete listing of all the actions that are defined.
Mouse Buttons You can change the standard behavior of pointing devices in the program. Overview of Mouse Buttons Mouse buttons define how a Windows system pointing device functions. You can customize the behavior of a mouse or other pointing device in the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor. If a pointing device has more than two buttons, you can change the behavior of the second and third buttons. The first button on any pointing device cannot be changed in the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor.
4 Right-click a mouse button section. Click New Button. A new mouse button (named Buttonn) is placed at the bottom of the selected list. 5 In the Command List pane, drag the command you want to add to the mouse button in the Customizations In pane. 6 Click Apply. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. System Variables MBUTTONPAN Controls the behavior of the third button or wheel on the pointing device.
Accept Coordinate Entry in Button Menus When you click one of the buttons on a multi-button pointing device, the program reads not only the button number but also the coordinate of the crosshairs at the time you click. By carefully constructing macros, you can choose to either ignore the coordinate or use it with the command activated by the button. As described in Pause for User Input in Macros on page 156, you can include a backslash (\) in a command to pause for user input.
The nodes in the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor are labeled Tablet Menu 1 through Tablet Menu 4 and define the macros associated with tablet selections. The tablet menu areas that you define with the Cfg option of the TABLET command are divided into equal-sized menu selection boxes, which are determined by the number of columns and rows you specify in each area.
2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Legacy to expand it. 3 Click the plus sign (+) next to Tablet Menus to expand it. 4 Click the plus sign (+) next to a tablet menu to expand it. 5 Click the row that you want to define. 6 In the Command List pane, locate the command you want to add. 7 Drag the command to a column. 8 Click Apply.
Customize Tablet Buttons To customize tablet buttons, you follow the same procedures as for customizing mouse buttons. Tablet buttons are the buttons that are found on the pointing device, also known as a puck, used with a digitizer tablet. Pucks come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and button configurations. You can customize all the buttons on a puck except for the first button. Some hardware manufacturers utilize a slightly different button layout from one puck to another.
You define an image tile menu in the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor. The following table shows the properties for an image tile menu. Properties for the Tiled Viewport Layout image tile menu Properties Description pane item Example Name String that is used only in the CUI Editor and is not displayed in the user interface. Tiled Viewport Layout Description Text that describes the element and does not appear in the user interface. Aliases Specifies the aliases for the image tile menu.
Properties of the Four: Equal tile slide on the Tiled Viewport Layout image tile menu Properties Description pane item Example Macro The command macro. It follows the standard macro syntax. ^C^C-vports 4 Element ID Tag that uniquely identifies a command. MM_0427 Slide library A file that is made up of multiple slides and created using the file slidelib.exe. acad Slide label Name of a slide contained in the slide library file or a slide image that is stored separately.
3 At the Command prompt, enter mslide. 4 In the Create Slide File dialog box, specify the file name. 5 Click Save, and add it to a slide library file if desired. You can associate this image slide to a new image tile. To view an image tile slide 1 At the Command prompt, enter vslide. 2 In the Select Slide File dialog box, browse to and select the slide file you want to view. 3 Click Open. The slide file should be displayed in the drawing window.
To create an image tile menu and assign an image tile slide 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Legacy to expand the list. 3 In the Legacy list, right-click Image Tile Menu. Click New Image Tile Menu. A new image tile menu (named ImageTileMenu1) is placed at the bottom of the Image Tile Menus tree.
Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. MSLIDE Creates a slide file of the current model viewport or the current layout. VSLIDE Displays an image slide file in the current viewport. Load an AutoLISP File AutoLISP (LSP or MNL) files contain programs that add custom commands and functions which can be used as part of the user interface. You can load AutoLISP files into a CUIx file using the Customize tab of the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor.
TIP Even though files with the LSP extension can only be loaded using this method, you can still load other types of custom program files. Use AutoCAD commands such as NETLOAD, VBALOAD, or ARX to load other types of custom program files. 4 Click Open. 5 In the Customize User Interface Editor, click Apply. Quick Reference Commands APPLOAD Loads and unloads applications and defines which applications to load at startup. ARX Loads, unloads, and provides information about ObjectARX applications.
Create or Modify a Workspace Outside the Customize User Interface Editor The easiest way to create or modify user interface elements in a workspace is by customizing them in the application window. From the application window, you can control the display and appearance of several of the most commonly used user interface elements. Once you customize the workspace, you can save the changes to an existing or new workspace using the WSSAVE command.
Change the Properties of a Workspace In the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor, you can define workspace properties, such as the workspace name, description, whether the Model or layout tab is displayed or not, and so on. The following table shows the AutoCAD Classic workspace properties as they appear in the Properties pane.
Properties for the AutoCAD Classic Workspace Properties Pane Item Description Example Application Only, All Off, All On, or Drawing Status Bar Only. Model/Layout tabs Determines if the Model/layout tabs are visible or not in the drawing window when the workspace is restored or set current. On Scroll bars Determines if the scroll bars are visible or not when the workspace is restored or set current.
To create a workspace using the CUI Editor 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, right-click the Workspaces tree node, and select New Workspace. A new, empty workspace (named Workspace1) is placed at the bottom of the Workspaces tree node. 3 Do one of the following to rename the workspace: ■ Enter a new name over the default name Workspace1. ■ Right-click Workspace1. Click Rename.
6 Click the check box next to each user interface element that you want to add to the workspace. The selected user interface elements are added to the workspace. 7 In the Workspace Contents pane, click Done. 8 Click Apply. To save or create a workspace from the user interface Do one of the following: ■ To save a workspace from the Workspaces toolbar 1 Right-click over one of the visible toolbars that is currently displayed in the user interface and click Workspaces.
A check mark is displayed to the left of any toolbar that is currently displayed. 2 On the Workspaces toolbar, click the drop-down list and select Save Current As. 3 In the Save Workspace dialog box, Name box, enter a name to create a new workspace or select an existing workspace from the drop-down list to overwrite it. 4 Click Save to create or modify the workspace. ■ To save a workspace from the status bar 1 On the status bar, click Workspace Switching. Then click Save Current As.
2 In the Save Workspace dialog box, Name box, enter a name to create a new workspace or select an existing workspace from the drop-down list to overwrite it. 3 Click Save to create or modify the workspace. NOTE You can also save a workspace from the Quick Access toolbar. To change the properties of a workspace 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
4 Click Apply. To duplicate a workspace 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Workspaces to expand it. 3 Right-click the workspace you want to duplicate. Click Duplicate. A duplicate of the workspace (named Copy of ) is placed at the bottom of the Workspaces tree node).
6 Click Apply. To set a workspace current from the user interface Do one of the following: ■ To set a workspace current from the Workspaces toolbar ■ On the Workspaces toolbar, click the drop-down list and select the workspace you want to set current. If the Workspaces toolbar is not displayed, right-click over one of the visible toolbars that is currently displayed in the user interface and click Workspaces.
■ To set a workspace current from the Tools menu on the menu bar ■ On the menu bar, click Tools menu ➤ Workspaces ➤ select the workspace you want to set current. To set a workspace current from the CUI Editor 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to Workspaces to expand it. 3 Right-click the workspace you want to set current. Click Set Current.
4 Click Apply. NOTE In the Network Deployment Wizard, the main and enterprise CUIx files can be specified. If the main CUIx file has a default workspace set, the default workspace will be set as the current workspace when the file is loaded into AutoCAD the first time. To restore a workspace with a command line switch 1 Right-click the program icon on the Windows desktop. Click Properties.
3 Click OK. To import a workspace to a main CUIx file 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. The Transfer tab is displayed, with the main CUIx file displayed in the Customizations In pane (left side). 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Transfer tab, in the Customizations In pane (right side), click the Open Customization File button.
4 In the Customizations In pane (right side), drag the workspace from the CUIx file to the Workspaces node of the main CUIx file in the Customizations In pane (left side). 5 Click Apply. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. CUIEXPORT Exports customized settings from the main CUIx file to an enterprise or partial CUIx file. CUIIMPORT Imports customized settings from an enterprise or partial CUIx file to the main CUIx file.
WORKSPACE Creates, modifies, and saves workspaces and makes a workspace current. WSSAVE Saves a workspace. System Variables WSCURRENT Returns the current workspace name at the Command prompt and sets a workspace to current. Control User Interface Elements Outside the CUI Editor Workspaces can be created and modified from the user interface with some limitations.
Control the Display of the Ribbon Panels and Tabs on the Ribbon You can control the display of ribbon panels and tabs from the ribbon shortcut menu. You can display one of the ribbon tabs assigned to the current workspace or one of the ribbon panels assigned to the active ribbon tab. To control which ribbon tabs and panels are assigned to the current workspace, see Control User Interface Elements in the CUI Editor on page 360.
To display toolbars from the user interface Do one of the following: ■ On the menu bar, click Tools menu ➤ Toolbars, and click one of the listed toolbars. If the menu bar is not displayed, on the Quick Access toolbar, click the Customize button. Click Show Menu Bar. ■ Right-click a visible toolbar, and click one of the listed toolbars. To control the display of ribbon tabs and panels on the ribbon from the user interface 1 Right-click on the ribbon.
System Variables MENUBAR Controls the display of the menu bar. Control User Interface Elements in the CUI Editor The Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor provides a wide range of options to create and modify all the content that can be displayed with a workspaces.
Control the Display of the Quick Access Toolbar The Quick Access toolbar that is displayed on the application window is controlled by the current workspace. While a workspace does not directly control which commands are displayed on the Quick Access toolbar, it does control which Quick Access toolbar in the loaded CUIx files is displayed. For information about creating and editing Quick Access toolbars, see Quick Access Toolbars on page 194.
Control the Display of Palettes You set up a workspace to control the display, position, and appearance of palettes in the application window. They can be floating or docked. Unlike ribbon panels, ribbon tabs, and menus, palettes are available in any workspace. You can turn palettes on or off with a workspace. The display properties of palettes are modified through the Workspace Contents and Properties pane.
7 In the Workspace Contents pane, click Done. NOTE Make sure to set the workspace current to ensure the changes are displayed. 8 Click Apply. To display the Quick Access toolbar above or below the ribbon from the CUI Editor 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Workspaces node to expand it. 3 Select the workspace that you want to modify.
5 In the Properties pane, click the Orientation box and select Above or Below from the drop-down list. Above displays the Quick Access Toolbar above the ribbon, while below sets the Quick Access Toolbar below the ribbon. 6 Click Apply. To display ribbon tabs from the CUI Editor 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Workspaces node to expand it.
In the Workspace Contents pane, the selected elements are added to the workspace. 7 In the Workspace Contents pane, click Done. NOTE Make sure to set the workspace current to ensure the changes are displayed. 8 Click Apply. To reposition a ribbon tab on the ribbon 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Workspaces node to expand it.
5 Drag the ribbon tab into the new location. A splitter bar shows the new location for the ribbon tab. 6 Once the splitter bar is in the place where you want to insert the ribbon tab, release the pointing device button. NOTE Make sure to set the workspace as current to ensure the changes are displayed. 7 Click Apply. To reposition a ribbon panel on a ribbon tab 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
A splitter bar shows the new location for the ribbon panel. 7 Once the splitter bar is in the place where you want to insert the ribbon panel, release the pointing device button. NOTE Make sure to set the workspace as current to ensure the changes are displayed. 8 Click Apply. To control the display of ribbon tabs on the ribbon 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface.
7 Click Apply. To control the display of ribbon panels for a ribbon tab 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Workspaces node to expand it. 3 Select the workspace that has the ribbon tab for which you want to change the properties of the ribbon panels.
3 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Workspaces node to expand it. 4 Select the workspace that has the ribbon tab for which you want to assign a tool palette group. 5 In the Workspace Contents pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Ribbon Tabs node to expand it. 6 Select the ribbon tab that you want to assign a tool palette group.
4 In the Workspace Contents pane, click Customize Workspace. 5 In the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Toolbars tree node, or Partial Customization Files tree node to expand it. 6 Click the check box next to each toolbar that you want to add to the workspace. In the Workspace Contents pane, the selected elements are added to the workspace. 7 In the Workspace Contents pane, click Done. NOTE Make sure to set the workspace current to ensure the changes are displayed.
To change the properties of a toolbar 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the workspace that contains the toolbar you want to modify. 3 In the Workspace Contents pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Toolbars tree node to expand it. 4 Select the toolbar that you want to modify.
■ In the Rows box, enter a number. Enter a number to have the buttons on the toolbar wrap around to create the number of rows if possible. 0 is the default value. (Available only if Orientation is set to Floating.) 6 Click Apply. To display menus on the menu bar 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Workspaces node to expand it.
In the Workspace Contents pane, the selected elements are added to the workspace. 7 In the Workspace Contents pane, click Done. NOTE Make sure to set the workspace current to ensure the changes are displayed. 8 Click Apply. To reposition menus on the menu bar 1 Click Manage tab ➤ Customization panel ➤ User Interface. 2 In the Customize User Interface Editor, Customize tab, in the Customizations In pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Workspaces node to expand it.
4 In the Workspace Contents pane, click the plus sign (+) next to the Menus node to expand it. 5 Drag the pull-down menu into the new location. A splitter bar shows the new location for the pull-down menu. 6 Once the splitter bar is in the place where you want to insert the menu, release the pointing device button. NOTE Make sure to set the workspace current to ensure the changes are displayed. 7 Click Apply.
5 Select the palette you want to display. 6 In the Properties pane, under Appearance, Show box, click the drop-down list and select Show. 7 Click Apply. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. Control the Appearance of Palettes You can use workspaces to control the display and appearance of palettes. Many windows, known as palettes, can be set to be docked, anchored, or floated in t6he application window.
Contents pane of the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor.
Properties for the Tool Palettes window under the AutoCAD Classic workspace Properties pane item Description Example Auto Hide Controls if the palette rolls up when not in use. The available options are On, Off, or Do Not Change. Do Not Change maintains the last used setting for the palette when the workspace is restored or set current. Off Use Transparency Controls if the palette appears transparent. The available options are No, Yes, or Do Not Change.
5 In the Properties pane, do any or all of the following: ■ In the Show box, select an option (No, Yes, or Do Not Change). ■ In the Orientation box, select an option (Floating, Top, Bottom, Left, or Right). ■ In the Allow Docking box, select an option (No, Yes, or Do Not Change). NOTE To specify that a window should be anchored, set Orientation to Left, Right, Top, or Bottom, and set Auto Hide to On. ■ In the Auto Hide box, select an option (On, Off, or Do Not Change).
6 Click Apply. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. Transfer and Migrate Customization You can transfer and migrate data from a customization or menu file from an earlier release using the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor and the Migrate Custom Settings dialog box.
NOTE Button images may not appear in the program when you transfer a toolbar, pull-down menu, or ribbon panel from a CUIx file. If the images are loaded from an image file, those images must reside in a folder that is defined in the Options dialog box, Files tab under Support File Search Path or Custom Icon Location. If the images come from a third-party resource DLL, contact the party who created the resource DLL. The following is an example of the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor, Transfer tab.
made to the standard CUIx files that come with the program with the new shipping versions of the files with the same name. You can avoid manually migrating customization, which might result in the loss of customization. NOTE The Migrate Custom Settings dialog box can be used to migrate user interface customization from previous releases. To access the Migrate Custom Settings dialog box, click Start menu (Windows) ➤ All Programs (or Programs) ➤ Autodesk ➤ AutoCAD 2012 ➤ Migrate Custom Settings.
NOTE Interface elements can be dragged in either direction, from the left to the right pane or the right to the left pane. 8 Click Apply. Quick Reference Commands CUI Manages the customized user interface elements in the product. CUIEXPORT Exports customized settings from the main CUIx file to an enterprise or partial CUIx file. CUIIMPORT Imports customized settings from an enterprise or partial CUIx file to the main CUIx file.
Commands How do I create a new command and add it to a user interface element, such as a pull-down menu? Commands are created and managed through the Command List pane located in the lower-left corner of the Customize tab of the CUI Editor. See To create a command on page 144 for more information. Once the command has been created, it can be added to or used to create a number of different user interface elements.
add the images location to the Support File Search Path node under the Files tab of the Options dialog box, or copy them into the folder: (Windows XP) :\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Autodesk\\\\Support\Icons (Windows Vista) :\Users\\AppData\Autodesk\\\\Support\Icons Why does my toolbar flyout not work? A flyout might not work for a few different reasons.
Workspaces Why do my changes not appear after I click Apply? This happens because the workspace that you made changes to is not the current workspace. To resolve this problem, you need to set the workspace current and then when changes are applied they will appear. See To set a workspace current from the CUI Editor on page 353 for more information.
OPTIONS Customizes the program settings. QUICKCUI Displays the Customize User Interface Editor in a collapsed state. WORKSPACE Creates, modifies, and saves workspaces and makes a workspace current. System Variables ENTERPRISEMENU Stores the enterprise customization file name (if defined), including the path for the file name. MENUNAME Stores the customization file name, including the path for the file name. WSCURRENT Returns the current workspace name at the Command prompt and sets a workspace to current.
DIESEL 5 You can use DIESEL to alter the AutoCAD® status line through the MODEMACRO system variable. You can also use DIESEL in menu items as a macro language instead of AutoLISP®. DIESEL expressions accept strings and generate string results. Because DIESEL expressions handle strings exclusively, the USERS1-5 system variables are useful for passing information from an AutoLISP routine to a DIESEL expression.
You can use the MODEMACRO system variable to display, in the status line, most data known to AutoCAD. With its calculation, decision, and editing facilities you can compose the status line to your precise specifications. MODEMACRO is a user-string variable. It can be set to any string value. The maximum string value is 4095 characters. You can set MODEMACRO with SETVAR or by entering modemacro at the command prompt.
To make the status line reflect the AutoCAD current state, enter macro expressions using the DIESEL language in the following format: $(somefun, arg1, arg2, ...) In the macro expression, somefun is the name of the DIESEL function (similar to an AutoLISP function name) and arg1, arg2, and so on, are arguments to the function, interpreted according to the function's definition. Unlike AutoLISP, DIESEL macro expressions have only one data type: strings.
$(getvar,snapunit))),$(rtos,$(index,1,$(getvar,snapunit))) $(angtos, $(getvar,snapang)) DIESEL copies its input directly to the output until it comes to the dollar sign character ($) or a quoted string. You can use quoted strings to suppress evaluation of character sequences that would otherwise be interpreted as DIESEL functions. You can include quotation marks in quoted strings by using two adjacent quotation marks.
continue strings from line to line, you use the AutoLISP strcat function to assemble the complete MODEMACRO string from shorter component strings. (defun C:ACADMODE ( ) (setvar "modemacro" (strcat "Layer $(substr,$(getvar,clayer),1,8)" "$(if,$(getvar,orthomode), Ortho)" "$(if,$(getvar,snapmode), Snap)" "$(if,$(getvar,tabmode), Tablet)" "$(if,$(=,$(getvar,tilemode),0)," "$(if,$(=,$(getvar,cvport),1), P)" ")" ) ) ) Save this AutoLISP routine in a file called acadmode.lsp.
of the drawing name remains constant, regardless of the length of the layer name. ;;; MODE1.LSP ;;; (setvar "modemacro" (strcat "L:$(substr,$(getvar,clayer),1,30)" "$(substr, ,1,$(-,30,$(strlen,$(getvar,clayer)))) " ;; ^^^^^^^^ Note the 8 spaces here "<..
DIESEL Expressions in Macros You can use DIESEL string expressions in customization (CUI) files as an additional method of creating macros. These expressions can return string values (text strings) in response to standard ® AutoCAD commands, AutoLISP and ObjectARX routines, and other macros. They can also return string values to the menu itself, thereby altering the appearance or content of a menu label.
■ The DIMSCALE variable is set to the drawing's scale factor (that is, a drawing to be plotted at a scale of 1" = 10' would have a scale factor of 120, or a 1/4" = 1' scale drawing would have a scale factor of 48). If you load and execute the sample AutoLISP routine, AutoCAD inserts the symbol at the size and location you have specified. When plotted, the symbols are the specified size (if the drawing is plotted at the same scale as that specified by DIMSCALE). The following is a sample AutoLISP routine.
DIESEL expressions can also return string values to pull-down menu item labels, so that you can make menus unavailable or otherwise alter the way they are displayed. To use a DIESEL expression in a pull-down menu label, make sure that the first character is the $ character. In the next example, the current layer is set to BASE and the following DIESEL expression is used as the label.
ERASE while a command is active. The text is displayed normally when a command is not active. $(if,$(getvar,cmdactive),~)ERASE You can use a similar approach to place a mark beside a pull-down menu item or to interactively change the character used for the mark. Quick Reference System Variables MENUECHO Sets menu echo and prompt control bits. USERS1-5 Provides storage and retrieval of text string data.
- (subtraction) Returns the result of subtracting the numbers val2 through val9 from val1. $(-, val1 [, val2 , …, val9]) Quick Reference System Variables MENUECHO Sets menu echo and prompt control bits. * (multiplication) Returns the result of multiplying the numbers val1, val2, …, val9. $(*, val1 [, val2, …, val9]) Quick Reference System Variables MENUECHO Sets menu echo and prompt control bits. / (division) Returns the result of dividing the number val1 by val2, …, val9.
= (equal to) If the numbers val1 and val2 are equal, the string returns 1; otherwise, it returns 0. $(=, val1, val2) Quick Reference System Variables MENUECHO Sets menu echo and prompt control bits. < (less than) If the number val1 is less than val2, the string returns 1; otherwise, it returns 0. $(< , val1, val2) The following expression gets the current value of HPANG; if the value is less than the value stored in the system variable USERR1, it returns 1. If the value 10.
Quick Reference System Variables MENUECHO Sets menu echo and prompt control bits. != (not equal to) If the numbers val1 and val2 are not equal, the string returns 1; otherwise, it returns 0. $(!=, val1, val2) Quick Reference System Variables MENUECHO Sets menu echo and prompt control bits. <= (less than or equal to) If the number val1 is less than or equal to val2 , the string returns 1; otherwise, it returns 0.
>= (greater than or equal to) If the number val1 is greater than or equal to val2, the string returns 1; otherwise, it returns 0. $(>=, val1, val2) Quick Reference System Variables MENUECHO Sets menu echo and prompt control bits. and Returns the bitwise logical AND of the integers val1 through val9. $(and, val1 [, val2,…, val9]) Quick Reference System Variables MENUECHO Sets menu echo and prompt control bits. angtos Returns the angular value in the format and precision specified.
mode are shown in the following table.) If mode and precision are omitted, it uses the current values chosen by the UNITS command. Angular units values Mode value String format 0 Degrees 1 Degrees/minutes/seconds 2 Grads 3 Radians 4 Surveyor's units Quick Reference System Variables MENUECHO Sets menu echo and prompt control bits. edtime Returns a formatted date and time based on a given picture.
edtime format phrases Format Output Format Output DD 05 HH 04 DDD Sat MM 53 DDDD Saturday SS 17 M 9 MSEC 506 MO 09 AM/PM AM MON Sep am/pm am MONTH September A/P A YY 98 a/p a YYYY 1998 Enter the entire AM/PM phrase as shown in the preceding table; if AM is used alone, the A will be read literally and the M will return the current month.
Quick Reference System Variables MENUECHO Sets menu echo and prompt control bits. eq If the strings val1 and val2 are identical, the string returns 1; otherwise, it returns 0. $(eq, val1, val2) The following expression gets the name of the current layer; if the name matches the string value stored in the USERS1 (USERS1-5) system variable, it returns 1. Assume the string "PART12" is stored in USERS1 and the current layer is the same.
fix Truncates the real number value to an integer by discarding any fractional part. $(fix, value) Quick Reference System Variables MENUECHO Sets menu echo and prompt control bits. getenv Returns the value of the environment variable varname. $(getenv, varname) If no variable with that name is defined, it returns the null string. Quick Reference System Variables MENUECHO Sets menu echo and prompt control bits. getvar Returns the value of the system variable with the given varname.
Quick Reference System Variables MENUECHO Sets menu echo and prompt control bits. if Conditionally evaluates expressions. $(if, expr, dotrue [, dofalse]) If expr is nonzero, it evaluates and returns dotrue. Otherwise, it evaluates and returns dofalse. Note that the branch not chosen by expr is not evaluated. Quick Reference System Variables MENUECHO Sets menu echo and prompt control bits. index Returns the specified member of a comma-delimited string.
Quick Reference System Variables MENUECHO Sets menu echo and prompt control bits. nth Evaluates and returns the argument selected by which. $(nth, which, arg0 [, arg1,…, arg7]) If which is 0, nth returns arg0, and so on. Note the difference between $(nth) and $(index); $(nth)returns one of a series of arguments to the function, while $(index) extracts a value from a comma-delimited string passed as a single argument. Arguments not selected by which are not evaluated.
rtos Returns the real value in the format and precision specified. $(rtos, value [, mode, precision]) Edits the given value as a real number in the format specified by the mode and precision as defined by the analogous AutoLISP function. If mode and precision are omitted, it uses the current values selected with the UNITS command. Edits the given value as a real number in the format specified by mode and precision.
Characters in the string are numbered from 1. If length is omitted, it returns the entire remaining length of the string. Quick Reference System Variables MENUECHO Sets menu echo and prompt control bits. upper Returns the string converted to uppercase according to the rules of the current locale. $(upper, string) Quick Reference System Variables MENUECHO Sets menu echo and prompt control bits. xor Returns the bitwise logical XOR of the integers val1 through val9.
DIESEL Error Messages Generally, if you make a mistake in a DIESEL expression, what went wrong will be obvious. Depending on the nature of the error, DIESEL embeds an error indication in the output stream.
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6 Slides and Command Scripts Slides are snapshots of drawing files that can be used for giving presentations, for creating image tile menus, and for viewing another drawing while you work. A script reads and executes commands from a text file. You can run a script when you start AutoCAD®, or you can run a script from within AutoCAD using the SCRIPT command. A script provides an easy way to create continuously running displays for product demonstrations and trade shows.
You create a slide by saving the current view in slide format. A slide created in model space shows only the current viewport. A slide created in paper space shows all visible viewports and their contents. Slides show only what was visible. They do not show objects on layers that were turned off or frozen or objects in viewports that were turned off. When you view a slide file, it temporarily replaces objects on the screen.
Quick Reference Commands MSLIDE Creates a slide file of the current model viewport or the current layout. REDRAW Refreshes the display in the current viewport. VSLIDE Displays an image slide file in the current viewport. System Variables FILEDIA Suppresses display of file navigation dialog boxes. Utilities SLIDELIB Compiles slide files listed in an ASCII file into a slide library file. View Slides You can view slides individually using VSLIDE.
Quick Reference Commands REDRAW Refreshes the display in the current viewport. VSLIDE Displays an image slide file in the current viewport. Create and View Slide Libraries A slide library is a file containing one or more slides. Slide library files are used for creating custom image tile menus and for combining several slide files for convenient file management. You can create slide libraries from slide files using the SLIDELIB utility.
As an example: CD “c:\slides” 5 At the prompt, enter the following syntax to create the slide library: slidelib libraryname < list.txt For example, if you named your text file areas.txt, you could create a library called house.slb by entering slidelib house < areas.txt. The SLIDELIB utility appends the file extension .slb to the slide library file. To view a slide in a slide library 1 At the command prompt, enter filedia. 2 Enter 0 and press ENTER. 3 At the command prompt, enter vslide.
Create Command Scripts A script is a text file that contains a series of commands. Common uses for scripts are to customize startup and to run slide shows. Overview of Command Scripts A script is a text file with one command on each line. You can invoke a script at startup, or you can run a script during a work session by using the SCRIPT command. A script also provides an easy way to create continuously running displays for product demonstrations and trade shows.
'DELAY Provides a timed pause within a script (in milliseconds) 'GRAPHSCR Switches from the text window to the drawing area RESUME Continues an interrupted script RSCRIPT Repeats a script file 'TEXTSCR Switches to the text window When command input comes from a script, it is assumed that the settings of the PICKADD and PICKAUTO system variables are 1 and 0, respectively; therefore, you do not have to check the settings of these variables.
Quick Reference Commands DELAY Provides a timed pause within a script. GRAPHSCR Switches from the text window to the drawing area. RESUME Continues an interrupted script. RSCRIPT Repeats a script file. SCRIPT Executes a sequence of commands from a script file. TEXTSCR Opens the text window. VSLIDE Displays an image slide file in the current viewport. Run Scripts at Startup A script that runs at startup can open a drawing and change its settings.
® NOTE VBA and AutoLISP scripts that run at startup should check for whether the AutoCAD process is visible or invisible. If the process is invisible, the script should not execute, because the process may be performing background plotting or publishing operations. To check for whether the AutoCAD process is visible or invisible, you can use the Visible property of the Application object in the AutoCAD Object Model.
The name of the script file must be the last parameter listed. The file extensions are optional. 3 Click OK. AutoCAD opens the drawing and executes the commands in the script file. When the script has been completed, the command prompt is displayed. Run Slide Shows from Scripts Scripts are useful for creating slide shows. Scripts are useful for creating slide shows. Ordinarily, the speed with which you can display slides is limited by the number of times AutoCAD must access the disk to read the slide file.
To create a script that preloads slides In this example of a script that displays three slides (files slide1.sld, slide2.sld, and slide3.sld), the time it takes to access the disk drive and load the next slide into memory overlaps with the viewing time for the current slide. 1 On the first line of the script, enter vslide slide1. The first line begins the slide show and loads slide1. 2 On the second line, enter vslide *slide2. The asterisk (*) preceding the slide name on the second line preloads slide2.
The script may contain comments, as follows: ; Begin slide show, VSLIDE SLIDE1 ; Preload SLIDE2 VSLIDE *SLIDE2 ; Let audience view DELAY 2000 ; Display SLIDE2 VSLIDE ; Preload SLIDE3 VSLIDE *SLIDE3 ; Let audience view DELAY 2000 ; Display SLIDE3 VSLIDE ; Let audience view DELAY 3000 ; Cycle RSCRIPT load SLIDE1 SLIDE1 SLIDE2 SLIDE3 Quick Reference Commands DELAY Provides a timed pause within a script. GRAPHSCR Switches from the text window to the drawing area. RESUME Continues an interrupted script.
VSLIDE Displays an image slide file in the current viewport.
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7 Introduction to Programming Interfaces The programming interfaces introduced here are ActiveX® Automation, VBA (Visual Basic® for Applications), AutoLISP®, Visual LISP™ , ObjectARX™ , and .NET. The type of interface you use depends on your application needs and programming experience. ActiveX Automation ® ActiveX Automation is a technology developed by Microsoft and is based on the COM (component object model) architecture.
The advantage of implementing an ActiveX interface for AutoCAD is twofold: ■ Programmatic access to AutoCAD drawings is opened up to many more programming environments. Before ActiveX Automation, developers were limited to an AutoLISP or C++ interface. ■ Sharing data with other Windows applications, such as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word, is made dramatically easier.
Define a Command to Start Your Application You can use the acad.pgp file to define a new AutoCAD command that runs an external command to start your application. You can use the acad.pgp file to define a new AutoCAD command that runs an external command to start your application. The following example defines the RUNAPP1 command, which runs the application app1.exe in the c:\vbapps\ directory. (Add this code to the external commands section of your acad.pgp file.) RUNAPP1, start c:\vbapps\app1, 0 If your a
AutoCAD VBA Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is an object-based programming environment designed to provide rich development capabilities. The main difference between VBA and VB (Visual Basic 6) is that VBA runs in the same process space as AutoCAD, providing an AutoCAD-intelligent and very fast programming environment. Overview of AutoCAD VBA VBA provides application integration with other VBA-enabled applications.
The second element is the AutoCAD ActiveX Automation Interface, which establishes messages (communication) with AutoCAD objects. Programming in VBA requires a fundamental understanding of ActiveX Automation. A description of the AutoCAD ActiveX Automation Interface can be found in the ActiveX and VBA Developer's Guide in the Help system. To display Developer Help, on the InfoCenter toolbar, to the right of the Help button, click the drop-down arrow.
VBAMAN Manages VBA project operations using a dialog box. VBARUN Runs a VBA macro. VBASTMT Executes a VBA statement at the AutoCAD Command prompt. VBAUNLOAD Unloads a global VBA project. Use AutoCAD VBA Applications You load a VBA project with the VBALOAD command. Once loaded, its modules and macros are available in the Macros dialog box. Although Microsoft applications store VBA projects, macros, and programs inside a specific document, AutoCAD uses a separate file with the .dvb extension.
scripts, and other AutoCAD programming environments. The only argument for the command is the module name using the module.macro syntax. The syntax looks like this: -vbarun Because macros with the same name can be duplicated in modules, the module.macro syntax differentiates the macro and allows for unique selection. Quick Reference Commands VBAIDE Displays the Visual Basic Editor. VBALOAD Loads a global VBA project into the current work session.
acvba.arx — Automatically Load VBA You cannot load VBA until an AutoCAD VBA command is issued. If you want to load VBA automatically every time you start AutoCAD include the following line in the acad.rx file: acvba.arx You can automatically run a macro in the acad.dvb file by naming the macro AcadStartup. Any macro in your acad.dvb file called AcadStartup automatically executes when VBA loads. acad.dvb — Automatically Load a VBA Project The acad.
VBARUN Runs a VBA macro. VBASTMT Executes a VBA statement at the AutoCAD Command prompt. VBAUNLOAD Unloads a global VBA project. AutoLISP and Visual LISP AutoLISP is based on the LISP programming language, which is simple to learn and very powerful. Because AutoCAD has a built-in LISP interpreter, you can enter AutoLISP code at the command prompt or load AutoLISP code from external files. Visual LISP (VLISP) is a software tool designed to expedite AutoLISP program development.
creating AutoLISP routines you can add discipline-specific commands to AutoCAD. Some of the standard AutoCAD commands are actually AutoLISP applications. Visual LISP provides three file format options for AutoLISP applications: ■ Reading an LSP file (.lsp)—an ASCII text file that contains AutoLISP program code. ■ Reading an FAS file (.fas)—a binary, compiled version of a single LSP program file. ■ Reading a VLX file (.vlx)—a compiled set of one or more LSP and/or dialog control language (DCL) files.
Quick Reference Commands VLISP Displays the Visual LISP interactive development environment. System Variables PICKADD Controls whether subsequent selections replace the current selection set or add to it. PICKAUTO Controls automatic windowing for object selection. Use AutoLISP Applications See also: ■ Overview of File Organization on page 4 AutoLISP applications are stored in ASCII text files that you can edit. Before you can use an AutoLISP application, it must first be loaded.
message. A load failure can be caused by incorrect coding in the file or by entering the wrong file name at the command prompt. The syntax for the load function is (load filename [onfailure]) This syntax shows that the load function has two arguments: filename, which is required, and onfailure, which is optional. When loading an AutoLISP file at the command prompt, you typically supply only the filename argument. The following example loads the AutoLISP file newfile.lsp. Command: (load "newfile") The .
■ S::STARTUP Function: Postinitialization Execution on page 442 AutoCAD loads the contents of three user-definable files automatically: acad.lsp, acaddoc.lsp, and the MNL file that accompanies your current customization file. By default, the acad.lsp file is loaded only once, when AutoCAD starts, whereas acaddoc.lsp is loaded with each individual document (or drawing). This lets you associate the loading of the acad.lsp file with application startup, and the acaddoc.
Quick Reference Commands APPLOAD Loads and unloads applications and defines which applications to load at startup. System Variables ACADLSPASDOC Controls whether the acad.lsp file is loaded into every drawing or just the first drawing opened in a session. The ACAD.LSP File See also: ■ Overview of File Organization on page 4 ■ Prevent AutoLISP Errors When Loading Startup Files on page 441 You can create an acad.lsp file if you regularly use specific AutoLISP routines.
files mysessionapp1.lsp, databasesynch.lsp, and drawingmanager.lsp are loaded every time you start AutoCAD. (load "mysessionapp1") (load "databasesynch") (load "drawingmanager") WARNING Do not modify the reserved acad2012.lsp file. Autodesk provides the acad2012.lsp file, which contains AutoLISP defined functions that are required by AutoCAD. This file is loaded into memory immediately before the acad.lsp file is loaded.
file is always loaded with each drawing regardless of the settings of ACADLSPASDOC. Most users will have a single acaddoc.lsp file for all document-based AutoLISP routines. AutoCAD searches for an acaddoc.lsp file in the order defined by the library path; therefore, with this feature, you can have a different acaddoc.lsp file in each drawing directory, which would load specific AutoLISP routines for certain types of drawings or jobs. The acaddoc.
function ensures that AutoCAD loads the AutoLISP functions that are needed for proper operation of a menu. This function ensures that AutoCAD loads the AutoLISP functions that are needed for proper operation of a menu. For example, the default AutoCAD customization file, acad.cui, relies on the file acad.mnl. This file defines numerous AutoLISP functions used by the menu. The MNL file is loaded after the acaddoc.lsp file.
of the onfailure argument. In the preceding example, the value returned by the load function is passed to the princ function, causing that value to be displayed at the command prompt. For example, if an error occurs while AutoCAD loads the mydocapp1.lsp file, the princ function displays the following message and AutoCAD continues to load the two remaining files: MYDOCAPP1.LSP file not loaded. If you use the command function in an acad.lsp, acaddoc.
For example, if you want to override the standard HATCH command by adding a message and then switching to the BHATCH command, use an acaddoc.lsp file that contains the following: (defun C:HATCH ( ) (alert "Using the BHATCH command!") (princ "\nEnter OLDHATCH to get to real HATCH command.\n") (command "BHATCH") (princ) ) (defun C:OLDHATCH ( ) (command ".HATCH") (princ) ) (defun-q S::STARTUP ( ) (command "undefine" "hatch") (princ "\nRedefined HATCH to BHATCH!\n") ) Before the drawing is initialized, new def
ObjectARX ObjectARX technology provides the foundation for design software applications to share intelligent object data. You can run third-party ObjectARX application programs or write your own. Overview of ObjectARX ® ObjectARX (AutoCAD Runtime Extension) is a compiled-language programming environment for developing AutoCAD applications. The ObjectARX programming environment allows you to load and run your compiled projects in the same address space as AutoCAD.
Some ObjectARX applications use large amounts of system memory. If you are finished using an application and want to remove it from memory, use the Unload option of ARX. You can also load an ObjectARX application with the arxload AutoLISP function. The syntax for the arxload function is almost identical to that of the load function used with AutoLISP files. If the arxload function loads the ObjectARX program successfully, it returns the program name.
Automatically Load ObjectARX Applications See also: ■ Overview of AutoLISP Automatic Loading on page 436 Some ObjectARX samples contain an acad.rx file, which lists ObjectARX program files that are loaded automatically when you start AutoCAD. You can create or edit this file with a text editor or word processor that produces files in ASCII text format, adding to or deleting from its contents to make the appropriate ObjectARX programs available for use.
Quick Reference Commands APPLOAD Loads and unloads applications and defines which applications to load at startup. .NET With the Microsoft .NET Framework, you can create applications that interoperate with AutoCAD using programming languages like VB .NET and C#. Overview of .NET The .NET Framework is a language-neutral programming environment developed by Microsoft.
Quick Reference Commands NETLOAD Loads a .NET application. Install and Uninstall Plug-In Applications The plug-in auto loader mechanism allows for the easy deployment of custom applications using a package format. The package format is a common folder structure than contains the extension .bundle in its name and has an XML file that defines the various components of the plug-in.
Install Plug-in Packages A package can be deployed using an installer, such as MSI, or manually copying the files and folder structure to the ApplicationPlugins folder. For AutoCAD Connect downloads, deployment of the package is done using an MSI installer. Loading Plug-ins By default, plug-ins are automatically registered with AutoCAD and when a new plug-in is installed during the current session. The load behavior for plug-ins is controlled with the APPAUTOLOAD system variable.
The information contained in the file can be used to specify which AutoCAD-based products and releases the plug-in can be loaded into, their supported Operating System, and how the application should be loaded, such as load on startup or when a command is invoked. The following elements are used to define and describe the plug-in: ■ ApplicationPackage on page 452 ■ CompanyDetails on page 454 ■ Components on page 455 PackageContents.
For Download from For Local Deploythe Apps tab on ment Autodesk Exchange Name Required Optional Phone Optional Optional URL Optional Optional Email Required Optional RuntimeRequirements element – Required, if Components element present OS Optional Optional Platform Optional Optional SeriesMin Optional Optional SeriesMax Optional Optional SupportPath Optional Optional ComponentEntry element – Required, if Components element present AppName Required Required AppDescription Optio
For Download from For Local Deploythe Apps tab on ment Autodesk Exchange Global Required Required Local Required Required ApplicationPackage Element Each PackageContents.xml file must contain an ApplicationPackage element. The ApplicationPackage element, in the form of XML Attributes, contains general information about the plug-in. It also encapsulates other the element types that help to define the contents of the plug-in.
Attribute Description Codes on page 461 for a full list of supported locale codes. Icon Icon for the plug-in; used in the installer and the Apps tab on Autodesk Exchange. The icon should be 32x32 pixels in size and support 32-bit (Truecolor) color depth. Recommend using a BMP or ICO file format. NOTE All path specifiers are '/' and not '\', and paths are relative to the root .bundle folder. Helpfile Help file that explains how to use the plug-in and provides additional information about the plug-in.
Attribute Description UpgradeCode Unique GUID for the plug-in that must never be changed. The GUID is used by the Apps tab on Autodesk Exchange to allow for upgrading from an old version to a newer version of a plug-in without the need to uninstall the plug-in first. NOTE You must increment AppVersion in order to allow for proper upgrading of a plug-in.
Attribute Description Localized Web site can be specified by combining URL with a locale code. See Supported Locale Codes on page 461 for a full list of supported locale codes. Email Developer or company contact email address for the plug-in. An international contact email address can be specified by combining Email with a locale code. See Supported Locale Codes on page 461 for a full list of supported locale codes.
NOTE Although this element is optional, it is possible that the plug-in might be installed on Mac OSX or another system that the plug-in was not originally tested on. Therefore, it is recommended that the element is used to control when the plug-in can be loaded. A RuntimeRequirements element can have any of the following attributes attached to it: Attribute Description OS Target operating system. Supported values are ‘Mac’, ‘Win32’, or ‘Win64’.
Attribute Description SeriesMax Defines the maximum AutoCAD release number the set of components supports. If you omit this value, any version after that specified by the SeriesMin attribute is allowed. SupportPath List of support paths used by this set of components separated by a semicolon. The support paths should be relative to the plug-in bundle. Localized support paths can be specified by combining SupportPath with a locale code.
A ComponentEntry element can have any of the following attributes attached to it: Attribute Description AppName Optional for AutoLISP; Required for ObjectARX and .NET - Component name; same as AppName in the ObjectARX API AcadAppInfo class. AppDescription Component description; same as AppDescription in the ObjectARX API AcadAppInfo class. AppType Component type; overrides the type derived from the file extension provided in the ModuleName attribute.
Attribute Description ModuleName with a locale code. See Supported Locale Codes on page 461 for a full list of supported locale codes. NOTE All path specifiers are '/' and not '\', and paths are relative to the root .bundle folder. PerDocument AutoLISP only - When True, the AutoLISP file is loaded once per document. Default is True.
Attribute Description NOTE For AutoCAD startup performance reasons, it is very important to use this option when your components define commands. ■ LoadOnAutoCADStartup - (Only applies to ObjectARX and .NET modules.). Load when AutoCAD starts up. When specified, this parameter has precedence over all other parameters. It is recommended only to use LoadOnAutoCADStartup when none of the other parameters are suitable, disable it (set it to False) whenever possible.
A Commands element can have the following attribute attached to it: Attribute Description GroupName Name used to organize related commands. Command Element Specifies the global and local names for each command. A Command element can have any of the following attributes attached to it: Attribute Description Global Global command name. Local Local command name. Commands can be defined for multiple languages by combining Local with a locale code.
■ Esp - Spanish ■ Fra - French ■ Hun - Hungarian ■ Ita - Italian ■ Jpn - Japanese ■ Kor - Korean ■ Plk - Polish ■ Rus - Russian Example of Basic .bundle Folder Structure Basic example of what a package for a plug-in might contain and how it is structured on disk. .bundle is not a file, but a folder name with a BUNDLE extension. The following is an example of a plug-in that contains a LSP file as the main program and a DWG support file.
File name Description An application file can be an AutoLISP, ObjectARX, or .NET assembly file. OfficeSymbols.dwg DWG file that contains symbols used by the functionality defined in OfficeSymbolsUtilities.lsp. OfficeSymbols.ico Icon used by the Apps tab on Autodesk Exchange. OfficeSymbols.htm Help documentation for the plug-in. Can be a redirect to where the documentation might be stored on the local drive or an online location. Definition of the PackageContents.xml
Example of Using Folders to Organize Components Example of what a package for a plug-in might look like using folders to organize components. It is recommended to use an organized folder structure for larger applications as this can significantly speed up load times. The following is an example of a plug-in that contains multiple LSP files and resource files. The plug-in in this example is named OfficeSymbols and its folder structure might look something like: OfficeSymbols.bundle |- PackageContents.
Definition of the PackageContents.xml PAGE 476466
Shapes and Shape Fonts 8 With AutoCAD®, you can define shapes to use as drawing symbols and text fonts. This appendix explains how to create and compile your own shape and font files. Overview of Shape Files Shapes are objects that you use like blocks. First you use the LOAD command to load the compiled shape file containing the shape definition. Then you use the SHAPE command to insert shapes from the file into your drawing. You can specify the scale and rotation to use for each shape as you add it.
Compile PostScript Fonts To use a Type 1 PostScript font in AutoCAD, you must first compile it into an AutoCAD shape file. The COMPILE command accepts both SHP and PFB files as input and generates an SHX file. Compiled versions of PostScript fonts can take a lot of disk space, so compile only those fonts you use frequently. AutoCAD cannot compile and load every Type 1 font. The PostScript font facilities in AutoCAD are intended to process a subset of Adobe fonts.
SHAPE Inserts a shape from a shape file that has been loaded using LOAD. Create Shape Definition Files AutoCAD font and shape files (SHX) are compiled from shape definition files (SHP). You can create or modify shape definition files with a text editor or word processor that saves files in ASCII format. Shape Descriptions AutoCAD font and shape files (SHX) are compiled from shape definition files (SHP).
Text fonts (files containing shape definitions for each character) require specific numbers corresponding to the value of each character in the ASCII code; other shapes can be assigned any numbers. defbytes The number of data bytes (specbytes) required to describe the shape, including the terminating 0. The limit is 2,000 bytes per shape. shapename The shape name. Shape names must be uppercase to be recognized. Names with lowercase characters are ignored and are usually used to label font shape definitions.
Vector direction codes All the vectors in the preceding figure were drawn with the same length specification. Diagonal vectors stretch to match the X or Y displacement of the closest orthogonal vector. This is similar to the action of the snap grid in AutoCAD. The following example constructs a shape named DBOX with an arbitrarily assigned shape number of 230.
Quick Reference Commands LOAD Makes shapes available for use by the SHAPE command. SHAPE Inserts a shape from a shape file that has been loaded using LOAD. Special Codes Special codes can be used to create additional geometric forms and specify certain actions. Use Special Codes The second character of the three-character string (the vector length specification) must be 0, or you can specify the special code number. For example, 008 and 8 are both valid specifications.
Specification byte codes Code Description 009 Multiple X-Y displacements, terminated (0,0) 00A Octant arc defined by next two bytes 00B Fractional arc defined by next five bytes 00C Arc defined by X-Y displacement and bulge 00D Multiple bulge-specified arcs 00E Process next command only if vertical text Quick Reference Commands LOAD Makes shapes available for use by the SHAPE command. SHAPE Inserts a shape from a shape file that has been loaded using LOAD.
SHAPE Inserts a shape from a shape file that has been loaded using LOAD. Codes 3 and 4: Size Control Codes 3 and 4 control the relative size of each vector. The height specified with the SHAPE command is initially considered the length of a single orthogonal vector (direction 0, 4, 8, or C). Code 3 divides vector lengths by the next byte. Code 4 multiplies vector lengths by the next byte. Codes 3 and 4 are followed by a specification byte containing an integer scale factor (1 through 255).
Similarly, if you try to pop more locations than have been pushed onto the stack, the following message is displayed when the shape is drawn. Position stack underflow in shape nnn Quick Reference Commands LOAD Makes shapes available for use by the SHAPE command. SHAPE Inserts a shape from a shape file that has been loaded using LOAD. Code 7: Subshape Code 7 draws the subshape number given by the next byte. For a non-Unicode font the specification byte following code 7 is a shape number from 1 to 255.
Normal vector specification bytes draw only in the 16 predefined directions, and the longest length is 15. These restrictions help make shape definitions efficient but are sometimes limiting. Code 8 specifies the X-Y displacement given by the next two bytes. Code 8 must be followed by two specification bytes in the format: 8,X-displacement,Y-displacement The X-Y displacements can range from -128 to +127. A leading + is optional, and you can use parentheses to improve readability.
counterclockwise from the 3 o'clock position, as shown in the following illustration. The arc specification is 10,radius,(-)0SC The radius can be any value from 1 through 255. The second specification byte indicates the direction of the arc (counterclockwise if positive, and clockwise if negative), its starting octant (s, a value from 0 through 7), and the number of octants it spans (c, a value from 0 through 7, in which 0 equals eight octants, or a full circle).
SHAPE Inserts a shape from a shape file that has been loaded using LOAD. Code 00B: Fractional Arc Special code 00B (11) draws an arc that doesn't necessarily start and end on an octant boundary. The definition uses five specification bytes. 11,start_offset,end_offset,high_radius,radius,(-)0SC The start_offset and end_offset represent how far from an octant boundary the arc begins or ends.
Quick Reference Commands LOAD Makes shapes available for use by the SHAPE command. SHAPE Inserts a shape from a shape file that has been loaded using LOAD. Codes 00C and 00D: Bulge-Specified Arcs Special codes 00C and 00D (12 and 13) provide another mechanism for including arc segments in shape descriptions. They are similar to codes 8 and 9 in that you can use them to specify X-Y displacements. However, codes 00C and 00D draw arcs by applying a bulge factor to the displacement vector.
The polyarc code (00D, or 13) is followed by 0 or by more arc segment triples, and is terminated by a (0,0) displacement. Note that no bulge is specified after the final displacement. For example, the letter S might be defined by the following sequence: 13,(0,5,127),(0,5,-127),(0,0) Zero bulge segments are useful within polyarcs to represent straight segments; they are more efficient than terminating the polyarc, inserting one straight segment, and then starting another polyarc.
Quick Reference Commands LOAD Makes shapes available for use by the SHAPE command. SHAPE Inserts a shape from a shape file that has been loaded using LOAD. Text Font Descriptions Text fonts must include a special shape number 0 that conveys information about the font itself. AutoCAD is packaged with numerous text fonts. You can use the STYLE command to apply expansion, compression, or obliquing to any of these fonts, thereby tailoring the characters to your needs.
You can modify the spacing of lines by adjusting the downward movement specified by the LF shape definition. Text fonts must include a special shape number 0 that conveys information about the font itself. The format has the following syntax: *0,4,font-name above,below,modes,0 The above value specifies the number of vector lengths above the baseline that the uppercase letters extend, and below indicates how far the lowercase letters descend below the baseline.
Quick Reference Commands LOAD Makes shapes available for use by the SHAPE command. SHAPE Inserts a shape from a shape file that has been loaded using LOAD. STYLE Creates, modifies, or specifies text styles. TEXT Creates a single-line text object. Sample Files This topic contains sample files that help extend the font characters provided with AutoCAD.
Extended Simplex Roman 484 | Chapter 8 Shapes and Shape Fonts
;; ;; romans.shp - Extended Simplex Roman ;; ;; Copyright 1997 by Autodesk, Inc. ;; ;; Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software for ;; any purpose and without fee is hereby granted, provided that the ;; above copyright notice appears in all copies and that the re stricted ;; rights notice below appear in all supporting documentation. ;; ;; Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is sub ject ;; to restrictions set forth in FAR 52.
2,14,8,(-12,-21),14,5,8,(21,21),1,8,(-18,-21),2,8,(5,21),1,02E, 02C,02B,029,028,026,024,023,021,020,02F,8,(3,-1),030,8,(3,1),021, 2,8,(-4,-14),1,029,02B,02C,02E,020,021,023,024,026,028,2, 8,(7,-7),14,6,14,8,(12,-9),0 *00026,67,kand 2,14,8,(-13,-21),14,5,8,(23,12),1,014,016,018,01A,02B,8,(-2,-5), 8,(-2,-3),02A,029,048,027,016,025,024,023,012,8,(7,4),012,023, 024,025,027,029,02B,02C,8,(1,-3),8,(2,-3),8,(5,-7),02E,02F,020, 012,014,2,8,(3,-2),14,6,14,8,(13,-9),0 *00027,29,kapos 2,14,8,(-5,-25),14,5,8,(6,24),1,0
14,6,14,8,(10,-9),0 *00032,37,n2 2,14,8,(-10,-21),14,5,8,(4,16),1,014,023,012,021,040,02F,01E,02D, 02C,02B,8,(-2,-3),0AA,0E0,2,8,(3,0),14,6,14,8,(10,-9),0 *00033,46,n3 2,14,8,(-10,-21),14,5,8,(5,21),1,0B0,8,(-6,-8),030,02F,01E, 8,(1,-3),02C,8,(-1,-3),02A,8,(-3,-1),038,8,(-3,1),016,025,2, 8,(17,-4),14,6,14,8,(10,-9),0 *00034,34,n4 2,14,8,(-10,-21),14,5,8,(13,21),1,8,(-10,-14),0F0,2,8,(-5,14),1, 8,(0,-21),2,8,(7,0),14,6,14,8,(10,-9),0 *00035,52,n5 2,14,8,(-10,-21),14,5,8,(15,21),1,0A8,8,(-1,-9),012,8,(3,1),03
*0003D,33,keq 2,14,8,(-13,-12),14,5,8,(4,12),1,8,(18,0),2,8,(-18,-6),1, 8,(18,0),2,8,(4,-6),14,6,14,8,(13,-9),0 *0003E,28,kgt 2,14,8,(-12,-18),14,5,8,(4,18),1,8,(16,-9),8,(-16,-9),2,8,(20,0), 14,6,14,8,(12,-9),0 *0003F,42,kqm 2,14,8,(-9,-21),14,5,8,(3,16),1,014,023,012,021,040,02F,01E,02D, 02C,02B,01A,049,03C,2,05C,1,01A,01E,012,016,2,8,(9,-2),14,6, 14,8,(9,-9),0 *00040,93,kea 2,14,3,2,14,8,(-27,-42),14,4,2,14,5,8,(18,13),1,025,027,038,029, 01A,02B,03C,02D,01E,02F,030,021,023,2,084,1,0AC,01E,020,022, 8,(1,3
*00048,39,uch 2,14,8,(-11,-21),14,5,8,(4,21),1,8,(0,-21),2,8,(14,21),1, 8,(0,-21),2,8,(-14,11),1,0E0,2,8,(4,-11),14,6,14,8,(11,-9),0 *00049,25,uci 2,14,8,(-4,-21),14,5,8,(4,21),1,8,(0,-21),2,8,(4,0),14,6, 14,8,(4,-9),0 *0004A,37,ucj 2,14,8,(-8,-21),14,5,8,(12,21),1,8,(0,-16),8,(-1,-3),01A,029,028, 027,016,8,(-1,3),024,2,8,(14,-7),14,6,14,8,(8,-9),0 *0004B,49,uck 2,14,3,2,14,8,(-21,-42),14,4,2,14,5,8,(4,21),1,8,(0,-21),2, 8,(14,21),1,0EA,2,052,1,8,(9,-12),2,8,(3,0),14,6,14,3,2, 14,8,(21,-18),14,4,2,0 *0004C,
02C,02D,01E,02F,8,(6,-2),02F,01E,02D,03C,02A,8,(-3,-1),048, 8,(-3,1),026,2,8,(17,-3),14,6,14,8,(10,-9),0 *00054,31,uct 2,14,8,(-8,-21),14,5,8,(8,21),1,8,(0,-21),2,8,(-7,21),1,0E0,2, 8,(1,-21),14,6,14,8,(8,-9),0 *00055,39,ucu 2,14,8,(-11,-21),14,5,8,(4,21),1,0FC,8,(1,-3),02E,8,(3,-1),020, 8,(3,1),022,8,(1,3),0F4,2,8,(4,-21),14,6,14,8,(11,-9),0 *00056,33,ucv 2,14,8,(-9,-21),14,5,8,(1,21),1,8,(8,-21),2,8,(8,21),1, 8,(-8,-21),2,8,(9,0),14,6,14,8,(9,-9),0 *00057,49,ucw 2,14,8,(-12,-21),14,5,8,(2,21),1,8,(5,-21),
027,038,029,02A,8,(-1,-3),02C,8,(1,-3),02E,02F,030,021,022,2, 8,(4,-3),14,6,14,3,2,14,8,(19,-18),14,4,2,0 *00062,57,lcb 2,14,3,2,14,8,(-19,-42),14,4,2,14,5,8,(4,21),1,8,(0,-21),2,0B4,1, 022,021,030,02F,02E,8,(1,-3),02C,8,(-1,-3),02A,029,038,027,026,2, 8,(15,-3),14,6,14,3,2,14,8,(19,-18),14,4,2,0 *00063,39,lcc 2,14,8,(-9,-14),14,5,8,(15,11),1,026,027,038,029,02A,8,(-1,-3), 02C,8,(1,-3),02E,02F,030,021,022,2,8,(3,-3),14,6,14,8,(9,-9),0 *00064,57,lcd 2,14,3,2,14,8,(-19,-42),14,4,2,14,5,8,(15,21),1,8,(0,-21),2,
14,8,(4,-9),0 *0006D,45,lcm 2,14,8,(-15,-14),14,5,8,(4,14),1,0EC,2,0A4,1,032,021,030,02F, 8,(1,-3),0AC,2,0A4,1,032,021,030,02F,8,(1,-3),0AC,2,8,(4,0),14,6, 14,8,(15,-9),0 *0006E,46,lcn 2,14,3,2,14,8,(-19,-28),14,4,2,14,5,8,(4,14),1,0EC,2,0A4,1,032, 021,030,02F,8,(1,-3),0AC,2,8,(4,0),14,6,14,3,2,14,8,(19,-18), 14,4,2,0 *0006F,58,lco 2,14,3,2,14,8,(-19,-28),14,4,2,14,5,8,(8,14),1,029,02A,8,(-1,-3), 02C,8,(1,-3),02E,02F,030,021,022,8,(1,3),024,8,(-1,3),026,027, 038,2,8,(11,-14),14,6,14,3,2,14,8,(19,-18),14,4,2
*00078,43,lcx 2,14,3,2,14,8,(-17,-28),14,4,2,14,5,8,(3,14),1,8,(11,-14),2,0E4, 1,8,(-11,-14),2,8,(14,0),14,6,14,3,2,14,8,(17,-18),14,4,2,0 *00079,37,lcy 2,14,8,(-8,-14),14,5,8,(2,14),1,8,(6,-14),2,8,(6,14),1, 8,(-6,-14),04B,02A,029,018,2,8,(15,7),14,6,14,8,(8,-16),0 *0007A,47,lcz 2,14,3,2,14,8,(-17,-28),14,4,2,14,5,8,(14,14),1,8,(-11,-14),2, 0E4,1,0B0,2,8,(-11,-14),1,0B0,2,8,(3,0),14,6,14,3,2, 14,8,(17,-18),14,4,2,0 *0007B,54,klbr 2,14,3,2,14,8,(-13,-50),14,4,2,14,5,8,(9,25),1,029,01A,02B,02C, 02D,01E,02D,0
2,14,8,(-10,-25),14,5,060,1,012,016,01A,01C,02D,01E,02F,020,021, 012,023,014,025,016,8,(-8,4),016,025,014,023,012,021,010, 8,(8,-4),2,094,028,1,01A,01E,012,014,025,016,027,028,029,01A,02B, 01C,02D,01E,8,(8,-4),01E,02D,01C,02B,01A,029,018,8,(-8,4),2, 8,(16,-9),14,6,14,8,(10,-13),0 *000AA,51,lcau 2,14,8,-7,-21,14,5,8,4,14,3,2,1,0A0,2,054,1,02A,029,028,027,016, 8,-1,3,024,8,1,3,012,021,020,02F,02E,2,034,1,0CC,2,4,2,8,4,-15, 14,6,14,8,7,-9,0 *000AB,25,kfrew 2,14,8,(-9,-14),14,5,0A0,1,076,072,2,050,1,07A,07E,2,0
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8,(-10,-3),1,0AC,8,(1,-3),02F,030,021,032,2,0A4,1,0EC,2,8,(4,0), 14,6,14,3,2,14,8,(19,-18),14,4,2,0 *000FA,54,lc 2,14,3,2,14,8,(-19,-42),14,4,2,14,5,8,(5,17),1,8,(9,4),2, 8,(-10,-7),1,0AC,8,(1,-3),02F,030,021,032,2,0A4,1,0EC,2,8,(4,0), 14,6,14,3,2,14,8,(19,-18),14,4,2,0 *000FB,61,lc2,14,3,2,14,8,(-19,-42),14,4,2,14,5,8,(5,18),3,2,1,8,(9,6), 8,(9,-6),4,2,2,8,(-10,-4),1,0AC,8,(1,-3),02F,030,021,032,2,0A4,1, 0EC,2,8,(4,0),14,6,14,3,2,14,8,(19,-18),14,4,2,0 *000FC,62,lc_ 2,14,3,2,14,8,(-19,-42),14,4,2,14,5,8,(4
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2,14,8,(-10,-27),8,(17,21),1,8,(-14,-21),2,0F4,064,1,0E0,2, 8,(-14,-21),1,0E0,2,8,(-7,23),1,042,2,04A,1,046,2,8,(14,-27), 14,8,(-10,-9),0 *0017E,38,c167 2,14,8,(-9,-20),0E2,1,8,(-11,-14),2,0E4,1,0B0,2,0B8,0EC,1,0B0,2, 8,(-5,16),1,042,2,04A,1,046,2,8,(12,-20),14,8,(-8,-9),0 *00410,38,_ 2,14,8,(-9,-21),2,8,(4,7),1,9,(10,0),(0,0),2,8,(-13,-7),1,9, (8,21),(8,-21),(0,0),2,8,(1,0),1,2,14,8,(-9,-9),0 *00411,46,_ 2,14,8,(-10,-21),2,8,(15,21),1,9,(-11,0),(0,-21),(9,0),(3,1), (1,1),(1,2),(0,3),(-1,2),(-1,1),(-3,1),(-
2,14,8,(-11,-21),2,8,(4,21),1,9,(0,-21),(14,21),(0,-21),(0,0),2, 8,(-11,26),1,9,(1,-1),(2,-1),(2,0),(2,1),(1,1),(0,0),2,8,(7,-26), 1,2,14,8,(-11,-9),0 *0041A,46,Š 2,14,8,(-10,-21),2,8,(18,0),1,9,(-9,12),(0,0),2,8,(9,9),1,9, (-14,-14),(0,0),2,8,(0,14),1,9,(0,-21),(0,0),2,8,(16,0),1,2, 14,8,(-10,-9),0 *0041B,36,‹ 2,14,8,(-10,-21),2,8,(16,0),1,9,(0,21),(-11,0),(0,-17),(-1,-2), (-1,-1),(-2,-1),(0,0),2,8,(19,0),1,2,14,8,(-10,-9),0 *0041C,32,Œ 2,14,8,(-12,-21),2,8,(20,0),1,9,(0,21),(-8,-15),(-8,15),(0,-21), (0,0)
(1,-2),(0,-4),(-1,-2),(-2,-2),(-2,-1),(-3,-1),(-4,0),(-3,1), (-2,1),(-2,2),(-1,2),(0,4),(1,2),(2,2),(2,1),(3,1),(0,0),2, 8,(2,2),1,9,(0,-21),(0,0),2,8,(13,0),1,2,14,8,(-13,-9),0 *00425,36,• 2,14,8,(-8,-21),2,8,(15,21),1,9,(-14,-21),(0,0),2,8,(0,21),1,9, (14,-21),(0,0),2,8,(1,0),1,2,14,8,(-8,-9),0 *00426,40,2,14,8,(-11,-21),2,8,(4,21),1,9,(0,-21),(16,0),(0,-4),(0,0),2, 8,(-2,25),1,9,(0,-21),(0,0),2,8,(4,0),1,2,14,8,(-11,-13),0 *00427,44,— 2,14,8,(-10,-21),2,8,(3,21),1,9,(0,-8),(1,-3),(1,-1),(3,-1), (9,0),(0,
2,14,8,(-10,-21),2,8,(2,0),1,9,(7,11),(0,0),2,8,(7,-11),1,9, (0,21),(-9,0),(-3,-1),(-1,-1),(-1,-2),(0,-2),(1,-2),(1,-1), (3,-1),(9,0),(0,0),2,8,(4,-11),1,2,14,8,(-10,-9),0 *00430,62, 2,14,8,(-9,-14),2,8,(15,3),1,9,(-2,-2),(-2,-1),(-3,0),(-2,1), (-1,1),(-1,1),(-1,3),(0,2),(1,3),(2,2),(2,1),(3,0),(2,-1),(2,-2), (0,0),2,8,(0,3),1,9,(0,-14),(0,0),2,8,(4,0),1,2,14,8,(-10,-9),0 *00431,64, 2,14,8,(-9,-21),2,8,(14,21),1,9,(-2,-1),(-5,-1),(-2,-1),(-1,-2), (0,-12),(1,-2),(1,-1),(2,-1),(3,0),(2,1),(2,2),(1,3),(0,2), (
*00439,64, 2,14,8,(-9,-14),2,8,(4,14),1,9,(0,-10),(1,-3),(2,-1),(3,0),(2,1), (3,3),(0,0),2,8,(0,10),1,9,(0,-14),(0,0),2,8,(-9,18),1,9,(1,-1), (2,-1),(2,0),(2,1),(1,1),(0,0),2,8,(5,-18),1,2,14,8,(-10,-9),0 *0043A,46, 2,14,8,(-8,-14),2,8,(4,14),1,9,(0,-14),(0,0),2,8,(4,8),1,9, (7,-8),(0,0),2,8,(-1,14),1,9,(-10,-10),(0,0),2,8,(12,-4),1,2, 14,8,(-8,-9),0 *0043B,44, 2,14,8,(-9,-14),2,8,(14,14),1,9,(-6,0),(0,-10),(-1,-3),(-2,-1), (-2,0),(0,0),2,8,(11,14),1,9,(0,-14),(0,0),2,8,(4,0),1,2, 14,8,(-9,-9),0 *0043C,32,
2,14,8,(-7,-14),2,8,(1,14),1,9,(6,-14),(0,0),2,8,(6,14),1,9, (-6,-14),(-2,-4),(-2,-2),(-2,-1),(-1,0),(0,0),2,8,(14,7),1,2, 14,8,(-7,-16),0 *00444,66, 2,14,8,(-11,-14),2,8,(14,14),1,9,(-6,0),(-2,-1),(-2,-2),(-1,-3), (0,-2),(1,-3),(2,-2),(2,-1),(6,0),(2,1),(2,2),(1,3),(0,2),(-1,3), (-2,2),(-2,1),(0,0),2,8,(-3,0),1,9,(0,-21),(0,0),2,8,(11,7),1,2, 14,8,(-11,-16),0 *00445,36, 2,14,8,(-6,-14),2,8,(1,14),1,9,(11,-14),(0,0),2,8,(0,14),1,9, (-11,-14),(0,0),2,8,(12,0),1,2,14,8,(-7,-9),0 *00446,50, 2,14,8,(-9,-14),2,8
14,8,(-9,-9),0 *0044D,60, 2,14,8,(-8,-14),2,8,(2,11),1,9,(2,2),(2,1),(3,0),(2,-1),(2,-2), (1,-3),(0,-2),(-1,-3),(-2,-2),(-2,-1),(-3,0),(-2,1),(-2,2),(0,0), 2,8,(12,4),1,9,(-6,0),(0,0),2,8,(9,-7),1,2,14,8,(-9,-9),0 *0044E,70, 2,14,8,(-12,-14),2,8,(4,14),1,9,(0,-14),(0,0),2,8,(0,7),1,9, (5,0),(0,1),(1,3),(2,2),(2,1),(2,0),(2,-1),(2,-2),(1,-3),(0,-2), (-1,-3),(-2,-2),(-2,-1),(-2,0),(-2,1),(-2,2),(-1,3),(0,1),(0,0), 2,8,(15,-7),1,2,14,8,(-12,-9),0 *0044F,54, 2,14,8,(-8,-14),2,8,(3,0),1,9,(4,5),(0,0),2,8,(6,-5),
2,14,8,(-10,-21),14,5,040,1,0C0,084,066,06A,08C,2,8,(16,0),14,6, 14,8,(10,-9),0 Quick Reference Commands LOAD Makes shapes available for use by the SHAPE command. SHAPE Inserts a shape from a shape file that has been loaded using LOAD.
Extended Standard Font for UNICODE 512 | Chapter 8 Shapes and Shape Fonts
;; ;; txt.shp - Extended Standard Font for UNICODE ;; ;; Copyright 1997 by Autodesk, Inc. ;; ;; Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software for ;; any purpose and without fee is hereby granted, provided that the ;; above copyright notice appears in all copies and that the re stricted ;; rights notice below appear in all supporting documentation. ;; ;; Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is sub ject ;; to restrictions set forth in FAR 52.
2,14,3,2,14,8,(-1,-12),14,4,2,044,1,023,2,06C,020,14,3,2, 14,8,(-5,2),14,4,2,0 *00028,16,klp 2,14,8,(-1,-6),064,020,1,02A,02C,02E,2,020,14,03A,0 *00029,15,krp 2,14,8,(-1,-6),064,1,02E,02C,02A,2,040,14,03A,0 *0002A,27,kas 2,14,8,(-2,-5),021,1,044,2,02E,1,048,2,041,1,04A,2,044,1,04E,2, 02F,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0002B,19,kpls 2,14,8,(-2,-5),021,1,044,2,02E,1,048,2,06F,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0002C,28,kcma 2,14,3,2,14,02B,14,4,2,014,010,1,01C,01A,2,012,020,14,3,2, 14,8,(-3,-8),14,4,2,0 *0002D,14,ksub 2,14,8,(-2,-3),034,1,040
2,020,1,01E,01C,01A,028,2,050,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *00039,24,n9 2,14,8,(-2,-6),010,1,010,022,034,016,028,01A,01C,01E,030,2,020, 03C,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0003A,17,kcol 2,14,04C,044,1,01C,2,01C,1,01C,2,02F,14,8,(-2,-3),0 *0003B,34,ksmc 2,14,3,2,14,8,(-1,-8),14,4,2,010,044,1,01C,2,01C,1,02C,01A,2,012, 020,14,3,2,14,8,(-5,-8),14,4,2,0 *0003C,29,klt 2,14,3,2,14,8,(-3,-12),14,4,2,064,030,1,03A,03E,2,020,14,3,2, 14,8,(-5,-6),14,4,2,0 *0003D,18,keq 2,14,04B,044,1,040,2,02C,1,048,2,060,02C,14,8,(-4,-1),0 *0003E,28,kgt 2,14,3,2
14,8,(-4,-3),0 *00048,22,uch 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,064,2,03C,1,040,2,034,1,06C,2,020,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *00049,21,uci 2,14,8,(-1,-6),064,1,020,2,018,1,06C,2,018,1,020,2,020,14,03A,0 *0004A,19,ucj 2,14,8,(-2,-6),014,1,01E,020,012,054,2,020,06C,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0004B,23,uck 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,064,2,040,1,03A,018,2,010,1,03E,2,020, 14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0004C,16,ucl 2,14,8,(-2,-6),064,1,06C,040,2,020,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0004D,17,ucm 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,064,04D,043,06C,2,020,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0004E,19,ucn 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,064,8,(4,-6),06
2,14,8,(-2,-6),064,1,8,(2,-3),03C,2,034,1,8,(2,3),2,020,06C, 14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0005A,19,ucz 2,14,8,(-2,-6),064,1,040,8,(-4,-6),040,2,020,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0005B,17,klb 2,14,8,(-1,-6),1,064,020,2,06C,1,028,2,040,14,03A,0 *0005C,17,kbkslsh 2,14,8,(-2,-6),064,1,8,(4,-6),2,020,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0005D,15,krb 2,14,8,(-1,-6),064,1,020,06C,028,2,040,14,03A,0 *0005E,16,kcaret 2,14,8,(-2,-6),044,1,022,02E,2,04D,14,8,(-4,1),0 *0005F,11,kundrl 2,14,028,01C,1,040,2,021,14,04A,0 *00060,27,krvap 2,14,3,2,14,8,(-1,-12),14,4,2,06
2,14,3,2,14,8,(-3,-12),14,4,2,01C,1,01E,010,012,054,2,014,1,014, 2,020,06C,14,3,2,14,8,(-7,-10),14,4,2,0 *0006B,23,lck 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,064,2,04C,1,020,022,2,02A,1,02E,2,020, 14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0006C,28,lcl 2,14,3,2,14,8,(-1,-12),14,4,2,064,1,05C,01E,2,020,14,3,2, 14,8,(-5,-6),14,4,2,0 *0006D,24,lcm 2,14,04B,1,044,2,01C,1,012,01E,01C,2,014,1,012,01E,03C,2,020, 14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0006E,21,lcn 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,044,2,02C,1,022,010,01E,03C,2,020,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0006F,20,lco 2,14,04B,030,1,028,016,024,012,020,01E,02C,
*0007B,19,klbr 2,14,8,(-1,-6),064,020,1,01A,01C,01A,01E,01C,01E,2,020,14,03A,0 *0007C,13,kvbar 2,14,06C,1,064,2,06C,020,14,8,(-2,-3),0 *0007D,18,krbr 2,14,8,(-1,-6),1,012,014,012,016,014,016,2,06C,040,14,03A,0 *0007E,15,ktlde 2,14,04B,034,1,012,02F,012,2,04D,14,8,(-4,-2),0 *00080,4,keuroRef 7,020AC,0 *000A0,7,NoBrkSpc 2,060,14,8,(-6,-8),0 *000A1,18,kiexc 2,14,06C,1,044,2,014,1,014,2,8,(2,-6),14,8,(-2,-3),0 *000A2,23,kcent 2,14,8,(-2,-5),01E,1,8,(2,6),2,01E,1,038,01A,02C,01E,030,2,020, 14,04A,0, *000A3,23,kp
06B,1,040,2,4,2,8,2,-3,14,8,(-3,1),0 *000BB,22,kffrw 2,14,8,(-2,-5),014,1,022,026,2,020,1,02E,02A,2,040,01C, 14,8,(-4,-2),0 *000BC,41,kquart 2,3,2,14,8,(-5,-12),1,8,(10,12),2,8,(-8,-6),1,064,01A,2,05C,1, 020,2,8,(6,-4),1,048,8,(3,4),06C,2,060,14,8,(-9,-6),4,2,0 *000BD,45,khalf 2,3,2,14,8,(-5,-12),1,8,(10,12),2,8,(-8,-6),1,064,01A,2,05C,1, 020,2,8,(3,-1),1,012,020,01E,01C,01A,028,01A,02C,040,2,040, 14,8,(-9,-6),4,2,0 *000BF,32,kiqm 2,3,2,14,8,(-3,-12),8,(6,2),1,02A,028,026,024,022,024,2,024,1, 024,2,8,(8,-12
2,020,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *000CA,29,uc^ 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,044,040,2,016,1,016,01A,2,03C,018,1,020,2,02A,1, 040,2,020,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *000CB,32,uc^ 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,044,040,2,016,1,014,2,028,1,01C,2,03C,018,1,020, 2,02A,1,040,2,020,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *000CC,25,uc^ 2,14,8,(-1,-6),044,1,020,2,014,1,027,2,02D,1,04C,2,018,1,020,2, 020,14,03A,0 *000CD,25,uc^ 2,14,8,(-1,-6),044,1,020,2,024,1,029,2,01E,1,04C,2,018,1,020,2, 020,14,03A,0 *000CE,26,uc^ 2,14,8,(-1,-6),044,1,020,2,014,1,016,01A,2,01E,1,04C,2,018,1,020, 2,020,14,03
2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,8,(4,6),2,018,1,01E,04C,01A,028,016,044,012,020, 2,8,(3,-6),14,8,(-4,-3),0 *000D9,24,uc^ 2,14,8,(-2,-6),064,1,05C,01E,020,012,054,2,01A,1,027,2,050,06C, 14,8,(-4,-3),0 *000DA,24,uc^ 2,14,8,(-2,-6),064,1,05C,01E,020,012,054,2,018,1,029,2,050,05C, 14,8,(-4,-3),0 *000DB,25,uc^ 2,14,8,(-2,-6),064,1,05C,01E,020,012,054,2,01A,1,016,01A,2,050, 05C,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *000DC,27,uc^ 2,14,8,(-2,-6),064,1,05C,01E,020,012,054,2,01A,1,014,2,028,1,01C, 2,05E,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *000DD,25,uc^ 2,14,8,(-2,-6),044,1,0
2,14,04B,021,1,01A,016,024,012,01E,03C,2,034,1,012,01E,01C,028,2, 01C,1,01E,010,2,020,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *000E7,24,lc‡ 2,14,04B,042,1,038,01A,02C,01E,030,2,028,1,01C,010,01C,018,2,041, 14,8,(-4,-5),0 *000E8,27,lcŠ 2,14,8,(-2,-6),024,1,030,012,016,028,01A,02C,01E,020,2,054,1,027, 2,050,06C,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *000E9,26,lc‚ 2,14,8,(-2,-6),024,1,030,012,016,028,01A,02C,01E,020,2,064,1,029, 2,05E,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *000EA,27,lcˆ 2,14,8,(-2,-6),024,1,030,012,016,028,01A,02C,01E,020,2,054,1,016, 01A,2,05E,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *000E
*000F5,32,lc^ 2,14,8,(-2,-6),030,1,028,016,024,012,020,01E,02C,01A,2,8,(-3,5), 1,012,02F,012,2,8,(2,-6),14,8,(-4,-3),0 *000F6,35,lc” 2,14,8,(-2,-6),030,1,028,016,024,2,034,1,01C,2,040,1,014,2, 8,(-4,-3),1,012,020,01E,02C,01A,2,030,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *000F7,23,kto 2,14,8,(-2,-5),021,1,014,2,021,1,048,2,022,1,01C,2,04E, 14,8,(-4,-2),0 *000F8,24,lcd” 2,14,04B,010,1,020,012,024,016,028,01A,02C,01E,2,018,1,042,2,04D, 14,8,(-4,-3),0 *000F9,27,lc— 2,14,8,(-2,-6),044,1,03C,01E,010,022,2,038,044,1,02F,2,01E,1,04C, 2,020
2,14,04B,042,1,038,01A,02C,01E,030,2,3,2,8,(-5,10),1,021,2,029, 8,(9,-10),4,2,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0010C,31,c172 2,14,8,(-2,-8),040,014,1,01A,028,016,044,012,020,01E,2,026,1,012, 2,01A,1,016,2,050,08C,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0010D,29,c159 2,14,8,(-2,-6),042,1,038,01A,02C,01E,030,2,028,054,1,012,2,01A,1, 016,2,050,06C,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0010E,32,c210 2,14,8,(-2,-8),1,030,012,044,016,038,2,010,1,06C,2,010,074,1,012, 2,01A,1,016,2,050,08C,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0010F,31,c212 2,14,8,(-2,-6),041,1,02A,018,016,024,012,010,02E,2,044,1,0
01A,1,016,2,040,06C,14,03A,0 *00150,27,c138 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,064,040,06C,048,2,074,010,1,03C,2,020,1,034,2, 07C,030,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *00151,29,c139 2,14,04B,030,1,028,016,024,012,020,01E,02C,01A,2,074,1,02C,2,028, 1,024,2,07C,050,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *00158,33,c252 2,14,8,(-2,-8),1,064,030,01E,01C,01A,038,2,010,1,03E,2,028,074,1, 012,2,01A,1,016,2,050,08C,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *00159,29,c253 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,044,2,02C,1,022,010,01E,2,026,1,012,2,01A,1,016, 2,050,06C,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0015A,27,c151 2,14,8,(-2,-6),014,1,01E,0
2,14,04B,044,1,03C,01E,010,022,2,024,1,04C,2,074,018,1,02C,2,028, 1,024,2,07C,050,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *00179,25,c141 2,14,8,(-2,-6),064,1,040,8,(-4,-6),040,2,038,074,1,021,2,08C,030, 14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0017A,28,c171 2,14,04B,044,1,040,04A,040,2,3,2,8,(-5,10),1,021,2,029,8,(9,-10), 4,2,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0017B,32,c189 2,14,8,(-2,-6),064,1,040,8,(-4,-6),040,2,084,028,1,3,4,01A,01E, 012,016,4,4,2,040,08C,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0017C,34,c190 2,14,04B,044,1,040,04A,040,2,3,2,8,(-4,11),3,4,1,01A,01E,012,016, 4,4,2,8,(8,-11),4,2,14
*00418,20,ucri 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,042,04C,064,2,048,1,06C,2,060,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *00419,24,ucrikr 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,042,04C,064,2,018,1,028,2,018,1,06C,2,060, 14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0041A,23,ucrk 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,064,2,040,1,03A,018,2,010,1,03E,2,020, 14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0041B,17,ukrl 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,010,063,010,06C,2,020,14,8,(-5,-3),0 *0041C,17,ucrm 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,064,04D,043,06C,2,020,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0041D,22,ucrn 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,064,2,03C,1,040,2,034,1,06C,2,020,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0041E,23,ucro 2,14,8,(-2,-6),014,1,04
*00429,24,ucr! 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,064,06C,030,044,04C,030,064,06C,010,01C,014,2, 020,14,8,(-7,-3),0 *0042A,23,ucr' 2,14,8,(-2,-6),054,1,014,010,06C,030,012,014,016,038,2,060,03C, 14,8,(-5,-3),0 *0042B,24,ucrs 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,030,012,014,016,038,03C,064,2,050,1,06C,2,020, 14,8,(-5,-3),0 *0042C,21,ucr] 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,030,012,014,016,038,03C,064,2,060,06C, 14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0042D,25,ucr' 2,14,8,(-2,-6),014,1,01E,020,012,024,028,020,024,016,028,01A,2, 060,05C,14,8,(-4,-3),00, *0042E,26,ucr! 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,064,
060,01C,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *00438,17,lcri 2,14,8,(-2,-6),044,1,04C,042,04C,2,020,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *00439,23,lcrii 2,14,8,(-2,-6),044,1,04C,042,04C,2,044,018,1,028,2,050,04C, 14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0043A,19,lcrk 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,044,02C,020,022,02A,02E,2,020,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0043B,16,lcrl 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,043,020,04C,2,020,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0043C,17,lcrm 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,044,02E,022,04C,2,020,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0043D,18,lcrn 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,044,02C,040,024,04C,2,020,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0043E,25,lcro 2,14,04B,14,8,(0,-2),014,1,024
*00449,24,lcrshch 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,044,04C,020,024,02C,020,044,04C,010,01C,2,014, 020,14,8,(-5,-3),0 *0044A,21,lcrtvznak 2,14,8,(-2,-6),044,1,010,04C,020,012,016,028,2,050,02C, 14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0044B,24,lcryyy 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,044,02C,020,01E,01A,028,2,040,1,044,2,04C,020, 14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0044C,19,lcrmznak 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,044,02C,020,01E,01A,028,2,050,14,8,(-3,-3),0 *0044D,25,lcreee 2,14,8,(-2,-6),014,1,01E,020,012,014,028,020,014,016,028,01A,2, 060,03C,14,8,(-4,-3),0 *0044E,26,lcryu 2,14,8,(-2,-6),1,044,02
Quick Reference Commands LOAD Makes shapes available for use by the SHAPE command. SHAPE Inserts a shape from a shape file that has been loaded using LOAD. Big Font Descriptions Some languages, such as Japanese, use text fonts with thousands of non-ASCII characters. In order for drawings to contain such text, AutoCAD supports a special form of shape definition file called a Big Font file. Define a Big Font Special codes in the first line of a Big Font file specify how to read two-byte hexidecimal codes.
each range. Therefore, the header for a Japanese Big Font file might look like this: *BIGFONT 4000,2,090,0AF,0E0,0FF After the *BIGFONT line, the font definition is just like a regular AutoCAD text font, except that character codes (shape numbers) can have values up to 65535. Quick Reference Commands LOAD Makes shapes available for use by the SHAPE command. SHAPE Inserts a shape from a shape file that has been loaded using LOAD.
character width Used along with character height to indicate the number of units that define the font characters. The character-height and character-width values are used to scale the primitives of the font. In this context, primitives are the points, lines, polygons, or character strings of the font geometrically oriented in two-dimensional space. A Kanji character consists of several primitives used repeatedly in different scales and combinations.
Fields of the extended Big Font file Variable Byte size Description basepoint-x 1 byte Primitive X origin basepoint-y 1 byte Primitive Y origin width 1 byte Scale of primitive width height 1 byte Scale of primitive height 1 byte End of shape definition terminator Value 0 The following figure is an example of a 16 x 16 dot matrix that you could use to design an extended Big Font, such as a Kanji character. In the example, the distance between each dot is one unit.
Examples of Kanji characters The following figure shows Kanji primitives. Examples of Kanji primitives NOTE Not all fonts are defined in a square matrix; some are defined in rectangular matrices.
Example: Shape Definition File for an Extended Big Font Big Font Descriptions | 537
*BIGFONT 50,1,080,09e *0,5,Extended Font 15,0,2,15,0 *08D91,31,unspecified 2,0e,8,-7,-15, 7,0,08cfb,0,0,16,16,7,0,08bca,2,3,12,9, 2,8,18,0,2,0e,8,-11,-3,0 *08CD8,31,unspecified 2,0e,8,-7,-15, 7,0,08be0,0,0,8,16,7,0,08cc3,8,0,8,16, 2,8,18,0,2,0e,8,-11,-3,0 *08ADF,31,unspecified 2,0e,8,-7,-15, 7,0,089a4,0,0,8,16,7,0,08cb3,8,0,8,16, 2,8,18,0,2,0e,8,-11,-3,0 *08CE8,39,unspecified 2,0e,8,-7,-15, 7,0,089a4,0,1,5,14,7,0,08cc3,5,2,5,14,7,0,08c8e,9,0,7, 16,2,8,18,0,2,0e,8,-11,-3,0 *089A4,39,primitive 2,0e,8,-7,-15,2
*08CB3,61,primitive 2,0e,8,-7,-15,2,042,1,02b,02a,018,2, 0d0,1,012,034,2,069,1,01e,040,2,8, -8,6,1,02b,2,8,4,5,1,08c,2,8, -3,8,1,03c,2,8,-5,3,1,0e0,2,8, -12,5,1,0a0,2,8,6,-14,2,0e,8, -11,-3,0 *08CC3,34,primitive 2,0e,8,-7,-15,2,0c1,1,06c,0a8,064,0a0,2,8, -5,9,1,09c,2,8,-7,5,1,0e0,2,8, 4,-11,2,0e,8,-11,-3,0 *08CFB,22,primitive 2,0e,8,-7,-15,2,0d2,1,0cc,0c8,0c4,0c0,2,8, 5,-13,2,0e,8,-11,-3,0 Quick Reference Commands COMPILE Compiles shape files and PostScript font files into SHX files.
AutoCAD assumes that the first name is the normal font and that the second is the big font. If you enter only one name, AutoCAD assumes it is the normal font and removes any associated Big Font. By using leading or trailing commas when specifying the font file names, you can change one font without affecting the other, as shown in the following table.
In some drafting disciplines, many special symbols can appear in text strings. The AutoCAD standard text fonts can be extended to include special symbols. However, extending standard text fonts has several limitations: ■ The number of shapes is 255 per font file. ■ Standard character set uses almost half the available shape numbers. Only codes 1 through 9, 11 through 31, and 130 through 255 are available. ■ Multiple text fonts require duplication of the symbol definitions in each font.
LOAD Makes shapes available for use by the SHAPE command. SHAPE Inserts a shape from a shape file that has been loaded using LOAD. Unicode Font Descriptions A single Unicode font, due to its large character set, is capable of supporting all languages and platforms. Unicode shape definition files are virtually identical in format and syntax to regular AutoCAD shape definition files.
descriptions, you may be inclined to use three bytes rather than four, but this would cause an error during the compiling of the SHP file. This is true even if the shape number you are referencing is not in the two-byte range (below 255); the compiler always uses two bytes for this value, so you must account for that in the header. The only other difference between Unifont shape definitions and regular shape definitions is the shape numbers.
control the position and size of the characters that follow. For simplicity, this example replaces the left- and right-bracket characters ([and]) and the left and right curly brace characters ({and}) with the new characters. You may choose to replace other characters or use a shape number in the extended range (ASCII codes 128 through 256). If you use an extended shape number, you need to use the %%nnn method (where nnn is the ASCII value of the character) for placing the new characters.
and } characters. The [ character initiates superscript and the ] character returns from superscript to normal. The { character initiates subscript and the } character returns from subscript to normal. Quick Reference Commands COMPILE Compiles shape files and PostScript font files into SHX files. LOAD Makes shapes available for use by the SHAPE command. SHAPE Inserts a shape from a shape file that has been loaded using LOAD.
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Migrate and Transfer Custom Settings and Files 9 In this section, you learn about migrating from previous releases, as well as transferring custom settings and files between workstations running the same release. If you have a previous version of AutoCAD installed on your system, you can install a newer version of AutoCAD and keep other versions of the program on the same system. This is called a side-by-side installation.
■ Export and import tool palettes and tool palette groups ■ Copy custom or changed linetype (LIN), hatch pattern (PAT), or command aliases (PGP) files ■ Import the MyMaterials library file NOTE Migrate your custom settings and files as soon as possible after installing a new product version to avoid overwriting new customization. Migration Tools Autodesk offers a range of tools to assist in migrating custom settings and files.
workstation running the same release of AutoCAD. You can also use this tool to create a backup of your custom settings. For more information about exporting and importing transfer packages, see Export and Import Custom Settings from the Same Release on page 560. ■ Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor. Transfers settings between different workstations. Reset Settings to Default Resets your AutoCAD configuration to the default state.
(Options dialog box) to export each profile from the previous release and import it into the latest release. If you export a profile from a previous release, you will likely need to update some of the support paths on the Profiles tab (Options dialog box) with those of the latest release. For information on using profiles, see Save and Restore Interface Settings (Profiles) in the User’s Guide. ■ Changes to the User Interface.
new release of the product, use the Customize dialog box to import the tool palettes and tool palette groups exported from the previous release. Migrate Custom Settings If you install AutoCAD on a computer where a previous release of the product is installed, you can migrate some custom settings from the previous release to the new version. Migration can be done manually or with the assistance of the Migrate Custom Settings dialog box.
User-Defined Icons These files are typically referenced by commands stored in a CUI or CUIx file, and stored in the folder defined under the Custom Icon Location node on the Files tab of the Options dialog box. NOTE User Profiles must be selected for migration in order to migrate user-defined icons. User-Defined Tool Palette Files/Tool Palette Files These files contain a set of user-defined and standard tools that shipped with AutoCAD.
User-defined Hatch Patterns These PAT files are copied from the previous release to the new release. My Material Library File This file contains user favorite materials. This file represents the My Materials library in the Material Browser. Image files referenced by materials in a library are not moved or copied. Acad.pgp The user-defined command aliases from this file are added to the user-defined section of the file with the same name in the new release.
Files Migrated with the Migrate Custom Settings Dialog Box File Name File Description Details *.lin Stores your user-defined linetypes. User-defined linetype files are migrated. acad.lin Contains standard linetype definitions (an AutoCAD library file). The file itself is not migrated; however, any linetypes that you created in this file are migrated to the AutoCAD acad.lin file, in the User Defined Linetypes section of the file. acadiso.
Files Migrated with the Migrate Custom Settings Dialog Box File Name File Description Details The new CUIx file is stored in the same folder as the main CUIx file. An MNU file is converted when an MNS file with the same name is not found. *.mns Contains menu customization from a release prior to AutoCAD 2006. The file itself is not migrated; a copy of the file is created and converted into a CUIx file with the same name. The new CUIx file is stored in the same folder as the main CUIx file.
Before MNU, MNS, CUI, and CUIx files are migrated, a backup copy of each file is saved in the following directory: ■ (Windows XP) :\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Autodesk\\\\Previous Version Custom Files ■ (Windows Vista or Windows 7) :\Users\\Application Data\Autodesk\\\\Previous Version Custom Files NOTE Other custom settings and files can be migrated using Autodes
■ (Windows Vista and Windows 7) Click Start menu ➤ All Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ AutoCAD 2012 ➤ Migrate Custom Settings ➤ Migrate From a Previous Release. 2 In the Migrate Custom Settings dialog box, Migrate Settings From drop-down list, select the AutoCAD release from which you want to migrate your custom settings. 3 In the Settings and Files to Migrate box, select the custom files that you want to migrate. 4 Click OK.
2 Double-click migration.xml to open the file, and view the details of your migration. Restore Profiles After Migrating Files from an Earlier Release After you migrate your profiles from an earlier AutoCAD release, you can restore the default profile or reset a profile to use the default profile settings of the latest release. To set the AutoCAD default profile current 1 On the Application menu, click Options.
NOTE It is not recommended to edit the Windows Registry directly. The following user folders are removed during the reset: ■ ■ Roaming Root folder ■ (Windows XP) :\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2012\\ ■ (Windows Vista and Windows 7) :\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2012\\ Local Root folder ■ (Windows XP) :\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Application Dat
To reset AutoCAD settings to default 1 Do one of the following: ■ (Windows XP) Click Start menu ➤ Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ AutoCAD 2012 ➤ Reset Settings to Default ■ (Windows Vista and Windows 7) Click Start menu ➤ All Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ AutoCAD 2012 ➤ Reset Settings to Default 2 In the Reset Settings – Backup message box, do one of the following: ■ Click Back Up and Reset Custom Settings to archive your current custom settings and files before resetting AutoCAD.
The following table lists the file types that are most commonly included in the transfer package that is created from the Export Custom Settings dialog box. Most Common File Types Included in the Transfer Package File Name File Description FavoriteMaterials.adsklib Contains materials that are added to the My Materials library. *.atc Tools defined in a tool palette and the tool palette catalog. *.aws Order of the tools as they appear in a tool palette and other local settings.
Most Common File Types Included in the Transfer Package File Name File Description *.pgp Shell commands and command alias definitions. *.pmp Calibration and paper size settings that are used with a PC3 file. *.psf Information about font substitution when exporting to a Postscript file. *.shx Information about text characters or shapes used with linetype definitions. *.
Some of the File Types Not Included in the Transfer Package File Name File Description *.mli Render material library; this file type is no longer supported due to changes to the MATERIALS command. *.mnr Resource images for a customization file; must have the same name as a customization file in order to be loaded by the product. The file is not included because it is auto-generated by the product when it is not present. *.udl Data connection settings used with dbConnect. *.
■ (Windows Vista and Windows 7) Click Start menu ➤ All Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ AutoCAD 2012 ➤ Migrate Custom Settings ➤ Export AutoCAD Settings. 2 In the Export Custom Settings dialog box, select the Include Custom Files in Networked Locations option if you have files in network locations that you want included in the transfer package that is created. 3 Click Export. 4 In the Export Custom Settings standard file selection dialog box, enter a name and specify a location for the transfer package. Click Save.
To import custom settings from a computer with the same AutoCAD release 1 Do one of the following: ■ (Windows XP) Click Start menu ➤ Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ AutoCAD 2012 ➤ Migrate Custom Settings ➤ Import AutoCAD Settings. ■ (Windows Vista and Windows 7) Click Start menu ➤ All Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ AutoCAD 2012 ➤ Migrate Custom Settings ➤ Import AutoCAD Settings. 2 In the Import Custom Settings standard file selection dialog box, select the ZIP file that contains the custom settings that were exported.
based on the types of drawing. For more information about customizing the user interface and workspaces, see Work with the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor on page 106 and Customize Workspaces on page 343. What is a workspace? Workspaces are sets of menus, toolbars, palettes, ribbon panels, and ribbon tabs that are organized so you can work in a custom, task-oriented drawing environment. When you use a workspace, only the user interface elements that are relevant to a task are displayed.
To open a drawing template (DWT) file 1 From the Application menu, click Open. 2 In the Select File dialog box, from the Files of Type drop-down list, select Drawing Template (*.dwt). 3 Browse to and select the drawing template (DWT) file you want to modify. 4 Click Open. 5 Make the desired changes to the DWT file. 6 From the Application menu, click Save.
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Index .NET Framework about 447 loading applications 447 A abbreviations for commands 24 absolute menu referencing 288 acad.lsp file 438 acaddoc.
MNL files 440 S STARTUP function 443 system variables and 435 AutoLISP Compatibility Analyzer Automation controllers 425 Automation objects 426 549 B backup files customization files 122, 559 base points 46 batch files 9 Big Fonts about 532 defining 532 examples 535 extended Big Font files 533 extending text fonts with 541 text styles and 539 blocks action macros and 57 borders (menu items) 166 BUNDLE packages 448, 462 buttons crosshair coordinates 334 customizing 248 drop-downs 219 flyouts 260 images on
scripts 416 shortcut menus and 116, 270 starting applications with 427 status line messages 180 submenus and 285 swapping menu contents 161 tablet buttons and 337 tagging 171 tooltips 174 transparent commands 156 Windows system commands 22 Commands element 460 comments AutoLISP commenting 435 script commenting 416 CompanyDetails element 454 compiling shape or font files 467 component object model architecture 425 ComponentEntry element 457 Components element 455 conditional expressions in macros 162 configu
customization about 1 customization files (CUI) backwards compatibility 97 CUIx files 90 defined 103 DIESEL expressions in 393 directory structure and 5 locating files 13 migrating from prior releases 548, 550–551 migrating to CUIx 379 structure 99 customization files (CUIx) about 90, 122 backups 122 backwards compatibility 97 creating 122 CUI Editor 106 customization FAQs 385 defined 103 enterprise CUIx files 131 finding items in 135 importing workspaces 346 menu swapping 292 migrating from prior releases
D dashboard panel 103 dashes hatch pattern definitions 78 linetype definitions 64 data links locating files 10 dates edtime DIESEL function 401 DCL files (dialog control language) 434 default configurations 549, 558 delaying slide shows 420 deleting menus 290 ribbon items 208 toolbar buttons 248 DesignCenter action macros and 36 dialog boxes image tile dialog boxes 337 DIESEL expressions about 387 customizing status line 389 error messages 409 macros and 151, 162, 393 nesting 389 pull-down menu labels 395 q
slides of 411 drawing templates locating files 16 drop-down lists 224, 265 drop-downs ribbon panels 219 DVB files 550 DWG TrueView migration tool 549 DWT files locating 16 modifying 566 Dynamic Display pane (CUI editor) 95 Dynamic Help 101 E echoes in macros 153 editing action macros 38, 51 commands 144 double click actions for 324 shortcut keys 309 slide files and 413 toolbars 250 edtime DIESEL function 401 element IDs 103 enterprise customization files about 122 creating 131 customization FAQs 385 define
getvar DIESEL function 404 graphics for commands 181, 184, 186 graying out menu item labels 165 greater than DIESEL function 398 greater than or equal to DIESEL function 400 H hatch patterns about 75 creating 75 examples 75, 78, 82 multiple lines 82 hatches creating 75 customizing 75 migrating patterns to new releases 548, 550–551 Help Dynamic Help 101 locating Help files 13 tooltip command Help 174 hidden files 10 hiding toolbar buttons 248 I icons action macros 34 customizations 13 user defined 552 if D
macro translations 158 special character codes 532 layers action macros and 52 legacy interface elements 104, 334 legacy menu files 551 less than DIESEL function 398 less than or equal to DIESEL function 399 library search path 5 LIN files (linetype library) 13, 63, 548, 550–551 linetypes about 63 complex 71 creating 64 customizing 63 examples 64 including shapes in 71 migrating to new releases 548, 550– 551 simple 64 text characters in 68 listing commands 93 keyboard shortcuts 309 loading .
customization FAQs 383 customizing 114, 116, 270 international language support 158 legacy interface elements 104 macros and 427 menu files 97 menu referencing 288 migrating to new releases 551 pull-down menus 114, 271 rearranging commands 92 removing 290 shortcut menus 116 starting applications from 427 submenus 285 swapping 161, 290 tablet menus 335 workspace arrangements 361 messages (instruction) 42 methods 426 Microsoft .
O object properties customizing 293 ObjectARX applications .NET managed wrapper classes about 444 loading 445–446 objects double click actions 327 properties 293 shortcut menus 276 or DIESEL function 406 447 P package folder structure 462 package installation 448 PackageContents.
programming properties 426 Quick Properties palette 293 toolbars 248 workspaces 345 PSF files 13 Publish to Web wizard customizing templates 18 pull-down menus creating 114, 271 customizing 114, 270, 290 menu referencing 288 starting applications from 427 Q Quick Access toolbar 104, 108, 194, 357, 361 Quick Properties palette 293 R rearranging menus 92 ribbon items 208 ribbon tabs 238 toolbar buttons 248 recording action macros 29 referencing menus 288, 290 relative menu referencing 288 removing menus 290
shape definition files about 467 Big Font files 532 creating 467, 469 samples 483, 512 superscripts and subscripts 543 text fonts 481 Unicode fonts and 542 shape fonts about 467 Big Fonts 532 sample files 483, 512 superscripts and subscripts 543 Unicode shape definition files 542 shape specification bytes 472 shapes about 467 descriptions 469 including in linetypes 71 shape specification bytes 470 special codes 472 shortcut keys assigning 309 customizing 117 defaults 314 temporary override keys 317, 322 sho
toggling values with macros 162 T tablets customizing buttons 332, 337 customizing menus 335 menu swapping 161, 290 tags element IDs 103 menu commands 171 task-based tools 565 templates customizing 18 locating files 16 modifying 566 temporary override keys 317, 322 terminating macros 153 text including in linetypes 68 shape fonts 467 text styles Big Fonts and 539 textures locating files 17 time edtime DIESEL function 401 tool palettes action macros and 36 migrating 548, 550, 552 toolbar buttons customizin
terminology 103 workspaces 119 V VB 6 428, 430 VB.
