Creating Custom Toolbars 

Understanding the CUI Editor

The Customize User Interface (CUI) editor is a powerful tool that allows you to customize various aspects of AutoCAD’s interface, including toolbars. By creating custom toolbars, you can organize and access your frequently used commands more efficiently.

Steps to Create a Custom Toolbar:

1. Open the CUI Editor:

   • Go to the Customize tab on the Ribbon.
   • Click Customize User Interface.

2. Create a New Toolbar:

   • In the CUI editor, right-click on the Toolbars node and select New Toolbar.
   • Give the new toolbar a name, such as “My Custom Toolbar”.

3. Add Commands to the Toolbar:

   • Right-click on the new toolbar and select New Item.
   • Choose Command from the dropdown menu.
   • Enter the command name or select it from the list.
   • Assign an icon and tooltip to the command.

4. Organize the Toolbar:

   • Drag and drop buttons to rearrange them on the toolbar.
   • Right-click on buttons to edit their properties, such as the icon, tooltip, and keyboard shortcut.

5. Dock the Toolbar:

   • Right-click on the toolbar and select Dock.
   • Choose a docking location (top, bottom, left, or right) and position the toolbar as desired.

Example: Creating a Toolbar for Common Drawing Commands

1. Create a new toolbar named “Common Tools.”
2. Add the following commands to the toolbar:
   • LINE
   • CIRCLE
   • ARC
   • ERASE
   • COPY
   • MOVE
   • ROTATE
   • SCALE
   • MIRROR
   • OFFSET
   • EXTEND
   • TRIM
   • BREAK
   • STRETCH
   • FILLET
   • CHAMFER
3. Assign appropriate icons and tooltips to each command.
4. Dock the toolbar to the top of the screen for easy access.

Additional Tips:

• Keyboard Shortcuts: Assign keyboard shortcuts to frequently used commands for even faster access.
• Macro Recording: Use the macro recorder to automate repetitive tasks and create custom commands.
• Custom Menus: Create custom menus to organize commands into logical categories.
• Workspaces: Create different workspaces with customized toolbars and settings for specific tasks.

By customizing the ribbon interface and creating custom toolbars, you can tailor AutoCAD to your specific workflow and significantly improve your productivity. Experiment with different configurations to find what works best for you.