Chapter 33. Advanced Customization

AutoCAD stands as the most popular Computer Aided Design (CAD) software in the world today. Worldwide, there are nearly 3 million AutoCAD users in some 80 countries employing AutoCAD to generate high-quality engineering and architectural drawings on both desktop PCs as well as engineering workstations. This extensive user base has made AutoCAD the de facto CAD leader in computer-generated drawings and models. One of the primary reasons that AutoCAD has gained this leadership position is its so-called “open architecture,” or its capability to be programmed and customized by its users. For example, AutoCAD users can easily change the appearance of the software’s interface to suit their personal preferences. You can modify existing toolbars or add new ones. You can modify the way AutoCAD commands work and even develop an entire menu system to control specialized or sophisticated tasks.

As important as AutoCAD’s open architecture is the ease with which most customization can be carried out. Even relatively unsophisticated computer users can quickly learn to perform AutoCAD customization tasks that will lead to significant increases in productivity. This chapter specifically addresses the customization of AutoCAD menus and toolbars—two areas of customization that are easy to learn and yet can yield meaningful increases in your ability to work faster and smarter with AutoCAD.

This chapter includes the following topics:

• Understanding AutoCAD menu file types

• Understanding and using AutoCAD menu file sections

• Understanding and creating menu macros

• Using AutoLISP expressions in menu macros

• Creating custom toolbars