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10 AutoCAD Ribbon Tips You Should Know

November 7, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

Autodesk introduced the Microsoft Office 2007 look alike to Autodesk products since version 2009. They introduced the ribbon, and even a new menu structure in Autodesk 2010 version. You may hate it, but many new users may like it. However, I think we do need to get used to it. If one day the ribbon and the menu structure become a ‘Windows compliant’ standard, then all Windows applications would look like that. Ouch!

Here are 10 AutoCAD ribbon tips I found on the internet (and one from my blog that you might need to know.

AutoCAD UI ~ Best of Both Worlds is Flexible with Traditional Menus or New Ribbon +Plus+ AutoCAD UI Retro Mod’ing Fun

So you don’t like AutoCAD ribbon and want to use your classic interface? I know many of you already know it, but who knows, it may be still useful. Shaan shares this to us, and further more, if you would like your AutoCAD looks like R14!

Speed Up as AutoCAD 2009-2010 Ribbon Menu Helps You!

Are you a new AutoCAD user? Then you must love the ribbon! Orhan Toker posted how the ribbon can help you with detailed explanation for each AutoCAD tools!

AutoCAD 2010 Application Menu

The ribbon didn’t come by himself. It also changed the menu structure. Orhan Toker shares how to use the menu. Do you know that we can search a tool/command in the menu now?

AutoCAD 2010 – Hidden Ribbon Trick

Many people complaint that ribbon take a lot of screen space. True, but do you know that you can minimize them? Mark W Kiker shares this on his CADD Manager Blog.

AutoCAD 2010: Getting Sticky with Ribbon Sticky Panels

The most annoying thing about ribbon for me is I have to move to different tabs frequently. I found in Shaans blog that we can tear off a panel from ribbon. This only applies to AutoCAD 2010 and later. With this sticky panel, we can use it just like toolbar!

Lock Down those AutoCAD Toolbars!

Now after you tear off your ribbon panel, you may want them lock at their position. You don’t want to accidentally move them. Lynn Allen shares that we can lock it just like we lock the toolbar!

Ribbon Shortcut Key on Autodesk Products

Do you want to speed up when activating tools via AutoCAD ribbon? You may like this tip. This also applies to all Autodesk products that use ribbon.

Quickly Hide The Ribbon Using A Custom Keyboard Shortcut

This is an article by Richard Alexander. He’s giving a tip about creating a custom keyboard shortcut to quickly hide your ribbon. You may need that!

Add a Button to the ribbon in AutoCAD 2009

This is a tip from Ellen Finkelstein on how you can add a button to your ribbon. Originally written for AutoCAD 2009, but also applies to later versions. She explains the ribbon structure in details. If you new to CUI, you may want to read this.

Ribbon for AutoCAD Express Tools 2009

Are you using AutoCAD 2009 and loves the ribbon? You may found something is missing: the express tools tab. You can add it manually. Xanadu explains how you can do it.

AutoCAD 2010 users don’t have to worry about this, it’s already there

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Source: CAD Notes – 10 AutoCAD Ribbon Tips You Should Know
Go to Source: CAD Notes

Tags: AutoCAD, Autodesk, autodesk products, best of both worlds, classic interface, Ellen Finkelstein, Hide, Lynn Allen, Manager Blog, Mark W Kiker, menu, ribbon, ribbon panel, Richard Alexander, structure, traditional menus No Comments »

Where Can I See AutoCAD Command Alias List?

August 20, 2009 in AutoCAD, CAD, Revit

Command line is a very powerful feature in AutoCAD, and I don’t think replaceable. I know there are a lot of pros and cons about using command line in AutoCAD. Personally I like using shortcut key when using AutoCAD, but I found that it’s difficult for people who rely heavily on this when learning other CAD application.

But doesn’t matter. When you use AutoCAD, you’ll want to use it optimally right?

You can see and customize your aliases by accessing edit aliases in AutoCAD ribbon, manage tab, customization section.

Or if you use AutoCAD classic interface, you can access it from menu tool>customize>edit program parameters (acad.pgp)

This will open your acad.pgp file in text editor (by default it’s notepad).

As you can see, this is a list of all your command aliases. Mine is default, so aliases for line is L. When I type L then [enter] will activate the line tool. Typing LA [enter] will open the layer manager. Etc.

AutoCAD commands don’t work like any other Windows applications. In Revit or Inventor, you simply type two character to activate a tool. No need to press [enter]. But in AutoCAD you can use single character, or more than two. MicroStation can do some similar key-in, but command line is not always have the input focus. Using command line in other application might not be as comfortable as in AutoCAD for AutoCAD users. I suggest you not depends on command line so much, unless you don’t plan to use other CAD applications.

You can edit the aliases and change them to what you want. After you finish, save this file. You might need to restart your AutoCAD after doing your modification.