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Create a New Ribbon Tab
The objective is to create a new tab and add commands/tools to the panel(s). These instructions work for AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP versions 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. You will do all the work inside the Customize User Interface (CUI) editor.
1. Type CUI at the command line. In the Customize User Interface expand “Ribbon”, you will see “Tabs” and “Panels”. Here is where you need to decide if you want to just add your command to an existing tab/panel or if you would like to create a new tab/panel. For this example I am going to create a new tab and a new panel for the OSNAP commands. However, you can use these steps to add any custom commands you have created or any of the out of box commands.
2. Expand Tabs > you will see a list of all the tabs available in your software. To make a new tab, right click on “Tabs” and select “New Tab”.
3. You will see the new tab and be able to instantly start typing your tabs name. But if you accidentally clicked somewhere else and deselect it, you can simply select the new tab > right click and rename it.
4. Now create a new Panel to go under your new tab. This is similar to what you did to create a new tab. a. Expand Panels >right click on Panels and select “New Panel”.
5. You will see the new panel and you will be able to instantly start typing your panel name. But if you accidentally clicked somewhere else and deselect it, you can simply select the new panel> right click and rename it. You will notice that with the new panel you created you will see under it; Panel Dialog Box Launcher, Row 1 and <SLIDEOUT>. a. To break it down for you quickly, Row 1 is similar to a toolbar and always horizontal. You can keep adding additional rows and you will see the icons/commands that you add to the rows in the preview panel in the CUI dialog box. The slideout is the black arrow that you see at the bottom of the panel that fly out when you click on it.
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6. Now you need to add all the SNAP commands to the Panel by searching for them in the Command list. You can use your shift key to select as many commands as you want, then right click > copy then go to your panel and right click on Row 1 and paste.
7. You will see in the “Panel Preview” pane, when you select on your panel name, what your panel will look like. If you want to get rid of a command just right click on it and select Remove.
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8. Now you need to copy your panel with all your snap commands to your new tab by right clicking on that the panel and selecting Copy. Find your tab, select it and right click to paste.
9. Click the “Apply” button. You will now want to verify that it has been added to your workspace so stay in the CUI editor. 10. Scroll up to workspaces and select on your current and default workspace then click on the “Customize Workspace” button.
11. From the “Customization in All Files” pane, expand “Ribbons” and then expand “Tabs” and put a check mark next to the new tab you created.
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12. Under the workspace Contents you can expand “Ribbon Tabs” and drag your tabs in the order you would like them to be. Click on the “Done” button on the Workspace Contents pane and then click apply and OK.
13. Now back to your interface you will see your new tab and what you have placed on the panel. You can break the tools up so they are on different rows. The possibilities are now endless.
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