Customizing you AutoCAD environment

This page will guide the user through customizing their AutoCAD environment and making this environment mobile and able to be restored on any system they use.

Creating the setup

Many people like to set up AutoCAD a particular way according to their preference. These settings, including colors, drawing area setup, what and where menus and toolbars are displayed are stored in either a profile or CUI (Customized User Interface) file. The below steps can be used to create custom files and setups for your use. Please be considerate of others and not leave your CUI file or profile in use if not using your own computer or logged into the computer. as a unique username.

  1. First, create a new CUI file for your use. Enter the CUI command at the command prompt.
  2. Go to the Transfer tab and save the new CUI file on the right in a location (as shown in the below image) that you can bring with you to any computer you use. A thumb drive is a great option for this. Name the file something that you will remember what the file is for (ie, C3D-David.cui).
    3. Create a New CUI file
  3. It is also a great idea to copy the default workspace into the new CUI file while you are in this command. To do this, simply select the workspace you want and drag it to the Workspaces item in the new CUI file you saved. In the above image, the suggested workspace to copy is the "Civil 3D Complete Default" workspace, for Civil 3D.
  4. This workspace should then be renamed to something unique to you, it might include your name or nickname and a description or name of what is contained in the workspace (ie, C3D-David). To do this, select the workspace and either right click and select "Rename" or press the F2 key.
  5. Re-save the CUI file you created.
  6. Display the Options dialog box by either selecting the Options command in the Tools pulldown menu or entering the OP command at the command prompt.
  7. In the Profiles tab, select the "Add to List" button to create a new profile and enter a unique name for your profile (ie, David). The arrows to the right of the tabs may need to be used to display all tabs for this dialog box.
  8. Set this profile current by selecting the "Add to List" button.
  9. Select the Files tab and expand the "Customization Files" item and all below items by selecting the "+" icons.
  10. Select the path under the "Main Customization File" item and press the F2 key. Copy this location by either right clicking and selecting "Copy" or using the Ctrl + C key combination.
  11. Select the path under the "Enterprise Customization File" item and press the F2 key. Paste the path that was just copied by either right clicking and selecting "Paste" or using the Ctrl + V key combination.
  12. Re-select the path under the "Main Customization File" item and select the "Browse" button. Browse to the CUI file that was previously created. The dialog box should now look similar to the below image.
    13. Paths to CUI files
  13. Re-select the Profiles tab; the profile you have been modifying should already be selected. Export this profile by selecting the "Export" button. Save this file in a location that you can bring with you to any computer you use. A thumb drive is a great option for this. Name the file something that you will remember what the file is for (ie, C3D-David.arg).
  14. Close the options dialog box by selecting the "OK" button.
  15. Customize your interface through either the Options dialog box, the CUI dialog box or by dragging, opening or closing toolbars. Once any modifications have been made to your setup, save them for later use by re-exporting your profile and/or re-saving your workspace. The workspace can be re-saved by selecting "Save Current As..." in the Workspaces toolbar and selecting your workspace. Say yes to any warning dialog boxes that appear.

Re-importing the setup

Once you have created your custom AutoCAD appearance, have saved your Workspace and exported your profile, you can load it on any computer. Please be considerate of others and not leave your CUI file or profile in use if not using your own computer or logged into the computer. as a unique username.

  1. First, make sure that the media (ie, thumb drive) that your profile and CUI file are saved on are accessible to the computer you are using.
  2. Load your profile by displaying the Options dialog box as above. From this dialog box, select the "Import..." button, browsing to and selecting your profile (.arg) file. Select the "Open" button to load this file.
  3. Set the profile current by selecting it and selecting the "Set Current" button. Select the "OK" button to complete this load.
  4. Your workspace may need to be selected in the Workspace toolbar. AutoCAD should now be setup as you like.