AutoCAD® 2008 and AutoCAD LT® 2008 Bible

Chapter 33. Customizing Menus

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Understanding and working with the customization file

• Loading full and partial customization files

• Creating commands and macros for drop-down menus

• Creating shortcut menus

• Creating image-tile menus

• Creating keyboard shortcuts

• Customizing what happens when you double-click an object

You probably use the AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT menus all the time. (If you don't, you can skip this chapter.) Although the menus are designed to be useful for most people, the whole point of customization is that everyone has different needs. You can probably draw easier and faster by customizing the menus to suit your own individual requirements. Not only can you add commands to a menu, but you can also add menu items consisting of a series of commands that run just like a macro. If you're using AutoCAD, you can even add AutoLISP routines to your menus. You can edit the default menu or create your own menu. You may want to create specialized menus that are used only for one drawing — for example, a menu to help clients view a drawing. Menu customization includes the drop-down menu, mouse or puck buttons, toolbars and the Dashboard (both covered in Chapter 29), shortcut menus, image-tile menus, keyboard shortcuts, temporary override keys, and the double-click function. The only limits are your imagination and the time that you can devote to customization.

Working with the Customization File

The AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT menu is contained in a file that you don't edit directly; ...