Expert: Shauna Anderson - 8/31/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi (Bonjour à vous!)
Is there an application or a program to edit CUI or CUIx files without outside AutoCAD?
I've read that XML editors should work but with AutoCAD 2010 files it doesn't seem to work cos i can't read sh... !

ANSWER: Hi Ronald,

Thanks for the question. I have never heard of anyway to edit the cui outside of AutoCAD. Secondly, which is really not your question - I am not sure why you would want to. With AutoCAD's ability to drag and drop commands etc. from one location to another in the CUI dialog box, I can't imagine that it could be easier outside of there.

Thanks,
-Shauna

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Why?
Because i can't really understand this CUI Editor and when i got to finally to add one command it took me  a long  time.
I use to work with r14 (i know I'm a dinosaur) prior to move up to 2010 and it was quite easy and quick to add or modify a customized command with notepad in the .mns or .mnu file.
Or maybe i just don't understand the philosophy or the  AutoCAD 2010 CUI Editor.

Answer
Hi Ronald,

I really hated it when my .mnu file went away!! If you are not already a member of the AutoCAD Users Group International (AUGI), you need to join up - it is free at www.augi.com

Then you can access materials from old Autodesk University classes. This one will tell you all about the CUI:

http://www.augi.com/education/auhandouts/2005/CP35-4L.pdf

They have made a few changed since, but this is the basics and the rest will come together from there.

Give this a try - it will get you right up to speed. The rest - like everything ACAD - is just practicing it! I still get a nasty surprise from time-to-time, but I am dealing with it much better!!

Good Luck!
-Shauna