Populating the Catalog Library

[julimor]

I have 3D files for cabinets, appliances and other items used in architectural designing. The cabinet files came from KraftMaid. In their download instructions they provide an option for "Importing the Custom KraftMaid AutoCAD Menu into AutoCAD" (scroll down the page to see it). They even provide a video. The problem is the video shows how to do it using AC 2002. The navigation options are not the same with MEP 2008.

 

So I went to the Tool Catalog Generator found under the CAD Manager drop down list. From there I tried to get the generator to populate a tool catalog from one of the folders I created with the KraftMaid cabinets. Each folder has the file "kraftmaid.mnu" in it as provided through their download option. The program ran as if it was working but after a long while returned with a message effectively saying nothing was done. It couldn't find what it was looking for.

 

BTW: The file "kraftmaid.mnu" shows up in Windows Explorer with the icon. Something is recognizing it as an AutoCad associated file. Double clicking on it only opens Notepad.

 

I then tried the Content Browser. I created a new catalog and folders and sub folders within the catalog. From there I figured I could add the individual 3D files and then I could populate the Tool Palettes with the eye dropper feature. But I haven't been able to find any way to add content to the folders. Creating the catalog and folders is a breeze but trying to find out how to add the individual files is impossible.

 

I've seen this done before, I just can't figure out how. What am I missing?

 

Thanks,

Julie

[irneb]

The thing is since AC2006 the MNU files were "discontinued". They've been replaced by CUI files, and if you have an even later ACad (I think since 2010) it's now CUIx. Usually you can load a MNU file through the MenuLoad command, or preferably the CUI command ... it "should" convert the MNU to the new CUI tpye and then add the menus, toolbars, etc. However, there may be some things which are done through lisp (or such) which expects the MNU to be loaded - this may just fail.

 

I'm not sure why you can't get the tool palettes to work. Have you tried the Design Centre? It's basically a palette showing the folders in a normal Explorer-like paradigm. You can then drag-n-drop the DWG files as new blocks into the current drawing, or drag-n-drop a block from within a DWG in to the current. You can also more easily create tool palettes from the DC.

[julimor]

Thank you for your help, irneb.

 

I first need to populate the categories in the Content Browser before I can use the eye dropper to create new tool palettes (at least that's what I've done in the past.) When I'm in the Content Browser I can create all the new categories I want no problem but I have no idea how to get the DWGs into each category.

 

I tried using the MenuLoad you suggested and it seemed like it accepted the files but when it was done the window just closed. The menu shows up when I right click on the button bar section but there's nothing in it. It seems the menu was created but the files didn't make it.

 

In the Design Center I opened the folders with the cabinet files in them. When I right click on one of the files and choose create tool palette I get the error sound. What steps do you need to take to take to create a tool palette through the Design Center?