AutoCAD 2009 - Moving Panels on Ribbon Question

[ReMark]

I went over to the dark side about a month ago and started using 2009 full-time. Yeah, it's a pain (all that jumping around in multiple tabs and panels) but I really needed to get on with it. Anyway, in an unusual spell of decreased workload and plenty of free time, I also decided to try my hand at developing a custom Ribbon. I've pared down the default Ribbon from 7 tabs with 38 panels (2 extra panels with Subscription) to 1 tab with 7 panels. No, I didn't add up all the various commands the normal Ribbon has but I know it's a dump truck load. Mine? A total of 37 commands. Isn't it just amazing what a little dusting and cleaning can accomplish? Another upside: the top of my screen is pretty clutter free. Sweet. Oh, the problem.

 

For the sake of argument let's call my seven panels numbers 1 through 7. In the CUI editor I have them arranged exactly as I wish to see them. However, once I go back into AutoCAD and click on my tab the panel order goes like this: 1...2...4...3...5...6...7. Hmmm. Why is panel 4 cutting the line ahead of panel 3? So I try to move it. But the darn thing won't assume the position and just wants to be after panel 2. I rechecked the CUI editor and the panels are in the proper order. What the???

 

I have consulted AutoCAD Help. No help, no joy.

 

I have looked in the User's Guide. No use. No joy there either.

 

I tried a search in the Discussion Forums both under AutoCAD 2009 and the Customization forum. No luck in the first forum. Almost got close in the second but it fizzled out. Note: Anyone else think the DG has gone from good to bad with the new redesign? And talk about s.....l.....o.....o.....o.....o.....o.....o.....w!

 

Anybody here experience the same type of problem with a reluctant panel that just doesn't want to stay in its seat? I'm stumped for the moment. Thanks, in advance, for any constructive suggestions and / or insights into this weird behavior. BTW...it just dawned on me that panel 4 is twice as wide as all the other panels. Any reason why that would be a factor? Just a thought.

[ReMark]

Come on guys and gals. I'm not the only person in the forum using AC 2009 that has made a custom panel, am I? Now that would be funny!

[ReMark]

One last "bump" here. Is anybody out there? Hellooooooooo?

 

Anyone create a custom panel for AC 2009?

[skipsophrenic]

ReMark,

 

Don't know if this is any good, just typed

"AutoCAD Custom Ribbon" into google.

 

www.ellenfinkelstein.com/autocadtips/AutoCAD_tips_add_command_ribbon.html

[ReMark]

skipso:

 

Thank you for the link. Unfortunately it did not cover any new ground for me and therefore did not address the issue of the stubborn panel that does not want to assume the position (argh!). I've taken the unusual step of posting a similar question to the AutoCAD 2009 and Customization forums at the AutoDesk Discussion Groups. Perhaps I'll have more luck there. It's got to be some simple thing I am overlooking but for the time being it appears to pass unnoticed before my eyes. I guess it's time to put on my glasses! LOL

[skipsophrenic]

Well best of luck to you, i'll keep searching as well, who knows i might even find the answer! (Think i'll stick to using AutoCAD 2008 tho)

[GhostRider]

I wonder if most did as as I did ...... It seemed to be more trouble than it was worth, to customize the Ribbon once I got started, So I went back to the classic menu's and toolbars, it seemed to take up too much drawing area... Good Luck to you though !!

[ReMark]

Ghostrider:

 

That's exactly what I did when I finally started using 2009. I reverted to my classic setup as migrated from 2007 (which I still have access to). But after being told by one forum member I was using "old" software and commands, and by another member to "stop complaining and just get over it" I switched to using the Ribbon. I found it to be a pain. It seems that I was constantly clicking on one tab or another because the command I needed was on another panel. That's why I tried my hand at customization. I pared it down to the fewest commands I could get away with. To augment these I use a lot of command aliases (left hand) and a few picks off my digitizer (right hand) to get everything I need. I have only customized my 2D environment. The next hurdle will be to customize my 3D environment. Part of the problem has been just trying to figure out where AutoDesk hid some of the commands! I wouldn't say that the way it is currently set up is very intuitive. Of course, that's just my personal opinion. Feel free to disagree.

[GhostRider]

I think I got a little frustrated with the ribbon at first too, trying to find where things were located, but I didn't give much of a chance before I gave in to the easy way... I may have to follow your lead and give it another try.

[ReMark]

Your signature says it all. There is so much to deal with, as AutoCAD balloons in size and features, and yet the "company" expects you to be 100% productive. When does one find the time to explore?

[flowerrobot]

Most drafters have found the ribbon, crap, basically, because it dose take up to much room, and when you have it minimized its another click which take up time,

The ribbon is good only for people such as engineers and random users, who do not know all the commands they use, who would think to use l as line....

so if you look at AM, they removed it and turned it to a pallet, cause its so much simpler to use this way.

 

just because some thing is new dosnt mean its better, yes its good on office, because that program isnt command based like auto cad.

 

I have used both AM 2009, and standard 2009, and basicly like most full time drafters of autocad, dont bother with it, it takes up to much time and a waste of space,

 

when you could have a simple tool bar for commands you havnt short cutted, and the suck, eg i have 3 tool bars, 1 for layers, #2 workmode, eg classic or modeling, #3 custom tool bar, for thing like "pedit", PLan view, solprof, flatshot, flatten, and any commands that i use every blue moon,

 

because this is our tool, we all have our set ups, and we know wats best for us, (not that you should listen for improvment), if your lucky enought to have a big duel screen the go ahead, but for people, who no what rt, pl, xl, mean and have small screen, we use toolbars, because its the future

[Guest Taylor-Morris]

I'm using 2011.....

"undock" the ribbon panel

(at the top of your screen right below where it says the name of the dwg you can right-click & it will show "undock")

Once you do this move your panels around. This is where you should turn them on/off too.

Once you're done, you can simply drag the whole thing back where it was.

 

Hope this works for you!

[Guest Taylor-Morris]

Well I thought I had in my last post. Everything stayed in position, even after closing & opening autocad...until I did a hard re-start. Then it all disappeared...

 

open up the CUI

select 2D Drafting & Annotation Default (current)

on top, right of screen: Customize Workspace

select ribbon tabs

 

here is where you change everything around

DONE