Custom Library in Ribbon

[ankurpraja]

Here in my current company we are using AutoCAD LT 2013. And unlike autocad mechanical it doesn't have a content center.

 

Is it possible to make similar kind of content center (custom made) in LT? I don't want to make it in tool palette as i don't like it. I want it in a separate TAB in ribbon or in separate toolbar. For example, if i want to draw a beam, i just go to the (new) custom made TAB in ribbon. There i click on a beam icon, which opens a new window or a drop down list showing all the sizes of beams. And there i just have to select one size which i need.

 

I know how to customize / create new tabs, panels, toolbars, menus, etc. and add existing autocad commands in it. But i don't know how to make a tool as explained above.

 

Dynamic blocks in tool palette is good but it does not give an option to select the size before inserting it in drawing.

 

Does any one have any idea about this?

[BIGAL]

If you make a menu you can have sub menu's -> menu

 

The command would be what ever you want within LT's capbility

 

[->LISP1 A-B]
            [Add 2 Level]text
            [->Add-pits-drain]^C^Cpline
            [Allbylayer]^C^Clayer
...
...
...        [<-.....]
          [<-....]

[ankurpraja]

Thanks Bigal for your reply.

Actually i don't know anything about LISP so i did not understood anything you said.

[BIGAL]

The example is for a drop down menu the 1st option would be beam,column,rafter picking one would open a second sub menu beam PFB, UB, C, Z then even further Beam UB 200ub25,250ub37 etc

 

[ankurpraja]

Thats exactly what i want. Is it possible to do it in AutoCAD LT 2013? If yes, How?

[ankurpraja]

OK. Maybe because of LISP this kind of thing may not work on LT.

Anyway. I kept on searching and found a way to do the same thing without lisp. And that is,

1) create separate dwg files for each steel section in a folder with unique names.

2) in "support file search path" add location of that folder.

3) create custom commands for each files. eg. "^C^C-insert;shs50x50x5.dwg;\1;1;0;"

4) Add this command in menubar, toolbar, ribbon etc. whatever you want.

 

So i tried the above thing with 2 files and it works perfectly. See attached file.

Now, the problem is that to make a complete library i have make more than 1000 files and equal number of custom commands. Its a huge work.

 

To reduce the number of files its better to make dynamic blocks for each different types of section. And create a table in that block for all the sizes. But, by doing this it will not allow me to select the size of the section before i insert it.

 

For eg, if i use a command for beam, it will insert a block of the dynamic block. so to change the size of the beam first i have to explode the block to reveal the dynamic block. And only after that i can use the drop down list of dynamic block.

 

My question is,

Is there a way to access the drop down list of dynamic blocks while inserting the block? This will make my life much easier.

[JGA]

As far as I know, you can only tweak the dynamic presets with the toolpallete. If you can do it with insert, great, tell us!

[SLW210]

I agree, use the tool palette. Just right-click and select properties, scroll down to Custom section and set as desired before inserting.

[BIGAL]

You should be able to download all the steel sections from somewhere, I am sure others will provide a link, download them all and I will show you how to create all the menu code in a few minutes. But investigate Tool palletes probably a better way after download.

[ankurpraja]

I found a link where i can download most of the sections. http://www.cad-steel.co.uk/?ID=downloads

What should i do next?

[BIGAL]

Save then into a directory you can find and CONFIG Files support path add that directory to your list. I think LT supports tool palletes so I will await others reponses here before worrying about a menu answer.