How to edit acad.cui file?

[asos2000]

I want to add the lisps and menu manually,

i am using AutoCAD2007

 

for lisps I added the lisp to end of file acad2007doc.lsp,

For menu I added the contents for *.cui file to the end for acad.cui file but all menus disappear.

 

- How to find the *.CUI for current profile?

- How to edit the *.CUI file manully?

 

Or lets ask in another way

How to merge 2 *.cui files

 

Thanx

[GhostRider]

you can actually transfer customizations from one CUI file to another to combine all custom features to one with the CUI menu using the transfer TAB , open both CUI files and drag the custom menu's or toolbars you want.

[ASMI]

Change acad.cui isn't good idea because you will have the big problems with its carrying over on other computers or upgrade to new AutoCAD version. Good idia is create custom partial *.cui file and load all programs with *.mnl lisp file. For example your menu file will names as asos2000.cui and autoload lisp file asos2000.mnl. Both files must be the seme folder. It will give you full freedom at menu carrying over on any computers.

[rkmcswain]

for lisps I added the lisp to end of file acad2007doc.lsp,

You should not edit this file, because your changes will be deleted when you run a repair, reinstall, or upgrade. Put your code in the user defined file "acaddoc.lsp".

 

 

Or lets ask in another way

How to merge 2 *.cui files

Thanx

 

Using the CUI command in AutoCAD.

[ReMark]

Be sure you know how to retrieve the original .cui file before making any edits. Some users live to regret making changes after things get messed up beyond belief.

[asos2000]

Thanx GhostRider

Thanx ASMI

but the main issue is I made a menu as a standard for the company, and They want to install in all PCs.

 

The final solution with IT people is telling them if there are files can be edited to use a batch to edit that files.

 

So i collected all lisps in one file and paste at the end of acad2007doc.lsp.

but for the menu, I cant locate the acad.cui file (fie the profile) to paste my own menu in it.

 

Thanx rkmcswain

I cant locate acaddoc.lsp

 

 

Thanx Remark

Its very important point, it should be considered.

[ReMark]

I don't recommend adding your lisp routines to Autocad's acaddoc.lsp file for the very reason rkm mentioned. In my own case I added a single line to this file that "calls" my personal AutoCAD lisp file. It is this file that I keep updating as conditions warrant (adding, deleting or changing custom routines). This file is not kept within the AutoCAD program file folder.

[ASMI]

Maybe I am a stupid guy but I don't understand why do you want to edit acad.cui file?

 

You can create custom *.cui file and copy it to all computers, you can make it from server and do changes for all computers at once. Installation of all your programs and the menu on the new computer or changes for hundreds computers will borrow no more than 1 minute of time.

 

I also think that use ACADDOC.LSP is not justified, as this file is intended to be individual for each computer, file ACAD2007DOC.LSP is not intended absolutely not for editing, there are included programs not entered into the basic core of AutoCAD and wrong editing can cause serious problems.

 

For the user menus exist special lisp files with expansion *.mnl which have identical with *.cui a file a name and lay in one folder.

 

That can be easier two files some_name.cui, some_name.mnl and folder with toolbar icons which at any time can be copied on any computer and are loaded by command CUILOAD? All done.

 

If you want problems and sleepless nights of yours IT department OK edit ACAD.CUI, ACADDOC.LSP and ACAD20XXDOC.LSP.

 

Leave ACADDOC.LSP for each individual user. It can wishes additional customizacion for the own computer. Use *.mnl files for collective customization.

 

Happy New Year

[asos2000]

ReMark

- Which better to collect all the lisps in one file or to keep separate files?

- Can I convert *.vlx to *.lsp

- How can i calls this lisp named 123.lisp

and that lisp has more than one routne

(defun c:45

(defun c:67

(defun c:89

[KaiBo]

Asos2000, as far as the cui part is concerned, in my company we use the enterprise cui, for company wide Menus. Every time my boss or I add a feature, we add it to the Enterprise Cui on the network, and it shows up on every ones AutoCAD the next time they start up.

[asos2000]

ASMI

 

all what i know about loading the menu is c:loadmenu the c:appload in each computer.

We have 4 branches in 4 countries, I did in my branch,

What about the other branches (its good idea to get travel around the 4 countries)

and what about the update

 

So i suggested that the batch file to open acad.lisp and add the lisps then open the acad.cui to add the menu (like express menu in autocad2002)

 

so I searched on net i found innosetup and acadinst.exe

but cant do that, i dont know why

when i talked with the IT he told me that he can create a batch file can copy the main folder and open any file and add a text in it

 

so far we handled 2 steps of 3 (copy the folder and add the lisp or calls to acad.lisp) and remain the third step which is adding the menu without opening autocad.

 

that idea comes in my mind to add the new menu inside acad.cui file so autocad can read it

 

I hope that i explained every think.

 

and thanx for all of you.

[ASMI]

Do as consider it necessary.

[TommyG]

if you really want to lock down the system, make a read-only shared drive for all designers (and read-write for you obviously), make a profile where the settings are stored on the network, eg, the acad.cui is on the network (or local, up to you, i have ours on the network so users cant edit it, and everyone has the same acad.cui), plus we have add-on cui's on the network as well.

 

This means, anytime a cui is changed, its reflected on all the users machine next time they open autocad.

 

make a .mnl file for each of the partial cui's (eg, workplace.cui also has a workplace.mnl file), which will load anything else you need, lisp's, shortcuts etc

 

Make a shortcut on the network share, and tell your users to only use that shortcut (which starts autocad with a particular network profile). This profile, again, editable by you only, will update each users machine every time they start autocad.

 

point anything that will be common (plot styles, plotters, cui files, support dirs) onto a network share... makes it easier to administer if you only have to change one file at a time.

 

if you want to get real tricky, do some VBA, load that automatically. At the moment, i can lock down commands on any user. If i find one user always loads his/her own lisp and ignores the company standard, the VBA startup can do whatever to that user and keep the others intact.

[asos2000]

How do I create *.mnl file

[rkmcswain]

How do I create *.mnl file

 

It's just a regular old lisp file. So you can create it using the VLIDE (from inside AutoCAD), or even just use notepad. Just name it the same name as the CUI, except give it the file extension ".MNL".