AutoCAD 2008: Customize User Interface ( CUI )

Customize User Interface otherwise known as CUI is where we set our customizations for AutoCAD releases starting on the AutoCAD 2006 release. Before the AutoCAD 2006 release, all our customizations are set and can be found on the MNU, MNS, MNC, and MNR files.

The Acad.cui that comes standard with the AutoCAD program is called the Program CUI.

The Customs CUI comes standard too with the AutoCAD program but it is empty by default and it is this CUI that we should ideally set our own customizations.

CUI’s can be designated as Main (editable) or Enterprise (non-editable)on the Options Menu.

Additional CUI’s can be designated or added as Partial CUI to either Main or Enterprise CUI’s.

The Pecking order of CUI:

1. Enterprise CUI (the non-editable CUI otherwise known as the Organizational CUI)
2. Partial CUI’s on the Enterprise CUI.
3. Main CUI (such as ACAD CUI, Custom CUI, if you set your Organizational CUI as main, it will now becomes editable by the users)
4. Partial CUI’s on the Main CUI.

Note: It is of utmost importance to understand this pecking order for the CUI’s.

The CUI configuration that came out of the box after AutoCAD install will look like this,

Main CUI – Acad.cui

Partial CUI’s to the Main CUI – Express.cui and Custom.cui

Enterprise CUI – is not set

The CUI configuration that I set up for a corporate office that allows a Cadmonk user to access company standards without overwriting it but still allows the Cadmonk to customize is as follows:

Main CUI – Custom.cui

Enterprise CUI – Office standard CUI

Partial CUI’s to the Enterprise CUI – ACAD.cui, Express.cui, and all other company-add ons CUI’s that need to be protected from user changes)

Save the Cadmonk’s user profile to be used on another Cadmonk’s workstation in the office. This is the best way as far as I know to implement this Cadmonk standard officewide.

The CUI configuration mentioned above were also mentioned by KaDe King of the USCAD from one of the sessions she made in the 4^th Annual Southern California CAD Summit in Anaheim Convention Center as one of the preferred CUI configuration in an office implementing an office wide CAD standards.