CAD Dictionary

What is an AutoCAD CUI file?

Introduction

An AutoCAD CUI (Customization User Interface) file is a core configuration file used to customize and manage AutoCAD’s user interface: menus, toolbars, ribbons, workspaces, and keyboard shortcuts. Learning how to use and edit CUI/CUIX files helps you tailor AutoCAD to your workflow, speed up repetitive tasks, and standardize the environment across a team.

What is a CUI / CUIX file?

  • CUI and CUIX are AutoCAD customization file formats. Newer AutoCAD versions use .cuix (XML-based, compressed) while older versions used .cui.
  • These files contain definitions for menus, toolbars, ribbon panels, workspaces, command definitions, and shortcut keys.
  • The Main Customization File (the active program file) houses the system UI. You can also create partial customization files to keep company or project-specific UI changes separate.

Why use CUI files?

  • Personalize your workspace for faster access to frequently used commands.
  • Standardize tools and menus across an office or project.
  • Create role-specific workspaces (e.g., drafting, detailing, modeling).
  • Share custom toolsets easily with teammates using partial CUIX files.
  • Improve productivity and consistency by limiting clicks and memorization.

Quick explanations: key CUI concepts

  • Main Customization File: the primary .cuix loaded by AutoCAD that controls the current UI.
  • Partial Customization File: a separate .cuix used for custom tool palettes, ribbon panels, or menus that can be loaded/unloaded without changing the main file.
  • Transfer Tab: allows copying UI elements between two customization files.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts / Shortcut Keys: keys you assign in the CUI Editor for faster access.
  • acad.pgp: a separate file used for command aliases (like typing “L” for “LINE”) — edited independently from the CUI.

How to open and edit a CUI file (step-by-step)

  1. Launch AutoCAD.
  2. Type CUI in the command line and press Enter to open the Customize User Interface dialog.
  3. In the left pane, identify the Main Customization File at the top (it shows the loaded .cuix).
  4. To create a new custom file, click Open > New or use the Transfer tab to create a Partial Customization File (.cuix).
  5. Use the Customize tree to expand and find Ribbons, Toolbars, Menus, and Shortcut Keys.
  6. To add a new item (e.g., ribbon panel): right-click the parent node (e.g., Ribbon Panels) and choose New Panel or New Menu.
  7. Drag commands from the Command List (bottom-left/right area) into your new panel, toolbar, or menu.
  8. To assign a keyboard shortcut: expand Keyboard Shortcuts > Shortcut Keys, right-click and choose New Shortcut Key, then assign the Key(s) and a Command.
  9. Click Apply and OK to save changes. If you edited a partial file, click Save on that file’s node or use Save As to export.

Create and customize Ribbons, Toolbars, and Menus

  • Ribbons:
    • In the Customize tree, expand Ribbon > Ribbon Tabs.
    • Add a New Tab, then create Panels inside it.
    • Drag commands to panels and arrange icons/groups.
  • Toolbars:
    • Expand Toolbars, create New Toolbar, then drag commands onto it.
    • Toolbars can be docked or floating in the AutoCAD window.
  • Menus:
    • Expand Menus, create/delete menu items, and link to commands or macros.
  • When finished, save the customization or export the partial file to share.

Define keyboard shortcuts and command aliases

  • Shortcut keys (within CUI):
    • Use CUI > Keyboard Shortcuts > Shortcut Keys to make or edit shortcuts (Ctrl+Alt+Shift combinations plus a key).
    • Shortcuts set here are part of the .cuix and travel with it.
  • Command aliases (.pgp):
    • acad.pgp stores single-letter or short aliases (e.g., L = LINE).
    • To edit, locate the acad.pgp file (support folder), open with a text editor, modify aliases, save, then restart AutoCAD or reload the file.
    • Note: .pgp is separate from the CUI editor and is better for simple typing aliases.

Configure and switch Workspaces

  1. In the CUI dialog, expand Workspaces.
  2. Select a workspace and use the Customize Workspace options to add/remove ribbons, toolbars, menus, and palettes.
  3. Save changes and use the Workspace Switching (gear icon in status bar) to switch between saved workspaces.
  4. Export a workspace to a .wsf or include the workspace in a partial .cuix for distribution.

Alternative methods / tools

  • Use partial .cuix files to separate company/proj customizations from AutoCAD defaults.
  • Use the Transfer tab in CUI to copy UI elements between customization files or versions.
  • Deploy customizations with AutoCAD Deployment Image or script to push CUIX and PGP files across multiple machines.
  • For simple alias changes, edit acad.pgp directly rather than using CUI.
  • Use Tool Palettes (PROPERTIES of Tool Palettes) to create reusable blocks and tools without editing CUI.

Common problems and fixes

  • Problem: Ribbon or toolbar disappeared after customization.
    • Fix: Type CUI, open the main customization file and ensure the ribbon/toolbars are assigned to the active workspace; or use the Workspace list to restore the default workspace.
  • Problem: New CUI/CUIX won’t load or gives an error.
    • Fix: Ensure file compatibility with your AutoCAD version; use a partial .cuix created with the same or older version; check file path and permissions.
  • Problem: Keyboard shortcut not working.
    • Fix: Confirm no conflict with existing shortcut; check that the shortcut is saved in the active .cuix; restart AutoCAD if needed.
  • Problem: acad.pgp edits not applied.
    • Fix: Save the file, then restart AutoCAD or run the appropriate reload command (or use the Reload option in the Customize dialog if available).
  • Problem: CUI/CUIX file corrupted.
    • Fix: Load a backup .cuix, or use Transfer tab to recover elements from a damaged file to a new .cuix. Keep regular backups.

Practical tips and best practices

  • Always backup your main .cuix file before editing. Export or copy a backup to a safe folder.
  • Use partial .cuix for company-wide toolsets to simplify updates and avoid altering the main customization file.
  • Use clear naming conventions for custom commands and panels (e.g., CompanyName_Ribbon_Architect).
  • Document changes (who, why, date) so team members can understand edits.
  • Test customizations in a standard profile or test user before deploying organization-wide.
  • Keep frequently used commands reachable with one key press or a single click where possible.
  • When sharing with other users, provide a short install/readme explaining how to load the .cuix and update the workspace.

FAQ

What is the difference between .CUI and .CUIX files?

.CUIX is the modern XML-based, compressed format used in recent AutoCAD versions; .CUI is older. .CUIX is preferred for compatibility with current releases.

Can I revert to AutoCAD default UI if my customization breaks something?

Yes — use the CUI dialog to load the original Main Customization File (found in AutoCAD’s Program Files) or restore a previously backed-up .cuix. You can also reset workspaces to defaults.

How do I share my custom tools with other users?

Export your customizations as a partial .cuix and provide installation instructions: load the partial file via CUI or place it in the company support path and instruct users to load/unload via the Load Partial Customization option.

Will a .cuix created in a newer AutoCAD version work in an older version?

Not always. Newer .cuix files may use features or commands not available in older versions. Create partial customizations with the oldest target version in mind or recreate the UI in the target version.

How do I export only a single ribbon panel or toolbar for reuse?

Use the Transfer tab in the CUI Editor: open both the source and a new target .cuix, then drag the specific panel or toolbar from the source to the target and save the target file.

Are keyboard shortcuts stored in the .cuix or somewhere else?

Custom Shortcut Keys created in the CUI Editor are stored in the .cuix. Simple command aliases (like single-letter shortcuts) are stored in acad.pgp.

What should I do if AutoCAD won’t accept my edited .cuix file?

Check file permission and location, ensure the file is not corrupted, and confirm compatibility with your AutoCAD release. If necessary, recreate the partial .cuix in your AutoCAD version and re-transfer the items.

Is there a safe way to test major UI changes?

Yes — create a test partial .cuix and a separate test workspace or profile. Apply changes there first and validate before moving to production users.

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