4.5Customization: keyboard aliases, CUI, tool palettes & scripts
Expert AutoCAD users have one thing in common: they've customized their environment to work faster. Command aliases (PGP file / ALIASEDIT command) define short keyboard shortcuts (typing « CO » for COPY): a few letters instead of a menu, repeated thousands of times a day — that's a huge gain.
Going further, the interface itself is customized through the CUI (Customize User Interface): ribbons, menus, toolbars, buttons, macros. You can also create custom tool palettes (blocks, hatches, frequent commands) and automate sequences with scripts (.scr). Adapting AutoCAD to YOUR way of working is what separates the fast user from the user who puts up with the tool.
Section vocabulary
- Command alias (PGP)
- Short keyboard shortcut assigned to a command (CO=COPY), editable via the acad.pgp file / ALIASEDIT.
- CUI (Customize User Interface)
- Interface customization editor: ribbons, menus, toolbars, buttons, macros.
- Tool palette
- Customizable panel gathering blocks, hatches and frequent commands, ready for drag-and-drop.
- Macro
- Series of commands/actions chained automatically through a button or a shortcut.
- Script (.scr)
- Text file of commands executed in sequence, to automate repetitive or batch tasks.
What is AutoLISP used for?
In practice — Customizing your AutoCAD environment
- Edit your aliases (ALIASEDIT or the acad.pgp file): create or modify a shortcut for a command you use often.
- Open the CUI and add a custom button with a small macro to a ribbon panel.
- Create a custom tool palette and drop your most-used blocks and hatches into it.
- Write a small script (.scr) chaining a few commands and run it (SCRIPT).
Key points to remember
- Aliases (PGP) shorten commands: a huge day-to-day gain.
- The CUI customizes ribbons, menus, buttons and macros.
- Tool palettes group blocks, hatches and frequent commands together.
- Scripts (.scr) automate sequences of commands.
Frequently asked questions
Isn't modifying the aliases risky?
The alias file (acad.pgp) is a simple text file; modifying it is safe if you keep a backup. You can add your own shortcuts or adapt existing ones to your habits. Be careful, however, not to unknowingly overwrite a heavily used alias. Many professionals customize aliases for the commands they launch the most: it's one of the most cost-effective optimizations.
Do you have to customize a lot from the very beginning?
No: customize gradually, as real needs arise. Start by learning the existing aliases and only add your own for commands you genuinely repeat. Early over-customization can confuse you (and cause problems on another workstation). The ideal: a solid standard base, enriched with a few well-chosen personal optimizations. In companies, customization is often centralized to remain consistent.