topic Re: Problem to merge menu tabs in AutoCAD Forum

Problem to merge menu tabs

EKey — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 18:04:04 GMT

Hello,

I have a problem. I have two partial CUIX menu files (see attachment) and I want their Ribbon tabs to merge. I assigned same names "CEL TOOLS" and IDs, but is doesn't work. Could you please suggest a solution?

Thank you.

Re: Problem to merge menu tabs

pendean — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 18:58:53 GMT

There is no merge-menu-files option in AutoCAD. You will need to create a new TAB in your current CUI, move all the shared content from all the CUIx files to there, then export or SAVEAS the resulting creation back out as a unique CUIx file.

Re: Problem to merge menu tabs

EKey — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 19:51:34 GMT

Hi pendean. Thank you for the reply. I think it is quite different from my question.

Here is a quote from the AutoCAD help:

Note: You can merge any number of ribbon tabs together as long as the aliases are the same.

My ribbon tabs are in different CUIX files, but they have the same parameters as shown:

I load both CUIX files and expect to see a single "CEL TOOLS" tab with merged panels, as it is described in the AutoCAD help. But I get two ribbon tabs with the same name "CEL TOOLS". What can I do to get the merged tabs?

Thank you.

Re: Problem to merge menu tabs

pendean — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:30:58 GMT

I've been customizing with CUI for a very long time, and while I'm very open to learning something new, what you describe (making two CUIx files into one CUIx file by simply loading them) is something I've never been able to achieve.

Two CUIx menus loaded at the same time presents two sets of everything here too, just like your experience so far 😞

Re: Problem to merge menu tabs

EKey — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 12:44:12 GMT

You mean the AutoCAD help describes the functionality which never works?

Re: Problem to merge menu tabs

pendean — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:07:40 GMT

Wouldn't be the first time sadly: I suspect you and I are missing 'something' yet to be defined if that ability truly exists.

Re: Problem to merge menu tabs

EKey — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:27:37 GMT

I didn't do to AutoCAD customizing for years and I thought it was enough time to fix all issues and make old tools finaly work as expected.

Pendean, your fresh note tells that we still have the old stuff with the old problems. It is so sad...

Thank you.

Re: Problem to merge menu tabs

EKey — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 17:40:20 GMT

The solution is found.

Tabs merge if a "template tab" with specified name and alias exists in the main customization file.

Every partial menu file should have the same alias as the template tab.

Hope it helps.

Re: Problem to merge menu tabs

Yonas89 — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 12:34:33 GMT

actually does not help to me

Re: Problem to merge menu tabs

andkal — Fri, 16 May 2025 20:50:45 GMT

Hello Ekey,
Could you please post a screenshot or write a little more how to fix this issue exactly ? I'm having the same Problem. I share plugins on Autodesk App Store and each of them come with the CUIX file but after installing the Menu Tabs do not merge even if they have the same aliases.
What is a template Tab?

Re: Problem to merge menu tabs

cadffm — Fri, 16 May 2025 20:58:17 GMT

Read the as solution marked reply, it is the explaination of the problem.

Re: Problem to merge menu tabs

cadffm — Fri, 16 May 2025 21:01:26 GMT

>"What is a template Tab?"

Nothing special. That means a main cuix tab with the same alias.

Re: Problem to merge menu tabs

cadffm — Fri, 16 May 2025 21:04:09 GMT

For a quick test,

edit your main cuix and add ABC_APPS as alias to one of the tabs.

Does the merge works now, with that main cuix tab?

Re: Problem to merge menu tabs

andkal — Sat, 17 May 2025 09:39:12 GMT

Hi, thank you for your reply
I added a new tab with an Alias ABC_APPS to my main Cuix file but after loading cuix files from prepared for the plugins the Tabs still do not merge.
Apart from that it is not clear to me how the Tabs should merge on other users computer when he downloads and installs more than 1 App from my webpage on App store and when his original Cuixfile doesn't have ABC_APPS alias.

Re: Problem to merge menu tabs

cadffm — Sat, 17 May 2025 11:21:11 GMT

Hi,

first, fix the common situation (merge with main tab),

I am not sure whats going on - try restart, try another Alias - I am not in front of Autocad, can't help more this moment.

To make sure: You are testing manually, "by hand", the gui way?

The other question is easy:

Merge works with maincuix (or add-in/Plug-In tab) only,

so you have to use a standard tab which every install habe.

OR programming, your program adds a tab to the main cuix for you.

Re: Problem to merge menu tabs

mmooreMR7X6 — Mon, 19 May 2025 23:43:51 GMT

Hi Andkal,

Sorry, I am not sure I can give more details. The post was published long time ago, and I cannot recall much.

Sincerely,