Can't load ACA cuix for 3D into Workspace

[leedeering]

Hey, Y'all,

I'm trying to add materials to my 3D drawing, but I think the only way to do it is to switch my workspace to 3D.  Unfortunately, that's not one of the choices available.  I did a cui command, to the custom user interface, and the transfer tab.  This is where it gets dicey.  I have located all the cuix files, and have tried to load several of them, including acad.cuix and ACA.cuix, but it doesn't offer 3D Model or 3D Basic.  I have watched  several tutorials, but all of them just miraculously have the 3D options in the workspace tab . . . except mine.

Once again, I'm sure I'm missing something, and I really appreciate all the help I have received, but I have to go to the well again.  Can you help me?

Lee 

[David_W_Koch · Accepted solution]

@leedeering 

The out-of-the-box acad.cuix customization file, used as the main customization file by vanilla AutoCAD and when running AutoCAD Architecture as AutoCAD, includes three workspaces:

• Drafting & Annotation
• 3D Basics
• 3D Modeling

The aca.cuix customization file, used as the main customization file by AutoCAD Architecture, has but one workspace, Architecture.  That workspace includes the Solids and Surface ribbon tabs, but they are turned off by default.  Right click on the ribbon, and choose Show Tabs from the context menu to get a flyout showing all of the available tabs.

If you are trying to transfer any of the other ribbon tabs in the 3D Basic or 3D Modeling workspaces of acad.cuix, the first thing you need to do is open the acad.cuix on the right side of the Transfer tab.  Select the Open tool at the upper right, navigate to %appdata%\Autodesk\ACA 2024\enu\Support and then choose acad.cuix.

All that said, how are you modeling your 3D objects?  If you are using AutoCAD Architecture objects, then tutorials referencing items in the acad.cuix 3D Basic or 3D Modeling workspaces are not going to apply to AutoCAD Architecture objects - which is why those tabs are either not present or turned off in the aca.cuix Architecture workspace.  AutoCAD Architecture objects are assigned materials through Material Definitions, which interact with the AutoCAD Architecture Display System.

[R_Tweed]

There are material definitions available in the visualization tool palette group as well as the content browser.

 @David_W_Koch  mentioned the solids and surface panels which is what I use.  Another option would be to set your profile to autocad and load the 3d modeling workspace, Items from the workspace can be transfered using cui tools but I find the OTB modeling panels have everything I need other than what can be found in the massing tool palette.

[leedeering]

Good day, Gentlemen.

I understand now that I was barking up the wrong tree with the .cuix files, and I need to focus on the tools available to me in ACAD Architecture.  I have learned a great deal about Palette Groups and Tabs, and I was even able to assign a material to the roof with the Tool Palettes bar, but that is as far as I have gotten.

I would like to access more materials, but there's nothing in my Catalog Library and I don't know where to look.  This is what I get when I go there.

It seems like every time I try to adopt a new skill with AutoCAD, there are fifteen related skills I know nothing about.  I'm wondering if I should pay for some online tutoring.

Anyway, can you please help me over this latest hurdle by telling me where I can go to import materials?

Thank you again.

Lee

[leedeering]

Good day, Gentlemen,

I understand now that I was barking up the wrong tree by trying to understand the .cuix files, etc.  Now I am staying within the boundaries of ACAD Architecture, which I'm sure will help me over the next hurdle.  I was able to put Tiles on my roof with the Tool Palettes Materials, but that's as far as I got.  I wanted to get some different materials, but there's nothing in my Content Catalog, (see below), and I don't know where to go to import it.

It seems like every time I acquire a new skill, I have to learn a dozen more in order to use it.  I'm thinking maybe I should look into online tutoring.

Anyway, would you be kind enough to point me in the right direction so I can put some tools in my catalog?

I really appreciate all your help and your patience with my incessant questions.

Thank you,

Lee 

[R_Tweed]

Check these paths.

1st in options on the AEC Content Path

If that path is there, then try adding a catalog by browsing to C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ACA 2023\enu\Tool Catalogs

There are also render materials, that when used will create a aec material definition.

[R_Tweed · Accepted solution]

It seems like every time I try to adopt a new skill with AutoCAD, there are fifteen related skills I know nothing about. I'm wondering if I should pay for some online tutoring.

I don't know if there is an easy answer. You are right that there are many different ways of doing any task in Autocad. You can learn some things from tutorials, online education etc. with the understanding that it's an approach which the author believes is the "right way" or efficient, or just their way, to accomplish a task. 

[David_W_Koch · Accepted solution]

@leedeering 

You are missing several out-of-the-box tool catalogs in your Content Browser.  I trust that @R_Tweed has set you on the right path towards reconciling that.

You can also access the out-of-the-box Material Definitions through the Style Manager.  You just need to open the source file there, and you can drag and drop (or copy and paste) Material Definitions from the source file to any other open file.

I do not know where you are located or what content you have installed.  For United States content for AutoCAD Architecture 2023, the main content files can be found in one of the following folders, based on whether you are using imperial or metric units:

• C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ACA 2023\enu\Styles\Imperial for imperial units.
• C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ACA 2023\enu\Styles\Metric for metric units.

The file you want to open in Style Manager is:

• Material Definitions (Imperial).dwg for imperial units.
• Material Definitions (Metric).dwg for metric units.

The ProgramData folder is a hidden folder in Windows, so you will not see it unless you have enabled the display of hidden files and folders in File Explorer.  You can always type (or cut and paste) the path into the address bar in Windows to get to the desired folder under a hidden folder if you choose not to turn on hidden files and folders.

Here is the Style Manager, with the Material Definitions (Imperial).dwg file open in Style Manager (along with Drawing2.dwg open in AutoCAD Architecture).

[leedeering · Accepted solution]

Thank you, David. You have given me a very detailed and specific solution.

I appreciate all your help.

Lee Deering