Inspired by a comment from Daniel in the same post for AutoCAD Arch 2011, I thought that I should walk through the complete steps as they seem to work more permanently than the simple tip that I initially suggested.
Once again, Autodesk forgot to load our favorite tools into AutoCAD Architecture 2012. So here’s how to get them back:
- On your computer, go to the control panel and then go to the uninstall programs utility.
- Select AutoCAD Architecture as though you are going to uninstall it. Then select the uninstall/change button as seen below.
You are not actually uninstalling the program. This is an instance where we are using the “change” option to the “uninstall/change” button.
You will see the screen (as seen below) after a few seconds.
- Select the “Add or Remove Features” button (as seen below)
- Now check the check-box next to “Express Tools” from the list of “features” to add.
- Then click Next to load the cuix menu for Express Tools.
After this gets loaded and closes. Start AutoCAD Architecture like normal.
With AutoCAD Architecture open:
- MENULOAD <enter> to load the cuix menu that we loaded earlier.
In the dialog box (as seen below):
- Click the Browse button
- Select “acetmain.cuix” (acetmain = Auto Cad Express Tools)
- Click the “open” button
- Select “Load”
Be patient as it loads and as always…..
~enjoy
AutoCAD Tips 
You rock dude!
Thanks A mill. got it working!!!!
That’s great to hear.
~Greg
MUY BUEN APORTE AMIGO MUCHAS GRACIAS ES UNA HERRAMIENTA QUE EN VERDAD HACE FALTA Y NO SABES COMO TE LO AGRADEZCO PODER ACTIVARLA. GRACIAS MILES….
Translated via Google Translate:
“VERY GOOD FRIEND THANK CONTRIBUTION IS A TOOL THAT REALLY NEED AND DO NOT KNOW HOW I appreciate active power. THOUSAND THANKS ….”
You are very welcome friend
~Greg
Hi Greg- It almost worked. I had an error message under the last step to load the acetmain.cuix, the window says that i this customization group name already exists. Please help. Great thanks Lisa
If you’re comfortable doing so, I would suggest going to the support folder and deleting the existing “acetmain.cuix” and then try the steps in the blog post. I am currently away from a computer that has AutoCAD so I cant test it for you. I wont have AutoCAD until Friday…
I just noticed the “Unload” option in the last step (from the posted picture). try unloading it and then re-loading it
Load Express Tools Menu as described, but icons return ‘unknown command’.
Demandload value has been set at both 3 & 2, with little success.
Any suggestions?
Matt,
From what I gather, maybe the pathing is not correct. make sure that your support path is looking in the correct location. See the link below.
http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/AutoCAD-2012/Expresstools-don-t-work-in-autocad-2012/td-p/3199590
Also, WHat happens if you enter these 2 commands?
EXPRESSMENU
EXPRESSTOOLS
Hello, I tried to add the feature but when I click next in the install panel it asks me to insert my Autocad disc. I don’t have a disc, I downloaded the program with an educational license at Autodesk.com What can I do?
Thank you!
Sarah
Sarah,
Below is the closest link that discusses your install issue.
Basically, it says that during the initial install, if you didn’t have the files copied to your computer, it will need a disk or usb to get those files. You may need to re-install unfortunately…
http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/AutoCAD-2011/Repair-Reinstall-w-o-a-Disk/td-p/2797294
~Greg
Wowww thanks brooo! good job!
Hmmm
AutoDesk has been intentionally leaving express tools out of the install process of various flavors of AutoCAD for oh I don’t know at least a decade or so…. What’s new? Looking at the latest releases, not much to justify the pretty stiff yearly rental fees. I guess thats why I don’t use any Autodesk products anymore. I just got tired of feeling violated every year.
Hellow,
thank you for the information, it was really helpful! Regrettably, I have the same problem as Lisa Novatney. When I try to load the file “acetmain.cuix” autocad says that that customization group name already exists. If have tried everything mentioned, but it doesn’t work! Could you help me, please? Thanks in advanced, Luis.
The message that you mentioned means that you already have the .cui file loaded. So to unload it, Open the CUI and navigate to this CUI (it should be under the Partially Cistomization Files area). Right click on the cui and then select “unload…” Then try to load the menu as shown in the post.
Hellow again,
I have tried that and the program says: “Customization file successfully loaded. Customization group: Express”.Even though when I attempt to use an express command, such as “Superhatch” it says “Superhatch command unknown”. May it be because my autocad———–? (but everything works all right, less that) Thank you again, Luis ETSAM.
Thanks a lot dude; you’re a genious!!
Hey, i didn’t get doing the second part, of the MENULOAD, but the express tools worked anyway. So cool. Thank’s and it’s really necessary to install the second part?
That’s cool that it worked.
I have noticed that sometimes the install or repair isn’t required but the CUI that is named “acetmain.cuix” does need to be loaded – so, if after running the repair (which will install the acetmain.cuix AutoCAd might automatically load it the next time you start it again or if not, the way you would load it is with the menuload command.
~Greg
Luis, you need to actually install the tools as the first part of the above shows. If you simply load the CUI, you’re loading buttons that do not have commands that function attached to them.
Thanks a lot ! Very clear and helpful !
I am working on AutoCAD 2012 for Mac. Do you have steps for installing the Express Tools for the Mac version?
Unfortunately the Express tools are not available for AutoCAD for MAC. There are quite a few differences between AutoCAD for Windows and MAC. There are many cusizations that are not available and also a number of programming add-ons that MAC will not recognize. The only thing that I can suggest is to find either AutoLISP or Object ARX versions of specific tools that can be run on a MAC and then make your own ribbon, toolbar or tool palette to store these tools.
It will easy to find AutoLISP programs to use but be aware that they must be pure AutoLISP and not Visual LISP.
The below link shows the differences between AutoCAD for Windows and MAC.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/dl/item?siteID=123112&id=15833488&linkID=15839490
~Greg
Thanks a million–instructions were crystal clear…..and it worked!!
***Suzy
This does work but after closing Autodesk and reopening. Express tools is not loaded. Please help with this issue!
Perfect instructions, thanks.
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