How to Customise the Ribbon in BricsCAD

Quick answer: The ribbon is built from a hierarchy: tabs contain panels, and panels contain rows holding tools, controls, and sub-panels. A tab only displays on the ribbon once it’s been added to a workspace.

Creating a Ribbon Tab

1. In the Customize dialog, click the Ribbon tab.
2. Either expand a menu group, right-click Ribbon tabs, and choose Append ribbon tab (adds it below the last existing one), or select an existing ribbon tab, right-click, and choose Insert ribbon tab (adds it above the selected one). The Add ribbon tab dialog opens.
3. Define it: Label (the name shown on the ribbon), Title (its longer name), and ID (a unique tag for referencing it programmatically).
4. Click OK to create it.

Creating a Ribbon Panel

1. In the Customize dialog, click the Ribbon tab.
2. Either expand a menu group, right-click Ribbon panels, and choose Append ribbon panel (adds it below the last existing one), or select an existing panel, right-click, and choose Insert ribbon panel (adds it above the selected one). The Add ribbon panel dialog opens.
3. Define it the same way as a tab: Label, Title, and ID.
4. Click OK to create it.

Adding a Ribbon Panel to a Tab

1. In the Customize dialog, click the Ribbon tab.
2. Expand Ribbon tabs within a menu group.
3. Either right-click a tab and choose Append panel (adds it below the last existing panel), or expand a tab, right-click, and choose Insert panel (adds it above the selected one). The Select ribbon panel dialog lists every existing panel in the menu group.
4. Select a panel, then double-click it or click OK to add it to the tab.

Adding a Row to a Panel

1. In the Customize dialog, click the Ribbon tab.
2. Expand Ribbon panels within a menu group.
3. Select a panel, then either right-click and choose Append row (adds it below the last existing row), or select an existing row, right-click, and choose Insert ribbon row (adds it above the selected one).

Adding Items to a Row

Right-click a row for these options:

• Add row panel: adds a subpanel with three subpanel rows by default; you can then add items and add or remove rows within it.
• Add command button: the same general mechanic covered on this hub’s page about adding tools to user interface controls.
• Add split button: adds a button that can hold multiple items, though only the first or most recently used one displays.
• Add toggle button: adds a button toggling a setting or option, entity snaps or selection priorities, for example, indicating that setting’s current state.
• Add Separator: adds space between rows.

Defining, Repositioning, and Deleting Items

Select an item and define its properties in the grid at the bottom of the Customize dialog. To reposition it, click and hold, drag it to the new position, and release. To delete it, select it, right-click, and choose Delete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn’t my new ribbon tab showing up in the ribbon? It needs to be added to a workspace first, creating the tab alone isn’t enough to display it.

What’s the difference between a split button and a toggle button? A split button holds multiple items, showing only the first or most recently used one. A toggle button switches a setting or option on or off and shows its current state.

How do I add a standard command to a ribbon row? Right-click the row and choose Add command button, using the same general tool-adding mechanic covered elsewhere in this hub.

Can I nest a subpanel within a ribbon row? Yes, choose Add row panel from the row’s context menu, which creates a subpanel with three rows by default.