How to Load and Unload CUI Files in BricsCAD

Quick answer: BricsCAD copies its default CUI file to the Support folder on install, the same location covered on this hub’s user files page. You can load a main CUI file, replacing the current one entirely, or a partial CUI file, which layers custom customizations on top. After a major update, you can also choose to carry over files and settings from your previous installation, keeping your CUI changes while adding new components.

Loading a Main CUI File

1. Launch CUSTOMIZE; the Customize dialog opens.
2. From the File menu, choose Load main CUI file…; the Select main CUI file dialog shows the contents of the Support folder.
3. Select a CUI file, then double-click it or click Open; it loads.
4. Close the Customize dialog.

Loading a Partial CUI File

1. Launch CUSTOMIZE; the Customize dialog opens.
2. From the File menu, choose Load partial CUI file…; the dialog shows the Support folder’s contents.
3. Select a CUI file, then double-click it or click Open; its content gets appended, and any definitions that differ from the main CUI take priority.
4. Close the Customize dialog.

Converting CUIX Files

Selecting a CUIX file in either dialog converts it to a CUI file on the fly. If the CUIX contains bitmaps, they get copied into a .RESZ resource file, an alternative to a resource DLL, essentially a ZIP file containing tool bitmaps that works across all platforms. Supported image formats are BMP, JPG, PNG, ICO, GIF, TIFF, XBM, and XPM.

Handling a CUI Load Error

If a CUI file is corrupted, an error message appears offering to restore from the latest backup, or to use a same-named CUI file from the UserDataCache folder if one’s available, the same folder covered on the user files page in this hub.

Unloading a Partial CUI File

1. Launch CUSTOMIZE; the Customize dialog opens.
2. Click the Menus tab.
3. Right-click the partial CUI’s name and choose Unload from the context menu.
4. Close the Customize dialog.

Managing Customization Groups

1. Launch MENULOAD; the Customization Groups dialog opens.
2. To load a partial CUI file, click Browse to select one, then click Load.
3. To unload one, select it in the Loaded Customization Groups list and click Unload.
4. Click Close to finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I select a CUIX file instead of a CUI file? It converts to a CUI file automatically on the fly, and any bitmaps it contains get copied into a .RESZ resource file.

What’s the difference between loading a main CUI file and a partial one? Loading a main CUI file replaces the currently loaded one entirely. Loading a partial CUI file appends its content instead, with any differing definitions taking priority over the main CUI.

Can I recover a corrupted CUI file without reinstalling? Yes, BricsCAD offers to restore from the latest backup, or from a same-named file in the UserDataCache folder if one exists.

How do I remove a partial CUI file I no longer want loaded? Either right-click it in the Menus tab of the Customize dialog and choose Unload, or select it in the Customization Groups dialog (MENULOAD) and click Unload there.