UI elements you can add to CAD
- Ribbon tabs and panels grouping your commands with icons and tooltips.
- Modal dialogs for inputs such as sizes, options and project data.
- Dockable palettes for libraries, checkers and live data that stay open while you work.
- Context menus that show commands only for the selected object type.
- Property panels showing custom data attached to parts, blocks or families.
- In-canvas feedback such as highlights for problem areas found by a checker.
How each platform supports custom UI
| Platform | Ribbon | Panels / dialogs |
|---|---|---|
| AutoCAD | CUIx partial menus or Ribbon API in .NET | PaletteSet with WPF / WinForms |
| Inventor | Ribbon tabs and panels via the API | Dockable windows, WPF dialogs |
| Revit | RibbonPanel / PushButton API | Dockable panes, WPF with external events |
| SOLIDWORKS | CommandManager tabs | Task Pane, PropertyManager pages |
| Fusion | Toolbar panels and command definitions | Command inputs, HTML palettes |
UI design principles for engineers
Match the host application
Use the same icon style, spacing and terminology as the CAD software. The tool should feel native, not bolted on.
Sensible defaults
Pre-fill every field with the most common value. Most users should just press OK.
Validate as you type
Show invalid inputs immediately with a clear message, instead of failing after a long operation.
Show progress for long tasks
Batch operations need a progress bar, a cancel button and a summary at the end.
Keep it discoverable
Good tooltips, a help link and consistent placement mean fewer support calls.
Engineers judge a tool in the first 30 seconds. Make those seconds count.
Technology choices
WPF is the modern choice for Windows desktop CAD add-ins, with data binding and scalable layouts. For tools shared with web or cloud apps, embedded HTML panels are also an option in some platforms. Keep UI code separate from CAD logic so each can change independently.
Deployment and customisation per user
Ship your ribbon with the add-in installer, and allow administrators to hide commands by role through a configuration file. Remember settings such as last-used options per user to save even more clicks.
Get a professional CAD UI
ENGIMANDI designs and builds ribbons, dialogs and palettes as part of every CAD customisation project. Talk to us on WhatsApp.