How to Restore Ribbon in AutoCAD 2021?

Restoring the Ribbon in AutoCAD 2021

Understanding the Ribbon in AutoCAD

The Ribbon in AutoCAD is a crucial UI component that houses commands and tools used for drafting and design. When the Ribbon is missing, it can hinder your workflow significantly. Fortunately, restoring the Ribbon is an uncomplicated process through various methods.

Checking Ribbon Visibility

1. Using the Command Line:

   • Start by locating the command line at the bottom of your AutoCAD workspace.
   • Type the command RIBBON and press Enter. This action toggles the visibility of the Ribbon on and off.
2. Minimizing to Tabs:
   • If the Ribbon is visible but compressed, click the small arrow at the right side of the Ribbon tabs. This option minimizes the Ribbon to display only the tab names. Clicking on any tab will expand its contents.

Customizing Ribbon Panels

If certain panels within the Ribbon are not visible, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on a Tab:

   • Navigate to any visible tab and right-click on it. A contextual menu will appear.
2. Show/Hide Panels:
   • From this menu, select Show Panels, which will list the available panels. A checkmark next to a panel name indicates visibility. Click the desired panel to show or hide it.

Accessing Ribbon Settings

If you want to make adjustments to the Ribbon’s organization:

1. Open Customize Options:

   • Right-click anywhere on the Ribbon and select Customize the Ribbon… from the dropdown menu to open customization settings.
2. Creating New Tabs:
   • Within the customization dialog, select New Tab, then add a New Group within it. Choose the commands you wish to include and click Add. Finalize the changes by pressing OK.

Displaying the Ribbon on Startup

If you want the Ribbon to display each time you open AutoCAD:

1. Adjust View Settings:

   • Go to the View menu in AutoCAD. Ensure the option for the Ribbon is checked.
2. File Opening Preferences:
   • By selecting Ribbon from the View menu, you can restore it to your workspace when opening a file.

Adding New Panels to the Ribbon

For those who need additional functionality:

1. Expand the Ribbon Node:

   • Go to the Customize tab, find the <file name=""> pane, and click the plus sign (+) next to the Ribbon node to reveal additional options.
2. Create a New Panel:
   • Right-click the Panels node and choose New Panel. This will allow you to create custom panel configurations as needed.

Responding to Common Issues

How can I find a lost toolbar in AutoCAD?

1. Click the “3-bar” menu button at the top corner of the workspace.
2. Navigate to the Customize section and select Show/Hide Toolbars.
3. Alternatively, use the View menu to restore toolbars if they are missing.

What commands can I use to reset my workspace?

1. To reset the workspace, type -WSCURRENT and press Enter to see a list of available workspaces.
2. Select your preferred workspace to revert to the default settings.

How do I customize the command line interface?

1. Right-click on the command line area and select Properties to open the settings.
2. You can adjust the size, position, and other attributes as desired to enhance your workflow.