The Tool Palettes
The Tool Palettes groups all tools for creating and managing tool palettes. For a list of all palettes available in the application, see Palettes Reference.
Use the ToolsPalette command to display the Tool Palettes.
Right clicking a tool displays context menus containing the available options.
By default, the Tool Palettes contains a set of predefined tool palettes. For example:
- Draw. Groups the tools for drawing.
- Modify. Groups the tools for editing.
Use the mouse wheel to scroll between tabs on the Tool Palettes.
Use Cmd + Up/Down to scroll between tabs on the Tool Palettes.
To display the Tool Palettes:
- Do one of the following:
- On the menu, click Tools > Tool Palettes.
- On the ribbon, click Insert > Palettes > Tool Palettes.
- Type ToolsPalette.
To hide the Tool Palettes:
- Type HideToolsPalette at the command prompt.
Tool Palettes
Toolbar
The toolbar on the top of the Tool Palettes provides quick access for the most frequently used tools for the currently selected tab.
| Button |
Description |
Function |
|---|---|---|
| Group drop-down list | Displays available groups of tool palettes. You can display all tool palettes or only the tool palettes from a specified group. | |
 |
Save all | Saves the current tool palette. |
 |
View options | Lets you display the tool palettes in ascending or descending order according to their names. Displays the options for organizing tool palettes:
|
 |
Options | Displays a menu with options for working with tool palettes. The same options are available in the context menu displayed when right-clicking within a tool palette. |
Options Menu
Right-clicking within a tool palette displays a context menu with the same options as in the Options menu. You can create, organize, manage, and share your tool palettes using the options provided in the context menus. The available options vary according to the item that you select in Tool Palettes.
| Option |
Function |
|---|---|
| New Palette | Creates a new empty palette with the specified name |
| Delete Palette | Deletes the current tool palette. Deleting a palette removes the palette from all groups that contained it. |
| Rename Palette | Renames the current tool palette |
| Add Header | Adds a header under the last tool in the list. If necessary, drag the header to the desired location in the tool palette. |
| Add Separator | Adds a separator under the last tool in the list. If necessary, drag the separator to the desired location in the palette. |
| Customize Palette | Displays the Customize - Tools Palette dialog box |
| Customize Commands | Displays the Customize dialog box |
| Import Palette | Lets you import an external XTP file |
| Export Palette | Exports the current tool palette to an XTP file |
| Lock Palette / Unlock Palette | Locks the tool palette. The locked state prevents unintentional modification. Use the Unlock Palette option if you want to change the set of tools on the tool palette. |
| Path Option | Opens the Files tab of the Options dialog box. Lets you specify the path to your tool palettes folder. |
Context Menus
You can organize, manage and edit your tools using the options provided in the Tool Palettes context menu. The available options vary according to the item that you select in Tool Palettes.
- Cut. Removes the tool from the list and pastes it to clipboard.
- Copy. Copies the selected tool to clipboard.
- Rename. Allows you to rename the selected tool.
- Delete. Allows you to delete the selected tool. A message appears requiring confirmation or cancellation of the action. Click yes to delete the palette or cancel to close the message without deleting the palette.
- Properties. Opens the Tool Properties dialog box.
Access
Command: ToolsPalette
Menu: Tools > Tool Palettes
Ribbon: Insert > Palettes > Tool Palettes