User interface elements are used to organize and display commands in AutoCAD.
To decide what user interface elements to create, determine how often you want to access a command. Then determine if you want to add the custom command to a shortcut key, the Quick Access toolbar, a ribbon panel or another type of user interface element.
You create Quick Access toolbars in the CUI Editor to determine which commands and controls are displayed on the Quick Access toolbar.
Ribbon customization is broken out into three main components: panels, tabs, and contextual tab states. Each component of the ribbon is used to organize and display the commands that you want to use frequently.
Toolbars organize commands and controls on small dockable windows.
Pull-down menus take up the least amount of space in the application frame of AutoCAD of all user interface elements, while providing access to a wide range of commands.
Shortcut menus provide contextual access to commands based on right-clicking. Contextual states vary depending on if a command is active, an object is selected, or if no command or object is selected.
Shortcut keys start a command by with a combination of the Ctrl or Alt key and some additional keys.
Double click actions start a command based on the objects that are selected when you double-click in the drawing window.
Mouse buttons start a command based on a mouse click and a key combination.