Change Layer Combo Control Bar width in AutoCAD
Over the past year, I have had several questions come up on how to make the original size of the layer combo control bar a little longer. There is more to it than just making it longer on the Ribbon. Many people place this bar on the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) as shown in Figure 1. If you do not know how to add this to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) simply perform a right-click on the layer combo control on the Home Tab – Layers Panel on the Ribbon and select add to Quick Access Toolbar. Once added you will see the bar as shown below.
Figure 1: Layer Combo Control on QAT
Now that we have the Layer Combo Control bar in the QAT we want change the default width to see those long layer names that are current.
Let’s go into the CUI and make a quick edit. Type CUI at the command prompt.
- Uncheck the Quick Access toolbar to pull down the menu
- Select Layer Combo Control.
- Change the value from the default value of 208 to 320 (I am using AutoCAD 2016).
- Hit apply and OK to get out and watch how your Layer Combo has changed.
Figure 2: Layer Combo Control in CUI
The final result should look something like Figure 3 as shown below. I made a long layer name as shown. Keep in mind since AutoCAD 2014 when you pull down the layer combo box the width will expand to your longest layer name. I do not recommend long layer names, keep consistent with industry standards and use 4 letters to abbreviate long strings. The type of monitor you have can affect this setting as well, change the number to best suit your setup and remember you can always put it back to default by entering 208 in the minimum width column.
Figure 3: The final version
How cool is that!
On a final note, I am proud to accept an invitation to become a member of the Expert Elite Program at Autodesk. All of the tips, tricks, and items posted are derived from personal experience through work, collaborating with my peers, and blogs I have followed over the years. I have always been very busy with my work and tried to find new ways to decrease my picks and clicks to become more efficient with AutoCAD. I share what I know and always have a great feeling when I help someone solve a problem with CAD. It helps me grow as a CAD designer and respected individual in the community.
Look me up at Autodesk University 2014 and on the knowledge network at Screencast as I will be providing updates on my proposals to teach again as well as some of my favorite tips and tricks I have collected over the years. I hope to meet new friends and see some old ones in December 2015 at Autodesk University.
Until next month…..Sam
Video tutorial added to this section for a visual description on how to make the combo control bar longer.
I will reload a script on my end to get that workspace back and try. I am sure if you find the toolbar that contains that box you can change withing the cui
Hello CADproTips
Great post thank you – I personally use the Classic workspace and do not have/use the Quick Access toolbar. I just use the basic Layer tool palette. Is there anyway to widen this pull-down box as well?
Thank you
AP
Thank you for taking the time to look into this. I have seen others going about it that way, but can’t seem to get it to work for mine. I am noticing that lot of the solutions involve utilizing the ribbon. I have my workspace set up more in the classic style with toolbars instead of a ribbon, and I created a toolbar with only the “named view control” on it. When I go through the CUI to that toolbar that I created, it doesn’t have the width noted, but just the “general”, “appearance”, and “advanced” on the properties of that custom toolbar. If I can’t find something to remedy it, I will just rename the views with shorter names.
Thanks again for your time!
Try this – let me know if that is what you are looking for.
Hello Rob – let me take a look I may have some time later today and this weekend. Some of those combo bars you cannot change but I will let you know.
I believe I’m looking for the same answer as Huda. I am running Autocad 2020 and I have different named views set up in model space to take me to where I want to go in the dwg space and have the desired layers frozen. The names of the views are longer than what the drop-down control is able to display on my toolbar. I do not see in the CUI where I can modify the width.
Thank you!
Hello Huda, I am not exactly sure which window you are looking for. What version of AutoCAD are you using? Search the CUI for the panel and component you are looking for. I will look into other versions of the software as well.
Hello!
I’m familiar with this setting and must say that it’s a life saver:)
Do you, by any chance, know how to change the width of Named View control/list. Am I missing something in CUI window???
Thanks!
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Thankyou