To Create Tools From AEC Content in DesignCenter

Architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) content consists of drawings, symbols, object styles, and annotation routines that you add to drawings to design and document your project. You can create a tool on a tool palette using the predefined AEC content accessed in DesignCenter. You can also create tools from blocks in DesignCenter, but they have slightly different tool options.

Note: AutoCAD MEP 2023 toolset also provides the Stock Tool Catalog and the Documentation Tool Catalog, which you can access in the Content Browser. These catalogs already have tools set up for predefined AEC Content and sample object styles, and they are available for both metric and imperial units. To open Content Browser, click Home tab Build panel Tools drop-down Content Browser .

To create a tool from AEC Content in DesignCenter

  1. Click Home tabBuild panelTools drop-downTools
  2. Open the tool palette where you will create the new tool.
  3. Click Insert tab Content panel Content drop-down Design Center .
  4. In the DesignCenter, click the AEC Content tab, and navigate to the AEC Content item where you can choose the tool to create.

  5. Drag the item to the tool palette.

    The software inserts a new tool on the tool palette.

  6. Define additional properties for the new tool, if necessary.

    For information on changing tool properties, see Changing the Tool Properties. For information on changing the icon of the new tool, see Changing a Tool Icon.