Does anyone know how to load the express tools in autoCAD  2011??? I have the files in a folder in program files but do not know how to get them into the program that is already installed....

One option worth trying is the CUILOAD command.  Type it in at the command line.

That did not work. i have also tried load application.  even just for the flatten application which is what i really need.  It wont do it. 

CUILOAD should have worked if the files are on your hard drive in the proper folder.
 
Walk us through what you did and your responses.

Is the Express directory listed in the "Working file support search path". If not add it.
 
You can try using the EXPRESSMENU command.
 
Or....
 
You can try using the REPAIR option.

ok The express folder was in my Autocad2011/ folder.  Then i moved it to AutoCAD2011/support folder.  When i type cuiload i get a window and it ask me to browse  to load(express is not loaded) but when i select the express folder in any location no files come up as it is looking for extensions with cui, cuix and mnu that are not in the express folder. 
Typing expressmenu give me unknown command.

Did you look inside the Express folder to see if there were any files?  Maybe it is empty?

the express folder is full of files.  yes i looked. 

it has two flatten files but for some reason they load but when i type flatten it does not proceed.  it says no function definition: acet-error-init

Flatten.lsp - Converts 3d geometry to 2d geometry.
Isn't that what you want to do?
Did you use APPLOAD to load it?

yes i used the appload, loaded the flatten file in the express tools folder. and it gave me appliacation loaded sucessfully, then the error.  weird

I just UNLOADED Express Tools in AutoCAD 2009 via the CUILOAD command.  Confirmed it was indeed gone and closed the dialog box.  Then at the command line I typed EXPRESSMENU.  I had to wait a moment but this is what I got as a response at the command line:
 
Customization file loaded successfully. Customization Group: EXPRESS
 
I confirmed Express Tools was now loaded by typing CUILOAD and checking the dialog box.

Which problem do you want to solve first?  Express Tools or being able to flatten 3D geometry to 2D geometry?  I know of another flatten lisp routine written by Mark Middlebrook that should work.

.
One other thing I thought of.  Did you try typing EXPRESSTOOLS at the command line?John Connor2011-03-24 15:13:18

From your AutoDesk Help file.
 
"You can install the AutoCAD Express Tools as part of the AutoCAD installation, or you can add them later using Add or Remove Programs on the Control Panel."

John, thanks so much for responding.  i really just want to flatten because i only work in 2D and cant even extend on some lines.  i did try EXPRESSTOOLS and it is an unknown command.  I will try to download express from my CD. Can you just help me on the flatten part??

Sure. Download the attached file.  Right-click on it and choose RENAME.  Remove the .txt at the end leaving just flatten.lsp and you should be good to go.
 

uploads/20110324_153645_Flatten.lsp.txtJohn Connor2011-03-24 15:37:15

YAYAYY  JOHN YOU ARE THE BEST!!! THANK YOU 

[QUOTE=AnnieC]YAYAYY  JOHN YOU ARE THE BEST!!! THANK YOU  [/QUOTE]

Annie:  Way too much enthusiam don't you think?  Anyway, you may have ruined my "bad boy" image here which I have worked so hard to cultivate.  Now I have to start over.
Glad to have helped.

OK OK .. I'm new to this.  Did not know about the "bad boys of Cad forum" ... This kind of help is priceless to me.  Have a great weekend

Hi, sorry to bug you but, for some reason while i was messing with the menus i undocked the regular autoCAD panel tiles.. you know the home, annotate, render, etc. at the top and it disappeared.  now i cannot get it back.  Tried the menu bar, double clicking the bar, right clicking and it is like GONE... any suggestions????

Are you talking about the ribbon? Just type RIBBON at the command prompt to get it back.

When I type in RIBBON i get A ribbon.  But not the standard one I was using with Home. annotte, render, view and manage.  I get this really really long ribbon with a few commands in each selection... UGGHHH