One of the many benefits of tool palettes is how easy they are to create and organize. This allows you to customize blocks as you need to, but will not affect other users. However, the properties set in the tool palette do not affect the block itself. These options are held within each block property option. You can establish a set scale, prompt to rotate, explode, etc. For example, if a palette is created consisting of multiple types of pipe fittings, I can establish within the palette property to insert each fitting as a block or Xref. The main advantage with tool palette blocks are the property options. Instead of searching through multiple directories or libraries, you can create palettes and palette groups for each set of blocks. The most common use for tool palettes are blocks. This cuts down on how many clicks of the mouse you have to make, making you more productive. With tool palettes, create the pattern once, save it as a palette, and then drag and drop to other areas. For example, if you are hatching areas within a plan view and have multiple patterns and scales, you could run the hatch command and modify your settings each time you changed a pattern, adding many additional clicks to achieve what you need.
Again, you can modify properties for each pattern. Whether you need a predefined pattern or gradient hatch, simply select the hatch pattern you want and drag inside the area you wish to hatch. Hatch patterns can also be saved as a palette. You can even create flyout commands that combine multiple commands from one location, and manipulate properties (and even images) associated with commands. However, creating a tool palette of commands allows you to store some of you most commonly used commands in one location. Sure, there are many ways and locations to access commands: You can use the Command Window, ribbons, pull-down menus, the CUI dialog box, and more. One type of tool palette is frequently used commands. Tool palettes can also be shared by exporting/importing to/by other users, and can be grouped like directories to provide you with even more flexibility and organization.
As with other palettes, you can dock the tool palettes or have them float within your workspace or even another monitor. Tool palettes can consist of commonly used blocks, hatch patterns, and commands. AutoCAD comes with many default tool palette categories that can be expanded or customized, allowing you to create one for your own needs. Whether you prefer ribbons or toolbars, tool palettes provide the best of both worlds. In AutoCAD, tool palettes provide you with a combined method of accessing tools.