Autocad keyboard shortcuts & commands

autocad keyboard shortcuts

AutoCAD Keyboard Shortcuts: Boost Your Productivity with Commands

Introduction

AutoCAD is one of the most widely used software applications for architects, engineers, and designers. It allows users to create precise 2D and 3D designs efficiently. One of the best ways to enhance your productivity in AutoCAD is by using AutoCAD keyboard shortcuts. Instead of navigating through multiple menus, you can use AutoCAD keyboard commands to perform actions quickly and efficiently.

In this article, we will explore various AutoCAD shortcut keys, including basic, advanced, and custom shortcuts. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced user, mastering these shortcuts will save you time and effort in your projects.

Why Use AutoCAD Keyboard Shortcuts?

AutoCAD offers a range of tools that can be accessed through menus, toolbars, or command-line input. However, using shortcut keys in AutoCAD provides several advantages:

  • Increased Speed: Performing tasks without using the mouse speeds up the design process.
  • Improved Efficiency: Reducing the number of clicks and menu selections makes your workflow smoother.
  • Less Strain on Hands: Continuous mouse use can cause fatigue; using the keyboard is often more comfortable.
  • Better Accuracy: Typing commands directly ensures precision and minimizes errors.

Let’s explore the essential keyboard shortcuts every AutoCAD user should know.

Basic AutoCAD Keyboard Shortcuts

These shortcuts are commonly used for basic operations in AutoCAD:

Shortcut Key Command Description
CTRL + N New Creates a new drawing file
CTRL + O Open Opens an existing drawing
CTRL + S Save Saves the current drawing
CTRL + P Print Opens the print dialog box
CTRL + Z Undo Reverses the last action
CTRL + Y Redo Reapplies the last action
CTRL + C Copy Copies selected objects
CTRL + V Paste Pastes copied objects
CTRL + X Cut Cuts selected objects
CTRL + A Select All Selects all objects in the drawing
CTRL + 1 Properties Opens the Properties palette
CTRL + 2 Design Center Opens the Design Center
CTRL + 3 Tool Palettes Opens the Tool Palettes window
ESC Cancel Cancels the current command

Essential AutoCAD Drawing Shortcuts

AutoCAD drawing commands help create precise designs efficiently. Here are the most useful AutoCAD keyboard commands for drawing:

Shortcut Key Command Description
L LINE Draws a straight line segment
C CIRCLE Draws a circle
REC RECTANGLE Draws a rectangle
PL PLINE Creates a polyline
ARC ARC Draws an arc
POL POLYGON Creates a polygon
ELL ELLIPSE Draws an ellipse
H HATCH Fills an enclosed area with a pattern
SPL SPLINE Creates a smooth curve

AutoCAD Editing Shortcuts

Editing commands allow users to modify existing objects efficiently.

Shortcut Key Command Description
M MOVE Moves objects to a new location
CO (or CP) COPY Creates duplicates of selected objects
RO ROTATE Rotates objects around a point
SC SCALE Resizes objects
TR TRIM Trims overlapping objects
EX EXTEND Extends objects to meet boundaries
ST STRETCH Stretches objects
F FILLET Creates a rounded corner between two lines
CH CHAMFER Creates an angled corner between two lines
O OFFSET Creates parallel copies of objects

AutoCAD Annotation Shortcuts

Annotations are essential for documentation and detailing.

Shortcut Key Command Description
D DIM Creates a dimension
LE LEADER Creates a leader with an annotation
MT MTEXT Creates multiline text
DT TEXT Creates single-line text
H HATCH Fills an area with a pattern
MA MATCHPROP Matches properties of objects

AutoCAD Layer Management Shortcuts

Managing layers effectively helps organize complex drawings.

Shortcut Key Command Description
LA LAYER Opens the Layer Properties Manager
LAYISO LAYISO Isolates a selected layer
LAYOFF LAYOFF Turns off a selected layer
LAYON LAYON Turns on all layers
LAYLCK LAYLCK Locks selected layers
LAYULK LAYULK Unlocks selected layers

Advanced AutoCAD Keyboard Shortcuts

For more experienced users, these advanced shortcuts provide additional functionality:

Shortcut Key Command Description
CTRL + SHIFT + C Copy with Base Point Copies objects with a specified base point
CTRL + SHIFT + V Paste as Block Pastes copied objects as a block
AL ALIGN Aligns objects with reference points
DI DIST Measures the distance between two points
ID ID Displays the coordinate values of a point
LIST LIST Lists the properties of selected objects
PURGE PURGE Removes unused objects and layers
AUDIT AUDIT Checks and fixes errors in the drawing

Creating Custom AutoCAD Shortcut Keys

If the default AutoCAD shortcut keys do not meet your needs, you can create custom shortcuts using the CUI (Customize User Interface) editor:

  1. Type CUI and press Enter.
  2. In the Customize User Interface dialog, expand Keyboard Shortcuts.
  3. Select Shortcut Keys, then click New.
  4. Assign a custom key combination.
  5. Choose a command and assign it to the shortcut.
  6. Click Apply and OK.

This allows users to customize shortcuts for better efficiency.

Read More: AutoCAD User Interface Explained: Tools & Features

Conclusion

Mastering AutoCAD keyboard shortcuts significantly enhances productivity by reducing the time spent on repetitive tasks. Whether you’re drawing, editing, or managing layers, knowing the right AutoCAD keyboard commands will streamline your workflow.

Start using these shortcut keys in AutoCAD today, and you’ll notice a significant improvement in your speed and efficiency. If you found this guide helpful, be sure to bookmark it for future reference and share it with other AutoCAD users!

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