How to Bind Keys in AutoCAD?

Steps to Bind Keys in AutoCAD

Accessing the Customize User Interface (CUI)

1. Open AutoCAD 2025 and type CUI in the command line. Press Enter. This opens the Customize User Interface dialog.

2. On the left side of the dialog, locate the ACAD section. Click the arrow to expand it, then navigate to Keyboard Shortcuts and select Shortcut Keys.

Assigning a Key to a Command

1. Within the Shortcut Keys section, identify the command you wish to bind a key to. For example, select Toggle Ortho.

2. Shift your attention to the right pane of the CUI dialog. Here, find the Properties section, and then look for the Access field.

3. Click on Key(s) and you will see an input box for key assignments.

4. Click inside this box and press the desired key you want to designate for this command. For instance, pressing F4 will assign this key to the selected command.

Saving Your Changes

1. After assigning the key, ensure to click the Apply button to save your changes.

2. Finally, close the CUI dialog, and your new key binding will be active for use in your AutoCAD workspace.

Modifying Key Bindings in AutoCAD

Changing Key Associations

1. First, right-click on the shortcut icon of the application for which you want to change a key binding and select Properties.

2. In the Properties dialog, navigate to the Shortcut key field.

3. Enter your new key combination there. Once done, click OK to implement the changes.

Setting Up Key Bindings

Configuring Custom Key Assignments

1. Begin by connecting your keyboard to the computer.

2. Access the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center from the Start menu.

3. In the displayed list, find and select the key you wish to reassign.

4. In the command list corresponding to that key, choose the command you want it to trigger.

5. Finalize the setup by saving your changes in the application.

Creating and Assigning Commands in AutoCAD

Defining New Commands

1. Navigate to the Customize tab within AutoCAD, and locate the Command List pane.

2. Click on the Create a New Command button, which will generate a command labeled "Command1" in both the Command List and Properties sections.

3. Change the name in the Name box to something more indicative of its function.

4. Press the Apply button to save the newly defined command.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some essential commands in AutoCAD?

AutoCAD contains numerous commands, but some fundamental ones include:

• L for creating lines.
• C for drawing circles.
• PL for polylines.
• REC for rectangles.

How can I modify function keys in AutoCAD?

To modify function keys, navigate to the Keyboard section through the Preference settings in the main menu. Here, you can select a key and reassign it to different commands, enhancing your workflow.

What is the difference between ‘plot’ and ‘print’ commands in AutoCAD?

Historically, ‘plot’ refers to creating vector graphics using a plotter, while ‘print’ was used mainly for text. Today, both terms are often used interchangeably in AutoCAD, with plotting representing a more technical output format.