How To Set Keyboard Shortcuts In AutoCAD?

Understanding Keyboard Shortcuts in AutoCAD

Setting keyboard shortcuts in AutoCAD can significantly enhance your efficiency while working on design tasks. This guide provides detailed instructions for customizing shortcuts to streamline your workflow.

Accessing Shortcut Settings

1. Open AutoCAD: Launch the AutoCAD application on your computer.

2. Navigate to Options: Click on the ‘File’ menu located in the upper left corner of the screen, then select ‘Options’ from the dropdown list.

Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts

1. Locate the Customize Section: Within the Options dialog box, look for the ‘Customize’ tab. This area allows you to manage various UI elements, including keyboard shortcuts.

2. Select Keyboard Shortcuts: Under the Customize Ribbon section, find and click on ‘Keyboard Shortcuts’ to access the shortcut customization window.

3. Add a New Shortcut: If you want to create a new shortcut:

   • Click on the ‘Create New Shortcut’ button.
   • In the Command List pane, find the command you wish to assign a shortcut to and drag it into the new shortcut area.

4. Assign a Key Combination: To create or modify a keyboard shortcut:

   • Click in the Shortcut Key box.
   • Press the desired key or key combination. For example, pressing the ‘S’ key could be assigned as Ctrl + Alt + S.
5. Save Changes: Make sure to save your changes before exiting. Look for a ‘Save’ button or similar prompt in the customization window.

Modifying Existing Shortcuts

1. Find the Shortcut: In the same Keyboard Shortcuts section, scroll through the list to find any shortcuts you wish to modify.

2. Edit Shortcut Key: Click on the existing shortcut to highlight it, then change the key combination in the Shortcut Key box as described earlier.

3. Confirm Changes: After modifying, ensure that the new key combination does not conflict with existing shortcuts to avoid functionality issues.

Using Custom Commands

1. Create a Custom Command:

   • While in the Customize tab, locate the command list.
   • Click on ‘Create New Command’ that appears to generate a new command entry.

2. Set Properties: In the Properties pane, input a name and any details necessary for your new command.

3. Assign the Command to a Shortcut: After naming your custom command, you can assign it a keyboard shortcut using the steps outlined previously.

FAQs

Q1: How do I disable a shortcut in AutoCAD?
A1: To disable a shortcut, navigate to the Keyboard Shortcuts section, highlight the shortcut you want to disable, and remove the key combination from the Shortcut Key box. Save your changes.

Q2: Can I restore default shortcuts?
A2: Yes. In the Keyboard Shortcuts customization area, click on ‘Restore Defaults’ to revert all shortcuts back to the original AutoCAD settings.

Q3: Are there any limitations on assigning shortcuts?
A3: Each shortcut must be unique and should not overlap with existing commands or system functions to function correctly.