How to Change Keyboard Commands in AutoCAD?

Understanding Keyboard Commands in AutoCAD

AutoCAD allows users to customize their keyboard commands to enhance their workflow and improve efficiency. This guide will walk you through the steps to change keyboard commands in AutoCAD, ensuring that you can tailor the software to meet your preferences.

Accessing the Customization Interface

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

2. Navigate to the Customize Tab:
   • Click on the “Manage” tab in the ribbon interface.
   • Look for the “Customizations” panel and select the “Edit Aliases” option. This will open the Customize interface, where you can make changes to commands.

Modifying Existing Keyboard Commands

1. Locate Existing Commands:

   • In the Customize interface, find the “Command List” panel.
   • Here you can browse through various commands and their current keyboard shortcuts.

2. Choose a Command to Edit:

   • Select the command you want to modify.
   • You can use the search function or scroll through the list to find it.

3. Edit Shortcut Keys:

   • Once a command is selected, look for the properties section.
   • Here, you can input a new key combination. Click on the shortcut key field and press the desired key combination you want to assign.
4. Save Your Changes:
   • After making your modifications, be sure to save your changes by clicking on the “Save” button in the Customize interface.
   • Close the window to return to your drawing workspace.

Creating New Keyboard Commands

1. Start the Customization Process:

   • Follow the steps to access the Customize interface as outlined above.

2. Adding a New Shortcut:

   • In the Command List panel, select the command you wish to assign a new shortcut to.
   • Drag and drop this command into the “Shortcut Keys” node located within the Customization tree.

3. Assigning the Shortcut Key:

   • Once the command is under the Shortcut Keys node, select it.
   • In the properties, click the shortcut key field, then input the new key combination you wish to use.
4. Finalize Changes:
   • After assigning the shortcut key, remember to save your settings before exiting the customization interface.

Resetting to Default Keyboard Commands

1. Open the Customization Panel:

   • Access the Customize interface through the Manage tab as described earlier.

2. Select Default Settings:

   • Look for an option, often found in the customization menu, that allows you to reset the commands to their factory defaults.
3. Confirm the Reset:
   • When prompted, confirm that you wish to reset your changes, which will restore all commands to AutoCAD’s default settings.

Viewing All Keyboard Shortcuts

To view a list of all current keyboard shortcuts:

• Open the Keyboard Shortcuts menu:
  • Press Ctrl + Alt + ? on your keyboard. This will open the shortcut overview, where you can search and review all the assigned shortcuts.

FAQ

Can I create custom shortcut keys for commands that don’t have them by default?
Yes, you can assign any command in AutoCAD to a new shortcut key, even if it doesn’t have a default one. Follow the steps to add a new shortcut as previously described.

What should I do if my new shortcut key is not working?
Check to ensure that the shortcut key is not already in use by another command. If it conflicts, you may need to reassign the existing command or choose a different key for your new shortcut.

How can I ensure my keyboard commands are backed up?
To back up your custom keyboard settings, navigate to the Customize interface and export your changes. This allows you to save a copy of your settings and restore them later if needed.