How to Change Keyboard Commands in AutoCAD 2018?

Understanding Keyboard Shortcuts in AutoCAD

Modifying keyboard commands in AutoCAD is essential for optimizing your workflow and personalizing your experience according to your preferences. Whether you want to create new shortcuts or alter existing ones, AutoCAD offers intuitive methods to customize keyboard commands.

Accessing the Keyboard Shortcuts Panel

1. Launch AutoCAD and open your workspace.
2. Navigate to the Customize tab located in the main menu.
3. Find the pane labeled Customizations In and click to expand it.
4. Select the Keyboard Shortcuts node from the tree structure to display all available shortcuts.

Filtering and Selecting Keyboard Shortcuts

1. In the right-side pane, you’ll find options to filter the shortcuts based on type.
2. From the Type drop-down list, choose among All Keys, Accelerator Keys, or Temporary Override Keys to specify which kinds of shortcuts you want to modify or view.
3. This helps you locate the specific commands you wish to edit or review quickly.

Modifying a Keyboard Shortcut

1. Once you’ve selected the relevant shortcut in the list, click the row corresponding to the command you wish to modify.
2. To assign a new key combination, simply press the keys you want to use. The new combination will replace the old one.
3. If you wish to remove an existing shortcut, press the Backspace key to reset the shortcut.
4. Press Esc if you decide not to make any changes.

Saving Your Customizations

1. After making changes, it’s essential to save your settings.
2. Go to File > Options and click on Customize Ribbon.
3. At the bottom of the Customize the Ribbon and Keyboard Shortcuts pane, select Customize.
4. Choose the appropriate document or template from the Save changes in box to save your modifications.

Common Command Shortcuts in AutoCAD

Familiarizing yourself with useful commands can enhance your productivity. Here are some fundamental shortcuts:

• SP: Save all open drawings.
• ST: Open the text style window.
• TIME: Display information regarding the creation date or time spent on a drawing.

Restoring Default Keyboard Settings

Restoring your keyboard settings to their default state can be achieved by pressing the Ctrl and Shift keys simultaneously. Test if this returns your keyboard to normal functionality by typing; repeat if necessary.

FAQs

1. Can I reset all keyboard shortcuts to the original settings in AutoCAD?
Yes, AutoCAD allows you to reset all keyboard shortcuts to their defaults through the Options menu under the Customize settings.

2. What if I forget the shortcut for a command?
You can access the command list by entering the command name in the command line or referring to AutoCAD’s help documentation, which outlines all default shortcuts.

3. Can I use third-party software to modify keyboard shortcuts?
Yes, third-party applications exist that can help remap keys across Windows. However, using AutoCAD’s built-in customization features is highly recommended for maintaining compatibility.