How to Change Quick Keys in AutoCAD 2018?

Understanding AutoCAD Shortcut Keys

AutoCAD is known for its powerful design capabilities, and one of the ways to enhance your productivity is by customizing shortcut keys. This guide will provide you with detailed steps on how to change and create shortcut keys in AutoCAD 2018.

Steps to Create or Change Shortcut Keys in AutoCAD 2018

Step 1: Access the CUI Interface

• Launch AutoCAD on your computer.
• Navigate to the “Manage” tab on the ribbon at the top of the screen.
• Click on the “CUI” (Customize User Interface) button. This will open the Customize User Interface dialog box.

Step 2: Creating a New Shortcut Key

• Within the CUI dialog, locate the Command List pane.
• Browse for the command you want to create a shortcut for. You can use the search bar for quicker access.
• Drag the selected command from the Command List to the “Shortcut Keys” node which is typically found in the left sidebar.

Step 3: Assign a Key to the Shortcut

• Click on the newly created shortcut key entry under the “Shortcut Keys” node.
• In the Properties pane (to the right), find the field labeled “Key(s).”
• Press the key combination you wish to assign to this command, making sure it doesn’t conflict with any existing shortcuts.

Step 4: Modify Existing Shortcut Keys

• To change a pre-existing shortcut key, find the desired shortcut in the “Shortcut Keys” node.
• Select it, and then in the Properties pane, edit the “Key(s)” field to your new desired key combination.

Step 5: Save Your Changes

• After making adjustments, click “OK” to apply changes and close the CUI dialog.
• Ensure you save any modifications before exiting AutoCAD to prevent losing your settings.

Managing Function Keys in AutoCAD 2018

Switching Function Keys to Standard Mode

If you want to use function keys like F1, F2, etc., for commands rather than other functionalities (such as multimedia keys), follow these steps:

1. Open the Control Panel from the START menu.
2. Navigate to "Hardware and Sound" and then select "Windows Mobility Center."
3. Look for the "Function Key Row" setting.
4. Change the setting from “Multimedia keys” to “Function keys” to enable standard function usage across all applications including AutoCAD.

Customizing Hotkeys in AutoCAD

To create hotkeys that streamline your workflow:

1. Right-click on the AutoCAD desktop shortcut.
2. Select “Properties” from the context menu.
3. In the Shortcut tab, locate the “Shortcut key” box.
4. Enter a new key combination to assign as a hotkey for launching AutoCAD.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How can I view all existing shortcuts in AutoCAD?
A1: You can view all keyboard shortcuts by pressing Ctrl + Alt + ? on your keyboard. This will open an overview of all available shortcuts.

Q2: Is it possible to revert to the original shortcut keys after making changes?
A2: Yes, you can restore original settings by navigating back to the CUI interface and restoring AutoCAD’s default configuration, or by resetting customization settings.

Q3: What should I do if my custom shortcut keys are not working as expected?
A3: First, check for any conflicts with other shortcuts. If conflicts exist, try reassigning the shortcut to a different key combination. If issues persist, consider reopening the CUI to verify the settings.