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autocad command shortcuts

Are you eager to revolutionise your design process and unleash your creativity? Dive into the world of AutoCAD Commands, where every keystroke holds the power to transform your ideas into stunning visualisations. But what exactly makes these commands so essential? They're not just lines of code; they're the building blocks of your designs, the tools that empower you to bring your imagination to life.

As you explore the vast landscape of AutoCAD Commands, remember that each one holds the key to unlocking new possibilities and refining your craft. Embrace the journey with curiosity. Each mastered command brings you closer to design excellence. Let your imagination take flight as you harness the full potential of these tools. Happy designing!

Table of Contents 

1) What are AutoCAD Commands? 

2) List of AutoCAD Commands and their shortcuts 

    a) Essential navigation Commands 

    b) Drawing and editing Commands 

    c) Object selection Commands 

    d) Dimensioning Commands 

    e) Layer management Commands 

    f) Block and attribute Commands 

    g) Text and annotation Commands 

    h) 3D modelling Commands 

    i) Plotting and printing Commands 

    j) Customisation and system Commands 

3) Keyboard shortcuts for AutoCAD Commands 

4) Conclusion 

What are AutoCAD Commands? 

AutoCAD Commands serve as instructions or actions used to manipulate objects and perform tasks within the AutoCAD software. These commands range from basic drawing actions like “Line” and “Circle” to more advanced functions such as “Trim” and “Offset.” Users can enter these commands via the command line or through menus, toolbars, or shortcut keys.

The benefits of AutoCAD Commands include precise drawing, editing, and modification of geometric shapes, lines, arcs, and text. Additionally, users can control properties like layer, colour, line type, and scale, ensuring precise customisation and organisation of drawings. Commands also facilitate tasks like dimensioning, hatching, and creating blocks, enhancing the clarity and presentation of designs.
 

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Features of AutoCAD Commands


What are AutoCAD Commands

AutoCAD Commands encompass a vast array of features tailored to streamline the design and drafting process. These features include:

1) Drawing tools: Commands like "Line," "Circle," and "Rectangle" enable users to create basic geometric shapes with precision.

2) Editing functions: Commands such as "Move," "Copy," and "Rotate" allow for the manipulation and modification of existing elements within drawings.

3) Annotation tools: Commands like "Text," "Dimension," and "Leader" facilitate the addition of annotations, dimensions, and labels to convey information effectively.

4) Layer management: With commands such as "Layer," "Layer Properties," and "Layer Freeze," users can organise and control the visibility and properties of drawing elements.

5) Object snaps: AutoCAD offers commands like "Endpoint," "Midpoint," and "Intersection" for precise object snapping and alignment during drawing and editing.

6) Advanced modelling commands: Commands like "Extrude," "Revolve," and "Sweep" empower users to create 3D models and visualisations.

7) Customisation options: AutoCAD Commands can be customised and extended through scripting, macros, and the Customise User Interface (CUI) Editor to tailor the software to specific workflows and preferences.

List of AutoCAD Commands and their shortcuts 

By learning and using AutoCAD shortcuts regularly, you can significantly boost your productivity and efficiency in using the software. So, here’s the list of AutoCAD Commands: 

Essential navigation commands 

Mastering the essential navigation shortcuts is crucial to moving through your drawings or Pan across the canvas seamlessly. So, let’s have a look at these commands to navigate AutoCAD with precision and ease:

Command

Use

Shortcut key

Pan

Shifts the view horizontally or vertically

Pan or Shift + Mouse wheel

Zoom

Adjusts the magnification level of the drawing

ZOOM or Scroll wheel

Orbit

Rotates the view around the drawing

3DORBIT or Shift + Middle mouse button

Zoom extents

Adjusts the view to display all objects

ZOOM or Z + E

Zoom window

Zooms in on a specific area of the drawing

ZOOM or Z + W

Zoom previous

Returns to the previous zoom level and view

ZOOM or Z + P

Zoom all

Adjusts the view to display all objects

ZOOM or Z + A


Drawing and editing commands 

Drawing and editing are the core functions of AutoCAD, allowing you to create and modify the geometry of your designs with precision and creativity. Let’s have a look at the essential drawing and editing commands in the software that empower you to bring your ideas to life:
 

Command

Use

Shortcut key

Line

Draws a straight line

LINE or L

Circle

Creates a circle

CIRCLE or C

Rectangle

Draws a rectangle

RECTANGLE or REC

Move

Moves objects from one location to another

MOVE or M

Copy

Creates a copy of selected objects

COPY or CO

Rotate

Rotates objects about a base point

ROTATE or RO

Trim

Trims objects to meet edges

TRIM or TR

Extend

Extends objects to meet edges

EXTEND or EX

Fillet

Creates a curved corner between two lines

FILLET or F


Object selection commands 

The software offers a range of object selection shortcuts that allow users to choose and manipulate specific elements within their drawings. Let’s explore the essential object selection AutoCAD Commands, empowering you to fine-tune your design process:

 

Command

Use

Shortcut key

Select

Selects objects in the drawing area

SELECT or SE

Window

Selects objects within a specified window

W or Shift + W

Cross window

Selects objects within a crossing window

C or Shift + C

Last

Selects the previously selected objects

L or Shift + Space

All

Selects all objects in the drawing

ALL or Ctrl + A

Previous

Selects previously selected objects

PREVIOUS or P

Remove

Removes objects from a selection set

REMOVE or Shift + Right-click

 

Dimensioning commands 

 

Mastering the dimensioning shortcuts is essential to communicate the size and spatial relationships of objects effectively. So, let’s have a look at dimensioning commands:
 

Command

Use

Shortcut key

DIMLINEAR

Creates linear dimensions

DIMLINEAR or DIM

DIMRADIUS

Places a radius dimension on a circle or arc

DIMRADIUS or DR

DIMDIAMETER

Inserts a diameter dimension

DIMDIAMETER or DD

DIMANGULAR

Adds an angular dimension between two lines

DIMANGULAR or DA

DIMALIGNED

Creates aligned dimensions

DIMALIGNED or DAL

DIMORDINATE

Specifies the ordinate dimension

DIMORDINATE or DO

DIMBASELINE

Sets a series of dimensions from a baseline

DIMBASELINE or DB


Layer management commands 

Layers allow you to group and categorise different elements, making it easier to manipulate, edit, and control their visibility. The following are some of the Layer management AutoCAD Commands to organise and manage design elements effectively:
 

Command

Use

Shortcut key

LAYER

Opens the layer properties manager

LAYER or LA

LAYERPROP

Displays and edits the properties of selected layers

LAYERPROP or LA

LAYERSTATE

Saves, restores, and manages layer settings

LAYERSTATE or LAS

LAYERP

Adds a new layer to the drawing

LAYERP or LAYERNEW

LAYDEL

Deletes a layer from the drawing

LAYDEL or LAYERDELETE

LAYISO

Isolates selected layers

LAYISO or LISO

LAYUNISO

Restores layers that were previously isolated

LAYUNISO or LUNISO


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Block and attribute commands 

Blocks enable you to encapsulate a group of objects into a single entity, while attributes provide additional data and flexibility within those blocks. Let's explore the key block and attribute commands:

Command

Use

Shortcut key

BLOCK

Defines a block with selected objects

BLOCK or B

INSERT

Inserts a block into the current drawing

INSERT or I

WBLOCK

Writes objects or a block to a new drawing file

WBLOCK or W

BATTMAN

Manages attributes for a block

BATTMAN or BAT

ATTDEF

Creates or defines attributes for a block

ATTDEF or ATT

ATTEDIT

Modifies attribute values in a block instance

ATTEDIT or ATE

ATTREDEF

Renumbers or updates attribute definitions

ATTREDEF or ATTD


Text and annotation commands 

Text and annotations are crucial in conveying information and enhancing communication within your designs in AutoCAD. These elements allow designers to provide explanations, labels, and additional details that clarify your drawings. So, let’s have a look at key text and annotation AutoCAD Commands:

Command

Use

Shortcut key

TEXT

Creates single-line text

TEXT or T

MTEXT

Creates multiline text

MTEXT or MT

DTEXT

Edits or formats of single-line text

DTEXT or DT

LEADER

Creates a leader line and leader annotation

LEADER or LE

DIMEDIT

Edits dimension text and extension lines

DIMEDIT or DDEDIT

QLEADER

Creates a leader and leader annotation with a block

QLEADER or QLE

TEXTTOFRONT

Moves text to the front of other objects

TEXTTOFRONT or TTF


3D modelling commands 

3D modelling allows designers to bring your designs to life with depth and realism. With the ability to create three-dimensional objects, they can visualise and communicate their ideas more effectively. The following are the key 3D modelling shortcuts:
 

Command

Use

Shortcut key

Extrude

Extends the face of a 2D object into 3D space.

EXTRUDE or EXT

Revolve

Creates a 3D solid by revolving a 2D object around an axis.

REVOLVE or REV

Union

Joins two or more 3D solids into a single object.

UNION or UNION

Subtract

Removes the common volume from two 3D solids.

SUBTRACT or SUB

Intersect

Creates a new object from the overlapping area of two 3D solids.

INTERSECT or INT

Sweep

Extrudes a 2D object along a path to create a 3D shape.

SWEEP or SW

Loft

Creates a 3D solid or surface by lofting between cross sections.

LOFT or LOFT

 

Plotting and printing commands 

Plotting and printing are essential steps in the design process, allowing designers to transform their digital designs in the software into physical outputs, such as paper prints or digital files. AutoCAD provides a range of plotting and printing commands that help you prepare and customise the designs for accurate reproduction. Let's explore some of them:

Command

Use

Shortcut key

PLOT

Sends the drawing to a plotter, printer, or file for plotting

PLOT or P

PLOTTERMAN

Manages plotter configuration settings and device drivers

PLOTTERMAN or PLOTTER

PLOTSTYLE

Manages plot styles for controlling the appearance of plotted objects

PLOTSTYLE or PS

PAGESETUP

Sets up the layout and page settings for plotting

PAGESETUP or PSETUP

PUBLISH

Publishes multiple drawings to plot or export to other formats

PUBLISH or PUBLISH

PLOTEDIT

Edits plot settings for existing layouts or drawings

PLOTEDIT or PE


Customisation and system commands 

AutoCAD offers a range of customisation and system shortcuts that allow users to personalise the software to suit their workflow and preferences. These commands empower them to optimise their working environment, automate tasks, and enhance productivity. So, let’s have a detailed look at them:
 

Command 

Use 

Shortcut key

Options 

Opens the Options dialog box for customising AutoCAD settings 

OPTIONS or OP

CUI

Opens the Customize User Interface Editor for interface customisation

CUI or CUI

MENULOAD

Loads a custom menu file into AutoCAD

MENULOAD or MENUL

MENULOAD

Unloads a custom menu file from AutoCAD

MENULOAD or MENULU

PURGE

Removes unused named objects, such as block definitions and layers

PURGE or PU

RECOVER

Recovers damaged drawing files

RECOVER or REC

 

Keyboard shortcuts for AutoCAD Commands 

Keyboard shortcuts are a valuable tool in AutoCAD that allows users to execute commands quickly and efficiently, saving time and streamlining workflow. By memorising and utilising these shortcuts, they can easily navigate the software and perform common tasks with just a few keystrokes. Here’s the List of AutoCAD Commands shortcuts:
 

Key 

Purpose 

CTRL + A 

Select all objects in the drawing 

CTRL + C 

Copy selected objects to the clipboard 

CTRL + V 

Copy objects from the clipboard 

CTRL + X 

Cut selected objects to the clipboard 

CTRL + Z 

Undo the previous action 

CTRL + Y 

Redo the previously undone action 

CTRL + P 

Plot the drawing 

CTRL + G 

Toggle grid display on or off 

CTRL + H 

Toggle the visibility of the Pick Style window 

CTRL + L 

Toggle ortho mode on or off 

CTRL + M 

Create a new viewport in a layout 

CTRL + T 

Create a new text object 

CTRL + W 

Close the current drawing 

CTRL + 0 

Switch to the Model tab 

CTRL + 1 

Switch to the Properties palette 

CTRL + 2 

Toggle the DesignCenter palette on or off 

CTRL + 5 

Toggle the InfoCenter palette on or off 

CTRL + 6 

Toggle the Markup Set Manager palette on or off 

CTRL + 8 

Toggle the QuickCalc palette on or off 

CTRL + 9 

Toggle the Command line window on or off 

 

Conclusion 

AutoCAD Commands are the backbone of design, offering plenty of tools to bring creativity to life. With each command mastered, designers gain greater efficiency and precision, propelling their projects towards success and innovation. Explore, learn, and create with AutoCAD Commands today!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many commands are there in AutoCAD? faq-arrow

Discover how to adjust commands in AutoCAD using the Customise User Interface Editor. Modify existing commands or craft custom ones to enhance workflow efficiency and productivity.

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