Note: If the command you wish to shorten already has an alias you can change the shortcut to something of your liking by selecting the Edit button rather than the Add button.
Note: While the previous steps highlighted how to access the PGP File, this is recommended approach to editing it.
After all the PGP File contained within your AutoCAD software is designed to have users edit it as required. Often the best solution is to create your very own keyboard shortcuts. While printing a list of the default AutoCAD Keyboard Shortcuts and referring to it on an “as you go basis” may help some users, this is certainly not the fix for all. Making Your Own AutoCAD Keyboard Shortcuts Referencing the list on an ad hoc basis, as and when needed, could see the shortcut commands slowly creep into your working routine. PGP file and keep it beside you on your desk. You may wish to “copy and paste” out or print the extensive list of AutoCAD Keyboard Shortcuts contained within the PGP File, for future reference. Scroll down through the PGP File until you find a list of shortcuts and their relevant command:Ī lot can be learned from the PGP File.If you are you using a pre 2004 version of AutoCAD or having trouble opening it from within AutoCAD navigate to it in this way using your computer’s default file explorer. Note: The PGP File is a notepad file contained within AutoCAD’s Support folder of your computers C Drive. This will open the software’s Programme Parameters (PGP) File.To open the PGP File, select Edit Aliases from the Edit Aliases dropdown menu within the Customization section of the Manage ribbon:Īlternatively enter the command AI_EDITCUSTFILE, and then enter “acad.pgp” (use “acadlt.pgp” if using AutoCAD LT).To observe all of the shortcuts contained within AutoCAD though, open the software’s PGP File. It is highly likely that you have used some of the shortcuts outlined within Table 1 at some point, if not they are a good first base in your journey towards mastering shortcuts. Table 1, Default AutoCAD One Key Aliases (Shortcuts) The table below shows some of the One Key Shortcuts included within the software by default: Alias Sadly many users do not make use of them (some Keyboard Kings included). As such command shortcuts have been part of the software for some time now. Default AutoCAD ShortcutsĪutoCAD commands can often be long winded and hard to type especially if they are being used repeatedly. Meaning they will be more memorable than ever, and most importantly customised to your needs.Īs you are probably aware in the early days of AutoCAD the only way to enter a command was to type it, in many cases though this is only marginally faster than using ribbons and toolbars.īy making use of keyboard shortcuts true efficiencies can be made to your workflow, no matter if you are already a die hard keyboard user or somebody who naturally gravitates towards the use of AutoCAD’s ribbons and toolbars.
Fear not though as this article will explain how simple it is to make full use of keyboard shortcuts within AutoCAD. To some that have avoided using keyboard-entered commands altogether this may seem like a daunting task. However if you are to truly increase your speed you should look to introduce some AutoCAD Keyboard Shortcuts to your gameplay. This may be a hard fact to face for the Ribbon Navigators out there. No one approach to AutoCAD is better than the other, however in many cases there is only so much time that can shaved from tasks by customising ribbons and toolbars.
The Ribbon Navigator – he/she navigates the sea of AutoCAD ribbons and toolbars with ease, and finds comfort in doing so.The Mixed Master – he/she likes to mix it up opting for a combination of keyboard-entered commands as well as the occasional use of AutoCAD’s toolbars and ribbons.The Keyboard King – he/she works almost exclusively with the keyboard and mouse, and takes pride in having memorised many of the commands within AutoCAD.When it comes to interacting with AutoCAD, for better or worse we all fit somewhat into one of three user types: If you’d like to write for CSO, please check out this link…Ĭlick here to find out how to purchase AutoCAD LT. Thanks very much to Nick Williams of Acuity training for this excellent AutoCAD Keyboard Shortcuts productivity hack.