Improving your skills using AutoCAD isn’t just about enhancing the quality of the projects you are capable of producing on the software, but also the pace that you are able to design!
You should always be looking for ways that you can shave some time off by selecting the right tools and navigating through different layers and drawing so that you can put your time into more value-adding tasks that will improve your drawings and keep your employer happy.
A big part of unlocking your potential with AutoCAD comes down to mastering a range of the keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys that it provides.
The focus of this article is to provide you with the most essential shortcuts and save you from cramming hotkeys that you may never even end up using.
Understanding the Role of AutoCAD Shortcuts
Before we jump right into the various shortcuts, it’s important that we are all on the same page about their role in the design process and why you should invest the time and effort into learning them.
There are a total of 419,210 jobs in the US that rely on AutoCAD skills.
With a massive pool of jobs that rely on AutoCAD skills, by enhancing your efficiency using the platform through shortcuts, you can become more valuable and productive in the workplace!
Think of it this way, instead of taking the time to search through a series of drop down menus each time you want to pull up a particular tool that you need to use in a project you can bring it up right away by selecting a hotkey.
While a couple of minutes might seem like an insignificant amount of time to select a tool, over the course of an entire project, this quickly begins to add up.
The beauty of hotkeys is that you can set them up to suit the tasks that you find yourself completing most often, whether it's creating shapes or editing existing elements.
Later, we will discuss some strategies for making the most of your hotkeys so that you can boost your design skills in the AutoCAD environment.
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The Most Essential AutoCAD Shortcuts
You might want to make note of the shortcuts below either by writing them down on a notebook with a pen or in the notes section of your computer or phone. As long as you can easily revisit them whenever you need to implement the respective tool in your work, that's the main thing.
You will find that as time passes you will need to check back on your notes less often until having all of the most essential hotkeys memorized.
Even if you only master the selection of shortcuts from the list above, it will make a massive difference empowering you to streamline your design work, enhancing your productivity in the process.
Of course, there is the time that is lost on pulling up a tool using the AutoCAD menus, but you flow without also having to factor in how such interruptions can cause you to lose your rhythm, which can take some time to get back into the swing of things.
Soon, these shortcuts will develop into muscle memory so that you are never removed from the design process.
The above shortcuts are some examples of how you can regain some time so that you can spend it on the more value-adding tasks. If you sat through the video, then you may be left feeling overwhelmed at the sheer volume of shortcuts covered.
Well, in that case, you'll be glad that we have refined this list so that you can begin by focusing on the most essential tools that you will use most frequently.
| Design Tool | Prompt | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| COPY | CO | Copy objects or text to a specified location. |
| ERASE | E | Remove or erase objects from a drawing. |
| TRIM | TR | Trim a shape or line to meet the edges of other objects. |
| OFFSET | O | Create parallel lines or curves at a specified distance. |
| LINE | L | Draw straight lines. |
| CIRCLE | C | Draw circles by specifying center points and radii. |
| ZOOM | Z | Zoom in and out of the drawing space. |
| PAN | P | Move the view of the drawing up/down or left/right. |
| INSERT | I | Insert an existing block or drawing as a block. |
| DIMSTYLE | D | Create or modify dimension styles. |
Regardless of whether you are an experienced user that has years of experience under your belt or you are just finding your feet with AutoCAD, embracing shortcuts is a reliable method to boost your overall productivity and design skills using the software.
Now we will touch on some of the default shortcuts that you will find already binded on your AutoCAD from the moment you first use the software.
Mastering Default Shortcuts
When we talk about default shortcuts, we refer to the set of hotkeys that are already binded in AutoCAD from the very first time you launch the software on your computer.
While not personalized by you, there is good reason for their inclusion, as each is commonly relied upon by the platform's user base and contributes to a more efficient design process.
AutoCAD’s Keyboard Shortcuts PDF will show you a list of default shortcuts and commands that you can play around with and see which ones you might want to consider keeping.
This list of shortcuts also acts as a valuable reference point that allows you to easily get acquainted with the range of shortcuts before you get around to making your own.
Exploring Single Key Shortcuts
As you might have already guessed, single key shortcuts are those that are as easy to implement as pushing a specified key along with the control key.
Since these shortcuts can be executed with just a single keystroke, they are definitely the most practical options available.
These shortcuts give you access to the most commonly used functions, enabling you to handle your designs with speed and accuracy.
From showing/hiding the grid (Ctrl+G) to moving through planes (Ctrl+E) these shortcuts make it easy for you to navigate and have your drawings exactly how you intend with little effort.
Make sure to go about your learning from the ground up; begin by looking at the basics of Autodesk.
Accessing the PGP File
While hotkeys are definitely the fastest way of bringing up a particular tool that you are searching for, intermediate-level users tend to spend a lot of time in the command prompt.
The Program Parameters (PGP) file in AutoCAD is a resource that defines command abbreviations and aliases.
While this might sound like a bunch of gibberish to anyone who hasn't already spent hours using the software, you’ll be glad to hear that it’s actually quite simple.
Basically, by opening this file you can explore predefined commands, which act as shortcuts for executing actions. So instead of using hotkeys, you can input a command into the prompt.
While it may take more time as you start out, if you take time to customize these command aliases by editing the PGP file, you’ll start to realize the benefit that the PGP file can have on your efficiency.
Starting with the most effective techniques is crucial for speeding up your learning journey, so make sure to learn the top tips for beginners.
Customizing Shortcuts
AutoCAD’s default shortcuts definitely provide a solid foundation, but customizing them to match your preferences is going to be the biggest boost to your productivity.
Think of your shortcuts as what a planet is to an artist. While having the most common colors such as blue, green, red, brown and yellow will help you get a painting finished, customizing your palette to have a more refined selection of shades needed for your specific style or project requirements will really help you in the creative process.
The same is true for the tools that you decide to include in your customized set of AutoCAD shortcuts. Having the right tools that you work best with and implement most often at your disposal will enhance your design process tenfold.
If you want to create a shortcut tailored to you, you can assign keyboard combinations to your desired command. To do this, simply access the Customize User Interface (CUI) editor and choose the command you want to shortcut. Next, you’re going to want to drag it under shortcut keys and assign the keystroke combination you prefer.
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This video does a great job of explaining how you can begin customizing your toolbar with all of your favorite features. You can also tweak any existing shortcuts with ease so that they suit your needs.
If you find yourself using the "Copy" command more often than drawing circles, then you might want to consider switching the "C" shortcut to trigger "Copy" instead.
This can be applied across any tool that you find yourself using most often or even if you’re just not fond of how long it takes to bring up in the software.
Keep in mind that you may eventually end up with a long list of active shortcuts, so consider following a system that makes sense to you.
Mastering the key AutoCAD commands allows you to focus more on the creative aspects of design.
Excel in AutoCAD with an Experienced Tutor
Incorporating shortcuts into your routine and using a cheat sheet such as the one provided at the beginning of this article make these time-saving tools an accessible part of your creative workflow.
If you are new to AutoCAD, then you may have some difficulty setting up shortcuts that suit you or not knowing where to start once you have the desired tool open in front of you. Navigate beginner AutoCAD resources and incorporate a strategic mix of podcasts, videos and courses in your learning.
Superprof has asserted itself as the go to platform for learners in search of skilled tutors and AutoCAD is no exception to this. Superprof has become a popular meeting point that pairs students up with suitable mentors that are experienced in teaching the software.
The instructors who list their services on the platform bring a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience to their classes, ensuring that students can effectively navigate the intricacies of AutoCAD.
A major benefit of learning with Superprof tutors is their expertise in teaching time saving tricks that can greatly enhance your efficiency. You can rest assured that the tutor that you decide to pair up with will be able to guide you to the shortcuts that will enhance your own personal style.
Whether you’re new to AutoCAD or aiming to refine your abilities, the customized support from tutors can only aid you in reaching whatever learning goals you have set yourself. Filter your search according to your preferences, reach out to a suitable tutor and get started with your AutoCAD training as soon as today!
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