How Do I Change AutoCAD Shortcuts?

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How Do I Change AutoCAD Shortcuts?

AutoCAD is a powerful software used by professionals in various industries such as architecture, engineering, and design. It offers a wide range of features and tools to improve productivity and efficiency.

One of the ways you can customize AutoCAD to suit your workflow is by changing its shortcuts. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of changing AutoCAD shortcuts.

Step 1: Accessing the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor

To change AutoCAD shortcuts, you need to access the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor. Follow these steps to open the CUI editor:

  • Open AutoCAD.
  • In the command line, type “CUI” and press Enter.

Step 2: Navigating the CUI Editor

Once you have opened the CUI editor, you will see a window divided into two sections – Command List on the left and Customizations on the right. Here’s how to navigate through the CUI editor:

  • Expand “Partial Customization Files” in the Customizations section.
  • Select “Main Customization File (acad.cuix)“.
  • In the Command List section, expand “Shortcut Keys“.

Step 3: Finding and Modifying Shortcuts

Now that you are in the Shortcut Keys section of the CUI editor, you can find and modify shortcuts according to your preference. Follow these steps:

  • In the Command List section, scroll down or use the search bar to find a specific command for which you want to change the shortcut.
  • Select the command.
  • In the Properties section on the right, you will see the current shortcut assigned to the command in the “Access Key(s)” field.
  • To change the shortcut, click on the “..” button next to the Access Key(s) field.
  • A new window will appear where you can assign a new shortcut by pressing the desired key combination.
  • Click “OK” to save your changes.

Step 4: Saving and Loading Your Customizations

After making changes to AutoCAD shortcuts, it’s important to save your customizations and load them whenever you start AutoCAD. Here’s how:

  • In the CUI editor, click on “Apply” and then “OK“.
  • To load your customizations automatically every time you start AutoCAD, go to “Manage” in the top menu, select “Customization Files“, and check “Main Customization File (acad.
  • Click “OK“.

Tips for Changing AutoCAD Shortcuts:

  1. Avoid conflicting shortcuts:

    2. When assigning new shortcuts, make sure they do not conflict with existing ones. Conflicting shortcuts can cause unexpected behavior and hinder your workflow.

  2. Create a backup:

    3. Before making any changes to AutoCAD shortcuts, create a backup of your customization file. This allows you to revert to the previous settings if needed.

  3. Experiment and refine:

    4. Changing shortcuts is a personal preference. Take some time to experiment with different combinations and find what works best for you. Refine your shortcuts over time as you become more familiar with the software.

  4. Document your changes:

    5. It’s a good practice to document the changes you make to AutoCAD shortcuts. This will come in handy if you need to reinstall AutoCAD or share your customizations with others.

Now that you know how to change AutoCAD shortcuts, take some time to customize them according to your needs. By optimizing your workflow with personalized shortcuts, you can boost your productivity and work more efficiently in AutoCAD.