How Do I Change Keyboard Shortcuts in AutoCAD?

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AutoCAD is a powerful software used by professionals in various industries for designing and drafting. One of the many features that make AutoCAD efficient is its keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts allow users to perform commands quickly, saving valuable time.

However, not all default keyboard shortcuts may be intuitive or convenient for you. Fortunately, AutoCAD offers the flexibility to change these shortcuts according to your preference. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the process of changing keyboard shortcuts in AutoCAD.

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

To change keyboard shortcuts in AutoCAD, you need to access the Customize User Interface (CUI) editor. This editor allows you to customize various aspects of the AutoCAD interface, including keyboard shortcuts.

To open the CUI editor, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the “Manage” tab in the ribbon at the top of the AutoCAD window.
  2. Within the “Customization” panel, click on “Customize User Interface”.
  3. The CUI editor window will open.

Step 2: Navigating to Keyboard Shortcuts

Once you have opened the CUI editor, you need to navigate to the Keyboard Shortcuts section. Here’s how:

  1. In the CUI editor window, expand the “Partial Customization Files” section on the left-hand side.
  2. Expand your current customization file (usually named after your profile).
  3. Under your customization file, expand “Keyboard Shortcuts”.

Step 3: Modifying Keyboard Shortcuts

Now that you have reached the Keyboard Shortcuts section, you can modify the existing shortcuts or create new ones. Here’s how:

  1. Select the command for which you want to change the keyboard shortcut.
  2. The current keyboard shortcut for the selected command will be displayed on the right-hand side.
  3. To change the shortcut, simply click on it and press the keys you want to assign as the new shortcut.
  4. Repeat this process for all the commands you wish to modify or create new shortcuts for.

Note: Make sure to choose keyboard shortcuts that are not already assigned to other commands in AutoCAD. Using already assigned shortcuts may result in conflicts and unintended actions.

Step 4: Saving Changes

After modifying your desired keyboard shortcuts, it is essential to save your changes to ensure they are applied in future AutoCAD sessions. Here’s what you need to do:

  1. In the CUI editor window, click on the “Apply” button at the bottom of the window.
  2. Click on “OK” to confirm and close the CUI editor.

Step 5: Testing New Keyboard Shortcuts

To ensure that your new keyboard shortcuts are working correctly, it is advisable to test them within AutoCAD. Follow these steps:

  1. Exit and reopen AutoCAD to apply your changes.
  2. Type in or execute a command that you modified or assigned a new shortcut to.
  3. If the command executes as intended, congratulations! Your new keyboard shortcut is working correctly.

Note: If a command does not execute or performs an unexpected action, revisit the CUI editor and double-check the assigned keyboard shortcut.

In Conclusion

Customizing keyboard shortcuts in AutoCAD can significantly enhance your workflow and productivity. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can easily modify existing shortcuts or create new ones to suit your working style. Remember to save your changes and test them within AutoCAD to ensure they are functioning as expected.

Now go ahead, personalize your AutoCAD experience, and work more efficiently with customized keyboard shortcuts!