Are you an AutoCAD user looking to improve your productivity? In this tutorial, we will explore the various methods to move in AutoCAD without using a mouse.
Whether you prefer keyboard shortcuts or touchpad gestures, we’ve got you covered! Let’s dive in.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
If you’re a fan of keyboard shortcuts, AutoCAD offers several options to help you navigate through your drawings efficiently. Here are some essential shortcuts:
- Pan: Press and hold the Shift key while pressing the middle mouse button (or pressing both left and right buttons together) to pan across your drawing.
- Zoom: To zoom in or out, use the “+” and “-” keys on your keyboard. You can also use the “Z” key followed by “E” for Zoom Extents.
- Orbit: Press and hold the Shift key while pressing the right mouse button (or both left and right buttons together) to orbit around a specific point in your drawing.
- Select Objects: Use the “Spacebar” key to select objects. Pressing it repeatedly allows you to cycle through overlapping objects.
- Navigate Layout Tabs: To navigate between layout tabs, press Ctrl+Page Up or Ctrl+Page Down on your keyboard.
Using Touchpad Gestures
If you’re using a laptop with a touchpad, you can take advantage of touchpad gestures to move around in AutoCAD. Here’s how:
- Pan: Place two fingers on the touchpad and drag them in any direction to pan across your drawing.
- Zoom: Pinch two fingers together or spread them apart to zoom in or out.
- Orbit: Place three fingers on the touchpad and swipe left, right, up, or down to orbit around a specific point.
- Select Objects: Double-tap with one finger to select objects. You can also use the tap and drag gesture to create a selection window.
- Navigate Layout Tabs: To switch between layout tabs, swipe left or right with three fingers.
Customizing Navigation Settings
If you find the default navigation settings in AutoCAD don’t suit your preferences, don’t worry! AutoCAD allows you to customize these settings according to your needs. Here’s how:
- Accessing Navigation Settings: Go to the “Tools” menu, select “Options,” and then choose the “Display” tab. From there, click on the “Navigation” button.
- Adjusting Navigation Speed: Use the slider provided to control the navigation speed. Slide it towards “Fast” for quicker movements or towards “Slow” for more precise control.
- Tweaking Pan and Zoom Options: You can also adjust other options like pan method (drag vs. shift + drag) and zoom direction (inverted vs. standard) according to your preference.
In Conclusion
Moving in AutoCAD without a mouse is not only possible but also highly efficient once you get accustomed to it. Whether you choose keyboard shortcuts or touchpad gestures, mastering these techniques will undoubtedly boost your productivity as an AutoCAD user. So go ahead, give them a try, and start navigating your drawings like a pro!