How can you customize commands and shortcuts in AutoCAD?

AutoCAD is a powerful and versatile software for computer-aided design (CAD), but sometimes you may want to customize its commands and shortcuts to suit your preferences and workflow. In this article, you will learn how to create, edit, and delete custom commands and shortcuts in AutoCAD, and how to use them efficiently and effectively.

1 Why customize commands and shortcuts?

Customizing commands and shortcuts can help you save time, reduce errors, and improve productivity in AutoCAD. You can create your own commands and shortcuts for frequently used operations, or modify existing ones to match your keyboard layout or naming conventions. You can also delete commands and shortcuts that you don't need or that conflict with other applications.

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Mark Rowson

CADmep Fabrication / Engineer at Alpha Engineering
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I have had my .pgp file for 25 years now and still add a few commands to it every so often. I started using autocad release 9 which was DOS based back then and wasn't as ergonomic as today's verions using windows operating systems, there wasn't any ribbons or tabs or icons back then, as discussed it was far easier to just use the left hand for all the commands, setting up shortcuts keys like C=COPY or M=MOVE or even ones that didnt line up like Q=ITEMEDIT to just keep all the left hand movements in range for speed, and this .pgp file and my profile as migrated with me over the years, dont know where I would be without it #.PGP 😎

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🦾 Anthony Y.

| Mechanical/Sheet-metal Design | CSWP | Machine Programming | Troubleshooting | Process Improvement | Workflow Automation |
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Leveraging the customisation tools works in many ways to optimise and improve workflows. Less button presses or clicks to get to the function result is desirable. Additional benefit can be found in understanding and focusing the tools available front and centre in the application, declutter for a more focused and specialised experience.

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Kapilaraj K.

Engineer at MAS Holdings | Technopreneur | Eco Activist | Computer Society Member of IEEE | Digital Marketing Professional | AI & Robotics Enthusiast | MBCS | MIEEE | MIET | AMiMech
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To customize commands and shortcuts in AutoCAD, follow these steps: 1. Type "CUI" in the command line and press Enter to open the Customize User Interface (CUI) editor. 2. In the CUI editor, expand the "Keyboard Shortcuts" section. 3. Right-click on "Shortcut Keys" and choose "New Shortcut Key" to create a new shortcut. 4. Assign a name and a key combination for your shortcut (e.g., Ctrl+R for "Rotate"). 5. In the "Command List," locate the command you want to associate with your shortcut (e.g., "Rotate"). 6. Drag and drop the command onto your shortcut key in the "Shortcut Keys" section. 7. Save your changes and exit the CUI editor. Now, you can use your customized shortcut key to quickly execute the assigned AutoCAD command.

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2 How to create custom commands and shortcuts?

To create a custom command or shortcut in AutoCAD, you need to use the Command Alias Editor, which is accessible from the Manage tab of the ribbon, or by typing ALIASEDIT at the command prompt. The Command Alias Editor allows you to assign an alias (a short name or abbreviation) to any command or macro (a sequence of commands or actions) in AutoCAD. For example, you can create an alias called RC for the REVCLOUD command, or an alias called CH for the CHANGE command. You can also use special characters, such as Ctrl, Shift, Alt, or F keys, to create keyboard shortcuts for commands or macros. For example, you can create a shortcut Ctrl+R for the REDRAW command, or a shortcut Shift+F1 for the HELP command.

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3 How to edit custom commands and shortcuts?

To edit a custom command or shortcut in AutoCAD, you need to use the Command Alias Editor again, and locate the alias or shortcut that you want to modify. You can then change the alias name, the command or macro name, or the keyboard combination. You can also use the Find and Replace feature to edit multiple aliases or shortcuts at once. For example, you can replace all instances of C with CC in your aliases, or change all Ctrl+Shift shortcuts to Alt+Shift shortcuts.

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4 How to delete custom commands and shortcuts?

To delete a custom command or shortcut in AutoCAD, you need to use the Command Alias Editor once more, and select the alias or shortcut that you want to remove. You can then click the Delete button, or press the Delete key on your keyboard. You can also use the Select All button to delete all custom commands and shortcuts, or the Reset button to restore the default commands and shortcuts.

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5 How to use custom commands and shortcuts?

To use a custom command or shortcut in AutoCAD, you simply need to type the alias or press the keyboard combination at the command prompt, or in any tool palette or dialog box that accepts commands. You can also use the AutoComplete feature to display a list of matching commands and shortcuts as you type. You can also use the ^C^C prefix to cancel any active command before executing a custom command or shortcut. For example, if you are in the middle of drawing a line, and you want to use your custom command RC for the REVCLOUD command, you can type ^C^CRC to cancel the line command and start the REVCLOUD command.

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🦾 Anthony Y.

| Mechanical/Sheet-metal Design | CSWP | Machine Programming | Troubleshooting | Process Improvement | Workflow Automation |
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One thing I have found myself doing is setting up functions to my left hand freeing up the right hand to always be on the mouse. I use for example, cx=circle, c=copy, x=mirror, ex=explode, aa=line, s=stretch, ss=move. For years editing the .pgp file has been the simplest way for me to achieve this, I believe using the aliasedit tool achieves the same results.

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6 How to manage custom commands and shortcuts?

To manage your custom commands and shortcuts in AutoCAD, you need to be aware of the location and format of the file that stores them. The file is called acad.pgp, and it is a plain text file that you can edit with any text editor, such as Notepad. The file is located in the Support folder of your AutoCAD installation, or in the Roaming folder of your user profile. You can also use the Browse button in the Command Alias Editor to locate the file. You can copy, rename, backup, or restore the file as needed, but you need to restart AutoCAD for any changes to take effect. You can also share the file with other users or computers, but you need to make sure that the commands and macros that you reference in your aliases and shortcuts are available and compatible.

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CARL PORTMAN

Freelance Autodesk Registered Gold Standard CAD Trainer and Design Director Procad Automotive Ltd
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Rip AutoCAD to pieces in the CUI put your commands/icons on multiple tool palettes and put proper macros behind them learn the * ; . Join me in class or on line in an Intermediate or Advanced class. Make Autocad fly ✈️👍

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you customize commands and shortcuts in AutoCAD?

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1 Why customize commands and shortcuts?

2 How to create custom commands and shortcuts?

3 How to edit custom commands and shortcuts?

4 How to delete custom commands and shortcuts?

5 How to use custom commands and shortcuts?

6 How to manage custom commands and shortcuts?

7 Here’s what else to consider

Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

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How can you customize commands and shortcuts in AutoCAD?

1

2

3

4

5

6

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1 Why customize commands and shortcuts?

2 How to create custom commands and shortcuts?

3 How to edit custom commands and shortcuts?

4 How to delete custom commands and shortcuts?

5 How to use custom commands and shortcuts?

6 How to manage custom commands and shortcuts?

7 Here’s what else to consider

Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

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