Autocad 2d shortcuts

by Design Workshop Sydney

Feb25

As with many programs, the user’s speed and efficiency will be greatly enhanced by the use of keyboard shortcuts. This is something we utilize all the time when working in our Autocad 2d classes.  autocad-2d-shortcut-keys
And, as with most programs, there are usually three or four ways of performing an operation. Autocad commands can be executed from the drop-down menus – this is probably the slowest method. You can also use the tools arranged in tabs on the Ribbon at the top of the screen. And there are context-sensitive commands available on right-clicking. But by far the quickest way of executing a command is via keyboard shortcuts.
Some of these are common to the Microsoft commands, such as Control + S for Save,  Control + O for Open, Control + P for Print, and Control + Z for Undo. These apply to the Windows operating system; if you are working on a Macintosh, use Command instead of Control, and the Option key instead of the Alt key.
Autocad is primarily a drafting program, and so most of its keyboard shortcuts apply to the drawing and modifying commands. For example, L + Enter for the Line tool. REC + Enter is Rectangle tool, and A + Enter is for the Arc tool. You must always hit Enter after the key.  C is a bit unusual in that it depends on the context: when choosing a tool C is for the Circle tool, but when in the middle of drawing C stands for Close a shape. PL is to draw Polylines.
Keyboard shortcuts are also used when modifying existing shapes. M for Move, CP for Copy, O for Offset, MI for Mirror, SC for Scale. AR is for Array, X is to Explode a block,  F to Fillet a corner, TR for Trim. And as above you must always hit Enter after the keys.
Keyboard shortcuts are also used to represent features on the bottom Status bar: F2 for Text Screen, F3 for Object Snap, F5 for Isometric Views, F7 for Grid, F8 for Ortho, F9 for Snap to Grid. And there are several miscellaneous shortcuts: LA for Layer Properties Manager, DI to measure distance, DC to launch the Autocad Design Centre, XR to import an External Reference.
There are many other 2d shortcuts, but these are probably the most used. For a full list see the AutoDesk website. And see many examples of our Autocad clients’ work on our Facebook page.
Other related Autocad 2d Blog Posts: