This is the list of some of the most basic AutoCAD commands which every AutoCAD user should know. These are some of the Draw and Modify commands which make the very basics of AutoCAD and if you are just starting to learn autocad then you should know all of these basic commands.
| SHORTCUT/ COMMAND | DESCRIPTION |
| AUDIT | Check and remove errors from your work |
| CLOSEALL | Close all of the open windows in AutoCAD |
| CLOSEALLOTHER | Close all open windows except for the one you are currently working on |
| CO/ COPY | Copy objects or text |
| DI/ DISTANCE | Find the distance between two point in a drawing |
| I/ INSERT | Insert (existing block or drawing as a block) |
| LIST | Access the properties of the different objects within a drawing |
| MATLIB | Import or export materials from a library |
| MULTIPLE | Repeat any command without having to press Enter each time (Press Esc key to cancel) |
| OOPS | Restore the last object you deleted |
| OP/ OPTIONS | Open the options window (contains the settings for AutoCAD) |
| PASTECLIP | Paste copied objects from clipboard into your work |
| PREVIEW | See how your work will be presented when printed |
| QSAVE | Autosave the file you’re working on |
| RECOVERALL | Recover and repair a corrupted or damaged drawing |
| RO/ ROTATE | Rotate an object |
| SAVEALL | Save all of the open drawings in AutoCAD |
| SP/ SPELL | Perform spell check on selected text |
| ST/ DDSTYLE | Open the text style window |
| TIME | Access information such as the date you created a certain piece of work, or time spent editing a drawing |
Drawing
This software is specifically designed with technical drawing in mind, so you’ll find a wide range of geometric shapes and sketching capabilities at your disposal when working in AutoCAD. To save yourself the time of scrolling through the library every time you need a particular line or solid, learn some of these commands:
| SHORTCUT/ COMMAND | DESCRIPTION |
| A/ ARC | Create an arc |
| AREA | Find the area of closed or open shapes in a drawing |
| AR/ ARRAY | Make a rectangle, polar or path array |
| B/ BLOCK | Create a block |
| BCOUNT | Count the number of blocks in your drawing |
| C/ CIRCLE | Create a circle |
| DS/ DDOSNAP | Open the Drafting Settings window |
| GROUP | Group multiple objects into a single unit |
| HIDEOBJECTS | Hide selected objects in a drawing |
| HIGHLIGHT | Highlight a selected object in a drawing |
| ISOLATE | Hide all objects in a drawing except the one you have selected |
| L/ LINE | Create a simple line |
| MI/ MIRROR | Produce a mirror copy of an object |
| MLINE | Create multiple parallel lines |
| PL/ PLINE | Make a polyline |
| PO/ POINT | Create a single point within a drawing |
| POL/ POLYGON | Produce a polygon (you select the number of sides, from 3 to 1024) |
| QSELECT | Make a particular selection from your drawing according to applied filters, i.e – select all lines below a particular length |
| REC/ RECTANGLE | Create a rectangle |
| SKETCH | Draw a freehand sketch within a piece of work |
Modifying
Your first draft is complete—now it’s time to play around with the properties and tweak your designs where necessary. For this stage, the following commands are sure to come in handy:
| SHORTCUT/ COMMAND | DESCRIPTION |
| BASE | Alter the base point of a drawing without changing its origin |
| BREAK | Create a break (or gaps) in objects at one or two points |
| BURST | Explode a block but retain its attribute settings and layer definition |
| CHA/ CHAMFER | Add slanted edges to sharp corners of objects |
| COPYBASE | Copy an object according to a base point |
| DIVIDE | Divide objects into multiple equal parts |
| F/ FILLET | Add rounded corners to the sharp edges of objects |
| LA/ LAYERS | Open the Layer Properties Manage Palette (which allows you to tweak the settings for layers) |
| MA/ MATCHPROPERTIES | Copy the properties of one object onto another |
| MOCORO | Move, copy, rotate and scale an object in one command |
| OVERKILL | Remove overlapping or unnecessary objects from your work |
| PURGE | Remove unused objects from a drawing |
| SC/ SCALE | Change the scale of an object |
| SCALETEXT | Change the scale of text |
| TEXTFIT | Alter the size of a piece of text so that it fits into the required space |
| TEXTTOFRONT | Bring annotations to the front |
| TORIENT | Change the orientation of text |
| TR/ TRIM | Trim a shape or line |
| UNITS | Alter the unit settings of your drawing |
| X/ EXPLODE | Break up an object into its individual components—i.e., a polyline into simple lines |
3D
Fear not—the commands are not exclusive to 2D work! If you’re taking your AutoCAD project to another dimension, there are plenty of commands that can speed up the process. Here’s a brief taster:
| SHORTCUT/ COMMAND | DESCRIPTION |
| 3DALIGN | Align a 3D object with another 3D solid |
| BOX | Create a 3D box |
| FLATSHOT | Convert a 3D drawing into a 2D image and view it from multiple angles |
| HELIX | Create a helix |
| IMPRINT | Imprint a 2D drawing onto the face of a 3D surface within your work |
| INTERFERE | Locate points in a drawing where 3D solids intersect with one another |
| POLYSOLID | Create a 3D wall-like object |
| SECTIONPLANE | Section 3D objects along different planes |
| SURFPATCH | Fill open areas of a surface |
| SURFTRIM | Trim surfaces within a piece of work |
AutoCAD commands: final thoughts
There you have it—an introduction to some of the most useful AutoCAD commands. They really can transform your experience of working with this software and improve overall productivity significantly. Plus, if you reach the level where you’re able to customize the quick access toolbar, you’ll end up with a program tailored to your particular style of work. Mastering the commands is therefore one of the best ways to get the most out of your investment in AutoCAD.
While our list is fairly comprehensive, should you wish to find more, Autodesk include a full guide to shortcuts on their website.
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