Cross-Platform CAD Shortcuts Matrix
Compare drafting keyboard shortcuts across AutoCAD, GstarCAD, ZWCAD, and DWG FastView side-by-side. Find commands, copy aliases, or print the layout as your office desk cheat sheet.
Creates straight line segments.
Universal command across all CAD systems.
Creates a circle based on center/radius or diameter.
Supports 2P, 3P, and Ttr options.
Creates an arc using three points.
Default option is 3-point arc.
Creates a rectangular polyline.
Creates closed 2D polylines.
Creates a 2D polyline, a single object composed of line and arc segments.
Crucial command for high-performance BIM conversion later.
Creates an equilateral closed polyline.
Specify number of sides (3-1024).
Fills an enclosed area or selected objects with a hatch pattern.
DWG FastView mobile displays hatches but editing is limited.
Creates an ellipse or an elliptical arc.
Calculated using major and minor axes.
Removes objects from a drawing.
Delete key is the preferred cross-platform shortcut.
Copies objects a specified distance in a specified direction.
Both CO and CP trigger the copy command.
Creates a mirrored copy of selected objects.
Option to delete or retain original objects after mirroring.
Creates concentric circles, parallel lines, and parallel curves.
Highly utilized command in floor plan drafting.
Moves objects a specified distance in a specified direction.
Fully standardized.
Rotates objects around a base point.
Supports reference angle rotations.
Enlarges or reduces selected objects, keeping the proportions.
Allows scaling by a scale factor or a reference distance.
Stretches objects crossed by a selection window or polygon.
Requires a crossing selection (right-to-left green window).
Trims objects to meet the edges of other objects.
AutoCAD 2021+ defaults to Quick Mode, others use standard select-cutting-edge mode.
Extends objects to meet the edges of other objects.
Shares similar logic to TRIM. Shift-click while trimming extends objects.
Rounds and fillets the edges of objects.
Radius parameter controls fillet curve (Radius=0 cleans corners).
Breaks a compound object into its component objects (e.g. blocks to lines).
Crucial for dynamic block splitting.
Creates a multiline text object (MText).
Preferred over single-line text (TEXT) for modern annotation.
Creates a linear dimension (horizontal or vertical).
Aligned dimensions should use DAL.
Creates an aligned linear dimension.
Aligns the dimension line parallel to the origin points.
Creates and modifies dimension styles.
Important for maintaining scale consistency in drawings.
Creates a leader line that connects annotation to a feature.
AutoCAD defaults to MLEADER, but LE / QLEADER works universally.
Applies the properties of a selected object to other objects.
Matches color, layer, linetype, scale, etc.
Creates a block definition from selected objects.
Allows saving repetitive geometries into reusable symbols.
Inserts a block or drawing into the current drawing.
In modern AutoCAD, triggers the block palette; in others, opens the classic dialog box.
Measures distance, radius, angle, area, and volume of selected objects.
DI (DIST) is the fastest way to get simple point-to-point distances.
Manages layers and layer properties.
Opens the layer palette/dialog control panel.
Customizes the program settings (files, display, drafting limits).
Opens the main configuration wizard of the desktop CAD.
Printable Poster Optimization
This page has been styled with special CSS print descriptors. Clicking the "Print Sheet (PDF)"button will output a clean, formatted cheat sheet table. We recommend choosing "Save as PDF" or selecting Landscape layout in your print wizard.
How to customize shortcuts (.PGP)
Both AutoCAD and alternative systems (GstarCAD, ZWCAD) store command aliases in an editable acad.pgp or gcad.pgp text file. Type ALIASEDIT or REINIT in your command bar to edit shortcuts or reload custom PGPs instantly.
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