Commands for AutoCAD

AutoCAD commands are precise instructions given by users to determine which function to execute. These instructions are inserted in the command window (Ctrl + 9), then accepted to activate variables within the system. 

Table of Contents

• APPLOAD
• AREA
• BACKGROUND
• BMPOUT
• BOX
• BURST
• CHSPACE
• CLOSEALL
• COLOR
• DIMALIGNED
• DIMANGULAR
• DIMBASELINE
• DIMRADIO
• DIMTEDIT
• EDGESURF
• EXPLODE
• ID
• LIGHT
• LINETYPE
• MATLIB
• MLINE
• Mledit
• MULTIPLE
• MVSETUP
• OOPS
• OVERKILL
• PageSetup
• PFACE
• PREVIEW
• PURGE
• Qdim
• QLEADER
• QSAVE
• QSELECT
• RECOVER
• RENDER
• REVOLVE
• RULESURF
• SAVEALL
• SHOWMAT
• SKETCH
• SPELL
• SUBTRACT
• TABLET
• TIME
• U
• UNDEFINED
• VPorts
• XLINE
• 3DSOUT

References

APPLOAD

Allows you to define which applications to load when you start or open AutoCAD. This command is very useful if AutoCAD has problems when running the program on your computer. 

AREA

You can calculate the perimeter and area of ​​any object or surface you have selected. You only need to select vertex by vertex, always taking into account the metric units you have defined in the configuration at the beginning of your project. 

BACKGROUND

With this you can choose a background image that will be displayed in the work area. Among the options, you can choose a single solid color, a gradient color or any image you have saved on your computer.

BMPOUT

This way you generate a bitmap image in .bmp format. You just need to select a series of objects, surfaces or regions.

BOX

Create a 3D frame. You just have to define the height, width and depth.

BURST

This command explodes a block or an object of your choice, without changing the attributes you have defined for them after exploding it. It is a very useful command when printing, since if you use it well you will not find any mismatches at the end.  

CHSPACE

You can move any drawing you are working on to the model and vice versa. The advantage of using this command is that the objects in your drawing are automatically scaled in the new space, without changing their attributes. 

CLOSEALL

When you execute it, you will close all the windows you have open in AutoCAD. However, this command allows you to save any changes you have made before closing the windows. Unlike QUIT, you will still be in AutoCAD but it will lead to the launching interface. 

COLOR

Select a layer color for all your future objects, surfaces and lines.

DIMALIGNED

Create a dimension that is aligned with an axis and / or line.

DIMANGULAR

Creates a dimension that is aligned with an arc or circle.

DIMBASELINE

Generates a linear, angular or coordinated dimension, starting from a baseline of a previous dimension in which you have been working. 

DIMRADIO

Allows you to create a radius dimension that is useful when drawing circles and arcs. You should not confuse this command with similar ones like DIMANGULAR and DIMBASELINE.

DIMTEDIT

Lets you edit the text location of already existing dimensions.

EDGESURF

Generates a three-dimensional polygonal mesh.

EXPLODE

It will split or break an object or block, and will allow you to have all its components individually. Therefore, it is very useful when cutting blocks into parts that are more useful to you. Take into account, but you must make sure you are in the correct layer before executing this command.

ID

Shows you the coordinates of any point on your worksheet.

LIGHT

Helps you manage lights and lighting effects in 3D models. This command will probably ask you to change your graphics window or turn off the default lighting you are using at the moment. 

LINETYPE

Generate, organize and choose any type of line.

MATLIB

Your materials can be imported and / or exported to a library of your choice. 

MLINE

You can create multiple parallel lines.

MLEDIT

Edit multiple parallel lines. 

MULTIPLE

Allows you to repeat MVSETUP until you cancel it with the Esc key. 

MVSETUP

Allows you to configure the design of your drawing.

OOPS

If you have deleted objects by mistake, this command restores the items if you recently deleted them. The advantage it has over U is that you can use it, even if you have already run BLOCK or WBLOCK. The above commands allow you to export selected items to a new .dwg file). This is because those commands can delete selected objects, even if you have created a block.

However, keep in mind that you cannot use OOPS after PURGE.

OVERKILL

This is a very important command because it cleans your designs. Meaning that it reviews the entire model and eliminates the elements that are duplicated or superimposed. It is very convenient because it helps you keep a clean and ordered drawing. 

PAGESETUP

You can specify the design of your page, in addition to the device you are drawing on, the paper size and other settings for each new design you start. 

PFACE

Generates a 3D mesh vertex ordered by vertex.

PREVIEW

Use this command before printing, it shows how the drawing will look when you already have it on paper or send it to a plotter. Remember that for this you must have configured the page layout with the PAGESTEUP command.

PURGE

Be careful with this command, since it eliminates the objects that are not being used in the drawing you are working on, through a series of filters: blocks, layers, materials, line thickness, texts, among others. Although it is very useful, the changes cannot be reversed. 

QDIM

Allows you to quickly generate a dimension, after you have selected objects.

QLEADER

With this you quickly create a leader and an accompanying score.

QSAVE

Save the file you are working on automatically. It is a very useful command when AutoCAD stops working and you have not saved your work yet. If you have not named the file yet, this command will work the same way as SAVEAS.

QSELECT

Allows you to quickly select objects according to a list of filters of your choice, such as: colors, line type and layers, many others. 

RECOVER

If you have a damaged file, this command helps you recover it. 

RENDER

Generates a render of the model you’re working on.

REVOLVE

Generates 3D rotated solids by rotating 2D objects around an axis you have defined. 

RULESURF

Generates a surface that puts together two curves that you have previously defined.

SAVEALL

Allows you to automatically save all the drawings you are currently working on. 

SHOWMAT

Shows you a series of information about an object that you have selected. This includes line thickness, color, dimensions, radius and area.

SKETCH

Generates a series of drawing segments.

SPELL

Helps you check the spelling in texts using the language settings your operating system is using, but not AutoCAD.

SUBTRACT

Generates a region from a solid of your choice, as well as surfaces or regions by subtraction.

TABLET

Configure and calibrate a tablet or Wacom.

TIME

Shows you a table with statistics of the file you are currently working on. This includes the creation date, its latest update and editing time. The stopwatch can be activated or deactivated as you need it. 

U

Undo the action you just made, just like Ctrl + Z. 

UNDEFINED

This deletes some AutoCAD command that you previously used, including this one. If you want to step back, just use the REDEFINE command.

VPORTS

Allows you to manage AutoCad windows with 2D and 3D models.

XLINE

Generates an infinite line.

3DSOUT

Allows you to export a file that is compatible with 3D Studio, in .3ds format. 

References:

Autodesk, 2020 [Online] Link: https://www.autodesk.com/shortcuts/autocad

Autodesk, 2020 [Online] Link: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/en/support/autocad/learn-explore /caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2018/ESP/AutoCAD-Core/files/GUID-BB0C3E79-66AF-4557-9140-D31B4CF3C9CF-htm.html