Function Keys of AutoCAD: Any software is usually in built with some shortcut keys that can enhance the productivity of the end user. Similarly AutoCAD has function keys that can enable the productivity of the end user.
Function Keys are usually keys on the keyboard starting from F1 to F12. This post will help you master the different function keys of AutoCAD and what they can actually perform when clicked.
Windows Parity. There are plenty of features of AutoCAD for Mac 2018 that bring it more in line with its Windows counterpart. First off is the improved plot and page setup, which previously limited users in printer options and paper sizes.
[important]F1 – Function Key (HELP) [/important]
By pressing the F1 key actually enables the help. Further Pressing F1 while a tooltip or command is active displays Help for that command. Choosing the Help button in a dialog box displays Help for that dialog box.
Note: An alternate way to access the help apart from clicking on F1 Key is to click on and you can access the help.
Command Entry – HELP
Command Entry – HELP
Online Help – Click Here (AutoCAD 2013)
Offline Help – Click Here (AutoCAD 2013)
Offline Help – Click Here (AutoCAD 2013)
[important]F2 – Function Key (TEXT WINDOW) [/important]
By pressing the F2 key actually enables / activates the text window showing the previous command line activity (command history).
Watch a Youtube Video – Click Here
[important]F3 – Function Key (OSNAP) [/important]
By pressing the F3 key actually enables / activates running object snap modes. Ways to access
Status Bar : Ospan
Command Entry – OSPAN
Shortcut menu: Press Shift while right-clicking in the drawing area and choose Osnap Settings.
[important]F4 – Function Key (TABMODE) [/important]
By pressing the F4 key – Controls the use of a tablet input device – by typing TABLET from command prompt – Calibrates, configures, and turns on and off an attached digitizing tablet.
Command Entry – TABMODE
If TABMODE is on, the digitizing tablet can be used to digitize an existing paper drawing into AutoCAD
[important]F5 – Function Key (ISOPLANE) [/important]
By pressing the F5 key activates theIsoplane. The isometric plane affects the cursor movement keys only when Snap mode is on and the snap style is Isometric. If the snap style is Isometric, Ortho mode uses the appropriate axis pair even if Snap mode is off. The current isometric plane also determines the orientation of isometric circles drawn by ELLIPSE.
Command Prompt:ISOPLANE : Enter isometric plane settings : [ Left Right Top ] <top> :
Command: <Isoplane Top>
Command: <Isoplane Right>
Command: <Isoplane Left>
Command: <Isoplane Right>
Command: <Isoplane Left>
[important]F6 – Function Key (DUCS) [/important]
By pressing the F6 key activates the Dynamic UCS on or off for 3D Modeling
[important]F7 – Function Key (GRID) [/important]
By pressing the F7 key activates the Grid command and either turns the GRID ON or GRID OFF
Command Prompt:
Command: GRID
Specify grid spacing(X) or [ON/OFF/Snap/Major/aDaptive/Limits/Follow/Aspect] <0.5000>:
Specify grid spacing(X) or [ON/OFF/Snap/Major/aDaptive/Limits/Follow/Aspect] <0.5000>:
[important]F8 – Function Key (ORTHO) [/important]
By pressing the F8 key activates the ORTHO command to ON or OFF. Activating the ORTHO helps us create lines in straight (linear) Vertical or Horizontal
Command Prompt:
Command: ORTHO
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <OFF>: ON
Enter mode [ON/OFF] <OFF>: ON
[important]F9 – Function Key (SNAP) [/important]
By pressing the F9 key activates the SNAP command to ON or OFF. Further it restricts cursor movement to specified intervals. ( Snap to grid )
Command Prompt:
Command: snap
Specify snap spacing or [ON/OFF/Aspect/Legacy/Style/Type] <0.5000>:
Specify snap spacing or [ON/OFF/Aspect/Legacy/Style/Type] <0.5000>:
[important]F10 – Function Key (POLAR) [/important]
By pressing the F10 key activates the Polar Tracking ON or OFF. Further Polar tracking restricts cursor movement to specified angles. PolarSnap restricts cursor movement to specified increments along a polar angle.
[important]F11 – Function Key (OTRACK) [/important]
By pressing the F11 key activates the OTRACK (Object Snap Tracking) on or off.
Command Prompt:
Command: <Object Snap Tracking off>
Command: <Object Snap Tracking on>
Command: <Object Snap Tracking off>
Command: <Object Snap Tracking on>
[important]F12 – Function Key (DYN) [/important]
By pressing the F12 key activates the Dynamic Input ON or OFF.
We will look at these commands in detail in our later posts.