The most useful keyboard shortcuts for ArchiCAD

[Eric Bobrow]

Hi Everyone -

I am going to create a new ArchiCAD video tutorial focused on keyboard shortcuts and quick mouse-clicks. I want to go beyond the simple browser-based reference list and demonstrate the most useful ones onscreen.

I would love to get your suggestions for this topic, to make sure I create the best reference possible.

Below is a list of the current shortcuts that I will include - please respond and add your comments and suggestions if you have any ideas for things that I may have forgotten. I'm particularly interested in the ones that seem "cool" or that you "couldn't live without" or that are "hidden" (not widely known).

THE MOST IMPORTANT AND USEFUL KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS FOR ARCHICAD

• GENERAL
  
  Open File: Command/CTRL - O
  Save File: Command/CTRL - S
  Print: Command/CTRL - P
  
  Command/CTRL - L: Layer Settings dialog
  
  CANCEL AND UNDO
  
  Escape key: one of the following actions (in this order) -
  Cancels current editing or drawing operation (if one is in process)
  Deselects Elements (if any are selected)
  Removes Marquee (if drawn)
  Switches to Arrow Tool (if set to another tool)
  
  Delete(Mac)/Backspace(PC) key: Backs up one step at a time in polywall, polyline or polygon input
  
  Command/CTRL - Z: Undo
  Option-Command / ALT-CTRL - Z: Redo
  
  COORDINATE VALUES AND PLACEMENT
  
  x, y, r, a, d: Set coordinate values in Tracker (d = distance = r = radius)
  + (plus key): add current value (whichever coordinate is being edited) to previous value shown in Tracker
  - (minus or dash key): subtract current value from previous value in Tracker
  (NOTE: in U.S., two dashes are necessary; one can be a separator between feet and inches, e.g. 5-6-)
  
  Enter key: confirms current Tracker values as shown or current mouse position, and clicks mouse
  
  b, t: In Info Box, set base and top values for wall, beam, column, slab, stair, mesh, object
  Windows and Doors accept b or t depending on which anchor is set
  Roofs accept b for pivot line height
  
  Shift-` (PC) or Custom shortcut (Mac): Create Guideline segment
  
  Shift-Option / ALT-SHIFT:
  Moves User Origin to node point (on the fly)
  
  SELECTION
  
  Shift key - temporarily activates Arrow tool; adds to selection set; removes from selection set
  
  NOTE: Shift key held down while drawing or editing (rubber-band line visible) constrains cursor to nearest known angle. ArchiCAD determines the nearest end or node point and makes that the Edit Origin; then determines the nearest known angle.
  
  W key:
  Built-in shortcut to toggle between the Arrow tool and the last used drawing tool
  
  TAB key:
  When hovering with the Arrow tool or Shift key over two or more overlapping elements, cycles through elements allowing you to choose which one to select
  
  Spacebar (holding down with Arrow tool active, or with Shift key also held down) - toggles QuickSelect (magnet) mode
  
  Group: Command/CTRL - G
  Ungroup: Option-Command/ALT-CTRL - G
  Suspend Groups: Option/ALT - G
  
  SETTINGS
  
  Command/CTRL - T:
  Element Settings (opens dialog based on which tool is active in Toolbox)
  Default Settings if nothing is selected; or Selected Element Settings
  
  Command-Option/CTRL-ALT - T:
  Edit Selection Set (allows parameter setting for multiple types of elements in one dialog)
  
  Option / ALT – Click: Eye-dropper
  
  Option-Command / ALT-CTRL – Click: Syringe
  
  Option-Command / ALT-CTRL – Click [in library part window]:
  Selects different part while transfering parameters, keeps style or “family resemblance”
  
  DRAWING AND EDITING
  
  Drag: Command/CTRL - D
  Rotate: Command/CTRL - E (NOTE: "e" is the last letter of "Rotate")
  Mirror: Command/CTRL - M
  
  Press and release Option / CTRL key:
  During Move, Rotate, Mirror or Elevate command, will make a copy
  
  Press and release Option-Command / CTRL-ALT keys:
  During Move, Rotate, Mirror or Elevate command, will make multiple copies until the Escape key is pressed
  
  Command/CTRL - U: Multiply
  
  Spacebar
  With a linear or polygon drawing tool active (e.g. wall, slab, roof, fill, line, polyline, arc, etc.)
  Magic Wand (autotrace)
  
  Drafting shortcuts in the Toolbar:
  Trim, Split, Adjust, Intersect, Fillet
  Keyboard shortcuts including the use of the Command or Control key by itself to Trim pieces with the scissors icon
  
  Command / CTRL – Click (depends on context):
  Nothing selected - Scissors icon - Trim pieces of linear or curved elements
  Dimension chain selected - add points
  Walls or Lines selected - Adjust to meet the edge of another element
  Wall(s) and/or Roof(s) selected - Trim or Crop to clicked element (roof or wall)
  
  NAVIGATION KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
  
  F2: Floor Plan
  F3: Show 3D Window (last-used selection or marquee will be active)
  Command/CTRL - F3: Axonometric view mode
  Option/ALT - F3: Perspective view mode
  F4 (Mac) / F5 (Windows): Show Selection/Marquee in 3D
  Command-F4 (Mac) / CTRL-F5 (Windows): Show All in 3D
  F6: Last Section
  F7: Last Layout
  
  Fit in Window
  Command / CTRL - '
  On Windows, and recent versions on Mac: Double-click middle-mouse button
  
  Mouse middle-button press: Pan view
  NOTE: There is a free add-on called Magic Prefs that makes this work for the Apple Magic Mouse, which does not have any buttons
  
  O key:
  In 3D window, triggers Orbit mode; end Orbit by hitting O again or using Escape key
  Middle-button plus Shift key:
  In 3D view, activates Orbit mode; release buttons to end Orbit mode
  
  Cursor keys (Left, Right, Up, Down):
  Scroll in that direction
  
  In Plan:
  Command / CTRL – Up Arrow: Go up a story
  Command / CTRL – Down Arrow: Go down a story
  
  In Layout Book:
  Option / ALT - Left Arrow: Previous Layout
  Option / ALT - Right Arrow: Next Layout
  
  MISCELLANEOUS SHORTCUTS
  
  Shift – Cursor keys (Left, Right, Up, Down):
  Nudge selected element(s) the distance set in the Snap Grid
  
  Shift-Option / Shift-ALT – Cursor keys:
  Nudge selected elements the larger distance set in the Construction Grid
  
  Shift-S:
  Turns on or off the Grid Snap (NOTE: this used to be “s” without the Shift-key modifier)
  
  M key:
  Measure tool; hit M again or Escape to finish Measure mode
  
  Q key:
  While drawing or editing an element with the mouse constrained on an angle (usually with the Shift key), this will cycle through Cursor Snap Variations.
  
  F key:
  While editing an element with a Pet Palette option in effect, this will “flick” through the available Pet Palette options.
  
  SPECIAL MOUSE CLICKS
  
  Double-click Magnifier Plus button: Zoom in to twice the magnification
  Double-click Magnifier Minus button: Zoom out to half the magnification
  
  Favorites palette – double-click: Activate tool and set default;
  If elements of that type are selected, injects the saved settings into the element(s)
  
  Flick buttons [<< and >>] in Library Part Settings or Info Box:
  Switches to next or previous library part; has the side effect of resetting the library part to the default settings.
  
  Empty hole button:
  In Window or Door Settings or Info Box, will switch to Empty Opening while maintaining the same width and height.
  
  Arrow-click or Shift-click on EDGE of hole (within polygon element such as Slab, Roof, Mesh, Fill, etc.):
  Select HOLE only (allows the hole to be dragged, drag a copy, multiply, deleted, etc.)

Please respond with your comments and suggestions as soon as possible.

Thanks for your help in this little project!

Eric

[Anonymous]

Great! thanks a lot!

[David Maudlin]

Benjaminmeyer wrote:
or better, what the command's called so I can give it the shortcut I want?

Switch Geometry Method. Go to Work Environment > Shortcut Schemes > Keyboard Shortcuts, List: All commands by theme, look in folder 11 Actions.

David

[Anonymous]

some of mine:

I went ahead and mapped the Keyboard shortcut to F4 by going in Options/Work Environment/Keyboard Shortcuts... , go to " List " section in the menu located to the right, select "All commands in Alphabetical order" , search for Keyboard Shortcuts command , check the option ''all window types'' , so that it works both in 2D and 3D view, assign F4 key.

These are default shortcuts:
F5 - Isolate Object in 3D (view)
CTRL+F5 - Unisolate Object
CTRL+\ - Fullscreen
ALT + LC (eyedropper tool - inherits properties for later injection into object)
CTRL+ALT + LC (inject properties)
CTRL+D+ left click - drag a copy

G, C - the single-key shortcuts 'C' and 'G' toggle between the 'construction' and 'geometry' methods for most of the tools
[default]
SHIFT + F - toggles tools from the pet pallete !!! [default]

CTRL+ K = resize object [default]


Custom keys mapped by me:

F, R, M, W - intersect, rotate , mirror, wall
(I used F for intersect after being used to fillet in autocad) - R for rotate and M for mirror are , again, after using autocad

ALT + 1 - go down a story
ALT + 2 - go up a story

CTRL+R (instead of CTRL+T) for active Tool Settings - since it's more handy,... R is closer to the left hand than T is.
For this to work for the active selected object, assign it to the 3rd Tool Settings command in the ALphabetical list. Because there are two more that are named the same but they serve a different function.


F9 - Dimension (for dimensioning, I have yet to come with another more handy shortcut for this)
F11 - Open Source View

I mapped these for the QUick Layers Pallette:
Hide selection layer - CTRL + 2
Show/Hide layers - CTRL + 4
Hide other layers - CTRL + 5
CTRL+6 - Undo Quick Layer action


F1 - (when you have any type of menu open , if you press F1, a browser page with explanations of that tool will open)

[Anonymous]

Fez1974 wrote:

jcrarch wrote:
Here's a shortcut I like to use: When my left hand is on the keys & my right hand is on the mouse I don't use the DELETE key on the right hand side of my keyboard. Instead, I use the CUT command with a keyboard shortcut that is on the left hand side of my keyboard. Slightly unconventional, but that's what I do.

Hi Jcrach, this is exactly what I'm after as I find it a pain to keep reaching across to press the delete button when I'm doing lots of dimensioning. How ever I cannot get the cut command to work. Is it the cut as in 'ctl x'

I use the letter E from Erase in autocad, since i'm used to it in that workflow.
(instead of Q or DEL)

[Anonymous]

Benjaminmeyer wrote:
Hi all,

I can't find the shortcut method to toggle between anchor points while placing a door or window. In older versions of AC, this was easy. Now, I can't even find the menu it's in so I can configure one.

Does someone know the standard one? or better, what the command's called so I can give it the shortcut I want?

It's the letter G.
the action name is "switch geometry methods''
1.Select window tool.
2.click on a wall
3.press G a couple of times.
You're welcome.


same for letter C while you have an active tool selected : '' switch construction methods"

[Anonymous]

Hope someone know this one... When drawing hatch/ fill freehand, is there a way to toggle/ tab on the fly-out, instead of having to use the mouse to click an option on the fly-out controls? Thanks!

[Erwin Edel]

F and shift+F move to next/previous icon.

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone

/I was looking for a keyboard zoom in/out shortcut as I'm a quadriplegic and I can't use a scroll wheel

thx
Shane

[Barry Kelly]

NoHands wrote:
Hi everyone

/I was looking for a keyboard zoom in/out shortcut as I'm a quadriplegic and I can't use a scroll wheel

thx
Shane

You should find that the '+' and '-' keys do this.
You can assign your own keyboard shortcuts in the Work Environment, so you can add shortcuts for commands that don't have one already, or you can change existing ones to a more convenient one.

Barry.

[Anonymous]

Thanks heaps Barry