Introduction
AutoCAD 2011 allows the use of over 1000 commands (or tools). A selection of the most commonly used from these commands (tools) is described in this topic. Some of the commands described here have not been used in this topic, because this topic is an introductory text designed to initiate readers into the basic methods of using AutoCAD 2011. It is hoped the list will encourage readers to experiment with those tools not described in the topic. The abbreviations for tools which have them are included in brackets after the tool name. Tool names can be entered at the command line in upper or lower case.
A list of 2D commands is followed by a listing of 3D commands. Internet commands are described at the end of this listing. It must be remembered that not all of the tools available in AutoCAD 2011 are shown here.
The abbreviations for the commands can be found in the file acad.pgp from the folder: C:\Autodesk\AutoCAD_2011_English_Win_32bit_ SLD\x86\acad\en-us\Acad\Program Files\Root\UserDataCache\ Support.
Not all of the commands have abbreviations.
2D commands
About - Brings the About AutoCAD bitmap on screen
Appload - Brings the Load/Unload Applications dialog to screen
Adcenter (dc) – Brings the DesignCenter palette on screen
Align (al) - Aligns objects between chosen points Arc (a) – Creates an arc
Area - States in square units of the area selected from a number of points
Array (ar) - Creates Rectangular or Polar arrays in 2D
Ase - Brings the dbConnect Manager on screen
Attdef - Brings the Attribute Definition dialog on screen
Attedit - Allows editing of attributes from the Command line
Audit - Checks and fixes any errors in a drawing
Autopublish - Creates a DWF file for the drawing on screen
Bhatch (h) - Brings the Boundary Hatch dialog on screen
Block - Brings the Block Definition dialog on screen
Bmake (b) - Brings the Block Definition dialog on screen
Bmpout - Brings the Create Raster File dialog
Boundary (bo) - Brings the Boundary Creation dialog on screen
Break (br) - Breaks an object into parts
Cal - Calculates mathematical expressions Chamfer (cha) – Creates a chamfer between two entities Chprop (ch) – Brings the Properties window on screen Circle (c) – Creates a circle
Copytolayer - Copies objects from one layer to another
Copy (co) - Creates a single or multiple copies of selected entities
Copyclip (Ctrl+C) - Copies a drawing or part of a drawing for inserting into a document from another application Copylink – Forms a link between an AutoCAD drawing and its appearance in another application such as a word processing package Customize – Brings the Customize dialog to screen, allowing the customisation of toolbars, palettes, etc. Dashboard – Has the same action as Ribbon Dashboardclose – Closes the Ribbon
Ddattdef (at) - Brings the Attribute Definition dialog to screen
Ddatte (ate) - Edits individual attribute values
Ddcolor (col) - Brings the Select Color dialog on screen
Ddedit (ed) - The Text Formatting dialog box appears on selecting text
Ddim (d) - Brings the Dimension Style Manager dialog box on screen
Ddinsert (i) - Brings the Insert dialog on screen
Ddmodify - Brings the Properties window on screen
Ddosnap (os) – Brings the Drafting Settings dialog on screen
Ddptype - Brings the Point Style dialog on screen
Ddrmodes (rm) – Brings the Drafting Settings dialog on screen
Ddunits (un) – Brings the Drawing Units dialogue on screen
Ddview (v) - Brings the View Manager on screen
Del - Allows a file (or any file) to be deleted
Dgnexport - Creates a MicroStation V8 dgn file from the drawing on screen
Dgnimport - Allows a MicroStation V8 dgn file to be imported as an
AutoCAD dwg file Dim – Starts a session of dimensioning
Dimension tools - The Dimension toolbar contains the following tools -Linear, Aligned, Arc Length, Ordinate, Radius, Jogged, Diameter, Angular, Quick Dimension, Baseline, Continue, Quick Leader, Tolerance, Center Mark, Dimension Edit, Dimension Edit Text, Update and Dimension Style Dim1 – Allows the addition of a single addition of a dimension to a drawing
Dist (di) - Measures the distance between two points in coordinate units
Distantlight - Creates a distant light
Divide (div) – Divides and entity into equal parts
Donut (do) - Creates a donut
Dsviewer - Brings the Aerial View window on screen
Dtext (dt) - Creates dynamic text. Text appears in drawing area as it is entered
Dxbin - Brings the Select DXB File dialog on screen
Dxfin - Brings the Select File dialog on screen
Dxfout - Brings the Save Drawing As dialog on screen
Ellipse (el) - Creates an ellipse Erase (e) – Erases selected entities from a drawing
Exit - Ends a drawing session and closes AutoCAD 2009
Explode (x) - Explodes a block or group into its various entities
Explorer - Brings the Windows Explorer on screen
Export (exp) - Brings the Export Data dialog on screen
Extend (ex) - To extend an entity to another
Fillet (f) - Creates a fillet between two entities
Filter - Brings the Object Selection Filters dialog on screen
Gradient - Brings the Hatch and Gradient dialog on screen
Group (g) – Brings the Object Grouping dialog on screen
Hatch - Allows hatching by the entry responses to prompts
Hatchedit (he) – Allows editing of associative hatching
Help - Brings the AutoCAD 2009
Help: User Documentation dialog on screen
Hide (hi) - To hide hidden lines in 3D models Id – Identifies a point on screen in coordinate units Imageadjust (iad) – Allows adjustment of images
Iimageattach (iat) – Brings the Select Image File dialog on screen
Imageclip - Allows clipping of images
Import - Brings the Import File dialog on screen
Insert (i) - Brings the Inert dialog on screen
Iinsertobj - Brings the Insert Object dialog on screen
Isoplane (Ctrl/E) - Sets the isoplane when constructing an isometric drawing
Join (j) - Join lines which are in line with each other or arcs which are from the same centre point
Laycur - Changes layer of selected objects to current layer
Laydel - Deletes and purges a layer with its contents
Layer (la) - Brings the Layer Properties Manager dialog on screen
Layout - Allows editing of layouts
Lengthen (len) - Lengthens an entity on screen
Limits - Sets the drawing limits in coordinate units
Line (l) - Creates a line
Linetype (lt) - Brings the Linetype Manager dialog on screen
List (li) - Lists in a text window details of any entity or group of entities selected
Load - Brings the Select Shape File dialog on screen
Ltscale (lts) - Allows the linetype scale to be adjusted
Measure (me) - Allows measured intervals to be placed along entities
Menu - Brings the Select Customization File dialog on screen
Menuload - Brings the Load/Unload Customizations dialog on screen
Mirror (mi) - Creates an identical mirror image to selected entities
Mledit - Brings the Multiline Edit Tools dialog on screen
Mline (ml) - Creates mlines
Mlstyle - Brings the Multiline Styles dialog on screen
Move (m) - Allows selected entities to be moved
Mslide - Brings the Create Slide File dialog on screen
Mspace (ms) - When in PSpace changes to MSpace
Mtext (mt or t) - Brings the Multiline Text Editor on screen
Mview (mv) - To make settings of viewports in Paper Space
Mvsetup - Allows drawing specifications to be set up
New (Ctrl+N) – Brings the Select template dialog on screen
Notepad - For editing files from the Windows Notepad
Offset (o) - Offsets selected entity by a stated distance
Oops - Cancels the effect of using Erase
Open - Brings the Select File dialog on screen
Options - Brings the Options dialog to screen
Ortho - Allows ortho to be set ON/OFF
Osnap (os) - Brings the Drafting Settings dialog to screen
Pagesetup – Brings either the Page Setup Manager on screen
Pan (p) - Drags a drawing in any direction
Pbrush - Brings Windows Paint on screen
Pedit (pe) - Allows editing of polylines. One of the options is Multiple allowing continuous editing of polylines without closing the command
Pline (pl) - Creates a polyline
Plot (Ctrl+ P) - Brings the Plot dialog to screen
Point (po) - Allows a point to be placed on screen
Polygon (pol) - Creates a polygon
Polyline (pl) - Creates a polyline
Preferences (pr) - Brings the Options dialog on screen
Preview (pre) - Brings the print/plot preview box on screen
Properties - Brings the Properties palette on screen
Psfill - Allows polylines to be filled with patterns
Psout - Brings the Create Postscript File dialog on screen
Purge (pu) - Purges unwanted data from a drawing before saving to file
Qsave - Saves the drawing file to its current name in AutoCAD 2009
Quickcalc (qc) - Brings the QUICKCALC palette to screen
Quit - Ends a drawing session and closes down AutoCAD 2009 Ray – A construction line from a point
Recover - Brings the Select File dialog on screen to allow recovery of selected drawings as necessary
Recoverall - Repairs damaged drawing
Rectang (rec) - Creates a pline rectangle
Redefine - If an AutoCAD command name has been turned off by Undefine, Redefine turns the command name back on Redo – Cancels the last Undo
Redraw (r) – Redraws the contents of the AutoCAD 2009 drawing area
Redrawall (ra) - Redraws the whole of a drawing
Regen (re) - Regenerates the contents of the AutoCAD 2009 drawing area
Regenall (rea) – Regenerates the whole of a drawing
Region (reg) - Creates a region from an area within a boundary
Rename (ren) - Brings the Rename dialog on screen
Revcloud - Forms a cloud-like outline around objects in a drawing to which attention needs to be drawn
Ribbon - Brings the ribbon on screen
Ribbonclose - Closes the ribbon
Save (Ctrl+S) - Brings the Save Drawing As dialog box on screen
Saveas - Brings the Save Drawing As dialog box on screen
Saveimg - Brings the Render Output File dialog on screen
Scale (sc) - Allows selected entities to be scaled in size – smaller or larger
Script (scr) - Brings the Select Script File dialog on screen
Setvar (set) - Can be used to bring a list of the settings of set variables into an AutoCAD Text window
Shape - Inserts an already loaded shape into a drawing
Shell - Allows MS-DOS commands to be entered
Sketch - Allows freehand sketching
Solid (so) - Creates a filled outline in triangular parts
Spell (sp) - Brings the Check Spelling dialog on screen
Spline (spl) - Creates a spline curve through selected points
Splinedit (spe) - Allows the editing of a spline curve
Status - Shows the status (particularly memory use) in a Text window
Stretch (s) - Allows selected entities to be stretched
Style (st) - Brings the Text Styles dialog on screen
Tablet (ta) - Allows a tablet to be used with a pointing device
Tbconfig - Brings the Customize dialog on screen to allow configuration of a toolbar
Text - Allows text from the Command line to be entered into a drawing
Thickness (th) - Sets the thickness for the Elevation command
Tilemode - Allows settings to enable Paper Space
Tolerance - Brings the Geometric Tolerance dialog on screen
Toolbar (to) - Brings the Customize User Interface dialog on screen
Trim (tr) - Allows entities to be trimmed up to other entities
Type - Types the contents of a named file to screen
UCS - Allows selection of UCS (User Coordinate System) facilities
Undefine - Suppresses an AutoCAD command name
Undo (u) (Ctrl+Z) - Undoes the last action of a tool
View - Brings the View dialog on screen
Vplayer - Controls the visibility of layers in Paperspace
Vports - Brings the Viewports dialog on screen
Vslide - Brings the Select Slide File dialog on screen
Wblock (w) - Brings the Create Drawing File dialog on screen
Wmfin - Brings the Import WMF dialog on screen
Wipeout - Forms a polygonal outline within which all crossed parts of objects are erased
Wmfopts - Brings the WMF in Options dialog on screen
Wmfout - Brings the Create WMF File dialog on screen
Xattach (xa) – Brings the Select Reference File dialog on screen
Xline - Creates a construction line
Xref (xr) - Brings the Xref Manager dialog on screen
Zoom (z) - Brings the zoom tool into action
3D commands
3darray – Creates an array of 3D models in 3D space
3dface (3f) - Creates a 3- or 4-sided 3D mesh behind which other features can be hidden
3dmesh - Creates a 3D mesh in 3D space
3dcorbit - Allows methods of manipulating 3D models on screen
3ddistance - Allows the controlling of the distance of 3D models from the operator
3dfly - Allows walkthroughs in any 3D plane
3dforbit - Controls the viewing of 3D models without constraint
3dmove - Shows a 3D move icon
3dorbit (3do) - Allows a continuous movement and other methods of manipulation of 3D models on screen
3dorbitctr - Allows further and a variety of other methods of manipulation of 3D models on screen
3dpan - Allows the panning of 3D models vertically and horizontally on screen
3drotate - Displays a 3D rotate icon
3dsin - Brings the 3D Studio File Import dialog on screen
3dsout - Brings the 3D Studio Output File dialog on screen
3ddwf - Brings up the Export 3D DWF dialog
3dwalk - Starts walk mode in 3D
anipath - Opens the Motion Path Animation dialog
Align - Allows selected entities to be aligned to selected points in 3D space
Ameconvert - Converts AME solid models (from Release 12) into AutoCAD 2000 solid models
Box - Creates a 3D solid box
Cone - Creates a 3D model of a cone
Convertoldlights - Converts lighting from previous releases to AutoCAD 2009 lighting
Convertoldmaterials – Converts materials from previous releases to AutoCAD 2009 materials
Convtosolid - Converts plines and circles with thickness to 3D solids
Convtosurface - Converts objects to surfaces
Cylinder - Creates a 3D cylinder
Dducs (uc) - Brings the UCS dialog on screen
Edgesurf - Creates a 3D mesh surface from four adjoining edges
Extrude (ext) - Extrudes a closed polyline
Flatshot - Brings the Flatshot dialog to screen
Freepoint - Point light created without settings
Freespot - Spot light created without settings Helix – Construct a helix
Interfere - Creates an interference solid from selection of several solids
Intersect (in) - Creates an intersection solid from a group of solids
Light - Enables different forms of lighting to be placed in a scene
Lightlist - Opens the Lights in Model palette
Loft - Activates the Loft command
Materials - Opens the Materials palette
Matlib - Outdated instruction
Mirror3d - Mirrors 3D models in 3D space in selected directions
Mview (mv) - When in PSpace brings in MSpace
objects Pface – Allows the construction of a 3D mesh through a number of selected vertices
Plan - Allows a drawing in 3D space to be seen in plan (UCS World)
Planesurf - Creates a planar surface
Pointlight - Allows a point light to be created
Pspace (ps) – Changes MSpace to PSpace
Pyramid - Creates a pyramid
Renderpresets - Opens the Render Presets Manager dialog
Renderwin - Opens the Render window
Revolve (rev) - Forms a solid of revolution from outlines
Revsurf - Creates a solid of revolution from a pline
Rmat - Brings the Materials palette on screen
Rpref (rpr) – Opens the Advanced Render Settings palette
Section (sec) – Creates a section plane in a 3D model
Shade (sha) – Shades a selected 3D model
Slice (sl) - Allows a 3D model to be cut into several parts
Solprof - Creates a profile from a 3D solid model drawing
Sphere - Creates a 3D solid model sphere
Spotlight - Creates a spotlight
Stlout - Saves a 3D model drawing in ASCII or binary format
Sunproperties - Opens the Sun Properties palette
Torus (tor) - Allows a 3D torus to be created
Ucs - Allows settings of the UCS plane-render – Can be used to make rendering settings from the command line.
Note the hyphen (—) must precede render Sweep – Creates a 3D model from a 2D outline along a path
Tabsurf - Creates a 3D solid from an outline and a direction vector
Ucs - Allows settings of the UCS plane
Union (uni) - Unites 3D solids into a single solid View – Creates view settings for 3D models
Visualstyles - Opens the Visual Styles Manager palette
Vpoint - Allows viewing positions to be set from x,y,z entries
Vports - Brings the Viewports dialog on screen
Wedge (we) – Creates a 3D solid in the shape of a wedge
Xedges - Creates a 3D wireframe for a 3D solid
Internet tools
Etransmit - Brings the Create Transmittal dialog to screen
Publish - Brings the Publish dialog to screen
