Keyboard Shortcuts in IntelliCAD 98

Peter Coburn, Chris Ainsworth & Lisa Preston

Tips & Techniques

IntelliCAD, keyboard, hotkeys, shortcuts

Customizing keyboard shortcuts or "hotkeys" is a simple task in IntelliCAD and virtually all users can benefit from customizing key combinations to suit their own drawing tasks.

The assignment and re-assignment of keyboard shortcuts in IntelliCAD is initiated with the customize command. Type this command at the command line, or from Tools…> Customize, or by placing your pointer arrow over any toolbar button and clicking on the right mouse button.

This command displays the customization tabbed dialog box. The four tabs in this dialog box are Menu, Toolbars, Keyboard and Aliases. Click on the Keyboard tab. A list of the pre-defined Shortcuts will be displayed on the left-hand list box, while in the right hand list box is a list of all the available IntelliCAD commands string combinations. As both lists are in alphabetical order it is very easy to scroll down the list and view the default settings.

Alter an Existing Keyboard Shortcut
Click on a definition key in the left hand list (i.e. Alt+F11). The command associated with this shortcut will be displayed in the Command edit box at the bottom of the displayed dialogue box (i.e. ^C^C^CVBA).

Erase all of this command and replace it with your preferred command by either typing in the command or selecting from the comprehensive list of common command strings supplied in the right hand list. Selecting from the list adds all the correct menu controls to the Command edit box, including the ^C^C^C characters representing the ESC or cancel command if they are required.

Customize keystrokes and keystroke combinations under the Keystroke tab. Create a New Keyboard Shortcut
Click on the New button. From the Keyboard Select the combination of keys you wish to be assigned as the shortcut (i.e. Alt+Ins).

This shortcut will then be displayed in both the left-hand list and the ‘Press new shortcut key’ edit box directly below.

Simply type in your command or select it from the left hand list of commands, (i.e. ^C^C^C(LOAD "MYLISP")).

Delete an Existing Shortcut
Click on the required Shortcut in the left-hand list box and click on the Delete button.

Export Keyboard Shortcuts
Click on the Export button and nominate a file name, *.ICK file type. As the definition of the IntelliCAD Shortcuts are saved in the Windows Registry, you will need to Export these changes to a saved file for transport to another installation or prior to an upgrade. Once transported or the upgrade is complete then Import this file using the Import feature.

If you wish to revert back to the installed default Keyboard Shortcuts click on the Reset button.

Make your changes effective by clicking on the Close button. On this action, IntelliCAD re-defines the list of keyboard shortcuts to the Windows registry and, depending on the speed of your computer, this may take a few seconds. There is no other action required. Your new and modified keyboard shortcuts are immediately available.

Peter Coburn, Chris Ainsworth & Lisa Preston

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