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Thursday, May 10, 2012

AutoCAD Quick Tip – How to Edit Command Aliases


AutoCAD commands can be entered via the keyboard in shorter versions called Command Aliases.  These are typically two to three keystroke versions of the regular command.  They allow for quicker input and require less effort.  Most commands have them and there is an easy way to change them or to add more aliases to the default list.


Go to the MANAGE tab on the Ribbon, then the CUSTOMIZATION panel.  Click the EDIT ALIASES button.

This opens the PGP file (the data file containing the assigned aliases) in Windows Notepad.


Scroll down to the bottom of the document.  This is where you should add your custom command aliases.  AutoCAD reads this document from top to bottom.  If there are any conflicts it uses the last option read.  The default alias for the LINE command is L.  I can create a command alias using L for any command.  If I put it at the bottom of this document (the PGP file) then AutoCAD will use my alias.  If I want to revert back to the default alias all I have to do is remove my alias from the bottom.

I have added an alias for the REVCLOUD command.  Follow the format shown to make your own.  On the far left enter in your alias followed by a comma (,).  Then tab over and enter an asterisk (*) then the command.  Save the file.

Go back to AutoCAD and type REINIT on the command line.

This will re-initialize your PGP file.  This will reload the PGP file allowing your changes to take effect.  Otherwise you will have to reload AutoCAD.  Select the PGP File option and click OK.  Try out your new alias.

7 comments:

  1. another nifty way is to use the alias editor in the express tab (or enter 'aliasedit' in the command line... it brings up a dialog box with which you can add, remove or edit shortcuts.

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  2. That is another great way to edit the PGP file. Thanks for the reminder.

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  3. thanks for the article, but i don't understand where exactly should i add my commands? under revcloud?

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  4. i have a problem with this. I have added two commands to the pgp file but only the first is working( i have tried to retype the second one and than done reinit but is still not working... i wanted to change layiso to l;, and layuniso to l. which i was using in another autocad but with the new one acad 12 i have problems changing it.... In previous autocad10 i have used aliasedit but with this is not working.... Could you recommend me a solution?
    thank you

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  5. Olga. Make sure to add your commands at the very bottom of the file. Also make certain you have typed in the information correctly. Here is what you should have:

    l;, *LAYISO

    The l. won't work because the . means something to the code and is interpreting it differently than what you want. You will need to pick a different keystroke combination. Let me know if this helps.

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  6. This worked wonderfully :) I needed to add the FLATTEN command for my Mac version. The ALIASEDIT isn't an option, so I was glad you went at it from the approach you did. Thanks for your help!

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  7. Glad to help Grant. How do you like the Mac version of AutoCAD? Was there a learning curve going from Windows AutoCAD to Mac AutoCAD?

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