What Are The Function Keys Used In Autocad

[Hadi Sapre]

Iam running CAD 2007 LT. Old laptop runs windows XP. On black Friday I purchased a new laptop with windows 7. All is well except the F3 & F8 I am so used to aren't allowing me to toggle on off. I have discovered that the fn button (lower left) by the ctrl button will let me toggle 1 time but have to hit the fn each time then F3 or F8.

I went into tools, customize, Interface, keyboard shortcuts, Ortho set to F8. I still have to hold down the fn botton to allow toggle. So I am looking into my windows 7 internal settings. Still getting the warning on every start of a CAD drawing of "There was a problem sending the command to the program".

Don't think so. The settings for the F keys are at default. I am hereing that win. 7 users are having some of the same F key problems. They don't work the same as with XP. Mapping sets the key to exicute the command but the default system only seems to work the F keys when the fn botton (between the ctrl & windows logo) is held down. There is a lot of forum discucion on the subject that has my attention. Going back to Win. XP on my two other computers for know.

XP on new laptop days are numbered, so that's truly not an option for many users either. I suspct in a clean unsinstall and reinstall do not fix the "There was a problem sending the command to the program" issue you may have hit the wall with the old 2007 working in the new Win7.

You'll need to visit Toshiba support or their website to understand how to turn off this hardware setting: HP for example, on their "entertainment" laptops require users to enter the BIOS at startup to turn this hardware setting off.

You were right. I entered into the BIOS and as I strolled along through the settings, I found function keys and I had noticed it was set for (can't remember the exact verbage) but it was set to require to hold down the fn key first.

I bought a new HP laptop with Windows 8 and I downloaded AutoCAD 2014 on to it and my funtion keys are not working. Like I try to push F8 for ortho and it does not work, this lowers the volume on the laptop...could anyone please telll me how to fix this because it's a real hassle to have to move down to the bottom of the screen to toggle on and off options like ortho everytime i need to...

That sounds like its an HP fix. Function buttons on laptops will have more than one function. You need to look through your manual to find out how to toggle them between volume control and normal function.

10 years later... I have a Logitech keyboard and when you enter the Logitech Options software and select the keyboard, the first page has a check/uncheck for "Use F1-F12 as standard function keys". That did the trick for me and now no need to hold down the fn key when using the F1-F12 keys as shortcuts. Assuming each laptop has a similar option for their native keyboards.

AutoCAD is a drafting software used in almost all fields for basic drafting and drawing. In AutoCAD, to make drawing is more easy and less time consuming, function keys provide some shortcuts. Once you become familiar with these shortcut keys, you will start enjoying even the basic drafting work.

This function key opens the AutoCAD Help window. It allows the user to take help online if he/she is facing any functional issue in this software. If a user is working offline, then by pressing this key, all the functionalities of this software will be opened in PDF format.

This command automatically activates the O snap feature of AutoCAD. O Snap feature of this software helps to draw your drawing accurately. This will allow you to snap at the specific location of your object while you are picking any point. For example, a user can accurately pick up two points of the line, the center of a circle, etc. If you again press this key, the software will come out from this command.

This command will affect the cursor movement only when the snap style is set as isometric. If the snap style is set as Isometric, Ortho mode will use the appropriate axis pair from 30, 90, and 150 degrees.

This function key turns dynamic UCS on or off. UCS is a user coordinate system that a user can define according to his requirement. Before 2007 when this command is not available while working, the 3D user has to create a new coordinate system every time he/she changes his drawing view. This command is only used when working on 3-dimensional objects.

This command will turn ORTHO mode on or off. This is one of the most useful keys in AutoCAD. This mode is used when the user has to specify an angle or distance using two points using a pointing device. By using this mode, cursor movement will become constrained in the horizontal or vertical direction relative to the user coordinate system.

This key will make a snap grid on or off. Grids are the rectangular pattern of dot-like structure in AutoCAD that covers the entire XY plane of the user coordinate system. Using Grid in AutoCAD is like using the grid paper under your drawing. This will allow the user to align objects and visualize distances between them. By using this key, you can easily snap to a rectangular grid and create your drawing more easily and efficiently.

This function key will allow the user to use the polar tracking option of AutoCAD software. The polar Snapping command will restrict your cursor movement only to specified increments along with the polar angles. Polar tracking will display temporary alignment paths defined by those polar angles you had earlier specified. It also provides additional alignment in up and down directions. This command is useful while working on objects having more than one different orientation when one part of the object is rotated 45 degrees in relation to another part. While working with this command ORTHO command will automatically be shut off.

This key will allow using Object Snap Tracking Command. Object Snap allows the user to snap onto the specific object location when you are picking a point. This is used with other commands to draw your design more accurately. It is so important to command that you will never be able to draw accurately without it. Some designers use the object Snap Tracking command always ON and never turn it OFF.

This command will allow us to use the Dynamic Input command of this software. Dynamic Input provides user cursor input, dimension input, and dynamic prompts. When you right-click after selecting dynamic input, you can select any input according to your requirement. By using this, you can provide dimension inputs near your cursor instead of specifying them on the command line.

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If we are drawing a line and want to toggle ORTHO then change ISOPLANE, after we press F8 for ortho then press F5 to re-orient our isoplane pressing F5 actually toggles ORTHO, then when we press F8 to turn ORTHO back on it toggles F5 for re-orientation of our isoplane. So forth and so on!! So frustrating!

We just switched from Autocad 2002 to Autocad 2014 and are absolutely loving it but of course are getting comfortable with our systems and are notices quirks such as this. Anybody have the same issue?

I experienced this issue on day 1. Last I remember, after the work day was over and came into the office the next day, I have not had any issues since. However, my other CAD guys/gals are now starting to experience this. Not sure what it could be.

So far I absolutely love ACAD2014 it is absolutely mind blowing the things I am able to get done, not to mention complete customization. Anyhow, it is the little quirks and other mind boggling errors that accompany the new program that I am not familiar with.

I would say yes because I no longer have that issue. If memory serves me well, I did not physically address the issue with a fix. It just started doing it one day, gone the next. My CAD guys never had it from day 1 but now are experiencing it. Which is weird because we are on week 2 with the new stations and are using the same templates and settings and stuff that we have been for years (2 weeks on 2014), but curious as to why this just happens?

I am always good when it comes to troubleshooting and trial & error and will most likely figure it out but these forums are so useful and you [forum beasts] always seem very helpful so I figured I would throw it out there.

Hey ReMark I was able to locate another thread that speaks of the same exact problem that we are having and it seems that you have replied a few times in here. This is identical to the issue we are having.

If I am drawing and want my ORTHO on then want to toggle another function I would simply hit F8 (which is the first function, and it does in fact toggle correctly) HOWEVER, when I also press another function key right after, say, F3 for OSNAP it actually toggles OFF the ORTHO as if I was hitting F8, then if we hit F8 to undo what that function key just mistakenly did, it toggles the OSNAP as if we hit F3. Very VERY strange. Hope we can find someone who has had this issue.

Oh I totally agree! I am not disagreeing, I actually thank you for your comments and valuable input. I just fear that by resetting the profile it will basically "forget" everything we have been repairing, or "tailoring" to how we like things and how we do things... What do you think? I can save down a current copy of my profile but that doesn't necessarily carry EVERYTHING over from this station... I just would hate to have to spend a half day retyping variables and setting the station back up to how we have it now.

Enter SYSVDLG and hit ENTER. At the bottom of the dialog box you will see the button to Save All, as an .svf (system variable file) to assist you in resetting your variable settings should you need to,

I really do appreciate you guys and your input. Next time that happens, Ill have one of my guys plug in a different keyboard. Dell may have supplied us with recycled batteries and they may need changing.

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