AutoCAD is driven by command aliases typed at the command line rather than modifier-key chords, which is why most rows on this page are one to three letters followed by Enter. Learning the aliases is the single biggest speed gain in the application: experienced drafters keep the left hand on the keyboard and never touch the ribbon.
Drawing Tools 15
Modify Tools 17
Layers & Properties 7
View & Navigation 9
Dimensions & Annotations 8
Selection & Snap 8
File Operations 10
Aliases, and how the command line reads them
An alias like L or C is typed and confirmed with Enter or Space; the command line then prompts for points and options, and pressing Enter again repeats the last command. Aliases are defined in the acad.pgp file, which is why CO is copy (C was taken by circle) and E is erase rather than ellipse (EL). The drawing aliases — PL polyline, REC rectangle, POL polygon, H hatch — and the modify aliases — M, RO, SC, MI, TR, EX, F fillet, O offset — cover most of a 2D drafting day.
Zoom and the function keys
Z starts zoom and the next letter picks the mode: Z + E zooms to extents, Z + W zooms to a window and Z + P returns to the previous view. The function keys are drafting-aid toggles, and knowing them prevents most "AutoCAD is snapping to the wrong thing" frustration: F3 object snap, F8 ortho, F9 grid snap, F10 polar tracking, F11 object snap tracking and F12 dynamic input. When lines refuse to go where the mouse is, F8 is usually on.
Layers, properties and dimensions
LA opens the Layer Properties Manager, PR the Properties palette, and MA matches properties from one object to others — the drafting equivalent of format painter. Dimension aliases follow a pattern: DLI linear, DAL aligned, DRA radius, DDI diameter, DAN angular, DBA baseline. RE regenerates the display when circles start looking like polygons after a lot of zooming.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Copy CO and not C?
C is the alias for Circle. Aliases are unique, so Copy uses CO. The full alias list lives in the acad.pgp file, which you can edit.
Why do my lines only draw horizontally or vertically?
Ortho mode is on. Press F8 to toggle it off; F10 polar tracking is the less restrictive alternative.
How do I repeat the last command?
Press Enter or Space at an empty command prompt.
Do these aliases work in AutoCAD LT?
Yes. The command aliases are the same in AutoCAD LT; only 3D and some customisation commands are absent.