Customizing Key and Click Actions...AutoCAD has many tools that can be used in "heads-up design....

Customizing Key and Click Actions 1

Customizing Key and Click Actions

Sacramento City College

Engineering Design Technology

Objectives

After completing this chapter, you will be able

to:

Assign shortcut keys to commands.

Explain how shortcut menus function.

Edit existing shortcut menus.

Create custom shortcut menus.

Customize an object's quick properties.

Create custom rollover tooltips.

Describe double-click actions.

Edit double-click actions.

Create custom double-click actions.


Heads-Up Design

AutoCAD has many tools that can be used in "heads-up design.

Heads-up design

is a concept of working in which your eyes remain

focused on the drawing area.

For example, when dynamic input is on, you

do not need to look at the command line to

see the options for the current command.

The options are displayed near the cursor in

the drawing area.


Heads-Up Design

AutoCAD's shortcut menus and double-click

actions also contribute to heads-up design.

Shortcut menus are displayed by right-clicking.

Double-click actions are initiated when an object is

double-clicked.


Customizing Shortcut Menus

in AutoCAD (the ribbon, toolbars, etc.), shortcut menus and double-click actions can be customized.


Enabling Shortcut Menus

In order to use the shortcut menu and double-click action customization techniques, shortcut menus and double-click editing need to be enabled.


Enabling Shortcut Menus

To enable editing

Open Options dialog

Select the User preferences tab.

Check the Double click editing and Shortcut

menus in drawing area check boxes



Right-Click Menu Customization

Right-click Customization... button

Appears below the check boxes.

Displays the Right-Click Customization dialog box.

The settings in this dialog box allow you to

define what a right-click does when in

Default mode

Edit mode

Command mode.



Right-Click Menu Customization

For this study, pick

The Shortcut Menu radio buttons in the Default

Mode and Edit Mode areas.

The Shortcut Menu: always enabled radio button in

the Command Mode area.


Customizing Shortcut Keys

You can define your own custom shortcut keys (accelerator keys) for AutoCAD commands and custom macros.



Use the CUI dialog box to define shortcut keys.

To see the commands to which shortcut keys

are assigned, expand the Keyboard Shortcuts

branch in the CIAF pane.




Use the CUI dialog box to define shortcut keys.

Expand the Shortcut Keys branch.

All commands that have a shortcut key assigned

appear in this branch.




When the Shortcut Keys branch is selected,

The Shortcuts pane is displayed in the upper-right

corner of the CUI dialog box.

A command that has a shortcut key assigned

to it can be selected in this pane.

Its properties are displayed in the Information pane

in the lower-right corner of the dialog box.


Assigning a New Shortcut Key

To assign a new shortcut key to the command,

Pick in the text box labeled Press the new

shortcut key: and

Press a combination of

[Ctrl] + another key.

[Shift] + [Ctrl] + another key



If the shortcut key combination is currently

assigned to another command,

The name of the other command is displayed in

the Currently assigned to: area.

If the shortcut key combination is unassigned,

Pick the OK button to associate the shortcut key

with the command.

The shortcut key then appears in the Key(s)

property in the CUI dialog box




If you attempt to assign a shortcut key that is

currently assigned to another command,

An alert box appears indicating the shortcut

assignment already exists and

Explaining the priority for using the shortcut.



It is not a good idea to have a shortcut key

assigned to multiple commands.

Don’t assign Windows keyboard shortcuts !

[Ctrl]+[X] for cut

[Ctrl]+[C] for copy

[Ctrl]+[V]f or paste


Example

Assign the shortcut key [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[C] to the

CLOSE command.

1. Open the CUI dialog box.

2. Expand the Keyboard shortcuts branch in

the CIAF pane.

3. Expand the Shortcut Keys branch.

4. Drag the Close command from the

Command List: pane into the Shortcut Keys

branch.

Make sure the command macro for the command

is ^C^C_close.


Example

Assign the shortcut key [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[C] to the CLOSE command.

5. In the Properties pane, pick in the Key(s)

property text box.

Then, pick the ellipsis button (...) on the right-hand

side of the text box.

6. In the Shortcut Keys dialog box, pick in the

Press the new shortcut key: text box.


Example

7. Press the [Ctrl] key, [Alt] key, and [C] key at

the same time.

The message at the bottom of the dialog box

should indicate that this shortcut key is

unassigned.


Example

8. Pick the OK button to close the Shortcut

Keys dialog box.

9. Pick the OK button to close the CUI dialog

box and apply the change.

10. Test the [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[C] shortcut key.

When the shortcut key is used, either the current

drawing should close or you should be prompted to

save the changes to the drawing before closing


Examining Existing Shortcut Menus

Shortcut menus

are context-sensitive menus that appear at the

cursor location when using the right-hand button

on the mouse (right-clicking).

Context sensitive

The shortcut menu that is displayed is dependent

on what is occurring at the time of the right-click.



If

no command is active

no object selection is made

you right-click in the drawing area

the shortcut menu is displayed.



If

the CIRCLE command is active and

You right-click in the drawing area before any

point is selected

the shortcut menu is displayed.





Other menus appear when right-clicking in

other situations

1. When grips are being used

2. When an object is selected in the drawing

window.

In the case of a selected object, the shortcut menu

is based on the type of object that is selected.




To customize shortcut menus, Open the CUI dialog box

Look at the CIAF pane.

The name of this pane

is based on what is selected in the dropdown list.



Expand the Shortcut Menus branch in the

tree.

All of the existing shortcut menu names are

displayed as branches.

There are object-specific and generic shortcut

menus.




Command-specific shortcut menus

Although none are included with the standard

installation of AutoCAD,

They can be created.



The generic shortcut menus are:

Command Menu.

This menu appears when right-clicking in the

drawing window while a command is active.

Any command options for the active command are

inserted into this menu.




Edit Menu.


drawing window when no command is active and

an object is selected.

In order for this menu to be displayed, the

PICKFIRST system variable must be set to 1.

If an object menu is available for the type of object

selected, it is inserted into this menu.





Grips Cursor Menu.

This menu appears when grips are being used.

An object must be selected and at least one grip

must be hot.





Object Snap Cursor Menu.

This menu appears when holding down the [Shift]

key and right-clicking.

It also appears as the Snap Overrides branch in

the Command Menu branch, meaning it is

displayed as a cascading menu.





Default Menu.


drawing window while no command is active and

no objects are selected.





The remaining menus are object-specific

menus that appear when right-clicking while a

certain type of object is selected.





Existing shortcut menus can be customized

By adding or removing commands.

By visually grouping commands using separators.

Cascading menus

can be added to shortcut menus.



To add a command to a shortcut menu

Open the CUI dialog box

In the CIAF pane, expand the branch for the

shortcut menu you would like to customize.

Locate the command you wish to add in the

Command List: pane.

Then, drag the command into the desired position

within the shortcut menu in the CIAF pane and

drop it when the bar appears.


Removing A Shortcut Menu Command

To remove a command from a shortcut menu,

Expand the branch for the shortcut menu in the

CIAF pane.

Highlight the command to be removed

Right-click

Select Remove from the shortcut menu.

Or

Highlight the command and press the [Delete] key.


Adding A Separator

To add a separator to a shortcut menu,


CIAF pane.

Highlight the command after which you would like

the separator to be added.

Right-click and

Select Insert Separator from the shortcut menu.


Rename a Shortcut Menu

To rename a shortcut menu

Highlight the branch in the CIAF pane.

Right-click and

Select Rename from the shortcut menu.

Type the new name and press [Enter].

The shortcut menu can also be renamed

using the Name property in the Properties

pane.


Add a Cascading Menu to Shortcut Menu

To add a cascading menu to a shortcut menu


CIAF pane.

Highlight the command after which you would like

the cascading menu to appear.

Right-click and

Select New Sub-menu from the shortcut menu.

A new shortcut menu branch with the default name

of Menu is added to the current shortcut menu.




The new menu can be renamed.

In the Command List: pane

Locate the commands you wish to add to the new

shortcut menu.

Drag the commands into the CIAF pane.

Drop them next to the name of the new shortcut

menu.

When the arrow appears next to the new menu

name, drop the command to add it to the new

shortcut menu.



Creating a new, custom shortcut menu

Is a two-step process.

First, make a new shortcut menu

Drag commands into it.


New Shortcut Menu

Follow these steps to make a new shortcut

menu:


2. In the CIAF pane, right-click on the Shortcut

Menus branch and

Select New Shortcut Menu in the shortcut menu

that is displayed.

3. Enter a name for the shortcut menu.

4. In the Properties pane, add a description

for the shortcut menu in the General category.


New Shortcut Menu

5. In the Advanced category of the Properties

pane, add an alias.

This alias is in addition to the automatic, sequential

POPSxx alias that AutoCAD creates.

Select the property, pick the ellipsis button (...) at

the right-hand end of the text box, and type the

alias in the Aliases dialog box that appears.

Each alias must be on its own line in this dialog

box.

Close the Aliases dialog box.


New Shortcut Menu

6. Drag commands from the Command List:

pane into the new shortcut menu.

7. Pick the Apply or OK button to apply the

changes.


New Shortcut Menu

There are two types of custom shortcut menus:

Object specific and

Command oriented.

The next sections describe the two types of custom shortcut menus in detail.


Creating Object-Specific Shortcut Menus

When creating an object-specific shortcut

menu, there can actually be two menus

available.

One menu

is displayed for instances when just a single object

of a given type is selected.

The other menu

is displayed when more than one object is

selected.



The name assigned to the object menu

should follow the same syntax used for

naming AutoCAD's default object-specific

menus:

object_type Object Menu or

object_type Obiects Menu (with an S).



In this way, when looking at the shortcut menus

in the CIAF pane in the CUI dialog box, you will

easily recognize which object type that menu

applies to and whether it is for multiple selected

objects or a single selected object.



The use of this syntax is optional.

Menus can be named using whatever naming

scheme you wish.

However, it is recommended to follow the

naming syntax described here.

The alias for the shortcut menu has a syntax

that must be followed.

It is this alias that AutoCAD uses in

determining to which object or objects the

menu applies. Customizing Key and Click Actions 70


The syntax for the alias must take on the form

OBJECT_type or

OBJECTS_type and

Must be exactly followed in order for AutoCAD to

properly display the shortcut menu.



Example

The following procedure creates a shortcut

menu that allows access to the LENGTHEN

and BREAK commands when a single line is

selected.




2. Right-click on the Shortcut Menus branch in

the CIAF pane and select New Shortcut

Menu.



3. Name the shortcut menu Line Object Menu.

4. In the Properties pane, select the Aliases

property in the Advanced category.

Then, pick the ellipsis button to open the Aliases

dialog box.

On the second line, enter the alias OBJECT_LINE

and then pick the OK button to close the Aliases

dialog box.



Since the LENGTHEN and BREAK commands can

only be applied to a single object, be sure to use

the OBJECT_type syntax (without the S).

5. Drag the LENGTHEN and BREAK

commands from the Command List: pane into

the Line Object Menu branch in the

Customizations in All Files pane.

6. Pick the OK button to close the Customize

User Interface dialog box and apply the

changes.



Draw a line, select it, and right-click.

Notice that Lengthen and Break entries appear in

the shortcut menu.

Selecting either entry executes the command.

If the command accepts a preselected object, it is

executed on the selected line.




Neither LENGTHEN nor BREAK accepts

preselected objects;

You must reselect the line.

Having the entries in the shortcut menu

provides for quicker access to the command.


Creating Command-Oriented Shortcut Menus

When a command is being executed, any

command options appear in the shortcut

menu.

Example

When the CIRCLE command prompts for a

radius, you can

Right-click and select Diameter from the shortcut

menu.



Custom shortcut menus

can be created for use when certain commands

are active.

This allows you to add options to the shortcut

menu that is displayed when a command is active.



Quicker access to object snaps and object

selection methods are just a couple of

applications that custom, command-oriented

shortcut menus could allow for within

commonly- used commands.



A command-oriented shortcut menu is

created in the same way as an object oriented

shortcut menu, as discussed in the previous

section.

The syntax for the alias is slightly different.

The alias must be in the form of COMMAND_

command_name where command_name is

the name of the command with which you

want the shortcut menu associated.



Also, if the command step does not have any

default options, such as

a Select objects: prompt,

Right-clicking is, by default, interpreted as the

IEnter] key.

Therefore, in the Right-Click Customization

dialog box, the Shortcut Menu: always

enabled radio button must be selected in the

Command Mode area.



Example

The following procedure creates a custom

shortcut menu that displays

Select Previous

Select Last, and

Select Fence

selection options at the Select objects: prompt for

the MOVE command.



1. Open the Customize User Interface dialog

box.

2. Right-click on the Shortcut Menus branch in

the CIAF pane and

select New Shortcut Menu.

3. Name the shortcut menu Move Command

Menu.



4. In the Properties pane,

Select the Aliases property in the Advanced

category.

Pick the ellipsis button to open the Aliases dialog

box.

On the second line, enter the alias COMMAND-

MOVE

Pick the OK button to close the Aliases dialog box.



The syntax of COMMAND_command-name must

be exactly followed in order for AutoCAD to

properly display the shortcut menu.

5. Drag the Select Previous, Select Last, and

Select Fence commands from the Command

List: pane into the Move Command Menu


6. Pick the OK button



Initiate the MOVE command.

At the Select objects: prompt

Right-click and

Notice that Select Previous, Select Last, and

Select Fence entries are available in the shortcut

menu.

Remember, the Shortcut Menu: always

enabled radio button must be on in the Right-

Click Customization dialog box for this

shortcut menu to appear.


Customizing Quick Properties and

Rollover Tooltips


Quick Properties/Rollover Tooltips

The Quick Properties palette

Appears, by default

When you select objects in drawing the area.

This is a streamlined version of the properties

palette that displays quick properties,

It provide certain information about the object.

In order for the Quick Properties palette to be

displayed, the Quick Properties button on the

status bar must be on.



The palette can also be displayed by right-

clicking with an objects elected and selecting

Quick properties in the shortcut menu so it is

clicked.



Rollover tooltips

Provide quick properties in a graphic tooltip.

This tooltip is displayed as the cursor is

hovered over the object .

A rollover tooltip is similar to the Quick

Properties palette, but a rollover tooltip only

provides information

Properties cannot be changed in the tooltip.



The information displayed in the Quick Properties palette and a rollover tooltip can be customized.

You can specify the object types that display quick properties.

Additionally, you can set which quick properties are displayed in the Quick properties palette and rollover tooltip for a given object type.



The left-hand column displays the object type

list, which is a list of AutoCAD object types.

You may add or remove object types

Pick the Edit Object Type List button at the top of

the column.

This displays the Edit Object Type List dialog box,

All available AutoCAD object types are listed

in this dialog box.



Those that are checked

Appear in the object type list in the CUI dialog box.

The object type list

controls which objects display quick properties.

The right-hand column displays a list of quick

properties that can be displayed.

The properties that are checked

appear in the Quick Properties palette or rollover

tooltip.



The palette and tooltip can display different

properties.

All objects have a General category

containing similar quick properties.



To display the General category properties for

objects that do not have defined quick

properties,

pick the General button at the bottom of the object

type list.



To customize the quick properties displayed

for a specific object type

Select the object in the object type list.

The category list in the right-hand column displays

all categories and quick properties available for

that object.

Check the properties that you want displayed and

uncheck the properties you do not want displayed.



Select the additional properties to display.

By default, the Length property is set to

display in the Geometry category, in addition

to the default settings in the General category

Additional properties have been set to display.

Once you close the CUI dialog box, the new

quick properties are displayed for a selected

line.



You may need to pause the cursor over the Quick Properties palette to expand the palette.

You can also right-click on the sidebar of the

Quick Properties palette and pick Auto-

Collapse in the shortcut menu to remove the

checkmark.

This allows the Quick Properties palette to

fully display each time it appears.


Customizing Double-Click Actions



By double-clicking on certain objects, an appropriate editing command is automatically executed.

The command is determined by the double-click action associated with the object type.



Some AutoCAD objects have very specific editing tools available.

For example, multiline text objects are edited

with the in-place text editor and polylines are

edited with the PEDIT Command.



A list of AutoCAD objects that have default double-click actions associated with them, other than the QUICKPROPERTIES command, is shown on the next slide.




If you double-click on one of the object types

listed in the table, the command or macro

listed in the Associated Double-Click Action

column is executed.

If the object type is not listed in the table, it is

likely the Quick Properties palette is

displayed, by default, when the object is

double-clicked.

This is the double-click action associated with

most objects.


Assigning Double-Click Actions



Double-click actions are assigned to specific

object types in the CUI dialog box.

In the CIAF pane, expand the Double Click Actions

branch.

All of the AutoCAD object types are listed.

Expand each branch and notice that many double-

click actions call the Quick Properties palette, while

the objects listed in the table have double-click

actions that call the object-specific editing

command.



Use the following procedure to change the

double-click editing action associated with an

object type.

For this example, the DDPTYPE command

will be associated with the point object type so

the Point Style dialog box appears when a

point object is double-clicked.



1. Open the Customize User Interface dialog

box.

2. In the CIAF pane, expand the Double Click

Actions branch.

3. Expand the Point branch under the Double

Click Actions branch.

Notice that the QUICKPROPERTIES command is

associated with the point object type.



4. In the Command List: pane, select the Point

Style... command.

This is the DDPTYPE command, as indicated in

the Properties pane when the command is

selected.

5. Drag the Point Style... command from the

Command List: pane and drop it into the Point


The command replaces the existing command as

there can only be one double-click action.



6. Pick the OK button to apply the change.

Now, draw a point using the POINT

command.

Double-click on the point and the Point Style

dialog box appears.

Select a new point style in the dialog box and pick

the OK button.

All existing points in the drawing should update to

the new style.

If not, use the REGEN command to update the display.


Custom Double-Click Action

You can also create a custom command and assign it to an object type as a double click action.

In this section, you will create a custom

command for editing the radius of a circle to

one-half of its current value when the circle is

double-clicked.



Here is a breakdown of what the custom

command will do:

Cancel any commands in progress. (^C^C)

Execute the SCALE command with the circle that

was double-clicked being the object to be scaled.

(scale;)

Set the center of the circle, which is the point last

created, as the base point. (@;)

Scale the circle to half of its original size. (0.5)



This can be a handy tool should you

accidentally enter the intended diameter in

response to the radius prompt for the CIRCLE

command.

On noticing you just made that mistake,

double-click the circle and the problem is

fixed.


Example

Create a custom command and assign it as a double-click action for the circle object type:


2. Pick the Create a new command button in

the Command List: pane.

3. Name the custom command CirRadToDia.


Example

4. In the Properties pane, select the Macro

property. Then, enter the macro

^C^Cscale;@;0.5

in the text box.

5. In the CIAF pane, expand the Double Click

Actions branch and locate the Circle branch

below it.

Notice that the OUICKPROPERTIES command is

currently associated with the circle object type.


Example

6. In the Command List: pane, select the new

CirRadToDia command and drag it into the

Circle branch in the CIAF pane.

7. Pick the OK button to close the Customize

User Interface dialog box and apply the

change.


Example

Draw a circle using the CIRCLE command.

Double-click on the circle. The circle becomes

one-half of its original size.

In other words, the previous radius value is

the new diameter value.


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Customizing Key and Click Actions...AutoCAD has many tools that can be used in "heads-up design....

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