AUTO-CAD COMMANDS AT A GLANCE

(Release-10)

SL. NO. COMMAND DESCRIPTION OPTIONS

1 APERTURE Controls the size of the object snap target

box
2 ARC Draws an arc of any size The default method is by specifying two end points
and a point along the arc, but several other methods
are available
A Include angle
C Center Point
D Starting direction
E End Point
L Length of Chord
R Radius
(As reply to Start point) Sets start point and
RETURN directions as end of last Line or Arc
3 AREA Computes the area of a polygon, polyline or A Sets "add" mode
circle
S Sets "Substract" mode
E Computers area of a selected circle or polyline
4 ARRAY Makes multiple copies of selected objects in Polar (Circular) array
a rectangular or circular pattern P
R Rectangular array
5 ATTDEF Creates an Attribute Definition entity for Controls Attribute visibility
textual information to be associated with a
Block Definition I
C Controls Constant / Variable Mode
V Controls "Verify" Mode
P Controls "Preset" mode
6 ATTDISP Controls the visibility of Attribute entities on a Make all Attributes Visible
global basis ON
OFF Make all Attributes invisible
N Normal: Visibility set individually
7 ATTEDIT Permits editing of Attributes either globally or
one by one
8 ATTEXT Extracts Attribute data from a drawing C CDF Comma-Delimited format Extract
D DXF Format Extract
S SDF format extract (Space Delimited)
E Extract selected objects only
9 AXIS Displays a "ruler line" on the graphics Turn axis (ruler line) on
monitor ON
OFF Turn Axis Off
S Lock Tick Spacing to Snap Resolution
A Set Aspect (Differing X - Y Spacings)
NUMBER Set tick spacing (0 = Use snap spacing)
NUMBERX Set Spacing to multiple of snap spacing
10 BASE Specifies origin for subsequent insertion of
the current drawing into another drawing
11 BLIPMODE Controls display of marker blips for a point or Enable temporary marker blips
entity selection ON
OFF Disable temporary marker blips
12 BLOCK Forms a compound object from a group of List names of defined Blocks
entities ?
13 BREAK Erases part of an object, or splits it into two Re-sepcify first point
objects F
14 CHAMFER Creates a chamfer at the intersection of two Set chamfer distances
lines D
P Chamfer an entire Polyline
15 CHANGE Alters the location, size, orientation, or other Change common properties of objects
properties of selected objects. Especially
useful for text entities P
C Color

E Elevation (to be dropped in the next major update)

LA Layer
LT Linetype
T Thickness
16 CHPROP Modifies Properties of selection objects C Color
LA Layer
LT Linetype
T Thickness
17 CIRCLE Draws a arc of any size The default method is by center point and radius,
but other methods are available.
2P Specify by 2 endpoints of diameter
3P Specify by 3 points on circumference
D To enter diameter instead of raidus
TTR Specify by two tangent points and raidus
18 COLOR Establish the color for subsequently drawn
objects numberSet entity color
numberX name Set entity color to standard color name
BY BLOCK Set "Floating" entity color
BY LAYER Use Layer's color for entities
19 COPY Draws a copy of selected objects M Make multiple copies of the selected objects
20 DBLIST Lists database information for every entity in
the drawing
21 DDATTE Allows Attribute editing by means of a
dialogue box
22 DDEMODES Sets current layer, color, linetype, elevation,
and thickness via dialogue box
23 DDLMODES Sets layer properties via dialogue box
24 DDRMODES Sets drawing aids via dialogue box
25 DDUCS Displays a dialogue box for control of the
current User Coordinate System
26 DELAY
Delays execution of the next command for a
spedified time. Used with command scripts
27 DIM Invokes dimensioning mode, permitting many
dimension notatioins to be added to a
drawing
28 DIMI Allows one dimension notation to be added
to a drawing, then returns to normal
command mode
29 DIST Finds distance between two points
30 DIVIDE Places markers along a selected object,
dividing it inot a specified number of equal
parts B Use specified Block as marker
31 DOUGHNUT Draws rings with specified inside and outside
OR DONUT diameters
32 DRAGMODE Allows control of the dynamic specification ON
("Dragging") feature for all appropriate
commands Honor "DRAG" requests when applicable
OFF Ignore "DRAG" requests
A Set "AUTO" mode: drag whenever possible
33 DTEXT Draws text items dynamically See TEXT command for options
34 DVIEW Defines parallel or visual perspective views Select the camera angle relative to the target
dynamically CA
CL Set front and back clipping planes

D Set camera-to-target distance, tune on perspective

H Remove hidden lines on the selection set
OFF Turn perspective off
 PA Pan drawing across the screen
PO Specify the camera and target points
TA Rotate the target point about the camera
TW Twist the view around your line of sight
U Undo a DVIEW subcommand
X Exit the DVIEW command
Z Zoon in/out, or set lens length
35 DXBIN Inserts specially-coded binary files into a
drawing
36 DXFIN Loads a drawing interchange file
37 DXFOUT Writes a drawing interchange file B Write binary DXF file
E Output selected entities only
38 EDGESURF Constructs a 3D polygon mesh
approximating a Coons surface patch (a
bicubic surface interpolated between four
adjoining edges)
39 ELEV Sets elevation and extrusion thickness for
subsequently drawn entities. Used in 3D
visualizations (To be dropped in the next
major update)
40 ELLIPSE Draws ellipses using any of several
specifications C Specify center point rather than first aix endpoint
Specify eccentricity via rotation rather than second
R axis
I Draw isometric circle in current ISOPLANE
41 END Exits the Drawing Editor after saving the
updated drawing
42 ERASE Erases entities from the drawing
43 EXPLODE Shatters a Block or Polyline into its
constituent parts
44 EXTEND Lengthens a Line, Arc, or Polyline to meet
another object
45 FILES Performs disk file utility tasks
46 FILL Controls whether Solids, Traces, and wide ON Solids, Traces, and wide Polylines filled
Polylines are automatically filled on the
screen and the plot output
OFF Solids, Traces and wide Polylines outlined
47 FILLET Constructs an arc of specified radius
between two lines, arcs, or circles P Fillet an entire Polyline
R Set fillet radius
48 FILMROLI Generates a file for rendering by Autoshade
49 GRAPHSCR Flips to the graphics display on single-screen
systems. Used in commoand scripts and
menus
50 GRID Displays a grid of dots, at desired spacing, Turn Grid on
on the screen ON
OFF Turn Grid off
S Lock Grid spacing to Snap resolution
A Set grid aspect (differing X-Y spacings)
number Set grid spacing (0=use snap spacing)
numberX Set spacing
Assign to multiple
handles of snap
to all entities spacing
and set
51 HANDLES Assigns a unique, permanent number to system variable
each entity in a drawing ON HANDLES to 1
DESTROY Discard all entity handles
52 HATCH Performs cross-hatching and pattern-filling name Use hatch pattern "name" from library file
U Use simple user-defined hatch pattern
? List names of available hatch patterns
Can be followed by a comma and a hatch style from
"name" & U the following list:
I Ignore internal structure
Normal Style: turn hatch lines off and on as internal
N structure is encountered
O Hatch outermost portion only
 ? List available style types
53 `HELP OR'? Displays a list of valid commands and data
entry options or obtains help for a specific
command
54 HIDE Regenerates a 3D visualization with "hidden"
lines removed
55 ID
Displays the coordinates of a specified point
56 IGESIN Loads an IGES interchange file
57 IGESOUT Writes a IGES interchange file
58 INSERT Insets a copy of a previously drawn part
(object) into the current drawing name Load file "name" as a Block
name=f Create Block "name" from file "f"
.name Retain individual part entities
? List names of defined Blocks
(as reply to X scale prompt) specifies scale via two
C points (Corner specification of scale)
(as reply to X scale prompt) readies INSERT for X,
XYZ Y, and Z scales
59 ISOPLANE Selects the plane of an isometric grid to be L Left Plane
the "current" plane for orthogonal drawing

R Right Plane
T Top Plane
RETURN Toggle to next plane
60 LAYER Creates name drawing layers and assigns Cc Set specified layers to color "c"
color and linetype properties to those layers

F A, b Freeze layers "a" and "b"

L t Set Sspecified layers to linetype "t"

Ma Make "a" the current layer, creating it if necessary

N A,b Create new layers "a" and "b"
ON a,b Turn on layers "a" and "b"
OFF a,b Turn off layers "a" and "b"
Sa Set current layer to existing layer "a"
T a,b Thaw layers "a" and "b"
? List layers and their associated colors & linetypes
61 LIMITS Changes the drawing boundaries and 2 points Set lower left / upper right drawing limits
controls checking of those boundaries
ON Enable limits checking
OFF Disable limits checking
62 LINE Draws straight lines of any length RETURN (As reply to "from Point:") start at end of previous
Line or Arc
C (As reply to "To Point:") close polygon
U (As reply to "To Point:") undo segment
63 LINETYPE Defines linetypes (sequences of alternating ? List a linetype library
line segments and spaces), loads them from
libraries, and sets the linetype for
subsequently drawn objects
C Create a linetype definition
L Load a linetype definition
S Set current entity linetype
"Set" Suboptions:
name Set entity linetype name
BY BLOCK Set "Floating" entity linetype
BY LAYER Use a layer's linetype for entities
? List loaded linetypes
64 LIST Lists database information for selected
objects
65 LOAD Loads a file of user-defined shapes to be ? List the names of loaded shape files
used with the SHAPE command
66 LTSCALE Sets scale factor to be applied to all linetypes
within the drawing
67 MEASURE Places markers at specified intervals along a B Use specified Block as marker
selected object
68 MENU Loads a file of Drawing Editor commands
into the menu areas (screen, pull-down,
tablet, and button)
69 MINSERT Inserts multiple copies of a Block in a name Load file "name" as a Block
rectangular pattern
name=f Create Block "name" from file "f"
? List names of defined Blocks
(as reply to X scale prompt) specifies scale via two
C points (Corner specification of scale)
(as reply to X scale prompt) readies INSERT for X,
XYZ Y, and Z scales
70 MIRROR Reflects designated entities about a user-
specified axis
71 MOVE
Moves designated entities to another location
72 MSLIDE Makes a slide file from the current display
73 MULTIPLE Causes the next command to repeat until
cancelled
74 OFFSET Allows the creation of offset curves and number Specifies offset distances
parallel lines
T Through: allows specification of a point through
which the offset curve is to pass
75 OOPS Restores last erased entity
76 ORTHO Constraints drawing so that only lines ON Force lines to horizontal or vertical
aligned with the grid can be entered
OFF Do not constrain lines
77 OSNAP Enables points to be precisely located on
reference points of exisitng objects CEN Center of Arc or Circle
ENDP Closest endpoint of Arc or Line
INS Insertion point of Text/Block/Shape
INT Intersection of Line/Arc/Circle
MID Midpoint of Arc of Line
NEA Nearest point of Arc/Circle/Line/Point
NOD Node (point)
NON None (off)
PER Perpendicular to Arc/Line/circle
QUA Quadrant point of Arc or circle
QUI Quick mode (first find, not closest)
TAN Tangent to Arc or Circle
78 PAN Moves the display window
79 PEDIT (2D) Permits editing of 2D polylines C Close an open Polyline

D Decurve, or return a spline curve to its control frame

E Edit vertices (see below for sub options)
F Fit curve to Polyline
J Joint to Polyline
O Open a closed Polyline
Use the polyline vertices as the frame for a spline
S curve (Type set by SPLINETYPE)
U Undo one editing operation
W Set uniform width for Polyline
X Exit PEDIT command
During vertext editing:
B Set first vertex for Break
G Go (perform Break or Straighten operation)
I Insert new vertex after current one
M Move current vertex
N Make next vertex current
P Make previous vertex current
 R Regenerate the Polyline
S Set first vertex for straighten
T Set tangent direction for current vertex
W Set new width for following segment
X Exit vertext editing, or cancel Break / Straighten
80 PEDIT(3D) Permits editing of 3D polylines C Close an open Polyline

D Decurve, or return a spline curve to its control frame

E Edit vertices (see below for sub options)
O Open a closed Polyline
Use the polyline vertices as the frame for a spline
S curve (Type set by SPLINETYPE)
U Undo one editing operation
X Exit PEDIT command
During vertext editing:
B Set first vertex for Break
G Go (perform Break or Straighten operation)
I Insert new vertex after current one
M Move current vertex
N Make next vertex current
P Make previous vertex current
R Regenerate the Polyline
S Set first vertex for straighten
X Exit vertex editing, or cancel Break / Straighten
81 PEDIT (Mesh) Permits editing of 3D polygon meshes: D Desmooth - restore original mesh
E Edit mesh vertices (see below for sub options)
M Open (or close) the mesh in the M direction
N Open (or close) the mesh in the N direction
S Fit a smooth surface as defined by SURFTYPE
U Undo one editing operation
X Exit PEDIT command
During vertex editing:
D Move "Down" to previous vertex in M direction
L Move "Left" to previous vertex in N direction
M Reposition the markex vertex
N Move to next vertex
P Move to previous vertex
R Move "Right" to next vertex in N direction
RE Redisplay the polygon mesh
U Move "Up" to next vertex in M direction
X Exit vertex editing
82 PLAN Puts the display in PLAN view (VPOINT
0,0,1) relative to either the current UCS, a
specified UCS, or the World Coordinate
System C Establishes a plan view of the current UCS
U Establishes a plan view of the specified UCS
Establishes a plan view of the World Coordinate
W System
83 PLINE Draws two-dimensional polylines (connected
line and arc segments, with optional width
and taper H Set new half-width
U Undo Previous Segment
W Set new line width
RETURN Exit PLINE command
In Line Mode
A Switch to arc mode
C close with straight segment
L Segement length (continue previous segment)
In Arc Mode
A Included angle
CE Center point
CL Close with arc segment
D Starting direction
 L Chord length, or switch to line mode
R Radius
S Second point of three-point arc
84 PLOT Plots a drawing on a pen plotter
85 POINT Draws single points
86 POLYGON Draws regular polygon with the specified
number of side E Specify polygon by showing one edge
C Circumscribe around circle
I Inscribe within circle
87 PRPLOT Plots a drawing on a printer plotter
88 PURGE Removes unused Blocks, text, styles, layers
or linetypes from the drawing A Purge all unused named objects
B Purge unused Blocks
LA Purge unused Layers
LT Purge unused linetypes
SH Purge unused shape files
ST Purge unused text styles
89 QTEXT Enables text entities to be identified without
drawing the text detail ON Quick text mode on
OFF Quick text mode off
90 QUIT Exits the Drawing Editor and returns to
AutoCAD's Main Menu, discarding any
changes to the drawing
91 REDEFINE Restores a built-in command deleted by
UNDEFINE
92 REDO Reverses the previous command even if it
was U or UNDO
93 REDRAW Refreshes or cleans up the current viewport
94 REDRAWALL Redraws all viewports
95 REGEN Regenerates the current viewport
96 REGENALL Regenerates all viewports
97 REGENAUTO Controls automatic regeneration performed
by other commands ON Allow automatic regens
Off Prevent automatic regens
98 RENAME Changes the names associated with text
styles, layers, linetypes, Blocks, Views, User
Coordinate systems, and viewport
configurations B Rename Block
LA Rename Layer
LT Rename Linetype
S Rename Text Style
U Rename UCS
VI Rename view
VP Rename Viewport Configuration
99 RESUME Resumes an interrupted command script
100 REVSURF Creates a 3D ploygon mesh approximating a
surgace of revolution, by rotating a curve
around a selected axis
101 ROTATE Rotates existing objects R Rotate with respect to reference angle
102 RSCRIPT Restarts a command script from the
beginning
103 RULESURF Creates a 3D polygon mesh approximating a
ruled surface between two curves
104 SAVE Updates the current drawing file without
exiting the Drawing Editor
105 SCALE Alters the size of existing objects R Resize with respect to reference size
106 SCRIPT Executes a command script
107 SELECT Groups objects into a selection.set for use in
subsequent commands
108 SETVAR Allows you to display or change the value of
system variables
109 SH Allows access to internal PC - DOS/MS-DOS
commands
110 SHAPE Draws pre-defined shapes ? List available Shape names
111 SHELL Allows access to other programs while
running AutoCAD
112 SKETCH Permits free-hand sketching C Connect restart sketch at end point
E Erase (back up over) temporary lines
P Raise / lower sketching pen
Q Discard temporary lines, exit sketch
R Record temporary lines, remain in sketch
X Record temporary lines, exit sketch
Draw line to current point
113 SNAP Specifies a "round-off" interval for digitizer
point entry so entities can be placed at
precise locations easily number Set snap alignment resolution
ON Align designated points
OFF Do not align designated points
A Set aspect (differing X-Y spacings)
R Rotate snal grid
S Select style, standard or isometric
114 SOLID Draws filled-in polygons
115 STATUS Displays drawing statistics & modes
116 STRETCH Allows you to move a portion of a drawing
while retaining connections to other parts of
the drawing
117 STYLE Creates named text styles, with user-
selected combinations of font, mirroring,
obliquing and horizontal scaling ? List currently defined text styles
118 TABLET Aligns the digitzing tablet with coordinates of
a paper drawing to accurately copy it with
AutoCAD ON Turn tablet mode on
OFF Turn tablet mode off
CAL Callibrate tablet
CFG Configure tablet menus, pointing area
119 TABSURF Creates a polygon mesh aproximating a
general tabulated surface defined by a path
and a direction verctor
120 TEXT
Draws text characters of any size, with Align text between two points, with style-specified
selected styles A width factor; AutoCAD computes appropriate height
C Center text horizontally
Fit text between two points, with speified height;
F AutoCAD computes an approximate width factor
M Center text horizontally and vertically
R Right justify text
S Select text style
121 TEXTSCR Flips to the text display on single-screen
systems. Used in command scripts and
menus
122 TIME
Displays drawing creation and update times,
and permits control of an elapsed timer D Display current times
ON Start user elapsed timer
OFF Stop user elapsed timer
R Reset user elapsed timer
123 TRACE Draws solid lines of specified width
124 TRIM Erased the portions of selected entities that
cross a specified boundary
125 U Reverses the effect of the previous command
126 UCS Defines or modifies the current User
Coordinate System D Delete one or more saved coordinate systems
Set a UCS with the same extrusion direction as that
E of the selected entity
O Shift the origin of the current coordinate system
P Restore a previously-saved UCS
 S Save the current UCS
Establish a new UCS whose Z axis is parallel to the
V current viewing direction
Set the current UCS equal to the World Coordinate
W System
X Rotate the current UCS around the X axis
Y Rotate the current UCS around the Y axis
Z Rotate the current UCS around the Z axis
Define a UCS using an origin point, and a point on
ZA the postiive portion of the Z axis
Define a UCS using an origin point, a point on the
positive portion of the X axis, and a point on the
3 positive Y-portion of the XY plane
? List the saved coordinate systems
127 UCSICON Controls visibility and placement of the User
Coordinate System icon, which indicates the
origin and orientation of the current UCS.
The options normally affect only the current
view port. A Change settings in all active viewports
Display the icon at the lower left corner of the
N viewport
Display the icon at the origin of the current UCS if
O possible
OFF Disable the coordinate system icon
ON Enable the coordinate system icon
128 UNDEFINE Deletes the definition of a built-in AutoCAD
command
129 UNDO
Reverses the effect of multiple commands,
and provides control over the "UNDO" facility number Undoes the number most recent commands
Auto: controls treatment of menu items as Undo
A Groups
B Back: undoes back to previous Undo mark
C Control:enables / disables the Undo feature
E End: terminates an UNDO Group
Group: begins sequence to be treated as one
G command
M Mark: places marker in Undo file (for back)
130 UNITS Selects coordinate and angle display formats
& precision
131 VIEW Saves the current graphics display as a
Named View, or restores a saved view ot the
display D Delete named view
R Restore named view to screen
s Save current display as named view
W Save specified window as named view
? List named views
132 VIEWPORTS Divides the AutoCAD's graphics display into
or VPORTS multiple viewports, each of which may
contain a different view of the current
drawing D Delete a saved viewport configuration
J Join (merge) two viewports
R Restore a saved viewport confirguration
S Save the current viewportconfiguration
Display a single viewport filling the entire graphics
SI area
2 Divide the current viewport into 2 viewports
3 Divide the current viewport into 3 viewports
4 Divide the current viewport into 4 viewports
? List the current and saved viewport configuraiton
133 VIEWRES Allows you to control the precision and
speed of Circle and Arc drawing on the
monitor by specifying the number of sides in
a Circle
134 VPOINT Selects the viewpoint for a 3D visualizaiton R Select view point via two rotation angles
RETURN Select view point Via compass and axes tripod
X,Y,Z Specifies view point
135 VSLIDE Displays a previously-created slide file file View slide
*file Preload slide, next VSLIDE will view
136 WBLOCK Writes selected entities to a disk file name Write specified Block Definitions
= Block name same as the name
* Write entire drawing
RETURN Write selected objects
137 ZOOM Enlarges or reduces the display of the
drawing number Multiplier from original scale
numberX Multiplier from current scale
A All
C Center
D Dynamic PAN / ZOOM
E Extens ("drawing uses")
L Lower left corner
P Previous
W window
138 3DFACE Draws three-dimensional plane selections I Make the following edge invisible
139 3DMESH
Defines a three-dimensional polygon mesh
by specifying its size (in terms of M and N)
and the location of each vertex in the mesh
140 3DPOLY Creates a three-dimensional polyline C Close the polyline back to the first point
U Undo (delete) the last segment entered
RETURN Exist 3DPOLY command