AutoCAD Object Selection & Common Function Keys

Vocabulary flashcards covering AutoCAD object selection techniques (Pick, Window, Crossing), common function keys (F1 through F12), and essential special keys/shortcuts.

Pick Selection Method

The most common AutoCAD selection method where the user places the cursor over an object and clicks the left mouse button to highlight and select it.

Pickbox

The small square box cursor that replaces the crosshairs when a Modify command (such as ERASE) is invoked, indicating the user should select objects.

Window Selection Method

An object selection method executed by dragging the cursor from left to right (P1 to P2), which selects only the objects that are completely enclosed within the rectangular selection area.

Crossing Selection Method

An object selection method executed by dragging the cursor from right to left (P1 to P2), which selects all objects that are either enclosed within or touched/crossed by the rectangular selection area.

Shift Key (Object Selection)

The key pressed and held while picking an object to unselect it if it was selected unintentionally.

F1 Key

The function key that opens the AutoCAD Help window online, or displays all AutoCAD functionalities in PDF format if working offline.

F2 Key

The function key that toggles the Text Window, opening a pop-up screen window at the bottom showing the command line history.

F3 Key

The function key that toggles Object Snap (OSNAP) on or off, allowing the user to snap accurately to specific geometry locations such as line endpoints or circle centers.

F5 Key

The function key that toggles ISOPLANE, alternating between the top, right, and left isometric planes oriented at an angle of $30^\circ$ from the horizontal plane.

F7 Key

The function key that toggles GRID mode on and off, displaying a regular pattern of dots on the screen that acts as a visual aid similar to graphing paper.

F8 Key

The function key that toggles ORTHO mode on or off, constraining cursor movement to strictly horizontal or vertical directions relative to the user coordinate system.

F10 Key

The function key that toggles Polar Tracking, which restricts cursor movement along specified angular increments and displays temporary alignment paths while automatically turning off ORTHO.

F12 Key

The function key that toggles Dynamic Input, providing cursor input, dimension input, and dynamic prompts directly near the cursor instead of on the command line.

Escape Key

A special key function that cancels the current command, active menu, or dialogue box.

Enter Key

A special key function that ends an active command, or repeats the previous command if the command line is blank.

Space Bar

A special key that performs the exact same action as the Enter Key, except when entering text.

CTRL+0

The keyboard shortcut that toggles Clean Screen in AutoCAD.

CTRL+1

The keyboard shortcut that toggles the Properties palette layout tab.

CTRL+2

The keyboard shortcut that toggles the Design Center palette.

CTRL+C

The keyboard shortcut that copies selected objects to the Clipboard.

CTRL+P

The keyboard shortcut that prints or plots the current drawing.

CTRL+S

The keyboard shortcut that saves the current drawing.

CTRL+X

The keyboard shortcut that cuts selected objects to the Clipboard.

CTRL+V

The keyboard shortcut that pastes data from the Clipboard into the drawing.

CTRL+Z

The keyboard shortcut that reverses or undoes the last action.

OOPS Command

A command in AutoCAD used to undo an accidental deletion and restore the last erased object(s).