Michael’s Corner

Michael's Corner is a monthly publication written by Michael E. Beall, Autodesk Authorized Author and peripatetic AutoCAD trainer. Michael travels all over the USA, bringing his fantastic experience and great understanding of AutoCAD to his clients. Michael's Corner brings together many of the tips, tricks and methods developed during these training sessions for the benefit of all users.

Michael's Corner provides something for every AutoCAD user. Every month, a number of articles cover a wide range of topics, suitable for users at all levels, including "The Basics" for those just starting out. Essentially, the aim of Michael's Corner is to help all AutoCAD users work smarter and faster.

This month…

From the Vault

Originally published February 2006

Command Aliases

Do you want to change "C" to mean Copy rather than Circle? Do you use "R" for Redraw anymore? Set it to Rotate! Veterans will recall that the file containing these "aliases" is called ACAD.PGP (Program Parameters file). And some of the rest of us know pieces of how to do this, but let me pass along something I learned at CAD Camp last year and that was reiterated at Autodesk University: Put your desired aliases at the bottom of the acad.pgp file!

Here's why: Since AutoCAD reads the list of aliases in that file from the top down, if C means Circle early on in the list, and when it gets to the bottom you have it set for C to mean Copy, it supercedes the setting for Circle!

This works for all versions of AutoCAD, even LT! In the following exercise, I'm giving you the steps for editing this file using A2006. AutoCAD 2005 is similar. If you have earlier versions, I would recommend you use the Windows Find routine to find acad.pgp, then open it in Notepad.

Note: Yes, you could use the Express tool for editing the alias, but the following procedure retains the integrity of the original list while enabling you to make your desired settings.

Instructions to Modify Your Command Aliases

1. From the Tools menu go to CustomizeEdit Program Parameters (acad.pgp). This will open the file in Notepad. More importantly it will open the appropriate file which is located, by default, in a folder far, far away.
2. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the acad.pgp file. In A2006 you may have a heading and a note regarding User Defined Command Aliases. This is where you need to be.  All other acad.pgp files will just come to an end, probably after the alias assignment for Zoom.
3. Set your aliases using this context:

C,         *COPY

First, enter the characters you want to type at the command line to launch the command, followed by a comma.

Now, put in a few spaces, then precede the command to be launched with an asterisk and enter the full name of the command. Here are a few examples that I have added to my own acad.pgp

3,         *3DORBIT
Q,         *QSAVE
R,         *ROTATE
RR,       *RECTANGLE
WW,     *WIPEOUT
CC,       *CIRCLE

4. Save your acad.pgp file and close Notepad.

So there you are, ready to test your new aliases… and they don't work. That's because the acad.pgp file is accessed when AutoCAD launches. Unless, of course, you would like to force AutoCAD to look at it now that you have made these changes.

Instructions to Make Your Aliases Take Effect - Now!

1. At the command line, enter REINIT to open the Re-initialization dialog box.
2. Check the box for PGP File, then click OK.
3. Test your new alias(es). Have a nice day.

That dialog box has been there since Release 12. Seriously!

Top of page

Local Navigation