Civil 3D commands and shortcuts

Here is a comprehensive list of Civil 3D commands and shortcuts that you can include in your workflow to increase productivity.

These commands are categorized into different categories for easy access.

Civil 3D Keyboard Shortcuts

These are all the standard keyboard shortcuts that you can use with Civil 3D.

1. Ctrl + N (New Drawing)

You can swiftly initiate a new drawing by pressing Ctrl + N.

2. Ctrl + O (Open)

Press Ctrl + O to open existing drawings effortlessly.

It saves you time by quickly accessing your previous work.

3. Ctrl + S (Save)

Ensure you save your current drawing by pressing Ctrl + S frequently.

It's essential for preserving your progress and preventing data loss.

4. Ctrl + Shift + S (Save As)

Save your drawing with a new name using Ctrl + Shift + S.

This shortcut is handy when creating multiple versions of your work.

5. Ctrl + Z or U (Undo)

If you make a mistake, press Ctrl + Z or enter the command “U” to undo your last action.

This shortcut allows you to quickly correct errors without disrupting your workflow.

6. Ctrl + Y (Redo) or REDO

After undoing an action, press Ctrl + Y or enter the command “REDO” to redo it if necessary.

This shortcut helps you fine-tune your edits with ease.

7. Ctrl + A (Select All)

Quickly select all objects within your drawing by pressing Ctrl + A.

It's a handy shortcut for performing operations on the entire drawing.

8. Ctrl + C (Copy)

When you need to duplicate selected objects, use Ctrl + C to copy them.

This shortcut simplifies the process of creating duplicates within your drawing.

9. Ctrl + V (Paste)

After copying objects, use Ctrl + V to paste them into your drawing swiftly.

It's a convenient way to place copied elements exactly where you need them.

10. Ctrl + Shift + C (Clipboard)

Access the clipboard swiftly by pressing Ctrl + Shift + C.

This shortcut allows you to copy an object by selecting its base point.

11. Ctrl + Shift + V (Paste Clipboard)

Paste data from the clipboard into your drawing by pressing Ctrl + Shift + V.

It's a convenient way to transfer information between documents, the pasted item will be pasted as a block.

12. Ctrl+G: Toggle Grid

Use this shortcut to toggle the grid display on and off, helping you align objects precisely on your drawing.

13. Ctrl+E: Cycle isometric planes

Quickly cycle through different isometric planes to view your drawing from various perspectives.

14. Ctrl+F: Toggle running object snaps 

Enable or disable running object snaps, which aid in accurately placing and aligning objects.

15. Ctrl+H: Toggle Pick Style

Switch between different pick styles for selecting objects, providing flexibility in your drawing workflow.

16. Ctrl+Shift+H: Toggle Hide pallets

Hide or show pallets in the drawing interface to customize your workspace as needed.

17. Ctrl+I: Toggle Coords

Turn on or off coordinate display, showing or hiding the coordinates of the cursor position.

18. Ctrl+Shift+I: Toggle Infer Constraints

Enable or disable inference constraints, which automatically apply geometric constraints as you draw.

General Civil 3D Commands

These commands are used for general functions and basic operations in Civil 3D.

19. UN (Units)

You use this command to set units for the drawing.

It helps ensure that your drawing is scaled correctly and accurately represents real-world dimensions.

20. DWGUNITS (Drawing Units)

Modify drawing units as per your project requirements.

You can adjust the scale and precision of measurements to suit your needs.

21. L (Line)

Draw straight lines effortlessly.

This command allows you to create linear segments quickly and accurately within your drawing.

22. C (Circle)

You can use this command to create circles of various sizes.

It's useful for representing circular objects or defining curved elements in your design.

23. REC (Rectangle)

Draw rectangles with ease using this command.

It allows you to define four-sided shapes with perpendicular sides, commonly used for architectural and structural elements.

24. O (Offset)

Generate parallel lines at a specified distance from existing objects.

This command is handy for creating offsets and boundaries in your design.

25. TR (Trim)

Trim objects to remove unwanted portions.

It helps clean up your drawing by eliminating overlapping or intersecting lines and shapes.

26. EX (Extend)

Extend objects to meet specified boundaries or edges.

This command is useful for lengthening lines or curves within your drawing.

27. MI (Mirror)

Create mirrored copies of objects.

It allows you to duplicate elements symmetrically, saving time in the design process.

28. M (Move)

Relocate objects within your drawing effortlessly.

Use this command to reposition elements to their desired locations.

29. CO (Copy)

Make copies of selected objects quickly.

This command is essential for duplicating elements while preserving the original.

30. E (Erase)

Remove unwanted objects from your drawing.

It's a simple yet essential command for cleaning up and decluttering your design.

31. SC (Scale)

Resize objects proportionally or non-proportionally.

This command allows you to adjust the size of elements while maintaining their relative dimensions.

32. RO (Rotate)

Rotate objects to the desired angle.

This command helps you orient elements precisely within your drawing.

33. ST (Stretch)

Modify the shape of objects easily.

You can use this command to stretch or compress elements along a specified axis.

34. AR (Array)

Create arrays of objects effortlessly.

This command allows you to replicate elements in a linear or radial pattern, saving time in the design process.

35. BR (Break)

Break objects into segments.

It's useful for dividing lines or curves into smaller components.

36. J (Join)

Combine separate objects into a single entity.

This command helps you unify elements to create continuous shapes or paths.

37. X (Explode)

Break down complex objects into simpler components.

It's useful for converting compound shapes or grouped elements into individual entities.

38. PE (Pedit)

Edit polylines and splines efficiently.

This command provides tools for modifying the vertices and segments of complex curves or paths.

39. AL (Align)

Arrange objects in a specified alignment or orientation.

This command helps you organize elements neatly within your drawing.

40. BL (Block)

Create block definitions for reusable elements.

It allows you to define and store commonly used components for easy insertion into your design.

41. ARE (Area)

Calculate object areas accurately.

This command provides measurements for enclosed regions within your drawing

42. DI (Distance)

Measure distances between points or objects precisely.

It's a handy tool for verifying dimensions or checking clearances within your design.

43. ID (ID)

Display object coordinates quickly.

This command provides positional information for selected elements within your drawing.

44. HA (Hatch)

Fill areas with patterns or solid colors.

It's useful for representing materials or indicating different zones within your design.

45. QS (Qsave)

Save the current drawing quickly.

This command helps you preserve your work regularly to prevent data loss.

46. OS (Osnap)

Toggle object snap mode effortlessly.

This command enables precise object placement by snapping to specific points or features.

47. PA (Pan)

Move the view smoothly within your drawing area.

This command allows you to navigate large or detailed drawings with ease.

48. Z (Zoom)

Change the magnification level of your drawing swiftly.

This command enables you to focus on specific areas or details within your design.

49. PL (Polyline)

Create polylines efficiently.

This command allows you to draw complex paths or boundaries composed of multiple segments.

50. D (Dimension)

Create linear dimensions accurately.

This command allows you to add measurements to your drawing, providing scale and context.

51. DAR (Diameter)

Add diameter dimensions to circular objects.

This command provides radial measurements for defining the size of circular elements.

52. RA (Radius)

Specify radius dimensions for circular objects.

This command helps you define the curvature or size of arcs and circles.

53. DAN (Angular)

Create angular dimensions for angular objects or features.

This command provides measurements for defining angles and orientations.

54. BA (Baseline)

Define baseline dimensions for linear objects.

This command allows you to establish a reference line for dimensioning multiple objects consistently.

Manage Screen

These commands are used for managing screen related settings in Civil 3D.

55. Ctrl+0 (zero): Clean Screen

Clear the screen clutter by toggling between a clean screen and the normal display with all the palettes.

56. Ctrl+1: Property Palette

Access the property palette to view and modify the properties of selected objects.

57. Ctrl+2:  Design Centre Palette

Open the design centre palette for managing and inserting content like blocks, xrefs, and hatch patterns.

58. Ctrl+3: Tool Palette

Bring up the tool palette for easy access to commonly used tools and commands.

59. Ctrl+4: Sheet Set Palette

Manage and organize sheet sets using the sheet set palette.

60. Ctrl+6: DBConnect Manager

Access the DBConnect Manager for managing connections to external databases

61. Ctrl+7: Mark-up Set Manager Palette

Open the mark-up set manager palette for managing mark-ups in the drawing.

62. Ctrl+8: Quick Calc

Quickly calculate values using the quick calc tool.

63. Ctrl+9: Command Line

Open the command line for entering commands and options directly.

Manage Drawings

As the name suggests, these commands are used for managing drawings in Civil 3D.

64. Ctrl+P: Plot dialogue box

Open the plot dialogue box to set up and print your drawing.

65. Ctrl+Tab: Switch to next

Cycle through open drawings, switching to the next one in the list.

66. Ctrl+Shift+Tab: Switch to previous drawing

Move to the previous drawing in the list of open drawings.

67.Ctrl+Page Up: Previous tab

Switch to previous tab in current drawing - Navigate to the previous layout tab within the current drawing.

68.Ctrl+Page Down: Next tab

Switch to next tab in current drawing - Move to the next layout tab within the current drawing.

69. Ctrl+Q: Exit

This command will close Civil 3D and exit the software.

Toggle Drawing Modes

These commands will toggle different modes on or off in Civil 3D.

70. F1: Display Help

Open the help documentation to get assistance with commands and features.

71. F2: Toggle text screen

Switch between the graphics screen and a text-based screen for entering commands.

72. F3: Toggle object snap mode

Turn object snap mode on or off for precise object placement.

73. F4: Toggle 3DOsnap

Enable or disable 3D object snap mode for snapping to 3D geometry.

74. F5: Toggle Isoplane

Toggle between different isometric planes for viewing 3D objects.

75. F6: Toggle Dynamic UCS

Activate or deactivate dynamic UCS for easy 3D drawing.

76. F7: Toggle grid mode

Turn grid mode on or off to display a grid overlay on the drawing area.

77. F8: Toggle ortho mode

Enable or disable ortho mode for drawing horizontal and vertical lines only.

78. F9: Toggle snap mode

Toggle snap mode on or off for snapping to specified intervals.

79. F10: Toggle polar mode

Activate or deactivate polar mode for drawing at specified angles.

80. F11: Toggle object snap tracking

Enable or disable object snap tracking for tracking points as you draw.

81. F12: Toggle dynamic input mode

Turn dynamic input mode on or off for entering commands and options dynamically.

General Commands

These commands are used for adding different drawings and modifications in Civil 3D.

82. A

 Use this shortcut to create an arc in your drawing, saving you time and effort in constructing curved elements.

83. ADC

With ADCENTER, you can efficiently manage and insert content like blocks, xrefs, and hatch patterns into your design, streamlining your workflow.

84. AA

Calculate the area and perimeter of objects or defined areas with the AREA command, providing essential measurements for your project.

85. AP

Quickly load applications into Civil 3D with the APPLOAD command, enhancing the functionality of your software with additional tools and features.

86. BC

Manage your block editing workflow by closing the Block Editor with the BCLOSE command, ensuring efficient navigation and organization.

87. BO

Generate regions or polylines from enclosed areas with the BOUNDARY command, facilitating the creation of defined areas within your design.

Civil 3D Navigation Commands

As the name suggests, these commands are used for navigating in the drawing area of Civil 3D.

88. CAM

Set camera locations to create and save 3D perspective views of objects using the CAMERA command, enhancing visualization capabilities in your project.

89. CBAR

Utilize the CONSTRAINTBAR to access geometric constraints and enhance object alignment and arrangement within your design.

90. CH

Control properties of existing objects with the PROPERTIES command, allowing for customization and modification as needed.

91. CHA

Bevel the edges of objects using the CHAMFER command, adding visual interest and realism to your design elements.

92. CHK

You use this shortcut to check the current drawing for standards violations, ensuring that your project adheres to specified standards and guidelines.

93. CLI

By using this shortcut, you can quickly access the Command Line window, allowing for efficient input and execution of commands within Civil 3D.

94. COL

When you want to set the color for new objects in your drawing, you utilize this shortcut to streamline the process and maintain consistency in your design

95. CT

To set the name of the current table style, you employ this shortcut, making it easier to manage and organize tables within your drawing.

96. CUBE

Controlling the visibility and display properties of the View Cube tool is made simple with this shortcut, allowing you to navigate and orient your drawing with ease.

97. D

With this shortcut, you can create and modify dimension styles, ensuring your drawings are accurately annotated and dimensioned according to your project requirements.

98. DBA

This shortcut enables you to create a linear, angular, or ordinate dimension from the baseline of the previous or selected dimension, facilitating dimensioning tasks in your drawing.

99. DCE

To create the center mark or centerlines of circles and arcs, utilize this shortcut, making it easier to indicate the center points of geometric elements in your drawing.

Summary

So, that was our entire list of Civil 3D commands and shortcuts.

If you have a command that you think should be added to the list, then share it in the comment area down below and we will add it to the list.

If you are new to Civil 3D and want to learn it right from scratch with a free course, then check out the Civil 3D essentials course.