Command Line Entry

Menu: none

Shortcut Key: Spacebar

Lets you choose a command by typing the name of the command, or an alias, in the Command Line.

With this method you don't have to select commands from the menu or by other means. Also, the program keeps a list of recently entered commands. Once you have entered a command, you can easily choose it again by pressing the Spacebar and using the up or down arrow keys to scroll to the command.

Using the Command

Press the Spacebar to display the Command Line. Enter the name of the command or alias in the box and press Enter. If any options are associated with the command you have chosen, the window appears as usual. Press the Tab key to enter the window and navigate to the option you want. Set the options and then press Enter to return to the drawing.

Note:  Many of the commands let you enter the parameters for the command on the same line in the Command box.

Editing the Command File

The program associates command names and aliases with command IDs in the MACROCMD.INI file. When you enter a custom command name, the program still identifies it with the real command name. This gives you a great deal of flexibility in customizing commands. You can even have multiple aliases for the same command.

Commented lines begin with a semicolon. They are not allowed on the same line as an alias. Please use caution when editing the MACROCMD.INI file. Make a backup of the file before you try to edit it. Edit only the Add Custom Command section, part of which is shown below. If you edit other sections, you may cause commands to stop working correctly.

;======ADD CUSTOM COMMAND NAME ENTRIES HERE======

;

;These sample commands are laid out following the menu's structure.

;

; File Menu

;

Nu=ID_DCAD_FILE_NEW

Ld=ID_DCAD_FILE_OPEN

QF=ID_DCAD_FILE_CLOSE

Sv=ID_SAVEFILE

SvA=ID_SAVEFILE_AS

SvS=ID_SELECT_SAVE

Creating an Alias

First, create a blank line for the new alias. Then enter the alias you want to use followed by the equals sign (without spaces) and the actual name of the DesignCAD command. It is not necessary to comment out the existing alias.

Suppose you want to add Clo as an alias for the File Close command. Go to the end of the following line:

QF=ID_DCAD_FILE_CLOSE

Press Enter to start a new line. Now enter the new alias as shown below:

clo=ID_DCAD_FILE_CLOSE

You may, of course, copy the DesignCAD command name and paste it in instead of typing it yourself. Save the file when you are sure the information is correct. The next time you start DesignCAD, it reads the file you have edited. Then you can press the Spacebar and enter “clo” in the Command Line to close a file.

Example: Draw a line from the origin (0,0) to (10,10).

Press the Spacebar to activate the Command Line. Start the Line command by entering “Line.” Then press the Enter key. Next, press the Spacebar again. In the Command Line enter pointxyz 0,0,0 and press Enter to set the first point. Press the Spacebar a third time. The previous entry (pointxyz 0,0,0) remains in the Command Line. Now change the 0,0,0 to 10,10,0 and press Enter. That sets the second point. Press Enter again to end the Line command. The line is drawn between those two points.