Transitioning from AutoCAD - Configuring QCAD for most simlar options/config (mostly keyboard work)

[faraggi]

QCAD Pro 3.32.4.0 (3.32.4)
Linux Kubuntu 24.04


Hello everyone,

I’m a new QCAD user and I’d really like to transition away from AutoCAD, both to support open-source software and because I appreciate the philosophy behind it. Before I dive too deep, I’d like to ask if it’s possible to configure QCAD to approximate my current AutoCAD workflow as closely as possible, so that the transition is as seamless as it can be.

Here’s how I usually work in AutoCAD:

- I rely heavily on a combination of keyboard and mouse. I switch between commands very quickly by typing one or two keys, then pressing spacebar (instead of Enter) to activate the command.
- Most of my interaction comes through the command line. Toolbars and buttons are rarely used, except for a few specific commands.
- I often activate the orthogonal restriction while drawing. In AutoCAD, I can toggle this once and have it persist across multiple commands. In QCAD, I see that I can use the EO shortcut, but it seems I need to activate it for each command separately. Ideally, I’d like to have it apply to all commands once toggled.
- Finally, I find the current command line text color (dark blue on dark gray/black) very hard to read. Since I depend on the command line to know what step comes next, it would help me a lot to be able to change that color for better readability.

My questions are:

1. Is it possible to configure QCAD to replicate this “keyboard + command line” workflow as closely as possible?
2. Can I remap the spacebar as Enter, and define simple one- or two-key shortcuts for commands?
3. Is there a way to set orthogonal restriction so that it persists across commands, not just one at a time?
4. Can I change the color of the command line text for better visibility?

Any other advice, tips, or guidance on making this transition easier would be very much appreciated.

Thank you very much in advance!

[John Hyslop]

Hi faraggi,

Welcome to the Qcad Forum

I’ve been using AutoCAD since the late 80s, but these days I mostly work in QCAD. Here are my thoughts on your questions:

1: I wouldn’t recommend going down the custom hotkey path — I tried it myself and ended up resetting everything back to the defaults.

2: Remapping the spacebar will probably interfere with QCAD’s existing commands, so I wouldn’t recommend doing this even if it is possible.

3: Yes, you can. While in a command like Line, type EO to continue drawing orthogonal lines.
Tip: While moving the mouse in the direction you want, hit the spacebar — this activates the command line. You can then just type the length you want for the line [then Enter] Pressing the escape twice gets you out of octagonal mode.Also see image below:-

ortho.png (32.87 KiB) Viewed 2700 times

4: Check out PeteVick’s QCAD Theme Designer. It gives you a lot of flexibility with colours, including the command line text and background:
https://qcad.org/rsforum/viewtopic.php? ... 54c#p39447
https://qcad.org/rsforum/viewtopic.php? ... =45#p45098

I rarely touch AutoCAD these days because I can produce parts much faster using QCAD’s default hotkeys. If you like, I can upload you a list of the common ones I use — once you get familiar with the Qcad hotkeys, you won’t look back.

Cheers,
John Hyslop

[CVH]

Hi,

About QCAD in general two important phrases tend to pop up:

• "QCAD is never intended to be yet another ACAD clone."
  "When comparing QCAD to other CAD systems, please consider the platform availability and license cost as well for a fair assessment."

It is further unsure that QCAD is capable of opening your existent projects files, ifso, opening correctly because not everything is supported.
Very complex drawing files may slow down QCAD to a point reported as 'unworkable'.
It tends to be over-complex for no sound reason.

You can explore QCAD functionality and possibilities for free with a fully functional QCAD Pro trial package.


About the QCAD Command Line in general:
The Command Line is rather geared to handle a list of coordinates, not really intended for a list of commands with associated options.
Most tools can be addressed directly by a 2(3) keyboard key sequence or shortcut key sequence when the focus is on the drawing area.
Hitting [Enter] (or the Space-Bar for that matter) is not required. (See overview)

Remapping to custom commands and shortcut key sequences is an option but I would follow John's advice here.
Remapping 'Enter' to 'Space-Bar' is not a direct option. (With scripts almost anything is possible)
The 'Space-Bar' is used to set the focus on the Command Line, 'Enter' is also used to apply changes at various places.


A major difference exist for tool options because in general they can't all be defined using the Command Line.
Most tools list their options in the Option Toolbar, it dynamically displays the current active tool options.
Interesting here is that a numerical input is send to the first input field on the Option Toolbar.
A recent addition is that options can be addressed by dynamically assigned shortcuts, all starting with a comma.

Here is a tweak for those that tend to forget how important the Option Toolbar is under QCAD.


It is called a Graphical User interface (GUI) for something.
Typing in everything only using a keyboard is from a past era, from when monitors were monochrome, green on black.
Things evolved, keyboards inputs are still supported for backwards compatibility.

Then you will never catch my typing in 'lineorthogonaltangent' ...
In the mean time I have navigated to the tool action button or used the shortcut LN ... Several times over.

I don't see you typing in 'swipeleft', 'swiperight' or 'scrolldown' on your (not so) Smart-Phone ...
Also GUI-based but with no need for a similar backwards compatibility.


Restrict orthogonal (EO) is indeed reset after canceling a drawing tool, similar to most other snapping options.
You can lock these options using Lock Snap (SQ).
As John explained there is the option of 'Direct Distance Entry'.
But you could also hold down the Alt key to restrict orthogonal when indicating a new coordinate input.

- Finally, I find the current command line text color (dark blue on dark gray/black) very hard to read.

In 'Default' mode that is black on white, In 'Dark' mode that is white on very dark grey.
I have no problems with that.
The other themes are by user PeteVick (Pete Vickerstaff), commits are from 4 years back (v3.26.2.5) ...
... not updated together with his QCAD Theme Designer.
One can not alter the 'Default' or the 'Dark' theme. (Also see header of QCAD Dark Theme)

The Command History reports commands in blue, info in pale blue, warnings in red and messages as formatted on the Command Line.
I am not sure that this can be overruled with a CSS.

Regards,
CVH