topic Re: Using a Smartphone as a Macro Keypad for AutoCAD - Another Take on Workflow Customization in Visual LISP, AutoLISP and General Customization Forum

Using a Smartphone as a Macro Keypad for AutoCAD - Another Take on Workflow Customization

ershovitalia — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:27:56 GMT

AutoCAD already offers a rich set of customization tools - the CUI editor, tool palettes, command aliases, and AutoLISP routines - and over the years I've explored most of them. This post is about adding one more layer to that stack: turning a smartphone into a dedicated macro keypad for AutoCAD, without purchasing any new hardware.

Background

A while back I used a 3D mouse with programmable buttons, and it noticeably improved the fluency of my CAD sessions. When my workflow shifted away from 3D modeling I sold it, but the memory of having key commands literally under my fingertips stuck with me. As my CAD workload grew again recently, I started looking for a cost-effective way to recreate that experience.

Why a Phone Instead of a Physical Macro Pad

A dedicated external macro keypad is the obvious solution - one button per command, no hunting the keyboard. But it means buying hardware and finding space on the desk. Then it occurred to me: I already carry a touchscreen device every day. Why not use it?

After some research I found a category of apps originally designed for PC gaming remote control that do exactly this - they turn a mobile device into a fully customizable button controller communicating with your PC over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. For CAD use, that translates into a programmable softkey panel you can design yourself.

My Layout

After a few days of iteration I settled on a layout I keep next to my laptop under my left hand:

Top row: Most-used native AutoCAD commands (LINE, TRIM, OFFSET, etc.)
Middle two rows: Custom AutoLISP-based commands specific to my surveying and documentation workflows
Bottom area: A touchpad strip with modifier and function keys

The result is that nearly every command I reach for during active drafting is accessible with a minimal hand movement - less mouse travel, fewer keyboard combinations to remember. You can also create multiple "pages" of buttons, so maintaining separate layouts for AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or other tools in your stack is straightforward.

Real-World Performance

Ergonomically, the phone sits naturally under my left hand and doesn't displace the keyboard or mouse. The compactness of the touch panel means I rarely lift my hand off the surface.

A few limitations are worth being honest about:

Sending Enter cleanly after typing a numeric value in the command line still requires some workaround in my setup
A stable connection worked best over Bluetooth in my tests; Wi-Fi and USB were less reliable depending on the app
Touch accuracy on small buttons takes a day or two to get used to

Despite these, the workflow improvement was meaningful enough that this has become a permanent part of my daily setup. I'd estimate roughly a 10% gain in command-entry speed on a typical drafting day.

The App

The tool I used for this experiment is Monect PC Remote, a free-to-try app available for Android and iOS. It's not CAD-specific, but it's flexible enough to map virtually any keystroke or command string to a button.

A Thought for Autodesk

This whole experiment made me wonder: would there be value in Autodesk releasing an official AutoCAD Companion app for smartphones and tablets? Not a mobile viewer - AutoCAD web and mobile already cover that - but something purpose-built for remote command control and CUI customization from a handheld device. An official app could go much further than a generic gaming remote: it could read your existing CUI profiles, sync tool palettes, suggest frequently used commands based on your session history, and maintain a secure connection to the desktop client natively. Given how many AutoCAD users work on laptops at client sites or on-site visits, a polished first-party solution like this could be a genuinely useful addition to the ecosystem.

Has anyone else experimented with phone-based macro layouts or similar setups? Would be curious to hear what tools and configurations the community is using.

The original version of the article in Italian is available at the following link

Re: Using a Smartphone as a Macro Keypad for AutoCAD - Another Take on Workflow Customization

DGCSCAD — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:53:42 GMT

I miss my Puck and Tablet.

That seems like it could be quite useful.

Bring back the Tablet, sans Puck! lol

Re: Using a Smartphone as a Macro Keypad for AutoCAD - Another Take on Workflow Customization

paullimapa — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:36:40 GMT

Reminds me of an article I wrote awhile back called "What Happened To The Digitizer?"

Now that the physical desktop cubicle space has reduced in size due to higher lease costs, while the virtual screen desktop space with the use of multiple monitors are a dime a dozen, having a physical digitizer and a puck becomes less attractive.

Re: Using a Smartphone as a Macro Keypad for AutoCAD - Another Take on Workflow Customization

Sea-Haven — Fri, 01 May 2026 01:04:18 GMT

Like the others the Digitizer option I think is still in the CUI, I have a small "Medion" pad and have tested it with Acad, it was purchased from Aldi and was cheap. Of course the Summagarphics 11x11 ? Matched the template that came in the box with Acad remember the box full of goodies, the 4 button cursor was the way to go, watched proficient users in action and they were fast they just sort of knew where a button was without looking.

Like the idea of using a phone, the new double flip ones would be very good as could have big buttons. Of course what about Speech it is already in Windows yes have played with it and ACAD, you can set words to commands so swearing at it was UNDO. 😃

Things you find in current version Bricscad. Same should be in Acad.

Re: Using a Smartphone as a Macro Keypad for AutoCAD - Another Take on Workflow Customization

DGCSCAD — Fri, 01 May 2026 11:16:20 GMT

My first LISP programs were mapped to a tablet. I remember having to re-calibrate it every time I made a change. That went away after the implementation of icon menu's and floating tool bars.

Re: Using a Smartphone as a Macro Keypad for AutoCAD - Another Take on Workflow Customization

Sea-Haven — Sat, 02 May 2026 00:59:29 GMT

@DGCSCAD agree, I make custom toolbars and POP menu's. Image menu's for visual selection. You can pull stuff out of one menu and put into a new menu, I had POP menu's for some CIV3D commands but when working in 'Drafting" workspace, so no workspace swapping, just copied the command from the CUI and pasted into a custom.mnu in Notepad. My last workplace custom menu was 725 lines.

Re: Using a Smartphone as a Macro Keypad for AutoCAD - Another Take on Workflow Customization

ershovitalia — Sun, 17 May 2026 17:17:34 GMT

Here's a short timelapse video

Re: Using a Smartphone as a Macro Keypad for AutoCAD - Another Take on Workflow Customization

BlackBox_ — Mon, 18 May 2026 14:35:20 GMT

Stream Deck:

https://www.elgato.com/us/en/s/stream-deck-mobile?srsltid=AfmBOoojNv5gDLLrtSbdt1LNwp81ZDU7jn-9zsI_IvSDNlKM7_NV5iY3

You can use the Free (6) perpetual version, or upgrade to the paid tier (64 + more features)... Create your own commands, or buy pre-made Stream Deck profiles (including AutoCAD).

Re: Using a Smartphone as a Macro Keypad for AutoCAD - Another Take on Workflow Customization

Sea-Haven — Tue, 19 May 2026 01:28:12 GMT

@BlackBox_ had a look at link could not find a lot of detail, maybe use a IPAD ?