Additional keyboard with macro command shortcuts

[Anonymous]

Although I'm only an intermediate level user, as an architecture student, I use AutoCAD a lot! And sometimes, I feel like my workflow could be better optimized.

Keyboard shortcuts for different commands (e.g. L+SPACE for 'line', etc.) still feel slow and cumbersome. Is there a way, with which I could plug in an external numeric keyboard, and program the keys to trigger "macro-commands"? For example: I would press a key, and the software would automatically type out L + SPACE for me. That way I could always keep one hand on the mouse, and my left hand wouldn't have to cover the whole keyboard, as all the keys would be close to one another.

Do you know if such software and/or hardware exists? Could I use BetterTouchTool to program the keys to execute certain commands? (I'm on a Mac)

Thanks! 🙂

[Anonymous]

There is indeed.  You can buy programmable usb keypads.  

Programmable Keypad

[scot-65]

At least you are using the keyboard!
This is by far more ergonomic than the file menu, toolbars or ribbon.

ACAD.pgp is your friend.
Have a look inside and assign keystrokes that favor the left hand.
"L" for line is not one of them. Add "X" to start the line command.
The "F-keys" can also be programmed. Unfortunately some of the keyboard
makers are leaning towards minimizing these keys to little buttons. We use
the F-keys as transparent OSNAP overrides.

Don't get too carried away as you may end up abandoning your set ways once you enter "the real world".

And Welcome to this Forum.
Do a search and you might be surprised at what you can find.

???

[Anonymous]

yeah the problem is that they cost 150$+... waaay to much for such a small thing! but apparently it can be done with cheap 10$ numpads 🙂

[Kent1Cooper]

Search the web for "multi-button mouse."  Serious gamers use them.  They come with a lot of different numbers of buttons and configurations.  I haven't tried one, but presumably those buttons are programmable, similar to the Tablet pucks with multiple buttons in the days when many people used Tablets with AutoCAD.