Shortcut command to F1 - not working

[Anonymous]

Hi All,

I've used the CUI to shortcut my polyline command to F1 - same way as I've done it for many other keys that all work fine. For some reason hitting F1 still opens up Help about a third of the time. If I just close out of help and try again, it usually initiates a polyline. Any ideas about this one? Thanks!

[M_c3d]

Does it happen after any specific command or during a command (the way the help file usually pops up in the middle of something)

Usually you will find a command in cui in multiple places, I would make sure you have disabled / replaced all the help commands associated with F1

[BushW]

Hi @Anonymous

I just wanted to follow up here, any progress on this issue and are you still in need of help? If you solved your issue can provide the solution to the problem so, other Community members might benefit and thanks for doing so, and I'm here to help.

Best Regards,

Wendell

[Anonymous]

Looked through "keyboard shortcuts" in my CUI and can't find anywhere else where "f1" or "F1" are assigned to anything. The "polyline" shortcut I added to my CUI was from the "CIVIL" source, I noticed I could also assign a shortcut for the polyline command from the "ACAD" source... since doing this I haven't noticed the help feature opening up, I'll let you guys know in a bit if this fixed it.

[BushW]

Hello @Anonymous

Have you taken a look at your PGP file? Please review this AKN article on how To Edit the Program Parameters (PGP) File to see if can help with solving your issue.

Please hit the ‘Accept as Solution’ button if my post solves your issue or answers your question. This lets me know that I was effective in helping you, and thank you for doing so.

[Anonymous]

I don't see anything in my PGP file about help or shortcut keys

[wfberry]

Wendell:

How would you use the F1 key in acad.pgp?  There is an existing F key and two "1"s on my keyboard.

Bill

[tcorey]

Are you opening Civil 3D with the 2D Drafting workspace active? Maybe that loads the acad cui but not the civil cui, so your adding the new keyboard shortcut in both cui files makes sense. I am anxious to hear your final results.

[BushW]

Hello @Anonymous and @wfberry

As I reviewed my acad.pgp file, I thought you could a do an External Command format within the acad.pgp file. Unfortunately, I was told that it was not possible to do that. I was informed that all "keyboard shortcuts" have to be edit in within the CUI file. My mistake on that suggestion. 

@M_c3d had a good suggestion in his reply that you will need to find all the F1 commands and disable them and replace all the help commands associated with F1. Here is a <<post>> on how to disable F1 command. Hope this helps

Best Regards,

Wendell

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

I think I finally have this figured out. Wendell, based on THIS thread you posted, others have had the same issue where F1 occasionally opens up "Help" even after being assigned to something else in the CUI. I searched all over my CUI and the F1 key was not assigned anywhere else.

I believe the problem is with Windows, which appears to sometimes override your active program to pull up "Help" when you hit F1. After some hassle I figured out how to disable this, you need to find the "HelpPane.exe" file in your Windows directory (likely C:\Windows) and delete it or change its name. To do this you have to mess with file permissions, the process for that is described HERE.

This may disable the "help" function in other programs as well, but I'm sure there are other ways to access it and I never use it anyhow.

[BushW]

Hello @Anonymous

I am very glad to hear that you were able to solve the issue and thanks for keeping us posted on this problem. 

Please select the ‘Accept as Solution’ button if/when relevant so, that others can more easily benefit from the information and thank you for doing so, and I'm here to help. 

Best Regards,

Wendell

[allywhite666]

I changed the name of this file and the problem still persists although it does it far less now. I think this is not the solution. Anyone else have a fix for this?