Change Aliases

[kryptonite_186]

I know the command aliases are customizable but it would still be nice if the standard ones were a little more practical and it would save me from editing my PGP file every time I upgrade AutoCAD, re-install AutoCAD, or change computers. Here are a few I would like to come standard with AutoCAD:

3R, - *ROTATE3D
C, - *COPY
CB, - *COPYBASE
CC, - *CIRCLE
D, - *DIST
DS, - *DIMSTYLE
EX, - *EXPLODE
MT, - *MTEXT
-MT, - *-MTEXT
PB, - *PASTEBLOCK
R, - *ROTATE
RD, - *REDRAW
SA, - *SAVEAS
T, - *TRIM
X, - *EXTEND

[BrenBren]

The problem with this is, and I don't mean this disrespectfully, those are just your preferences. Everyone here has their own preferences, which is why it is nice that AutoCAD is so customizable. Personally, is use CI for circle. And while I agree that C should be copy, not everyone will agree.

I am not sure you will ever reach on consensus on what aliases should be used -- just as we were never able to reach a consensus on what color text should be, what color centerlines should be, etc. Eventually, someone has to sit down and say - this is what they are going to be, deal with it. And that is pretty much what Autodesk has done. At least they have given us a way to change them.

As far as new computers or different computers, you can take the acad.pgp file with you, and I also think, although I am not totally sure on this, they may go with your if you import your profile to a new computer.

HTH

[kryptonite_186]

The problem with this is, and I don't mean this disrespectfully, those are just your preferences.
How DARE you disagree with me (just kidding)!! I know everyone will always have their own preferences and I respect that too. Its just that many of the aliases coming standard in AutoCAD that are more than 2 characters long, require that the user look down at the keyboard or (God forbid) let go of the mouse and use 2 hands to type in the correct alias.

Take ROTATE for example. Since RO is the standard alias, you first have to start with the R on one side of the key board and the O is on the other. I think in 2000i they had RT as another alias for this command and I got hooked on using that since the R and the T keys are together. R would be an even better alias if it were not being used by REDRAW. And who uses REDRAW anymore? Computers are being built to process so much faster these days that you may as well just use RE (good alias for REGEN) instead.

The aliases I was proposing use combinations of keys in close proximity (except MTEXT, couldn't think of a good one for MTEXT). If you don't like the aliases I proposed please feel free to submit any alternates that you would prefer or just give this thread a low rating. But if you like them please give this thread a high rating and also feel free to contribute any other aliases you would prefer.

Thanks!!

[ntaylor]

Whats the problem with simply keeping a copy of you PGP file and simply overwriting it when you need to. You can set it up to be 100% the way you like it whereas AutoCAD will never be able please everyone.

I notice you want x to be extend whereas I much prefer it to stay as explode. This is very clear proof you can not please everyone so why try to change something that can never please everyone and alienate all the currently happy users.

Regards - Nathan

[kryptonite_186]

Wow, I guess I've started quite a controversy with this thread. Believe me, many of these proposed aliases did not used to be my preference either. But after using them a few times they started to make a lot more sense. I just thought I would throw this idea out there to see if there were any open minded people that would see the practicality of these aliases that use combinations of keys in close proximity.

Also, please note that the following commands DO NOT currently have aliases assigned to them.

3R, - *ROTATE3D
CB, - *COPYBASE
PB, - *PASTEBLOCK
SA, - *SAVEAS

P.S. - Thanks for all the tips on how to preserve my PGP file/preferences/aliases!!

[scott.wilcox]

The trouble with aliases is that AutoCAD already has a lot of them. In my office, the rule is to have any aliases you like, but you cannot redefine existing ones. So, you cannot have:

l = layer
s = save
p = plot
m = mirror
t = text
o = open

Better to make unique aliases than redefine existing ones.

Scott

[jaberwok]

A very minor point here.

"C" used to be the alias for Copy but Adesk changed it to "CP" for Copy and "C" for Circle - probably because users asked them to.

BTW, I can easily type "RO" with either hand, do you use your littlest fingers at all?

Nathan said it - keep your own pgp file and use it to update the supplied file when you upgrade.

Ciao

[kryptonite_186]

A very minor point here.

"C" used to be the alias for Copy but Adesk changed it to "CP" for Copy and "C" for Circle - probably because users asked them to.

You make an excellent point John. If the users asked them to change the alias in the first place, then the users can obviously ask them to change it back. That means... OMG, that what I have been suggesting here is not such a crazy idea after all!!

Actually the majority of people that I have ever asked about it actually still prefer to use the single character alias "C" for COPY and not for CIRCLE. This single character alias preference also goes for the majority of the commands that fall into the "modify" category (i.e. - ERASE, COPY, OFFSET, MOVE, ROTATE, STRETCH, TRIM, EXTEND, FILLET, etc).

A very minor point as well. The only ones responding to this thread are the same ones that are already keeping a copy of their PGP file and updating their personal aliases anyway, so why do you care if Autodesk changes the default ones?

[thomas.stright]

The trouble with aliases is that AutoCAD already has a lot of them. In my office, the rule is to have any aliases you like, but you cannot redefine existing ones. So, you cannot have:

l = layer
s = save
p = plot
m = mirror
t = text
o = open

Better to make unique aliases than redefine existing ones.

Scott
Whats the reason behind this?

[scott.wilcox]

Whats the reason behind this?
When working on another workstation, the out-of-the box aliases work. It's very frustrating when you enter an alias and you get a different command. Try typing o for 'offset' and getting 'open'. By keeping the AutoCAD aliases the same, this does not happen.

[ntaylor]

You make an excellent point John. If the users asked them to change the alias in the first place, then the users can obviously ask them to change it back. That means... OMG, that what I have been suggesting here is not such a crazy idea after all!! You have completely missed the point. If users have asked for an alias to be changed and you ask for that alias to be changed again don't you think they will ask for it to be changed again. We'll be going around and around in circles and I won't know if I need to use C or CI to create that circle.


A very minor point as well. The only ones responding to this thread are the same ones that are already keeping a copy of their PGP file and updating their personal aliases anyway, so why do you care if Autodesk changes the default ones? Where did you get that idea from. I do not keep a copy of the PGP as I am quite happy with the standard aliases. I would be happy to keep a copy of the PGP file if I was unsatisfied with the aliases. I would not be happy keeping a copy of the PGP just because the aliases were being changed with every release.

Regards - Nathan

[scott.wilcox]

I am quite happy with the standard aliases
So am I. I just like to type r3 instead of rotate3d all the time.

[kryptonite_186]

You have completely missed the point. If users have asked for an alias to be changed and you ask for that alias to be changed again don't you think they will ask for it to be changed again. We'll be going around and around in circles and I won't know if I need to use C or CI to create that circle.
Nathan you sound pretty ticked off about this whole topic so do me a favor... take a deep breath before you read the rest of this reply ;). I know exactly what John was trying to say. I was merely using what he said to make an alternate point (and I was just having a little fun with the "excellent idea" statement). As he said, the alias for COPY "used to be" C but was "changed to" CP. I think it was a mistake to do that and many users that I have talked to share my opinion. For example:

Personally, is use CI for circle. And while I agree that C should be copy, not everyone will agree.
And since it was changed in the first place it has to be possible to change back. So "IF" it is the majority of the users that share that preference (like Brenda) and would like it changed back I think they should at least consider it, hence this wish list item and hence the request for your votes on this topic.


By the way...


Where did you get that idea from. I do not keep a copy of the PGP as I am quite happy with the standard aliases. I would be happy to keep a copy of the PGP file if I was unsatisfied with the aliases. I would not be happy keeping a copy of the PGP just because the aliases were being changed with every release.
Umm.. let me think a minute...

Whats the problem with simply keeping a copy of you PGP file and simply overwriting it when you need to. You can set it up to be 100% the way you like it whereas AutoCAD will never be able please everyone.

Regards - Nathan

[ntaylor]

I'm certainly not ticked of about this I am simply making sure people are aware of the consequences of trying to get something changed to suit them when they have already got a simple solution.
Regarding the following meaning I keep a copy of the PGP is just an incorrect assumption.

Whats the problem with simply keeping a copy of you PGP file and simply overwriting it when you need to. You can set it up to be 100% the way you like it whereas AutoCAD will never be able please everyone.
Regards - Nathan

[RobertB]

It is sad that Autodesk still hasn't provided a way for a custom .pgp that doesn't require editing the Acad.pgp (similar to partial menus). However, if you look at the bottom of the 2005 .pgp file, you see that at least they tell you to place aliases there. And those aliases will redefine the ones above. So I place all our own aliases there and keep a separate copy of those aliases in a secure location for the next release of AutoCAD. I don't touch AutoCAD's standard aliases in the sense of editing their part of the .pgp. Some of my own additions at the bottom of the file override their definitions, however.

[thomas.stright]

When working on another workstation, the out-of-the box aliases work. It's very frustrating when you enter an alias and you get a different command. Try typing o for 'offset' and getting 'open'. By keeping the AutoCAD aliases the same, this does not happen.
I see your point, but I've never worked at a place where I would jump from machine to machine. In the last 8 years I have always had my own machine and no one else uses it.

[scott.wilcox]

I see your point, but I've never worked at a place where I would jump from machine to machine. In the last 8 years I have always had my own machine and no one else uses it.
Everyone has their own workstations here, but troubleshooting on other workstations, or firing up an unused station to do modeling causes PGP woes.

[thomas.stright]

Everyone has their own workstations here, but troubleshooting on other workstations, or firing up an unused station to do modeling causes PGP woes.
I guess I'm falling back on my Marine training....Adjust, Adapt, Overcome..... ;)

[BrenBren]

Excellent Tip, Robert. Thanks. I didn't know that you could do that.

[kryptonite_186]

It is sad that Autodesk still hasn't provided a way for a custom .pgp that doesn't require editing the Acad.pgp (similar to partial menus).

Thats a good idea Robert. You should start a thread on that.

[RobertB]

Thats a good idea Robert. You should start a thread on that.

Consider it done!

[RobertB]

Excellent Tip, Robert. Thanks. I didn't know that you could do that.

I'm glad you found it useful.

[Ed Jobe]

Everyone has their own workstations here, but troubleshooting on other workstations, or firing up an unused station to do modeling causes PGP woes.

The following from the pgp header might be of help. When you go to the other station, is the location of the desired pgp at the top of the search path?

; Each time you open a new or existing drawing, AutoCAD searches
; the support path and reads the first acad.pgp file that it finds.