Deswik inherits several standard Windows/CAD conventions but adds its own proprietary keys. The following table lists the most critical default shortcuts applicable across Deswik.CAD and Deswik.Sched (where applicable).
| Shortcut | Command | Function Description |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Ctrl + N | New File | Creates a new blank Deswik project. |
| Ctrl + O | Open | Opens an existing .dwg, .dm, or Deswik project file. |
| Ctrl + S | Save | Saves the current project. Note: Deswik auto-save is configurable but manual save is recommended. |
| Ctrl + P | Plot/Print | Opens the print and layout configuration dialog. |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo | Reverses the last action (supports multi-level undo). |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo | Reapplies the last undone action. |
| Ctrl + X / C / V | Cut/Copy/Paste | Standard clipboard operations for selected objects. |
| Delete | Erase | Removes selected entities. |
| F1 | Help | Opens Deswik online documentation (context-sensitive in some dialogs). |
| F2 | Text Screen | Expands the command history window (useful for debugging scripts). |
| F3 | Object Snap Toggle | Turns Object Snap (OSNAP) on/off globally. |
| F8 | Ortho Mode Toggle | Locks cursor to horizontal/vertical movement relative to current UCS. |
| F9 | Snap Mode Toggle | Toggles grid snapping. |
| SPACEBAR | Repeat Last Command | Most used shortcut. Executes the previous command without re-entering parameters. |
In Deswik, context is everything. Many shortcuts change function depending on whether you are in Plan View, Section View, or 3D View. However, a core set remains universal:
A compact, actionable keyboard-shortcuts feature for Deswik users that boosts efficiency by mapping common tasks to keys, with quick access, customization, and in-app help.
Surface and solid modelling requires constant toggling between selection modes.
| Shortcut | Action in SMD | | :--- | :--- | | F9 | Activate "Select Vertex" mode. | | F10 | Activate "Select Edge" mode. | | F11 | Activate "Select Face" mode. | | F12 | Activate "Select Solid" mode. | | Delete | After selecting a Face/Edge/Vertex: Delete it. | | Ctrl + X | Cut selected geometry to clipboard. | | Shift + Drag | While using "Move" (M command), holding Shift temporarily disables snap. |
In Deswik.CAD, keyboard shortcuts (often called ) are highly customizable and follow a "live listening" system where the software triggers commands immediately upon typing the character sequence. Core Navigation & General Shortcuts
These are commonly used for basic interface management and view control:
: View | Plane by 2 Points (requires Snap to Points enabled).
: Deswik | Tools | Shortcuts (standard recommendation for quick access to the shortcut menu).
: Hold while selecting layers with the mouse to select multiple items. Right-Click
: Any command on the ribbon can be right-clicked to assign a personalized keyboard shortcut. User-Recommended Efficiency Shortcuts
Many experienced users prefer single or double-character shortcuts to speed up drafting: : Break polyline at a specific point. : Connect polylines automatically. : Draw polyline. : Common abbreviation for Isolate Layer. : Common abbreviation for Hide Layer. : Common abbreviation for Unhide/Show Layer. Customizing Your Shortcuts
Deswik allows you to tailor your workspace to mimic other software like AutoCAD or to fit your specific workflow: Access the Menu Tools | Shortcuts to open the customization dialog. Assigning Keys : It is recommended to use 2 to 3 characters
for shortcuts. If you use a single character (e.g., "P"), you cannot have any other shortcut starting with that character because Deswik will trigger the command immediately upon the first keystroke. deswik keyboard shortcuts
: Recycling shortcuts from other CAD software (like "PL" for polyline) can help with muscle memory. Layer and Tool Shortcuts
Specific training modules emphasize these key areas for shortcut application: Navigation : Quick keys for switching between 2D and 3D views. Layer Control : Shortcuts to refresh layer lists or toggle visibility.
: Often toggled via function keys or specific character shortcuts to ensure precision while drawing. to set up in your Deswik environment?
Master Deswik Keyboard Shortcuts: The Ultimate Guide to Efficiency
In the world of mine planning and 3D modeling, speed is just as important as precision. Mastering Deswik keyboard shortcuts is the fastest way to bridge that gap, transforming a repetitive, click-heavy workflow into a seamless, high-speed operation. Unlike many CAD programs that rely on single-key commands, Deswik uses a "live listening" system that allows for highly customizable character strings and combination keys. 1. How to Access and Customize Shortcuts
Deswik is designed for personalization. If you are a veteran of other software, you don't have to relearn everything; you can simply remap Deswik's commands to match your muscle memory.
The Shortcut Dialog: To view or edit your current hotkeys, use the menu path Tools | Shortcuts.
Creating a "Shortcut for Shortcuts": A popular pro tip is to create a shortcut specifically for the shortcut dialog itself (e.g., using "TS" for Tools | Shortcuts) to make future adjustments frictionless.
The Ellipse Button: For combination keys (like Ctrl + Z), click the ellipse (...) button next to the shortcut value in the customization window to record the keystrokes. 2. Common & Default Deswik Shortcuts
While many users prefer to customize their setup, Deswik comes with several logical defaults and common character strings used by industry professionals. Suggested/Default Shortcut Description New Polyline NS (or PL for AutoCAD users) Starts the command to draw a new polyline. Isolate ISO Quickly hides all entities except those selected. Hide HID Hides the selected entities from the current view. Show/Unhide SHO Reveals previously hidden entities. Undo Ctrl + Z Reverses the last action. Redo Ctrl + Y Re-applies an action that was undone. Save Project Ctrl + S Saves the current project file. 3. Strategies for Memorable Shortcuts
Because Deswik "listens" for strings, you are not limited to one key. However, to maintain high efficiency, consider these strategies:
Optimal Length: Aim for two to three characters. Single-character shortcuts trigger immediately, which can block other shortcuts from starting with that same letter.
Software Recycling: If you grew up on AutoCAD or Vulcan, remap your most-used commands to those familiar aliases. For example, changing the "New Polyline" command from NS to PL can save hours of training for new users.
Phonetic Abbreviations: Use short word stems that are easy to associate with the action, such as "MOV" for move or "ROT" for rotate. In Deswik
External Hardware: For even more speed, many power users pair their shortcuts with macro-enabled mice or 3D controllers like the 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse, which allows for simultaneous panning, zooming, and rotation without touching the keyboard. 4. Advanced Tool Shortcuts
Deswik's specialized tools often have their own specific efficiency drivers:
Vertex List Tool: Useful for quickly adjusting gradients on lines, essential for ramp design.
Formula Builder: While not a traditional "hotkey," mastering the Expression Editor allows you to automate attribute modifications based on layer names or volumes.
Selection Filters: Using shortcuts to trigger specific filters can help isolate blocks in large solid geomodels.
By tailoring your Deswik keyboard shortcuts to your specific planning needs, you can significantly reduce menu-diving and focus on what matters: the engineering. Keyboard shortcuts for Project - Microsoft Support
Master Your Workflow: The Ultimate Guide to Deswik Keyboard Shortcuts
In the high-pressure world of mine planning, every second counts. Navigating through deep menus in Deswik CAD can feel like digging a tunnel with a teaspoon when you could be using a TBM. The secret to massive productivity gains isn't just knowing the software—it’s mastering the Deswik keyboard shortcuts that keep your hands on the keys and your eyes on the model. Why Shortcuts Matter in Deswik
Deswik is a "live listening" environment. Unlike other CAD software that might require you to hit "Enter" after every command, Deswik can trigger actions the moment it recognises a sequence. This makes your workflow incredibly fluid, but it also means your setup needs to be intentional. Professionals often find that two or three-character shortcuts strike the perfect balance between speed and avoiding accidental triggers. Essential Navigation & View Shortcuts
While many engineers use a 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse to pan and rotate their 3D models, keyboard hotkeys remain the backbone of layer and entity control.
Standard Navigation: Use the GeoKniga introduction guide to familiarise yourself with the basic Introduction to Deswik.CAD navigation shortcuts.
Selection: Quick selection tools like Rectangle (R) or Ellipse (E) allow for rapid entity isolation.
Visibility: Many experts set up custom "short words" for visibility, such as ISO for isolate, HID for hide, and SHO for unhide. Customising Your Hotkeys
The default Deswik shortcuts often use multi-key strings that some users find slow. Fortunately, Deswik is highly flexible. To customise your experience: Navigate to Tools | Shortcuts. Find layer ->
In the "Shortcuts" column, enter your preferred key sequence.
Pro Tip: Create a shortcut for the shortcut menu itself! A common choice is TS (Tools | Shortcuts), which some remember with the mnemonic "T.S. I Love You". This is shared by experts on LinkedIn to help reduce friction when you want to add new commands on the fly. Borrowing from AutoCAD
If you are transitioning from Autodesk AutoCAD, you don't have to relearn everything. You can remap Deswik commands to match your muscle memory. For example, changing the polyline command from the default NS to the AutoCAD-standard PL can make the transition seamless. Deswik Function Suggested Shortcut AutoCAD Equivalent Create Polyline PL PL Connect Polylines C JOIN Break Polyline B BREAK Save Drawing Ctrl + S Ctrl + S Final Tips for Speed
Avoid 1-Character Keys: Unless you are very precise, single-character shortcuts can trigger accidentally because Deswik is always "listening".
Use Function Keys: Don't forget F1 through F12 for toggling modes like Snaps or Ortho, similar to the AutoCAD Keyboard Guide.
Macro Support: For ultimate efficiency, use macro-enabled mice or keyboards to trigger complex multi-key combinations with a single press.
By taking ten minutes to configure your Deswik shortcuts today, you’ll save hours of clicking throughout the week.
Note: Deswik uses a "Command Bar" similar to AutoCAD. You type these letters and press Enter.
| Shortcut | Command Name | Mining Use Case | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | L | Line | Drawing a crest or toe line. | | PL | Polyline | Creating a continuous string for a ramp centreline. | | A | Arc | Drawing curved haul roads. | | C | Circle | Defining a shaft or ventilation raise footprint. | | TR | Trim | Cutting strings at intersections (e.g., trimming drives against a fault). | | EX | Extend | Lengthening strings to a boundary. | | CP | Copy | Duplicating profiles along a drive. | | M | Move | Shifting a block model cell or string. | | E | Erase (Delete) | Removing bad vertices. | | O | Offset | Creating parallel strings (e.g., 5m offset for a buffer zone). | | RO | Rotate | Rotating a design around a point. | | X | Explode | Breaking a polyline into individual line segments. | | J | Join | Connecting multiple lines into a single polyline. |
Print this table and tape it to your monitor. These 15 shortcuts will cover 90% of your daily Deswik use.
| # | Shortcut | Module | Action | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1 | F2 | CAD | Zoom Extents | | 2 | Ctrl + Middle Mouse | All | Zoom Dynamic | | 3 | Shift + Middle Mouse | All | Pan | | 4 | F3 | CAD | Ortho Mode | | 5 | Ctrl + L | CAD | Isolate Layer | | 6 | L (Enter) | CAD | Line command | | 7 | PL (Enter) | CAD | Polyline | | 8 | TR (Enter) | CAD | Trim | | 9 | M (Enter) | CAD | Move | | 10 | Ctrl + Z | All | Undo | | 11 | Ctrl + S | All | Save (Do this every 5 mins) | | 12 | Ctrl + 1 | CAD | Property Inspector | | 13 | DI (Enter) | CAD | Measure distance | | 14 | F9 | SMD | Vertex Select | | 15 | Ctrl + Shift + L | CAD | Unhide all layers |
Scenario: You need to isolate a faulty ramp string, delete it, and redraw it.
Inefficient way: Click Layer dropdown -> Scroll -> Find layer -> Toggle off -> Click delete icon -> Click line icon.
Efficient way (using shortcuts):