NumPad shortcut keys in AutoCAD 2018

Question

I'm using an engineering software based on Autodesk AutoCAD 2018 OEM and I need to assign keyboard shortcuts to NumPad keys directly, without any modifier (SHIFT, CTRL, ALT).

On older version of Autocad this was possible, but now even though it's possible to assign NumPad keys directly, they do not work. According to this page on the AutoCAD LT knowledge base: "Valid modifier and key combinations include Number Pad (NUMPADn) keys containing no modifiers" and I hope the same is true for the "standard" AutoCAD (i.e. no "LT").

In fact I'm able to assign a shortcut to - for example - "Scale" function to NUMPAD(8), as in the screenshot below:

But then I'm not able to use it because if I press the NumPad 8 with Num Lock ON the AutoCAD console reads an 8:

... and if I keep the Num Lock OFF then the console picks the previous command (as it's the same that pushing the ↑).

So if this feature is documented and the cui AutoCAD command allows me to choose that keys, how are they suppose to work? How can I assign a key to speed up my work without using a modifier?

For the record, I've had some success asking such questions at the Autodesk forums (they can be really slow to answer, though). — Wasabi, Feb 28 '18 at 01:36
So let me follow what you are saying : you are using package based on a version of software but reading the instructions from a third version and wondering why it does not work - have I got that correct? — Solar Mike, Feb 28 '18 at 17:04
@SolarMike Partially. It doesn't work on the AutoCAD 2018 OEM based software, but neither in the "full" AutoCAD 2018 (nor in the 2015, I've just tried that). — virtualdj, Feb 28 '18 at 17:10

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 05 '18 at 17:45

I was able to reproduce the error: basically you cannot assign any NumPad key to AutoCAD 2015 or newer (2018 included) and in any flavour (Full, LT, OEM, etc.) when using a keyboard different from English (mine was Italian).

So, to workaround this bug, change/add an English keyboard BEFORE starting your AutoCAD product and then you'll be able to assign the correct Numpad key in the Customize User Interface dialog. It will appear as NUMPAD8 and it will work even after deleting the English keyboard (if not used).

NumPad shortcut keys in AutoCAD 2018

1 Answers1