Deswik Keyboard Shortcuts -

In the world of mining engineering, your keyboard is your most powerful tool. Using shortcuts in Deswik.CAD

isn't just about speed; it's about staying in the "flow" of your design without hunting through menus. The Secret to "One-Handed" Modeling

Most expert Deswik users don't stick to the defaults. Because Deswik shortcuts are fully customizable via the Tools | Shortcuts

menu, many engineers set up a "left-hand-only" system to keep their right hand on the mouse. Custom Shortcuts (Left-Hand Friendly): : Break polyline at point. : Connect polylines automatically. : Draw polyline. : Many former AutoCAD users remap "Draw Polyline" to for muscle memory. ISO/HID/SHO : Use abbreviations for Pro Tips for Power Users The Shortcut for Shortcuts : Set a shortcut (like

) specifically to open the shortcuts dialog. This makes it effortless to add a new command the moment you realize you're repeating it. Plane Definitions Ctrl + Shift + [0-9] to save a plane definition and Ctrl + [0-9] to quickly toggle between them. Layer Selection : When importing or managing layers, hold to select multiple items at once. Global Standard : Standard Windows commands like (Copy), and (Paste) work as expected. How to Customize Your Own menu and select Find the command you use most (e.g., "Draw Polyline"). column, type your preferred key or string. For combination keys (like Ctrl + Shift + P ), click the ellipsis (...) button next to the shortcut value to record the keystrokes. for specific tasks like underground development pit design

Here are some common Deswik keyboard shortcuts: deswik keyboard shortcuts

Editing:

Search and Replace:

Document Management:

Other:

Note that these shortcuts may vary depending on the specific version of Deswik and the operating system being used.

Deswik doesn't have a single "official" cheat sheet because the software is designed to be highly customizable. Most power users actually ditch the multi-key defaults for single-key setups to speed up their CAD workflows.

Here’s a breakdown of how the shortcuts work and some of the most popular setups used in the industry. Common "Single-Key" Customizations

Many mining engineers use a custom profile (often called a "One-Key" setup) similar to these examples found on LinkedIn : B: Break polyline at a point. C: Connect polylines automatically. D: Draw polyline. M: Move entities. R: Rotate entities. S: Stretch or Scale. X: Explode polyline or block. Standard System Shortcuts

These usually work across most Deswik modules (CAD, Sched, etc.) out of the box: Refresh/Redraw F5 Snap Toggle F3 (Standard CAD behavior) Ortho Toggle F8 Cancel Command Esc Properties Pane Ctrl + 1 Save Project Ctrl + S How to Create Your Own Post/Shortcuts In the world of mining engineering, your keyboard

If you're looking to set these up yourself or share a "post" of your own configuration: Go to Tools: Navigate to Tools > Options in the top menu. Keyboard Shortcuts: Look for the Keyboard or Shortcuts tab.

Assign Commands: Search for the specific command (e.g., "Polyline Draw") and type your preferred key in the assignment box.

Export Profile: You can export these settings as a .dwsconfig file to share with your team or keep as a backup. Pro-Tip for Efficiency

In Deswik.CAD, you can also use Aliases. Instead of just a shortcut, an alias allows you to type a short command into the command line (like PL for Polyline) which mimics the classic AutoCAD workflow many engineers are used to.

Deswik.CAD is a leading parametric mine design and geology modeling software, known for its flexibility and powerful toolset. As with any Computer-Aided Design (CAD) system, proficiency is directly linked to operational speed. Keyboard shortcuts in Deswik serve not merely as alternatives to mouse clicks but as essential tools for maintaining geological and engineering workflow momentum. This paper details the default, customizable, and hidden shortcut ecosystems within Deswik, categorizing them by function (file management, viewport control, object snapping, and editing). Furthermore, it explores best practices for customizing the deswik.keys file and integrating macros to reduce repetitive strain and minimize data entry errors in mine planning. Editing:

In the high-stakes world of mining engineering and geological modelling, speed is not just an advantage—it is a necessity. Deswik.Suite has established itself as the industry standard for mine design, scheduling, and data integration. However, even the most powerful CAD and GIS tools can feel sluggish if you are constantly reaching for the mouse.

The secret to unlocking Deswik’s full potential lies under your fingertips. Deswik keyboard shortcuts transform a good engineer into a great one, cutting design times by up to 40% and reducing repetitive strain injuries. Whether you are designing a ramp, validating a block model, or drafting a stope, these shortcuts allow you to keep your hands on the keyboard and your mind in the flow state.

This article provides a comprehensive, categorized list of essential Deswik shortcuts, advanced command line tricks, and customization strategies to supercharge your productivity.

These are the shortcuts that separate the novice from the expert. They involve holding modifier keys while pressing another key.