deswik keyboard shortcuts Deswik Keyboard Shortcuts Review

Deswik Keyboard Shortcuts Review

Mastering Deswik keyboard shortcuts reduces physical mouse travel by approximately 70% and cuts design time by half for routine tasks like pit shell editing or underground drive design. Start with F2, F3, and Ctrl+I—these three shortcuts will immediately make you faster than 80% of casual users.

Last updated: Q2 2025 – Compatible with Deswik v2024+ and v2025.


Keyboard shortcuts in Deswik are not just about speed; they are about removing friction between your brain and the design. A geologist who knows Ctrl+L will interpret a cross-section three times faster than one who clicks through the Layer Manager dropdown.

Start today. Pick three shortcuts from this list that you don't currently use (e.g., TR for trim, SHIFT+Middle Mouse for pan, and Ctrl+1 for inspector). Force yourself to use them for one week. You will be surprised how quickly they become automatic.

Once you master the defaults, dive into the .key file and build a personalized environment that matches your specific mining workflow—whether you're designing a block caving layout or modeling a narrow vein gold deposit.

Your future self, hitting Ctrl+S without thinking, will thank you.


Have a custom shortcut we missed? Deswik users are a collaborative community. Share your .key file secrets in the comments below!

Deswik Keyboard Shortcuts: Boosting Efficiency in Your Work

Deswik is a popular software used in various industries, including mining, geology, and engineering. To maximize productivity and efficiency while working with Deswik, it's essential to utilize keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts enable users to perform tasks quickly, reducing the need to navigate through menus and toolbars.

Benefits of Using Deswik Keyboard Shortcuts

Common Deswik Keyboard Shortcuts

Here are some essential Deswik keyboard shortcuts to get you started:

  • Selection and Editing
  • View and Display
  • Data Management
  • Advanced Deswik Keyboard Shortcuts

    For power users, here are some advanced keyboard shortcuts to further streamline your workflow:

  • Reporting and Exporting
  • Tips and Tricks

    By mastering Deswik keyboard shortcuts, you can significantly improve your productivity, accuracy, and overall user experience. Take the time to learn and practice these shortcuts to unlock the full potential of Deswik and take your work to the next level.

    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 deswik keyboard shortcuts

    Mastering keyboard shortcuts in Deswik.CAD is one of the most effective ways to boost your mining engineering and design productivity. While the software provides a wide array of default commands, its true power lies in its customization, allowing users to tailor their workflow to mirror familiar tools like AutoCAD or build entirely new efficiencies. Essential Navigation & General Shortcuts

    Before diving into complex design commands, mastering basic navigation ensures you can move through large-scale mining models with ease. Ctrl + Home: Quickly jump to the top of the project tree. Ctrl + End: Jump to the bottom of the project tree.

    Ctrl + Shift + (0-9): Create specific plane definitions for different areas of your model.

    Ctrl + (0-9): Rapidly switch between your saved plane definitions to view different mining levels or sections.

    Standard Windows Operations: Deswik supports standard commands like Ctrl + C (Copy), Ctrl + V (Paste), Ctrl + Z (Undo), and Ctrl + Y (Redo). Polylines and Design Commands

    Designing in Deswik often centers on manipulating polylines. Many professionals prefer single or double-key shortcuts for these frequent tasks:

    PREV: A common shortcut used to reverse the direction of a selected string. D (Recommended): Often mapped to Draw Polyline.

    B (Recommended): Often mapped to Break Polyline at a specific point.

    C (Recommended): Often mapped to Connect Polylines automatically. Productivity Tips & Customization

    Deswik is unique because it uses "live listening" for shortcuts. This means as soon as you type the designated keys, the command triggers immediately without needing to press "Enter". Last updated: Q2 2025 – Compatible with Deswik

    Avoid Single-Character Shortcuts: If you use a single character like "P," you cannot have another shortcut starting with "P" (like "PL"). Most power users recommend two or three characters for optimal balance.

    Access the Shortcut Manager: To view or edit your current list, use the command path Tools | Shortcuts. A popular mnemonic for this is mapping the shortcut itself to "TS" ("TS I Love You").

    Recycle Known Commands: If you are transitioning from other CAD software, map your Deswik shortcuts to match (e.g., using "PL" for Polyline as in AutoCAD) to leverage existing muscle memory.

    Hardware Integration: For high-intensity modeling, consider using a 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse. It allows for fluid movement like Object Mode (moving the model) or Fly Mode (moving the camera) while keeping your other hand free for keyboard shortcuts. Strategic Short Word Abbreviations

    Using short, meaningful abbreviations can make memorization easier: ISO: Isolate a layer or entity. HID: Hide selected data. SHO: Unhide or show all data.

    By moving away from multi-key defaults and setting up a personalized, logical shortcut system, you can significantly reduce the "click-fatigue" associated with complex mine design. Keyboard shortcuts in Windows - Microsoft Support


    These standard Deswik keyboard shortcuts govern your project data. Memorize these on day one.

    | Shortcut | Action | Pro Tip | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Ctrl + N | New Project | Clears all current data. Always save first. | | Ctrl + O | Open Project | Opens the .dgp file browser. | | Ctrl + S | Save Project | Do this every 5 minutes. No auto-save excuse. | | Ctrl + Shift + S | Save As | Use for version control (e.g., Project_v2.dgp). | | Ctrl + I | Import Data | Opens the layer import wizard (DXF, CSV, Datamine). | | Ctrl + E | Export Data | Exports selected objects or entire layers. | | Ctrl + P | Print / Plot | Opens the dynamic print composer. |


    Deswik allows full customization (unlike many mining packages):

    Recommendation: Map Ctrl+Q to "Quick Report" for volume calculations. Keyboard shortcuts in Deswik are not just about

    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:


    | Shortcut | Action | | :--- | :--- | | Ctrl + A | Select All objects in current view. | | Ctrl + T | Select Similar (Type/Properties). Select one line, hit Ctrl+T, Deswik finds all identical line types. | | Ctrl + L | Isolate Layer (Hide all other layers). The single most powerful CAD shortcut. | | Ctrl + Shift + L | End Isolate (Unhide all layers). | | Ctrl + H | Hide Selected Objects (Temporary invisibility). | | Ctrl + Shift + H | Unhide All. |