Brandon PT Davis
Workspace & Template

Studio / Vectorworks Studio

Scenic Design Tools & Hotkeys

Find the tool you need and keep the shortcuts beside your drawing.

Download the hotkey guide PDF

Press F for Quick Search. Type a tool or command name, then choose the result. Enable Show items not in active workspace in Quick Search preferences to include additional tools supported by your license.

These assignments come from the Scenic Design workspace guide. The workspaces were checked on macOS; Windows shortcuts are listed as a reference and still need runtime verification.

Cmd means Command; Opt means Option. On Windows, use Ctrl and Alt. Use the number row across the top of the keyboard.

Core drawing tools

Tool or actionUse
2D Locus00Place a reference point.
Text11Add text to the drawing.
Line22Draw a straight line.
Arc33Draw an arc.
Rectangle44Draw a rectangle.
Polyline55Draw a connected path with straight or curved segments.
Circle66Draw a circle.
Fillet77Create a rounded connection between objects.
2D Polygon88Draw a shape with straight edges.
Wall99Draw architectural wall objects.
Tool or actionUse
Symbol InsertionOpt+0Alt+0Place a symbol from the drawing’s resources.
CalloutOpt+1Alt+1Add a note with a leader.
Double LineOpt+2Alt+2Draw parallel lines.
Quarter ArcOpt+3Alt+3Draw a quarter arc.
Rounded RectangleOpt+4Alt+4Draw a rectangle with rounded corners.
FreehandOpt+5Alt+5Draw a freehand path.
OvalOpt+6Alt+6Draw an oval.
ChamferOpt+7Alt+7Create a beveled connection.
Double-Line PolygonOpt+8Alt+8Draw a polygon using parallel edges.
Tool or actionUse
First mode groupUUCycle the first group of options on the tool bar.
Second mode groupIICycle the second group of options on the tool bar.
Quick SearchFFFind a tool or command by name.
Smart Options DisplayDDOpen contextual options near the cursor.

Editing and materials

Tool or actionUse
SelectionXXSelect and move objects.
Reshape--Edit vertices and object geometry.
Select SimilarWWSelect objects with matching properties.
EyedropperEETransfer attributes between objects.
RotateRRRotate objects.
Mirror==Create a mirrored copy or mirror an object.
OffsetOOCreate parallel or concentric geometry.
TrimSSRemove portions of intersecting geometry.
SplitKKDivide objects.
Connect/CombineLLConnect or combine compatible objects.
Move by PointsShift+MShift+MMove or duplicate objects using reference points.
Tape MeasureTTMeasure distances without creating a dimension object.
Attribute MappingAAAdjust the placement of supported fills and textures.
TextureShift+TShift+TApply a texture to an object or an individual face.

Modeling tools

Tool or actionUse
Push/PullPPExtend or recess a solid face.
Set Working PlaneShift+1Shift+1Set the plane on which you draw.
3D LocusShift+0Shift+0Place a reference point in 3D space.
SphereShift+3Shift+3Create a sphere.
NURBS CurveShift+7Shift+7Draw a curve in 3D space.
Fillet EdgeSearchSearchRound solid edges.
Chamfer EdgeShift+JShift+JBevel solid edges.
Shell SolidShift+GShift+GCreate a shell with a specified thickness.
Loft SurfaceShift+KShift+KCreate a surface between curves.
ExtractShift+LShift+LExtract geometry from an object.

Modeling commands

Tool or actionUse
ExtrudeCmd+ECtrl+EGive a planar shape depth.
Add SolidsCmd+Opt+ACtrl+Alt+ACombine solids into one solid.
Subtract SolidsCmd+Opt+SCtrl+Alt+SRemove one solid’s volume from another.
Create SymbolCmd+KCtrl+KCreate a reusable resource from selected objects.
ComposeCmd+Shift+CCtrl+Shift+CCombine compatible segments into a single object.
Convert to GroupCmd+Shift+UCtrl+Shift+UConvert a supported object into a group.

Views and presentation

Tool or actionUse
PanHHMove the drawing view.
ZoomCCChange the magnification of the drawing view.
FlyoverShift+CShift+COrbit the view around the model.
WalkthroughShift+WShift+WMove through the model from a viewing position.
Renderworks CameraQQCreate a camera for a presentation view.
LightShift+ZShift+ZPlace a light object.

Drawing annotations

Tool or actionUse
Drawing LabelShift+DShift+DLabel a drawing or viewport.
Constrained Linear DimensionNNDimension horizontal or vertical distances.
Angular Dimension..Dimension an angle.
Radial Dimension,,Dimension a radius or diameter.

Snapping and cursor actions

Tool or actionUse
Snap LoupeZZMagnify the area around the cursor.
Set Smart Point or Snap Lock[[Acquire a smart point, edge, or vector snap lock.
Set Datum]]Set a temporary reference for coordinate entry.
Automatic Working Plane\\Toggle automatic working plane selection.
Suspend Snapping``Temporarily suspend snapping.
X-ray Select ModeBBAccess geometry obscured in rendered views.
Coincident SelectionJJChoose among overlapping objects.
Close Polygon or PathYYClose a supported polygon, polyline, wall network, or path.

Finding and checking tools

“Search” means press F and enter the tool’s name. Fillet Edge has no dedicated shortcut in this workspace. Use U and I to cycle the first two mode groups; the options depend on the active tool.

With the drawing area active, check 4 for Rectangle, X for Selection, Shift+T for Texture, and F for Quick Search. If a key does not activate its tool, confirm that Scenic Design is the selected workspace.