SolveSpace Keyboard Shortcuts: Complete List for Windows, Mac & Linux
Quick answer: SolveSpace keyboard shortcuts are single-key and Ctrl-based commands for sketching, constraining, and viewing 2D/3D models. The most-used ones are Ctrl + S (save), Spacebar (regenerate all), F (zoom to fit), S (line segment), and D (distance/diameter constraint). Unlike most CAD tools, SolveSpace uses the same shortcuts on Windows, macOS, and Linux the keys are hardcoded into the program and are not customizable.
What Is SolveSpace?
SolveSpace is a free, open-source 2D/3D constraint-based parametric CAD program. It lets you build models using sketches, constraints, and operations like extrude, lathe, revolve, and helix, then export to STL, STEP, DXF, SVG, and PDF. Because it’s lightweight and constraint-driven, keyboard shortcuts dramatically speed up sketching and modeling once you know them, you rarely touch the menus.
Most-Used SolveSpace Shortcuts
These are the everyday File and Edit commands you’ll reach for constantly.
| Action | Shortcut (Windows / Mac / Linux) |
|---|---|
| New file | Ctrl + N |
| Open | Ctrl + O |
| Save | Ctrl + S |
| Exit | Ctrl + Q |
| Undo | Ctrl + Z |
| Redo | Ctrl + Y |
| Cut | Ctrl + X |
| Copy | Ctrl + C |
| Paste | Ctrl + V |
| Paste Transformed | Ctrl + T |
| Delete | Delete |
| Select Edge Chain | Ctrl + E |
| Select All | Ctrl + A |
| Unselect All / Cancel | Esc |
| Regenerate All | Spacebar |
| Snap Selection to Grid | . (period) |
| Rotate Imported 90° | 9 |
Sketch Shortcuts
Press these to start drawing an entity. After pressing the key, click in the graphics window to place it.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Sketch In Workplane | 2 |
| Sketch Anywhere in 3D | 3 |
| Datum Point | P |
| Line Segment | S |
| Construction Line Segment | Shift + S |
| Rectangle | R |
| Circle | C |
| Arc of a Circle | A |
| Tangent Arc at Point | Shift + A |
| Bezier Cubic Spline | B |
| Text in TrueType Font | T |
| Toggle Construction | G |
| Split Curves at Intersection | I |
Constraint Shortcuts
Select the geometry first, then press the key to apply a constraint.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Distance / Diameter | D |
| Reference Dimension | Shift + D |
| Angle | N |
| Reference Angle | Shift + N |
| Other Supplementary Angle | U |
| Toggle Reference Dimension | E |
| Horizontal | H |
| Vertical | V |
| On Point / Curve / Plane | O |
| Equal Length / Radius / Angle | Q |
| Length / Arc Ratio | Z |
| Length / Arc Difference | J |
| At Midpoint | M |
| Symmetric | Y |
| Parallel / Tangent | L |
| Perpendicular | [ |
| Same Orientation | X |
| Lock Point Where Dragged | ] |
| Comment | ; |
New Group Shortcuts
Groups create solids and repeated geometry from your sketches.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Sketch in 3D | Shift + 3 |
| Sketch in New Workplane | Shift + W |
| Step Translating | Shift + T |
| Step Rotating | Shift + R |
| Extrude | Shift + X |
| Helix | Shift + H |
| Lathe | Shift + L |
| Revolve | Shift + V |
| Link / Assemble | Shift + I |
View Menu Shortcuts
Control zoom, orientation, and what’s displayed on screen.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Zoom In | + |
| Zoom Out | – |
| Zoom to Fit | F |
| Align View to Workplane | W |
| Nearest Ortho View | F2 |
| Nearest Isometric View | F3 |
| Center View at Point | F4 |
| Show Snap Grid | > |
| Use Perspective Projection | ` (grave accent) |
| Show Exploded View | \ |
| Show / Hide Property Browser (Text Window) | Tab |
| Full Screen | Ctrl + F11 |
Analyze Shortcuts
Measurement and diagnostic tools all use Ctrl + Shift.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Measure Volume | Ctrl + Shift + V |
| Measure Area | Ctrl + Shift + A |
| Measure Perimeter | Ctrl + Shift + P |
| Show Interfering Parts | Ctrl + Shift + I |
| Show Naked Edges | Ctrl + Shift + N |
| Show Center of Mass | Ctrl + Shift + C |
| Show Degrees of Freedom (Underconstrained Points) | Ctrl + Shift + F |
| Trace Point | Ctrl + Shift + T |
| Stop Tracing | Ctrl + Shift + S |
| Step Dimension | Ctrl + Shift + D |
Mouse Shortcuts
SolveSpace relies heavily on the mouse for navigation. These combinations are essential.
| Action | Mouse |
|---|---|
| Pan view | Right-drag |
| Rotate view | Middle-drag (center-drag) |
| Rotate in screen plane | Ctrl + middle-drag |
| Pan (alternative) | Shift + middle-drag |
| Zoom in / out | Scroll wheel |
| Rotate a linked part (in assembly) | Shift-drag or Ctrl-drag |
| Disable automatic constraint while sketching | Hold Ctrl |
How to Use SolveSpace Shortcuts
Most SolveSpace shortcuts are “press, then click.” Here’s the typical flow:
- Start a sketch tool by pressing its key (for example, S for a line segment).
- Click in the graphics window to place the first point.
- Click again to place the next point; many tools keep going so you can chain segments.
- Press Esc (or right-click) to stop drawing.
- Select geometry, then press a constraint key e.g., select two lines and press Q to make them equal length.
- Press Spacebar to regenerate the model if it doesn’t update automatically.
A common beginner workflow: press Shift + W to start a sketch in a new workplane, draw a closed shape with R or S, dimension it with D, then press Shift + X to extrude it into a solid.
Can You Customize SolveSpace Shortcuts?
No. In the current version of SolveSpace, keyboard shortcuts are hardcoded and cannot be remapped through the interface, and some commands have no shortcut at all. This is a long-standing, acknowledged limitation tracked on the project’s GitHub (issue #1041). If you need custom keybindings, your only options are to build a custom version from source or use an external key-remapping utility such as AutoHotkey on Windows. For most users, learning the default keys is the practical path.
Download SolveSpace Shortcuts PDF
You can keep this list handy as a printable cheat sheet.
Download the SolveSpace Shortcuts PDF →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the shortcut to extrude in SolveSpace?
Press Shift + X to create an Extrude group from the active sketch.
Are SolveSpace shortcuts the same on Mac and Windows?
Yes. SolveSpace uses the same keyboard shortcuts on Windows, macOS, and Linux. There is no separate Mac key map.
Can I change or customize SolveSpace shortcuts?
No. Shortcuts are hardcoded in the current version. You’d need a custom build or an external remapper like AutoHotkey.
What is the shortcut for zoom to fit?
Press F to zoom the view so the whole part fits on screen.
How do I regenerate the model?
Press Spacebar (Regenerate All) to re-solve the sketch and rebuild the model.
What does pressing G do?
G toggles construction geometry useful for guide lines that won’t be exported with the final part.
How do I see which points are underconstrained?
Press Ctrl + Shift + F to show degrees of freedom; free points are marked with a large cyan square.
What’s the shortcut to draw a line?
Press S for a line segment, then click to place each point. Press Esc to finish.
Conclusion
SolveSpace’s compact, hardcoded shortcut set is one of its biggest productivity advantages: the same keys work on every operating system, and most tools are a single keystroke away. Start by memorizing the high-frequency ones S, R, C, D, Shift + X, F, and Spacebar and the rest will follow as you build real parts. Bookmark this page or grab the PDF as a reference while you learn.
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