CamBam Keyboard Shortcuts: The Complete List (CAD, CAM & Navigation)
Quick answer: CamBam’s most-used keyboard shortcuts are Ctrl+S (save), Ctrl+T (regenerate all toolpaths), and Ctrl+W (produce gcode), along with single-key drawing tools A, C, R, P, T for arc, circle, rectangle, polyline, and text. CamBam supports 40+ keyboard shortcuts in total, grouped below by File & Edit, Drawing (CAD), Machining (CAM), and View & Navigation.
What Is CamBam?
CamBam is a low-cost CAD/CAM application that converts 2D and 3D drawings into gcode for CNC routers, mills, and homemade CNC machines. It handles 2D pocketing, profiling, drilling, text engraving, photo engraving, and 3D carving, all from its own built-in geometry editor or imported CAD files. Because most actions map to a single keystroke or a Ctrl combination, learning the CamBam keyboard shortcuts below is the fastest way to speed up your workflow, whether you’re a CNC hobbyist or a professional machinist.
CamBam Shortcuts at a Glance
If you only memorize five, make them these:
- Ctrl+S – Save the current file
- Ctrl+T – Regenerate all toolpaths
- Ctrl+W – Produce the gcode file
- Ctrl+G – Toggle snap-to-grid mode
- Home – Reset the view
Everything else is grouped into the tables that follow.
File & Edit Shortcuts
These cover opening, saving, and the standard clipboard and undo operations.
| Action | CamBam Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Open a file | Ctrl + O |
| Save the current file | Ctrl + S |
| Copy selected object to clipboard | Ctrl + C |
| Cut object and place on clipboard | Ctrl + X |
| Paste from the clipboard | Ctrl + V |
| Copy format from clipboard object to selected object | Shift + Ctrl + V |
| Undo the last operation | Ctrl + Z |
| Redo the last undone operation | Ctrl + Y |
| Select all objects | Ctrl + A |
| Select all objects on the active layer | Shift + Ctrl + A |
| Delete selected objects / layers / MOPs | Del |
| Help | F1 |
Drawing (CAD) Shortcuts
CamBam’s drawing tools are mapped to single keys, so you can draw without leaving the keyboard. The Ctrl combinations transform or edit existing geometry.
| Action | CamBam Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Draw an arc | A |
| Draw a circle | C |
| Draw a point list (dots) | D |
| Draw a polyline | P |
| Draw a rectangle | R |
| Insert text | T |
| Measure | M |
| Move selected drawing objects | Ctrl + M |
| Rotate selected drawing objects | Ctrl + R |
| Resize selected drawing objects | Ctrl + E |
| Join selected drawing objects | Ctrl + J |
| Union selected drawing objects | Ctrl + U |
| Convert selected objects to polylines | Ctrl + P |
| Convert to region | Ctrl + I |
| Edit – Break at intersections | Ctrl + B |
Machining (CAM) & gcode Shortcuts
These are the commands that turn your drawing into machine-ready output.
| Action | CamBam Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Regenerate all toolpaths | Ctrl + T |
| Produce gcode file | Ctrl + W |
| Open the toolpath filter window | Ctrl + F |
| Hide / unhide selected Layers, Parts or MOPs | Space |
| Lock / unlock selected Layers (new in v1.0) | Ctrl + Space |
View & Navigation Shortcuts
This group includes the navigation and grid-movement keys that are missing from most CamBam shortcut lists online but are documented in the official 1.0 reference.
| Action | CamBam Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Toggle snap-to-grid mode | Ctrl + G |
| Pan the drawing view | Cursor Up / Down / Left / Right |
| Move selected object by a minor grid unit | Shift + Cursor key |
| Move selected object by a major grid unit | Shift + Ctrl + Cursor key |
| Zoom in | Page Down or NumPad + |
| Zoom out | Page Up or NumPad – |
| Reset view | Home |
How to Move Objects Precisely With the Keyboard
One of CamBam’s most useful but least-known features is keyboard-based nudging by exact grid increments. This is far more accurate than dragging with the mouse.
- Select the object you want to move so it highlights in bold red.
- To move by a minor grid unit, hold Shift and press an Arrow key. In millimeters this moves 1 mm; in inches it moves 1/16″.
- To move by a major grid unit, hold Shift + Ctrl and press an Arrow key. In millimeters this moves 10 mm; in inches it moves 1″.
You can change the minor and major grid increments in the System Configuration under the Grid section, so these shortcuts adapt to your own setup.
Can You Customize CamBam Shortcuts?
The single-key and Ctrl shortcuts listed above are the built-in defaults defined by CamBam. Most everyday actions are also reachable through the menus and the toolbar, where the assigned shortcut is shown next to each command, which is the quickest way to discover or confirm a key. For deeper customization, CamBam exposes scripting and automation through its plugin and script-object system, so power users can bind custom routines rather than only relying on the fixed defaults.
CamBam Shortcuts on Mac and Linux
CamBam is a native Windows (.NET) application, so the shortcuts above assume a Windows keyboard. On macOS and Linux, CamBam can run through the Mono runtime or a compatibility layer such as Wine. In those environments the Ctrl key generally remains Ctrl rather than mapping to Cmd, so the combinations stay the same as on Windows. Behavior can vary by setup, so test the clipboard and toolpath shortcuts after installation.
Download CamBam Shortcuts PDF
Want a printable cheat sheet for your workshop? Download the complete CamBam Shortcuts PDF and keep it next to your machine for quick reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many keyboard shortcuts does CamBam have?
CamBam has more than 40 documented keyboard shortcuts, covering file operations, clipboard and editing, single-key drawing tools, machining and gcode commands, and view navigation.
What is the shortcut to produce gcode in CamBam?
Press Ctrl + W to produce the gcode file from your current drawing and toolpaths.
How do I regenerate all toolpaths in CamBam?
Press Ctrl + T to regenerate every toolpath in the current file at once.
Can I customize CamBam keyboard shortcuts?
The default shortcuts are fixed, but every command is also available through the menus and toolbar (where its shortcut is shown), and power users can add custom behavior through CamBam’s scripting and automation system.
Does CamBam work on Mac?
CamBam is a Windows application, but it can run on macOS or Linux through the Mono runtime or Wine. The Ctrl-based shortcuts generally remain unchanged in those environments.
How do I move an object by an exact amount using the keyboard?
Select the object, then hold Shift and press an Arrow key to move by one minor grid unit, or Shift + Ctrl plus an Arrow key to move by one major grid unit.
What does Ctrl + G do in CamBam?
Ctrl + G toggles snap-to-grid mode on and off, which helps you align drawing objects precisely to the grid.
Conclusion
These CamBam keyboard shortcuts cover everything from basic file handling to precision object movement and gcode generation. The fastest way to build muscle memory is to start with the five essentials (Ctrl+S, Ctrl+T, Ctrl+W, Ctrl+G, and Home) and add the drawing keys as you go.
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