CATIA V5 Keyboard Shortcuts: The Complete List (+ Free PDF)

Quick answer: CATIA V5 keyboard shortcuts are key combinations in Dassault Systèmes’ CAD software that run commands without the mouse. The most-used ones are F3 (toggle the specification tree), Ctrl + S (save), Ctrl + Z (undo), Esc (abort a command), and Ctrl + U (update). The full list below covers file, view, specification-tree, 3D-navigation, assembly, and macro shortcuts, and you can download the complete cheat sheet as a free PDF.

What Are CATIA V5 Shortcuts?

CATIA V5 is a 3D CAD/CAE/CAM application developed by Dassault Systèmes, used heavily in the automotive, aerospace, and industrial-equipment industries. Keyboard shortcuts sometimes called hotkeys or accelerator keys let you trigger commands directly from the keyboard instead of hunting through menus and toolbars with the mouse.

For production work in workbenches like Part Design, Generative Shape Design (GSD), Assembly Design, and Sketcher, shortcuts offer more precision than mouse movement and noticeably speed up repetitive actions. The most efficient CATIA users keep one hand on the mouse and the other on the keyboard at all times.

Most-Used CATIA V5 Shortcuts

If you only memorize a handful, start with these.

File & Document Shortcuts

These are the standard Windows-style document commands, and they behave the same way inside CATIA V5.

View & Display Shortcuts

Use these to control visibility and move quickly around the graphics area.

Specification Tree Navigation (F3, Shift + F2, Shift + F3)

The specification tree is the heart of every CATIA V5 file it shows how your model is built and what is currently active. These shortcuts control it.

3D Model Manipulation: Zoom, Pan & Rotate

You can navigate a model entirely from the keyboard. Each rotation shortcut turns the model in fixed steps, so repeating a rotation key several times produces a predictable angle of rotation.

Zoom

Pan

Rotate

Mouse equivalents (for reference)

Assembly & Macro Shortcuts

These shortcuts are specific to the Assembly Design workbench and CATIA’s VBA macro tools.

How to Create Custom CATIA V5 Shortcuts

CATIA lets you assign your own accelerator keys to almost any command. Here’s how to map a key to the Hide/Show command as an example.

1. Open the menu Tools → Customize.
2. Select the Commands tab.
3. Choose the appropriate Category in the left column, then select the command you want (for example, Hide/Show).
4. Click the Show Properties button.
5. Click into the Accelerator field and press the key you want to assign (for example, the Space bar).
6. Close the dialog. Pressing that key will now run the command.

To check which commands are available for shortcuts, go to Tools → Customize → Commands and review the full command list in the left column.

Power Input Mode (Type Commands Directly)

Power Input is a productivity feature that lets you type commands and values directly instead of clicking through dialog boxes. The Power Input box sits in the bottom-right corner of the status bar.

With Power Input you can:

• Enter numeric values into editable fields and spinners more quickly.
• Run a command by typing c: followed by the command name.
• Run selection queries using the same query language as Edit → Search.

To turn it on, go to Tools → Options → General, enable the P2 option, and restart your CATIA session. Note that command prefixes can vary depending on your installation language.

CATIA V5 Shortcuts on Mac

CATIA V5 is a Windows-native application and is not officially supported on macOS. Most Mac users run it through a Windows virtual machine (Parallels, VMware Fusion) or Boot Camp on Intel Macs. In those environments the shortcuts above work exactly as listed, but you may need to map the Mac Command key behavior or function-key (Fn) row in your virtualization software so that keys like F3 and Ctrl + S pass through to Windows correctly.

Download the CATIA V5 Shortcuts PDF

Want the whole list on one page to print and pin next to your monitor? Download the free cheat sheet:

Download CATIA V5 Shortcuts PDF →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many keyboard shortcuts does CATIA V5 have?

CATIA V5 ships with roughly 45+ built-in keyboard shortcuts covering file commands, view controls, specification-tree navigation, 3D manipulation, assembly tools, and macros. On top of those, you can create unlimited custom accelerator keys.

What is the F3 shortcut in CATIA V5?

F3 toggles the specification tree on and off. Pressing it hides the tree for a clean view of your geometry; pressing it again brings the tree back.

How do I create a custom shortcut in CATIA V5?

Go to Tools → Customize → Commands, select the command, click Show Properties, then type your chosen key into the Accelerator field. The key will then run that command.

What is the shortcut to save in CATIA V5?

Ctrl + S saves the active document, just like in most Windows applications.

How do I rotate a model using the keyboard in CATIA V5?

Use Shift + the arrow keys to rotate (left, right, up, down), and Ctrl + Shift + Left/Right Arrow to rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise around the Z-axis.

What is the difference between F3 and Shift + F3?

F3 hides or shows the specification tree, while Shift + F3 activates the tree switching the keyboard focus between the tree and the 3D geometry so navigation keys move the tree instead of the model.

Does CATIA V5 work on Mac?

Not natively. CATIA V5 is a Windows application; Mac users run it inside a Windows virtual machine or Boot Camp, where the standard shortcuts apply.

What does Ctrl + U do in CATIA V5?

Ctrl + U forces an update, recomputing the model after you’ve made parametric changes.

Conclusion

Mastering CATIA V5 keyboard shortcuts is one of the fastest ways to improve modeling speed and precision. Start with the essentials F3, Ctrl + S, Ctrl + Z, Esc, and Ctrl + U then layer in the navigation and assembly shortcuts as they come up in your workflow. Once those feel automatic, create your own accelerator keys for the commands you reach for most. Download the PDF above, keep it handy, and you’ll be working noticeably faster within a week.

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