Chief Architect Keyboard Shortcuts: Complete List for Windows & Mac

Chief Architect keyboard shortcuts let you trigger tools and commands instantly without digging through menus. Chief Architect ships with over 100 default hotkeys covering camera movement, CAD tools, walls, snaps, and view modes and you can reassign any of them through Tools > Toolbars and Hotkeys > Customize Hotkeys. The shortcuts are nearly identical on Windows and Mac, with Mac swapping Ctrl for Command and Alt for Option.

Below you’ll find the complete list, organized by tool category, for both Windows and Mac plus a free downloadable PDF cheat sheet and steps to create your own custom hotkeys.

Key Takeaways

• Chief Architect has 100+ default keyboard shortcuts across camera, CAD, wall, snap, and view tools.
• A hotkey and a keyboard shortcut are the same thing a key combination that runs a command directly.
• Mac shortcuts mirror Windows ones, replacing Ctrl → Command and Alt → Option.
• You can customize, export, and back up your hotkeys via Tools > Toolbars and Hotkeys.
• A free Chief Architect shortcuts PDF is available at the end of this guide.

Most Used Chief Architect Shortcuts

File Tools Shortcuts

Camera & View Movement Shortcuts

Camera & Orthographic Views Shortcuts

Zoom Tools Shortcuts

Drawing & CAD Tools Shortcuts

Text Tools Shortcuts

Walls, Roof, Floors & Framing Shortcuts

Cabinets Shortcuts

Snap Tools Shortcuts

Dimensions Shortcuts

Display & Settings Shortcuts

Defaults Shortcuts

How to Customize Hotkeys in Chief Architect

If a tool you use often doesn’t have a shortcut or you want to reassign one Chief Architect lets you create your own hotkeys in a few steps. Here’s how:

1. Open the Customize Hotkeys dialog. From the menu, select Tools > Toolbars and Hotkeys > Customize Hotkeys.
2. Find the command. In the Show Commands/Hotkeys Containing field, type part of the tool name (for example, “material”) to filter the list.
3. Select the command. Click the tool in the Command Name column. Chief Architect shows where the tool is available and a short description of what it does.
4. Assign your key combination. Click in the Assign a sequence field, then press the keys you want for example, hold Shift and press A.
5. Resolve any conflict. If the combination is already in use, Chief Architect warns you so you can pick a different key or reassign it.
6. Save and close. Confirm the assignment and close the dialog. Your new hotkey works immediately.

How to Export & Back Up Your Hotkeys

Once you’ve built a set of custom hotkeys, back them up so you don’t lose them after a reinstall or version upgrade.

Chief Architect stores your custom hotkeys in a UserHotkeys.xml file inside your Hotkeys folder. To save a copy, choose File > Export > Export Hotkeys, pick a location, name the file, and click Save. To restore them on another computer or after reinstalling, use File > Import > Import Hotkeys and select your saved XML file.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many keyboard shortcuts does Chief Architect have?

Chief Architect includes over 100 default keyboard shortcuts, and published hotkey references list as many as 129 commands across categories like camera tools, CAD, walls, snaps, and view modes. You can also create additional custom hotkeys for any tool that doesn’t have one.

Can you customize keyboard shortcuts in Chief Architect?

Yes. Go to Tools > Toolbars and Hotkeys > Customize Hotkeys, search for the command you want, click it, then assign your preferred key combination. Custom hotkeys can be exported and backed up as an XML file.

Are Chief Architect shortcuts different on Mac and Windows?

The shortcuts are nearly identical. Mac uses Command in place of Ctrl and Option in place of Alt, but the assigned keys and combinations are otherwise the same across both platforms.

Where are my custom hotkeys stored in Chief Architect?

Custom hotkeys are saved in a UserHotkeys.xml file in your Hotkeys folder. You can export this file to back it up or transfer it to another computer, which is useful when reinstalling or upgrading versions.

Do Chief Architect shortcuts work in Home Designer?

Many core shortcuts carry over, but Home Designer is a separate consumer product line with a reduced tool set, so not every Chief Architect hotkey has an equivalent. Always check the hotkey list in your specific program.

Is there a free Chief Architect shortcuts PDF?

Yes, you can download the complete Chief Architect keyboard shortcuts list as a free printable PDF cheat sheet from this guide.

Final Thoughts

Learning even a handful of these Chief Architect keyboard shortcuts will noticeably speed up your design workflow the camera movement keys (B, F, L, R, I, O) and snap toggles alone save dozens of clicks per project. Start with the shortcuts for tools you reach for most, then add custom hotkeys through Tools > Toolbars and Hotkeys > Customize Hotkeys for any command you use often but that lacks a default key.

Keep this page bookmarked as a reference, or download the free PDF cheat sheet above to keep the full list beside you while you work. And once you’ve set up your custom hotkeys, remember to export them as a backup so you don’t lose your setup after an upgrade or reinstall.

Read Next:

• ArchiCAD Keyboard Shortcuts
• SketchUp Keyboard Shortcuts
• Blender Keyboard Shortcuts
• CorelDraw Shortcut Keys