HyperMesh Shortcut Keys: Complete List for Windows (2026)
HyperMesh keyboard shortcuts let you trigger common meshing, editing, and display functions instantly instead of hunting through menus. In the classic HyperMesh interface, the function keys F1–F12 (plus Shift and Ctrl combinations) map to the actions you use most for example, F2 deletes entities and F12 opens the automesh panel.
This guide lists every default HyperMesh shortcut key for Windows, organized by category, plus mouse controls and step-by-step instructions for creating your own custom shortcuts. You can also download the full list as a free PDF cheat sheet.
HyperMesh shortcuts are keyboard combinations that run functions directly. The most-used keys are F2 (delete entities), F3 (replace), F5 (mask), F8 (create node), and F12 (automesh). You can customize or add shortcuts via the Keyboard Shortcuts Editor in newer versions, or Preferences > Keyboard Settings in legacy versions.
Classic HyperMesh Shortcut Keys (Legacy Interface)
Function Keys (F1–F12)
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Hidden lines | F1 |
| Delete entities | F2 |
| Replace | F3 |
| Distance – 3 nodes | F4 |
| Mask | F5 |
| Edit element – Combine | F6 |
| Node Edit – Align | F7 |
| Create Node | F8 |
| Line Edit – Combine | F9 |
| Check Elements – 2D | F10 |
| Quick Geometry Edit | F11 |
| Automesh | F12 |
Shift + Function Keys
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Color | Shift + F1 |
| Temporary Nodes | Shift + F2 |
| Edges (equivalence) | Shift + F3 |
| Translate | Shift + F4 |
| Find attached elements | Shift + F5 |
| Split plate elements | Shift + F6 |
| Project to plane | Shift + F7 |
| Node Edit – Align | Shift + F8 |
| Trim surface with node/surf plane | Shift + F9 |
| Normals – elements | Shift + F10 |
| Organize entities | Shift + F11 |
| Smooth plate elements | Shift + F12 |
Ctrl + Function Keys (legacy export/capture)
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Print to file | Ctrl + F1 |
| BMP capture | Ctrl + F2 |
| JPEG capture | Ctrl + F6 |
| Full screen | Ctrl + F7 |
| Display components | D |
HyperWorks 2026 Shortcut Keys (New Ribbon Interface)
Display
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Show/Hide tool | D |
| Show selection (or all of current type) | A |
| Show entire model | Shift + A |
| Hide selection (or all of current type) | H |
| Hide everything | Shift + H |
| Hide and clear selection (Idle mode) | Ctrl + H |
| Isolate selection | I |
| Isolate, retain other entity types | Shift + I |
| Show entities adjacent to selection | J |
| Reverse display of selection | R |
| Switch mesh / geometry / both | G |
| Toggle visualization mode | X |
| Find tool | Shift + F5 |
| View simplification | Ctrl + Shift |
| Toggle IDs of a selection | Ctrl + Q |
| Review Mode | Q |
Edit
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Delete | Delete |
| Undo | Ctrl + Z |
| Redo | Ctrl + Y |
| Perform action (Apply) | Middle Mouse Click |
| Cut | Ctrl + X |
| Copy | Ctrl + C |
| Paste (new component) | Ctrl + V |
| Paste (current component) | Ctrl + Shift + V |
| Quick Edit | F11 |
File Management
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| New | Ctrl + N |
| Open | Ctrl + O |
| Import | Ctrl + I |
| Export | Ctrl + E |
| Save | Ctrl + S |
| Save As | Ctrl + Shift + S |
Selection
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Window select | Left Mouse Drag |
| Append selection | Ctrl + Left Mouse Click |
| Deselect | Shift + Left Mouse Click |
| Select displayed | Ctrl + A |
| Select all | Ctrl + Shift + A |
| Select adjacent | Ctrl + J |
| Select attached | Ctrl + T |
| Select similar | Ctrl + M |
| Reverse selection | Ctrl + R |
| Save selection | Ctrl + W |
| Retrieve selection | Ctrl + Shift + W |
| Advanced selection | . (period) |
| Quick selection menu | , (comma) |
| Edit entity | Double Mouse Click |
| Suspend snaps | Alt |
| Clear active selector | Backspace |
Entity Selector (set the active entity type)
| Set selector to | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Components / connectors | C |
| Elements | E |
| Laminates / lines / loads | L |
| Materials | M |
| Nodes | N |
| Plies / points / properties | P |
| Segments / sets / solids / surfaces / systems | S |
| Attachments | T |
| Vectors | V |
| All | Esc + Esc |
Meshing & Elements (2D)
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Create elements | F6 |
| Replace | F3 |
| Smooth | Shift + F12 |
| Split | Shift + F6 |
| Normals | Shift + F10 |
| Rebuild | Shift + F12 |
| Open BatchMesher | F12 |
Geometry & Topology
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Create points / nodes | F8 |
| Align / Project | F7 |
| Split with lines | F9 |
| Split with surfaces | Shift + F9 |
| Measure | F4 |
| Move | Shift + F4 |
View / Navigation
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Rotate | Middle Mouse Drag / Arrow Keys |
| Incremental rotate CW / CCW | Ctrl + Right / Ctrl + Left Arrow |
| Flip model | Ctrl + Up / Ctrl + Down Arrow |
| Set rotation center | Ctrl + Middle Click on model |
| Reset rotation center | Ctrl + Middle Click in space |
| Pan | Right Mouse Drag |
| Zoom | Middle Mouse Scroll |
| Fit / fit selected | F |
| Previous view | B |
| Save a view | Ctrl + Number (0–9) |
| Recall a view | Alt + Number (0–9) |
Workspace & Pages
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Context-sensitive help | F1 |
| Search tool | Ctrl + F |
| Capture the API | Ctrl + F8 |
| Previous page | Ctrl + F1 |
| Next page | Ctrl + F2 |
| Add page | Ctrl + F3 |
| Expand window | Ctrl + F4 |
| Advanced screen capture | Ctrl + F5 |
Validate / Browser
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Edges | Shift + F3 |
| Model Checker | F10 |
| Rename (Browser) | F2 |
| Duplicate (Browser) | Ctrl + D |
| Organize (Browser/Assembly) | O |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the F12 shortcut in HyperMesh?
In the classic HyperMesh interface, F12 opens the Automesh panel. In the newer ribbon interface, F12 opens the BatchMesher tool. Both relate to mesh generation, but the exact panel depends on your version.
What is the most-used HyperMesh shortcut?
F2 (delete entities), F3 (replace), F5 (mask), F8 (create node), and F12 (mesh) are among the most frequently used. Display shortcuts like A (show), H (hide), and I (isolate) are also used constantly during model setup.
How do I customize keyboard shortcuts in HyperMesh?
In HyperMesh 2023 and later, open the View menu and select the Keyboard Shortcuts Editor, then assign a key to any function or script. In older versions, go to Preferences > Keyboard Settings and map commands in the Key-Command Mappings dialog.
Are HyperWorks and HyperMesh shortcuts the same thing?
The shortcuts people call “HyperWorks shortcuts” are actually HyperMesh shortcuts. HyperWorks is the full suite; HyperMesh is the meshing application inside it where these function-key shortcuts apply. Other applications like HyperView use some different keys.
Why isn’t my custom HyperMesh shortcut working?
Custom shortcuts only fire when the GUI has focus click inside the GUI first. If a shortcut opened a browser, focus shifts there, so the browser’s shortcuts run instead of yours. Also note that custom shortcuts must be defined separately for each Solver Interface.
Do HyperMesh shortcuts work on Mac?
HyperMesh is primarily used on Windows and Linux, and the shortcuts on this page are documented for Windows. There is no native macOS HyperMesh client, so Mac users typically run it through a virtual machine or remote Linux/Windows session, where the same shortcuts apply.
Can I reset HyperMesh shortcuts to default?
Yes. Because shortcuts can be exported and imported as an .xml file, the safest approach is to export a backup before making changes. You can then reimport your defaults (or a known-good set) to restore them.
Where can I download a HyperMesh shortcut keys PDF?
A free PDF cheat sheet of all HyperMesh shortcuts is available for download in the PDF section of this guide. Altair also publishes an official keyboard shortcuts PDF within its HyperWorks documentation.
Conclusion
HyperMesh keyboard shortcuts turn repetitive menu navigation into single keystrokes and across a full project, that adds up to real time saved. The core function keys (F2 to delete, F3 to replace, F8 to create nodes, F12 to mesh) work in the classic interface, while the newer HyperWorks ribbon interface adds letter-based display shortcuts like A (show), H (hide), and I (isolate) for faster model handling.
Start with the ten or so shortcuts you’d use most in your own workflow, commit those to muscle memory, then expand from there. Download the free PDF cheat sheet above to keep the full list within reach while you work.
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