Transitioning from AutoCAD - Configuring QCAD for most simlar options/config (mostly keyboard work)

[faraggi]

QCAD Pro 3.32.4.0 (3.32.4)
Linux Kubuntu 24.04


Hello everyone,

I’m a new QCAD user and I’d really like to transition away from AutoCAD, both to support open-source software and because I appreciate the philosophy behind it. Before I dive too deep, I’d like to ask if it’s possible to configure QCAD to approximate my current AutoCAD workflow as closely as possible, so that the transition is as seamless as it can be.

Here’s how I usually work in AutoCAD:

- I rely heavily on a combination of keyboard and mouse. I switch between commands very quickly by typing one or two keys, then pressing spacebar (instead of Enter) to activate the command.
- Most of my interaction comes through the command line. Toolbars and buttons are rarely used, except for a few specific commands.
- I often activate the orthogonal restriction while drawing. In AutoCAD, I can toggle this once and have it persist across multiple commands. In QCAD, I see that I can use the EO shortcut, but it seems I need to activate it for each command separately. Ideally, I’d like to have it apply to all commands once toggled.
- Finally, I find the current command line text color (dark blue on dark gray/black) very hard to read. Since I depend on the command line to know what step comes next, it would help me a lot to be able to change that color for better readability.

My questions are:

1. Is it possible to configure QCAD to replicate this “keyboard + command line” workflow as closely as possible?
2. Can I remap the spacebar as Enter, and define simple one- or two-key shortcuts for commands?
3. Is there a way to set orthogonal restriction so that it persists across commands, not just one at a time?
4. Can I change the color of the command line text for better visibility?

Any other advice, tips, or guidance on making this transition easier would be very much appreciated.

Thank you very much in advance!