Modeling
The command line and macros
Type commands with AutoCAD-style aliases, record a sequence of edits as a macro and run it again, and add plugins.
Open the command line
Press : (or choose View › Command Line), or type : or > first in the ⌘K palette. A one-line input docks at the bottom of the view.
Run a command
Type a command's alias or its id, then its arguments, and press Return. For example, m 4' 0 moves the selection 4 feet east.
| Alias | Command |
|---|---|
| M | Move |
| CO, CP | Duplicate |
| E | Delete |
| RO, MI, SC, AL, O, AR | Rotate, Mirror, Scale, Align, Offset, Array |
| TR, EX, F, BR or SP, J | Trim, Extend, Corner, Split Wall, Join Walls |
| MEA | Measure |
| LA | Layers |
| SN | Object snaps |
- Arguments fill in order, or as
name=value. The selection fills in the elements. - Lengths stay as typed:
4is 4 feet, as in every field. - A required argument you did not type is asked for in the command's own words. A point can be clicked in the view instead of typed, and snaps as Measure does.
- Return on a blank optional argument skips it. Esc cancels the question, then closes the line.
- Up and Down walk your last 100 lines. Return or Space on an empty line repeats the last command.
The line shows the result, or the reason a command was refused. Whatever you type here, an agent can send with the same arguments.
Add your own aliases
In Settings…, under Aliases, type a New alias (one word, letters and digits), pick the command it Runs, and click Add Alias. Type it on the command line to run its command.
Record a macro
- Choose Record Macro / Stop Recording (F5).
- Make your edits: the Move fields, Duplicate, the modify tools, the command line, sheet changes.
- Choose it again (F5) to stop. Name the macro and choose where it is kept: All projects or This project only. Click Save macro.
What came from the selection is left out, so the macro works on whatever is selected when it runs.
Limit. Move-tool drags, the Design-mode tools, underlays and the lot address are not recorded, nor are sketch, feature, annotation and viewport edits.
Run a macro
- Select what the macro should act on.
- Choose Run Macro… (F6), pick the macro, and click Run. If it asks for a value, type it.
The whole macro is one undo step. It stops at the first step that fails, keeps the steps before it (one Undo takes them back) and names the step.
Install a plugin
A plugin adds commands to the palette. It runs in a sandbox with no direct file or network access: it can only call Studio's commands, and only those it asked permission for.
- Choose Plugins… (F7) and type the plugin's folder in Plugin folder.
- Studio shows what it asks to do (read the model, edit, export files). Click Install, or Cancel.
- Run its commands from ⌘K.
A plugin's edits land on its own conversation, "Plugin: <name>", so you review, accept or discard them as any agent's. Uninstall removes it.