Let’s say you want to use a command or system variable, but you can’t quite remember which one, or how to spell it. In AutoCAD LT 2012, you don’t have to press TAB to see all the options one by one (and then grumble when you realize you tabbed too fast and went past the one you were looking for). Instead, just start typing. AutoCAD LT automatically pops up a list with all the matching commands, command aliases, and system variables for you to choose from. You can use the mouse or arrow keys to pick one, or you can keep typing. Once you run out of two-letter command aliases, the command names start filling themselves in at the cursor and you can press Enter to accept it. If this is making any of my keyboard fans nervous, I can guarantee that it won’t slow you down. It never takes the focus away from your input window, so you can type as fast as you like. If you press Enter fast enough, you might never even see the list at all. It’ll only show up when you stop to think. The best part of auto-complete, though, is that it remembers your choices. Once you pick a command from the list, it’s highlighted by default the next time it’s available. Let’s say I type in QS. I get two options: QSAVE and QSELECT. I want QSELECT (I already use Ctrl+S for QSAVE), so I’ll press the down arrow and then press Enter. Now, the next time I type QS, QSELECT shows up instead! It’s like I created my own personal command alias…without editing the PGP file. Pretty cool, isn’t it? Auto-complete also works for your own custom aliases: Unfortunately, you don’t get the command name in parentheses like you do with the built-in aliases, but it’s still nice that they’re there. And this is AutoCAD LT we’re talking about, so of course you have options: You can turn off the list itself, or just the icons, or just the system variables. You can also set the delay time, which is how long you have to stop typing before the list shows up. Personally, the defaults have worked great for me so far, but if you have other combinations that work best I’d love to hear about them.

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