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Keyboard Shortcuts

Complete reference of keyboard shortcuts in Rayforge.

Platform Conventions
  • Linux/Windows: Ctrl key
  • macOS:  (Command) key
  • Documentation uses Ctrl - macOS users substitute with 

File Operations​

ShortcutActionDescription
Ctrl+NNew SketchCreate new sketch
Ctrl+OOpenOpen existing project
Ctrl+SSaveSave current project
Ctrl+Shift+SSave AsSave project as new file
Ctrl+IImportOpen file import dialog
Ctrl+EExportExport G-code
Ctrl+QQuitExit Rayforge
Ctrl+,PreferencesOpen preferences dialog

Edit & Clipboard​

ShortcutActionDescription
Ctrl+ZUndoUndo last action
Ctrl+YRedoRedo last undone action
Ctrl+Shift+ZRedo (alternate)Alternative redo shortcut
Ctrl+XCutCut selection to clipboard
Ctrl+CCopyCopy selection to clipboard
Ctrl+VPastePaste from clipboard
Ctrl+ASelect AllSelect all items in active layer
Ctrl+DDuplicateDuplicate selected items
DeleteRemoveDelete selected items
Ctrl+Shift+DeleteClearClear all items from document

View & Display​

ShortcutActionDescription
HToggle WorkpiecesShow/hide workpiece visibility
TToggle TabsShow/hide holding tabs
Alt+CToggle CameraShow/hide camera overlay
F123D ViewToggle 3D preview window
Ctrl+Shift+RSimulation ModeToggle simulation mode

3D View Controls​

ShortcutActionDescription
1Top ViewSwitch to top-down view
2Front ViewSwitch to front view
7Isometric ViewSwitch to isometric view
PToggle PerspectiveSwitch between perspective and orthographic

Layer & Organization​

ShortcutActionDescription
Ctrl+GGroupGroup selected items
Ctrl+UUngroupUngroup selected group
Ctrl+Page UpMove Layer UpMove layer up in stack
Ctrl+Page DownMove Layer DownMove layer down in stack
Alt+SAdd StockAdd stock/material item

Tabs (Holding Tabs)​

ShortcutActionDescription
Alt+TAdd Tabs (Equidistant)Add evenly-spaced tabs
TToggle Tab VisibilityShow/hide tabs overlay

Alignment & Distribution​

Alignment​

ShortcutActionDescription
Shift+LeftAlign LeftAlign selected items to left
Shift+RightAlign RightAlign selected items to right
Shift+UpAlign TopAlign selected items to top
Shift+DownAlign BottomAlign selected items to bottom
Shift+HomeAlign H-CenterAlign selected items horizontally to center
Shift+EndAlign V-CenterAlign selected items vertically to center

Distribution​

ShortcutActionDescription
Ctrl+Shift+HSpread HorizontallyDistribute items evenly horizontally
Ctrl+Shift+VSpread VerticallyDistribute items evenly vertically

Layout​

ShortcutActionDescription
Alt+APixel PerfectSnap to pixel grid

Transform​

ShortcutActionDescription
Shift+HFlip HorizontalMirror selected items horizontally
Shift+VFlip VerticalMirror selected items vertically

Machine Control​

ShortcutActionDescription
Ctrl+LControl PanelToggle control panel visibility
Ctrl+<Machine SettingsOpen machine settings dialog
F1AboutShow about dialog
Machine Operations

Machine control operations (Home, Frame, Send, etc.) currently don't have default shortcuts but can be accessed via toolbar buttons or menus.

Canvas Navigation​

Mouse Controls​

InputActionDescription
Left ClickSelectSelect item
Left DragMoveMove selected items
Ctrl+Left DragBox SelectSelect multiple items
Middle Click DragPanPan the canvas
Scroll WheelZoomZoom in/out
Ctrl+ScrollPrecision ZoomFiner zoom control

Arrow Keys​

ShortcutActionDescription
NudgeMove selected items by 1 unit
Shift+ArrowLarge NudgeMove selected items by 10 units

Text Editor (G-code Editor)​

When editing G-code or text fields:

ShortcutActionDescription
Ctrl+ZUndoUndo text edit
Ctrl+YRedoRedo text edit
Ctrl+ASelect AllSelect all text
Ctrl+XCutCut selected text
Ctrl+CCopyCopy selected text
Ctrl+VPastePaste text
Ctrl+FFindFind text (if supported)

Quick Reference by Category​

Most Used (Top 10)​

  1. Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Y - Undo/Redo
  2. Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V - Copy/Paste
  3. Ctrl+D - Duplicate
  4. Delete - Remove
  5. Ctrl+A - Select All
  6. Ctrl+N - New Sketch
  7. Ctrl+O - Open
  8. Ctrl+S - Save
  9. H - Toggle Workpieces
  10. F12 - 3D View

View & Visualization​

  • H - Hide/show workpieces
  • T - Hide/show tabs
  • Alt+C - Toggle camera
  • F12 - 3D view
  • F11 - Simulation mode
  • 1, 2, 7 - 3D view presets
  • P - Perspective toggle

Edit & Transform​

  • Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Y - Undo/Redo
  • Ctrl+X / Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V - Cut/Copy/Paste
  • Ctrl+D - Duplicate
  • Delete - Remove
  • Shift+H / Shift+V - Flip H/V
  • Ctrl+G / Ctrl+U - Group/Ungroup

Alignment​

  • Shift+Arrow Keys - Align to edges
  • Shift+Home / Shift+End - Center align
  • Ctrl+Shift+H / Ctrl+Shift+V - Distribute
  • Alt+A - Pixel perfect

Customizing Shortcuts​

Custom Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are currently hardcoded. Custom shortcut configuration may be added in future versions.

Current limitations:

  • Shortcuts cannot be changed without modifying source code
  • No GUI for shortcut customization
  • Some actions may not have shortcuts assigned

Feature request: If you need custom shortcuts, please open an issue on GitHub.

Tips & Tricks​

Efficiency Tips​

  1. Learn the edit shortcuts first - Ctrl+Z/Y/C/V/D are used constantly
  2. Use single-key toggles - H, T, P for quick view changes
  3. 3D view shortcuts - 1, 2, 7 for instant view switching
  4. Alignment shortcuts - Shift+Arrow faster than clicking alignment buttons
  5. Simulation mode - Ctrl+Shift+S to quickly check execution

Workflow Shortcuts​

Quick edit cycle:

1. New Sketch (Ctrl+N) or Open (Ctrl+O)
2. Arrange items (arrow keys, Shift+Arrow for alignment)
3. Duplicate parts (Ctrl+D)
4. Check in 3D (F12)
5. Simulate (F11)
6. Save (Ctrl+S) or Export (Ctrl+E)

Precision positioning:

1. Select item
2. Arrow keys for 1mm nudges
3. Shift+Arrow for 10mm jumps
4. Shift+Home/End for centering

Hidden Shortcuts​

Some lesser-known shortcuts:

  • Ctrl+, - Quick access to preferences (standard on macOS, works here too)
  • Ctrl+Shift+Z - Alternative redo (for users who prefer this over Ctrl+Y)
  • Alt+A - Pixel-perfect snapping for precise placement
  • Alt+T - Quick equidistant tab placement

Platform Differences​

Linux​

  • Uses standard Ctrl modifier
  • All shortcuts work as documented
  • GTK standard shortcuts apply in text fields

Windows​

  • Uses standard Ctrl modifier
  • Identical to Linux shortcuts
  • Windows-specific keys (Win key) not used

macOS​

  • Ctrl maps to  (Command)
  • Alt maps to % (Option)
  • Standard macOS conventions apply
  • Cmd+Q to quit (instead of Ctrl+Q)

Troubleshooting Shortcuts​

Shortcut Not Working​

Common issues:

  1. Focus on wrong element - Ensure canvas or main window has focus, not a text field
  2. Conflicting application - Another app may be intercepting the shortcut
  3. Desktop environment shortcut - System shortcuts may override (e.g., Alt+F4)
  4. Numpad vs number row - Use number row for 3D view shortcuts, not numpad

Solutions:

  • Click on the canvas to ensure it has focus
  • Check system keyboard shortcuts for conflicts
  • Try the menu action instead to verify functionality

Modifier Keys​

If Ctrl doesn't work:

  • Verify Caps Lock is off (can interfere on some systems)
  • Try Ctrl on both sides of keyboard
  • Check keyboard layout settings

If Alt doesn't work:

  • Some window managers capture Alt for window dragging
  • Try disabling window manager Alt shortcuts
  • Use menu items as alternative

Shortcut Cheat Sheet​

Print this quick reference:

CategoryShortcutAction
FileCtrl+NNew Sketch
Ctrl+OOpen
Ctrl+SSave
Ctrl+Shift+SSave As
Ctrl+IImport
Ctrl+EExport
Ctrl+QQuit
Ctrl+,Preferences
EditCtrl+ZUndo
Ctrl+YRedo
Ctrl+CCopy
Ctrl+VPaste
Ctrl+DDuplicate
DeleteRemove
ViewHWorkpieces
TTabs
Alt+CCamera
F123D View
1/2/7View Presets
PPerspective
AlignShift+LeftAlign Left
Shift+RightAlign Right
Shift+UpAlign Top
Shift+DownAlign Bottom
Shift+HomeH-Center
Shift+EndV-Center
SimulateF11Mode
TransformShift+HFlip H
Shift+VFlip V
Ctrl+GGroup
Ctrl+UUngroup
MachineCtrl+LControl Panel
Ctrl+<Machine Settings
F1About