Function Key Map

F1

Executes the Display Help Browser command only when the F1 key is enabled using the Enable/Disable F1 Key command.

F2

Activates Dynamic View. While the F2 key is pressed, Dynamic Rotate will be constrained about the View Origin.

F3

Activates Dynamic View and Rotate View about Line or Axis.  While the F3 key is pressed, Dynamic Rotate will be constrained about the View Axis.

F4

Activates Dynamic View and Rotate View about Line or Axis.  However, unlike F3, while the F4 key is pressed, Dynamic Rotate will be constrained about an imaginary axis starting at the View Origin and projecting perpendicular to the operator.  This is referred to as the display axis.

F5

Executes the Redraw Display command.

F11

Activates the Previous View.

F12

Activates the Next View

F6

Used as an "alternate pick" option.  After an entity is picked, press F6 to toggle through entities that are coincident with the pick.

F7

Extended Entity Pick.  This allows you to select entities outside of the active part or sketch.  If you press and hold the F7 key during point input the mode will temporarily change to Critical and Smart Pick (if On) will snap to critical (endpoints, midpoints, center points, etc.) external reference points anywhere in the active part or assembly where geometry is visible.

In the case of a sketch, once a critical point is selected, a reference point is projected onto the sketch plane similar to the Project a Reference Point command.  This procedure is a quick way of including external reference points in your sketch and dimension scheme.  The external reference point created is of course parametrically driven.  If the external geometry is modified and the critical point is moved, the reference point and sketch geometry and/or dimensions will adapt accordingly.

In general, if a command supports "extended" entity picks, you get them by holding down the F7 key.  An example is during the Blank Entities command.  Normally you can only select entities from the active part or component to blank.  With the F7 key pressed you can select from anywhere in the assembly.

If you keep the F7 key pressed it will remain in affect from one command to the next.

F8

If you put the mouse cursor on an entity to pick it, but the entity will not highlight, the pick filter is probably not set to the desired entity type.  Press F8 and the filter will automatically set to an option that will allow you to pick the entity.  If there are multiple pick possibilities, tap F8 and it will cycle through the possibilities.