# Rhino BETA Feature: Instant Aliases (hot keys)

**URL:** <https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357>\
**Category:** Serengeti (Rhino BETA)\
**Created:** [August 29, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357 "2024-08-29T20:56:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![stevebaer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/stevebaer/32/473567_2.png) [@stevebaer](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/stevebaer)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/1 "2024-08-29T20:56:01Z")

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**Give your spacebar a break!**

The latest [Rhino BETA](https://www.rhino3d.com/download/rhino/wip/) has a new feature called **Instant Aliases**.

## What is an Alias?

An Alias is a keyboard shortcut that is configured to run Rhino commands. Traditionally, in Rhino 8 and previous versions, you needed to press the **Alias + Enter** to make it work.

Having to press **Enter** is an extra gesture that can become tedious when you have to do it many times in a row.

## Why Instant Aliases?

In Rhino BETA, any Alias can be made instant to run the command / macro as soon as you type the letter(s) **without needing to press Enter or the space bar**.

**This streamlines the modeling process by executing your favorite commands at only a click away.**

[![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/uploads/default/original/4X/9/b/a/9baa5616a946bbe8b176c70a7d157697140eab49.jpeg "Instant Aliases | New in Rhino BETA") ](https://vimeo.com/1095873632)

The aliases options page has a new column with checkboxes for setting individual aliases as **Instant** :

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/uploads/default/original/4X/d/6/a/d6a9c6648260740307cbddc4773a64edaa79703e.png)

In this image **ZE** is set to instant which causes `Zoom Extents` to be run 300 milliseconds after **ZE** is typed.

### Tip:

What if you wanted to type in **ZEA** or `Zebra` now that **ZE** is an instant alias? Hold the **Shift** key and instant aliases will be bypassed (or just type faster that 300ms between key presses). The 300ms delay can be adjusted to what works best for you.

Please give it a try and let us know how it’s working for you!

[Download Rhino BETA…](https://www.rhino3d.com/download/rhino/wip/)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jeremy5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/jeremy5/32/493741_2.png) [@jeremy5](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/jeremy5)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 9:13pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/2 "2024-08-29T21:13:19Z")

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> [@stevebaer](#):
>
> Hold the shift key and instant aliases will be bypassed.

Hi Steve,

I’m wondering how you capitalize/lowercase letters if you are using Shift to suspend instant aliases (sorry, can’t access a Serengeti machine to check for myself right now).

Regards  
Jeremy

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![stevebaer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/stevebaer/32/473567_2.png) [@stevebaer](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/stevebaer)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 9:16pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/3 "2024-08-29T21:16:22Z")

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This is for running commands and aliases which are both case insensitive

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![gustojunk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/gustojunk/32/481453_2.png) [@gustojunk](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/gustojunk)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 9:20pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/4 "2024-08-29T21:20:53Z")

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Hi Steve, did you mean to say that they are NOT case sensitive? Which means that the shift key will be ignored as a capitalization input, and used strictly as an instant-override?

G

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![stevebaer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/stevebaer/32/473567_2.png) [@stevebaer](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/stevebaer)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 9:24pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/5 "2024-08-29T21:24:03Z")

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This is about running commands and aliases. Case has never mattered for running commands and aliases

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![gustojunk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/gustojunk/32/481453_2.png) [@gustojunk](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/gustojunk)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 9:33pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/6 "2024-08-29T21:33:04Z")

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Oooh… never mind I misread your “case insensitive” as “case sensitive”. Nevermind!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kitjmv](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/kitjmv/32/510467_2.png) [@kitjmv](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/kitjmv)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 9:52pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/7 "2024-08-29T21:52:59Z")

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Wow!!

The first use I would have with this feature is to use the keys:

- 4, 6, 8, 2 to position the camera on the left, right, top view, etc. (like in Blender, which I find very practical).

I just tested it, and the numeric characters are ignored. So I tried with `A = '_SetView _World _Top`, it works very well but not when a command is activated.

For example: I am in the top view, I activate the `_Box` command, I draw the base rectangle, then I press `SHIFT+2` to switch to the front view and make the extrusion of the box. Using `SHIFT` for instant aliases can avoid conflicts in commands that would have an option with the same key (e.g., `_Box / 3Point` and `SHIFT+P`).

Switching from one view to another during a command is an operation I perform hundreds of times a day.

jmv

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![stevebaer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/stevebaer/32/473567_2.png) [@stevebaer](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/stevebaer)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 10:14pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/8 "2024-08-29T22:14:41Z")

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That scenario sounds pretty difficult to get right as numbers are very common to input while you are inside of a command. It may be better to use the keyboard shortcuts of CTRL+4, CTRL+6, CTRL+8, CTRL+2 to get this functionality (I know there’s a lot of overlap between keyboard shortcuts and aliases…)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kitjmv](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/kitjmv/32/510467_2.png) [@kitjmv](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/kitjmv)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 10:17pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/9 "2024-08-29T22:17:35Z")

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Yes, I also think it can’t be a direct access. There will necessarily be CTRL, SHIFT, or ALT to press along with the alias.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Rhino\_Bulgaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/rhino_bulgaria/32/505284_2.png) [@Rhino\_Bulgaria](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/Rhino_Bulgaria)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 11:01pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/10 "2024-08-29T23:01:15Z")

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Tap the Space bar, then Rhino will know that you want to bypass the instant alias as you type in the Command line in the next few seconds. This is a much easier to execute than having to press any hold the Shift key.  
I proposed that several years ago in another topic about making better aliases in Rhino 7.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![stevebaer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/stevebaer/32/473567_2.png) [@stevebaer](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/stevebaer)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2024, 11:07pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/11 "2024-08-29T23:07:46Z")

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Tapping the spacebar has always immediately performed a repeat of the previous command. We have discussed a “not so instant” delay that could be defined, but I wanted to get a minimal implementation out for feedback first.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![simon7](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/simon7/32/477780_2.png) [@simon7](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/simon7)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 1:47am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/12 "2024-08-30T01:47:46Z")

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This is a very useful feature 👍  
When I am doing SubD modeling, using aliases to select vertices, edges, faces, and objects means I don’t have to press the spacebar, which helps improve efficiency.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kitjmv](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/kitjmv/32/510467_2.png) [@kitjmv](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/kitjmv)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 4:39am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/13 "2024-08-30T04:39:16Z")

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> [@Rhino\_Bulgaria](#):
>
> This is a much easier to execute than having to press any hold the Shift key

We were only talking about when we are in a command, I was taking the example of changing the view (Left to Front) to draw a cube. I see very few instant aliases useful during the execution of a command (apart from moving the camera), so the constraint of using a modifier key is quite limited.

@stevebaer  
I think I will try to use an external input device such as a numeric keypad or a remote control like XPPen. I don’t know yet how to configure it, but it could be useful if inputs like these are supported.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Rhino\_Bulgaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/rhino_bulgaria/32/505284_2.png) [@Rhino\_Bulgaria](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/Rhino_Bulgaria)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 5:28am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/14 "2024-08-30T05:28:15Z")

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Yeah, unfortunately, Spacebar doubles what Enter does, making it less useful compared to the expanded number of commands that could be implemented via the former.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kitjmv](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/kitjmv/32/510467_2.png) [@kitjmv](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/kitjmv)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 6:04am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/15 "2024-08-30T06:04:06Z")

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I use the space bar a lot, especially with my left hand, it’s very convenient.

I have already tested using the combination ALT+Space or CTRL+Space to activate and deactivate the command line. It’s not too bad. It’s a common combination often used in code editors for auto-completion.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![eobet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/eobet/32/709711_2.png) [@eobet](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/eobet)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 6:27am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/16 "2024-08-30T06:27:32Z")

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> [@stevebaer](#):
>
> Tapping the spacebar has always immediately performed a repeat of the previous command.

Is that not right-click or enter? Why do you need three shortcuts for one thing in Rhino?

What Bobi said is a better solution, because tapping something once is easier than holding down a modifier key (which often requires two hands, ie letting go of not just the 3d mouse, but your regular mouse as well, and essentially stopping work… seconds, but it adds up, which is what this improvement is about).

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Rhino\_Bulgaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/rhino_bulgaria/32/505284_2.png) [@Rhino\_Bulgaria](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/Rhino_Bulgaria)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 9:37am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/17 "2024-08-30T09:37:19Z")

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Not to mention that the Spacebar is the best modifier key, because it’s very wide and covers almost the entire range of letter keys. With the same fingers on my left hand I can press Spacebar+A, or Spacebar+H, or Spacebar+L. You get the idea.

Also, it lets you press the keys faster and with a lesser amount of failure (for example, sometimes I hold Caps Lock instead of Shift).

* * *

By the way, the Rhino developers can get some inspiration from the proposals in this topic:

> [@Wish: Add a hotkey access to a limited number of commands](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/wish-add-a-hotkey-access-to-a-limited-number-of-commands/125461):
>
> This alternative way of running commands could be easier to people who come from other CAD programs. It should let the user edit the hotkeys and obviously will use only the letter keys as an input of quick commands. Since this mode will be based on a single press of a hotkey, there is no need to press the “Enter” key to activate the command. The downside is that the Command line will be no longer active all the time, so accessing the full list of commands via typing of their corresponding name …

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**Author:** ![eobet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/eobet/32/709711_2.png) [@eobet](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/eobet)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 9:52am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/18 "2024-08-30T09:52:31Z")

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To be clear, I meant that I want to hit the spacebar once to signal to Rhino that I want to type a command line command, _not_ to use it for an instant alias.

(Which, btw, would also make it consistent with Grasshopper!)

I also see a discussion above regarding instant aliases while inside of a command which I don’t understand that at all. Instant Aliases should naturally be disabled if another command is running, or at least any input should be piped to the running command first, and if it doesn’t want it, check for instant aliases second. That part feels like a solved problem (just look at how literally any other program does it).

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Rhino\_Bulgaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/rhino_bulgaria/32/505284_2.png) [@Rhino\_Bulgaria](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/Rhino_Bulgaria)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 9:55am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/19 "2024-08-30T09:55:03Z")

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I also meant that, so we talk about the same thing. 🙂 I even wrote that several years ago in at least 3 other topics.

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**Author:** ![encephalon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/encephalon/32/611970_2.png) [@encephalon](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/encephalon)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2024, 10:29am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357/20 "2024-08-30T10:29:58Z")

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dear @stevebaer thank you so much for this, its being fun so far!

would it be possible to trigger instant options in the same way? like here c for Chain edges for instance.

 ![Bildschirmfoto 2024-08-30 um 12.26.24](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/uploads/default/original/4X/2/d/7/2d7a551fa6ac6307fd2428f70bdab95b14fe50e7.png)

* * *

> [@stevebaer](#):
>
> numbers are very common to input while you are inside of a command.

if there would be any way to achieve that, that would be so terrific, maybe its possible to contain the numbers within that field without triggering other stuff.

* * *

would it also be possible to use , and . as instant aliases? on mac v7 that was still possible though there it was rather a command (i could of course also live with that) but the effect is the same, and if it worked there maybe that could work for everybody in v8/9?

[Next page](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/rhino-beta-feature-instant-aliases-hot-keys/190357.md?page=2)