Synopses & Reviews
AutoCAD Essentials is a unique learning resource that features concise, straightforward explanations and real-world, hands-on exercises and tutorials to teach new users the software’s core features and functions. Each chapter opens with a quick discussion of concepts and learning goals and then briskly moves into an approachable hands-on exercise that readers can follow to gain confidence using the software. Each chapter features compelling full-color screenshots to illustrate tutorial steps, and chapters conclude with a related and more open-ended project to further reinforce the chapter’s lessons. Readers can download starting and ending files for the exercises and additional learning tutorials so that they can start anywhere in the book and compare their results with the pro’s.
AutoCAD Essentials first introduces users to the software’s interface and foundational concepts. Following a workflow-based approach that mirrors how projects progress in the real world, the book then guides readers through basic 2D drawing skills, editing entities, working with splines and polylines, using layers and objects, organizing objects with groups and blocks, using hatch patterns and gradients, working with blocks and cross-references, creating and editing text, dimensioning, using constraints and layouts, printing, editing and importing data, modeling in 3D, and presenting the design.
Based on the very real-world task of designing a house, the hands-on exercises in AutoCAD Essentials will get all users up to speed on the program’s core functionality so they can quickly become productive with the software. The full-color book also features dataset downloads so readers can jump in anywhere as well as compare their work to the pro’s, and there is content to help users prepare for Autodesk’s growing AutoCAD certification program.
Synopsis
A four-color, task-based guide to AutoCADThis Autodesk Official Training Guide thoroughly covers the fundamentals of AutoCAD 2013 and AutoCAD LT 2013 and teaches you everything you need to become quickly productive with the software. Learn to draw in 2D, shape complex curves, manage objects with layers, organize with blocks and groups, add dimensions and annotation, work with layouts, model in 3D, create realistic renderings, and more. Whether you're an aspiring CAD/CAM professional, preparing for certification, or updating your skills, this is the fast, thorough grounding you need in AutoCAD.
- The perfect guide for AutoCAD beginners, this Autodesk Official Training Guide uses approachable real-world exercises to explain AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT
- Takes a workflow-based approach and presents AutoCAD tasks, tools, and core functionality in the context of designing a house
- Features hands-on tutorials illustrated with full-color screenshots
- Covers basic 2D drawing skills, editing entities, working with splines and polylines, using layers and objects, organizing objects with groups and blocks, and using hatch patterns and gradients
- Examines working with blocks and cross-references, creating and editing text, dimensioning, using constraints and layouts, printing, editing and importing data, modeling in 3D, and presenting the design
AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT Essentials helps AutoCAD newcomers understand the software and gain confidence in their skills.
Synopsis
Learn AutoCAD Quickly and EasilyThis Autodesk Official Training Guide thoroughly covers the fundamentals of AutoCAD 2013 and AutoCAD LT 2013 and teaches you everything you need to become quickly productive with the software. Learn to draw in 2D, shape complex curves, manage objects with layers, organize with blocks and groups, add dimensions and annotation, work with layouts, model in 3D, create realistic renderings, and more. Whether you're an aspiring CAD/CAM professional, preparing for certification, or updating your skills, this is the fast, thorough grounding you need in AutoCAD.
Learn these AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT essentials—and more:
Drawing lines, circles, arcs—and other 2D drawing basics
Editing entities and shaping curves
Making hatches transparent and adding gradient fills
Organizing objects with blocks, groups, and Xrefs
Understanding and creating dimension styles
Adding geometric constraints and editing constrained objects
Modeling in 3D and navigating 3D models
Creating photorealistic renderings and animated walkthroughs
Learn how to draw and manipulate objects, blocks, and arrays
Create beautiful photorealistic renderings of 3D models
This striking Essentials book features:
Chapter-opening learning objectives
Step-by-step tutorials
Four-color screenshots and illustrations
Concise chapter summaries and suggested practice exercises
Downloadable exercise files
About the Author
Scott Onstott is a consultant, lecturer, author, and independent video producer who has 14 years of experience teaching and writing about architectural and design visualization software. He is the author of Enhancing Architectural Drawings and Models with Photoshop as well as AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012 Essentials, and coauthor of AutoCAD: Professional Tips and Techniques.
Table of Contents
Introduction xiii
Chapter 1 Getting Started 1
Chapter 2 Basic Drawing Skills 15
Chapter 3 Using Drawing Aids 39
Chapter 4 Editing Entities 53
Chapter 5 Shaping Curves 79
Chapter 6 Controlling Object Visibility and Appearance 97
Chapter 7 Organizing Objects 121
Chapter 8 Hatching and Gradients 145
Chapter 9 Working with Blocks and Xrefs 163
Chapter 10 Creating and Editing Text 183
Chapter 11 Dimensioning 197
Chapter 12 Keeping In Control with Constraints 217
Chapter 13 Working with Layouts and Annotative Objects 231
Chapter 14 Printing and Plot ting 253
Chapter 15 Storing, Presenting, and Extracting Data 277
Chapter 16 Navigating 3D Models 299
Chapter 17 Modeling in 3D 317
Chapter 18 Presenting and Documenting 3D Design 345
Appendix Autodesk AutoCAD 2013 Cer tif ication 369
Index 375