Synopses & Reviews
The World's Bestselling AutoCAD Resource Fully Updated for 2011
There's a reason why Mastering AutoCAD is so popular year after year. Loaded with concise explanations, step-by-step instructions, and hands-on projects, this comprehensive reference and tutorial from award-winning author George Omura has everything you need to become an AutoCAD expert.
If you're new to AutoCAD, the tutorials will help you build your skills right away. If you're an AutoCAD veteran,Omura's in-depth explanations of the latest features, including the exciting new 3D Surface design tools and hatch capabilities, will turn you into an AutoCAD pro. Whatever your experience level and however you use AutoCAD, you'll refer to this indispensable reference again and again.
Coverage includes:
Effectively using hatches, fields, and tables
Manipulating dynamic blocks and attributes
Linking drawings to databases and spreadsheets
Rendering realistic interior views with natural lighting
Giving a hand-drawn look to 3D views
Presenting 3D models with cutaway and x-ray views
Importing PDF documents as drawing backgrounds
Exploring parametric modeling with geometric constraints
Featured on the DVD
Find all of the project files for the book's exercises, over a dozen video tutorials, a trial version of AutoCAD 2011, a searchable PDF of the book, and additional tools and utilities.
Turn Your Ideas into Reality with Powerful 3D Design Tools
View Easy-to-Follow Video Tutorials on Important Tasks
Track Your Projects with the Sheet Set Manager
Explore Advanced TopicsSuch as Tool Customization and Macros
Prepare for the AutoCAD 2011 Associate and Professional Certification Exams
Synopsis
Each year, Mastering AutoCAD appears at the top of the AutoCAD book sales charts, and it is the world's all-time best-selling AutoCAD series, with more than a half million copies in print.Mastering AutoCAD teaches AutoCAD essentials using concise explanations, focused examples, step-by-step instructions, and hands-on projects for both AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. This detailed resource works as both a tutorial and stand-alone reference. Part I introduces the basics of the interface and drafting tools; Part II moves into such intermediate skills as effectively using hatches, fields, and tables; Part III details such advanced skills as attributes, dynamic blocks, drawing curves and solid fills; Part IV explores 3D modeling and imaging; and Part V discusses customization and integration. The supporting DVD includes all the project files necessary for the tutorials, at least a dozen video tutorials, a searchable PDF of the entire book, a trial version of AutoCAD, five chapters of advanced material on such topics as Active X and VBA, and additional tools and utilities.
Synopsis
Go beyond AutoCAD essentials to create amazing 2D and 3D technical drawingsAutoCADis the leading drawing software used by design and drafting professionals to create 2D and 3D technical drawings. Mastering AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT guides you through AutoCAD essentials using concise explanations, focused examples, step-by-step instructions, and hands-on projects for both AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT.
You'll understand the basics of the interface and drafting tools, as well as how to effectively use hatches, fields, and tables.
- Details attributes, dynamic blocks, drawing curves, and solid fills, as well as exploring 3D modeling and imaging
- Explores the fully revised 3D rendering features and the new 3D Surface modeling tools
- Covers the new 2D features like the updated Hatch tools, object transparency and Isolate/Hide objects
- Discusses customization and integration, as well as useful tools and utilities
- Includes a searchable PDF of the entire book, a trial version of AutoCAD, and before-and-after tutorial files
Accompanied by a DVD with more than a dozen video tutorials, this book will help you master AutoCAD and bring your technical drawings to life.
Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.
For Instructors: Teaching supplements are available for this title.
About the Author
George Omura is a licensed architect and Autodesk Authorized Author who has more than 30 years of experience in architecture and has been using AutoCAD for more than 20 years. He has worked on design projects ranging from resort hotels to metropolitan transit systems to the San Francisco Library project. He is the all-time bestselling AutoCAD author and was cited as favorite CAD author by members of the Autodesk User Group International (AUGI) in AUGIWorld magazine's "Best of Everything CAD" issue.
Table of Contents
Foreword xxixIntroduction xxxi
Part 1 • The Basics 1
Chapter 1 • Exploring the AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT Interface 3
Chapter 2 • Creating Your First Drawing 27
Chapter 3 • Setting Up and Using AutoCAD’s Drafting Tools 73
Chapter 4 • Organizing Objects with Blocks and Groups 111
Chapter 5 • Keeping Track of Layers and Blocks 139
Part 2 • Mastering Intermediate Skills 169
Chapter 6 • Editing and Reusing Data to Work Efficiently 171
Chapter 7 • Mastering Viewing Tools, Hatches, and External References 209
Chapter 8 • Introducing Printing, Plotting, and Layouts 255
Chapter 9 • Understanding Plot Styles 285
Chapter 10 • Adding Text to Drawings 309
Chapter 11 • Using Fields and Tables 343
Chapter 12 • Using Dimensions 363
Part 3 • Mastering Advanced Skills 407
Chapter 13 • Using Attributes 409
Chapter 14 • Copying Existing Drawings into AutoCAD 435
Chapter 15 • Advanced Editing and Organizing 455
Chapter 16 • Laying Out Your Printer Output 495
Chapter 17 • Making “Smart” Drawings with Parametric Tools 519
Chapter 18 • Using Dynamic Blocks 539
Chapter 19 • Drawing Curves 571
Chapter 20 • Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings 601
Part 4 • 3D Modeling and Imaging 629
Chapter 21 • Creating 3D Drawings 631
Chapter 22 • Using Advanced 3D Features . 675
Chapter 23 • Rendering 3D Drawings 729
Chapter 24 • Editing and Visualizing 3D Solids 797
Chapter 25 • Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface Modeling 837
Part 5 • Customization and Integration 883
Chapter 26 • Using the Express Tools 885
Chapter 27 • Exploring AutoLISP 913
Chapter 28 • Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns 937
Chapter 29 • Managing and Sharing Your Drawings 975
Chapter 30 • Keeping a Project Organized with Sheet Sets 1017
Appendices . 1059
Appendix A • The Bottom Line 1061
Chapter 1: Exploring the AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT Interface 1061
Chapter 2: Creating Your First Drawing 1062
Chapter 3: Setting Up and Using AutoCAD’s Drafting Tools 1063
Chapter 4: Organizing Objects with Blocks and Groups 1063
Chapter 5: Keeping Track of Layers and Blocks 1064
Chapter 6: Editing and Reusing Data to Work Efficiently 1065
Chapter 7: Mastering Viewing Tools, Hatches, and External References 1066
Chapter 8: Introducing Printing, Plotting, and Layouts 1066
Chapter 9: Understanding Plot Styles 1067
Chapter 10: Adding Text to Drawings 1068
Chapter 11: Using Fields and Tables 1069
Chapter 12: Using Dimensions 1070
Chapter 13: Using Attributes 1071
Chapter 14: Copying Existing Drawings into AutoCAD 1071
Chapter 15: Advanced Editing and Organizing 1072
Chapter 16: Laying Out Your Printer Output 1073
Chapter 17: Making “Smart” Drawings with Parametric Tools 1073
Chapter 18: Using Dynamic Blocks 1074
Chapter 19: Drawing Curves 1075
Chapter 20: Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings 1077
Chapter 21: Creating 3D Drawings 1078
Chapter 22: Using Advanced 3D Features 1079
Chapter 23: Rendering 3D Drawings 1080
Chapter 24: Editing and Visualizing 3D Solids 1082
Chapter 25: Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface Modeling 1082
Chapter 26: Using the Express Tools 1083
Chapter 27: Exploring AutoLISP 1084
Chapter 28: Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns 1085
Chapter 29: Managing and Sharing Your Drawings 1086
Chapter 30: Keeping a Project Organized with Sheet Sets 1087
Appendix B • Installing and Setting Up AutoCAD 1089
Appendix C • Hardware and Software Tips 1117
Appendix D • System Variables and Dimension Styles 1137
Appendix E • About the Companion DVD 1155
Appendix F • The AutoCAD 2011 Certification Exams 1159
Index 1165