book

Mastering AutoCAD 2015 and AutoCAD LT 2015: Autodesk Official Press

by George Omura, Brian C. Benton

May 2014

Beginner to intermediate

1080 pages

31h 39m

English

Sybex

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Titlepage
Dedication
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Introduction
How to Use This BookAutoCAD 2015 and AutoCAD LT 2015Getting Information FastThe Mastering SeriesWhat to ExpectWhere to Get the Tutorial Files and Bonus ChaptersThe Minimum System RequirementsDoing Things in StyleNew Features of AutoCAD 2015Contact the Authors
Part 1: The Basics
Chapter 1: Exploring the Interface
Taking a Guided TourWorking with AutoCADThe Bottom Line
Chapter 2: Creating Your First Drawing
Getting to Know the Home Tab’s Draw and Modify PanelsStarting Your First DrawingSpecifying Exact Distances with CoordinatesInterpreting the Cursor Modes and Understanding PromptsSelecting ObjectsEditing with GripsUnderstanding Dynamic InputDisplaying Data in a Text WindowDisplaying the Properties of an ObjectGetting HelpThe Bottom Line
Chapter 3: Setting Up and Using the Drafting Tools
Setting Up a Work AreaExploring the Drawing ProcessPlanning and Laying Out a DrawingUsing the AutoCAD Modes as Drafting ToolsThe Bottom Line
Chapter 4: Organizing Objects with Blocks and Groups
Creating and Using a SymbolModifying a BlockUnderstanding the Annotation ScaleGrouping ObjectsThe Bottom Line

Chapter 5: Keeping Track of Layers and Blocks
Organizing Information with LayersKeeping Track of Blocks and LayersThe Bottom Line
Part 2: Mastering Intermediate Skills
Chapter 6: Editing and Reusing Data to Work Efficiently
Creating and Using TemplatesCopying an Object Multiple TimesDeveloping Your DrawingFinding an Exact Distance along a CurveChanging the Length of ObjectsCreating a New Drawing by Using Parts from Another DrawingThe Bottom Line
Chapter 7: Mastering Viewing Tools, Hatches, and External References
Assembling the PartsTaking Control of the AutoCAD DisplayUsing Hatch Patterns in Your DrawingsUnderstanding the Boundary Hatch OptionsUsing External ReferencesEditing Xrefs in PlaceThe Bottom Line
Chapter 8: Introducing Printing, Plotting, and Layouts
Plotting the PlanUnderstanding the Plotter SettingsWYSIWYG Plotting Using Layout ViewsAdding an Output DeviceStoring a Page SetupPlotter and Printer Hardware ConsiderationsThe Bottom Line
Chapter 9: Adding Text to Drawings
Preparing a Drawing for TextSetting the Annotation Scale and Adding TextUnderstanding the Text Style Dialog Box OptionsExploring Text Formatting in AutoCADWhat Do the Fonts Look Like?Adding Simple Single-Line Text ObjectsUsing the Check Spelling FeatureSubstituting FontsFinding and Replacing TextThe Bottom Line
Chapter 10: Using Fields and Tables
Using Fields to Associate Text with Drawing PropertiesAdding Tables to Your DrawingEditing the Table Line WorkAdding Formulas to CellsImporting and Exporting TablesCreating Table StylesThe Bottom Line
Chapter 11: Using Dimensions
Understanding the Components of a DimensionCreating a Dimension StyleDrawing Linear DimensionsEditing DimensionsDimensioning Nonorthogonal ObjectsAdding a Note with a Leader ArrowApplying Ordinate DimensionsAdding Tolerance NotationThe Bottom Line
Part 3: Mastering Advanced Skills
Chapter 12: Using Attributes
Creating AttributesEditing AttributesExtracting and Exporting Attribute InformationThe Bottom Line
Chapter 13: Copying Existing Drawings from Other Sources
Methods for Converting Paper Drawings to AutoCAD FilesImporting a Raster ImageWorking with a Raster ImageWorking with PDF FilesCoordinating Geographic LocationsThe Bottom Line
Chapter 14: Advanced Editing and Organizing
Using External ReferencesManaging LayersUsing Advanced Tools: Filter and Quick SelectUsing the QuickCalc CalculatorThe Bottom Line
Chapter 15: Laying Out Your Printer Output
Understanding Model Space and Paper SpaceWorking with Paper Space ViewportsCreating Odd-Shaped ViewportsUnderstanding Lineweights, Linetypes, and Dimensions in Paper SpaceThe Bottom Line
Chapter 16: Making “Smart” Drawings with Parametric Tools
Why Use Parametric Drawing Tools?Connecting Objects with Geometric ConstraintsControlling Sizes with Dimensional ConstraintsUsing Formulas to Control and Link DimensionsEditing the Constraint OptionsPutting Constraints to UseThe Bottom Line
Chapter 17: Using Dynamic Blocks
Exploring the Block EditorCreating a Dynamic BlockUsing Constraints in Dynamic BlocksAdding a List of Predefined OptionsCreating Multiple Shapes in One BlockRotating Objects in UnisonFilling in a Space Automatically with ObjectsIncluding Block Information with Data ExtractionThe Bottom Line
Chapter 18: Drawing Curves
Introducing PolylinesEditing PolylinesCreating a Polyline Spline CurveUsing True Spline CurvesMarking Divisions on CurvesThe Bottom Line
Chapter 19: Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings
Finding the Area of Closed BoundariesGetting General InformationUsing the DXF File Format to Exchange CAD Data with Other ProgramsUsing AutoCAD Drawings in Page Layout ProgramsUsing OLE to Import DataThe Bottom Line
Part 4: 3D Modeling and Imaging
Chapter 20: Creating 3D Drawings
Getting to Know the 3D Modeling WorkspaceDrawing in 3D Using SolidsCreating 3D Forms from 2D ShapesIsolating Coordinates with Point FiltersMoving around Your ModelGetting a Visual EffectTurning a 3D View into a 2D AutoCAD DrawingUsing the Point Cloud FeatureThe Bottom Line
Chapter 21: Using Advanced 3D Features
Setting Up AutoCAD for This ChapterMastering the User Coordinate SystemUnderstanding the UCS OptionsUsing Viewports to Aid in 3D DrawingUsing the Array ToolsCreating Complex 3D SurfacesCreating Spiral FormsCreating Surface ModelsMoving Objects in 3D SpaceThe Bottom Line
Chapter 22: Editing and Visualizing 3D Solids
Understanding Solid ModelingCreating Solid FormsCreating Complex SolidsEditing SolidsStreamlining the 2D Drawing ProcessVisualizing SolidsThe Bottom Line
Chapter 23: Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface Modeling
Creating a Simple 3D MeshEditing Faces and EdgesCreating Mesh SurfacesConverting Meshes to SolidsUnderstanding 3D SurfacesEditing SurfacesThe Bottom Line
Part 5: Customization and Integration
Chapter 24: Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns
Using WorkspacesCustomizing the User InterfaceCreating Macros in Tools and MenusEditing Keyboard ShortcutsSaving, Loading, and Unloading Your CustomizationsUnderstanding the Diesel Macro LanguageCreating Custom LinetypesCreating Hatch PatternsThe Bottom Line
Chapter 25: Managing and Sharing Your Drawings
Sharing Drawings OnlineePublishing Your DrawingsSharing Files with Autodesk 360Adding Hyperlinks to DrawingsManaging Your Drawings with DesignCenter and the Tool PalettesSearching Your Drawing Library with Content ExplorerEstablishing Office StandardsConverting Multiple Layer SettingsThe Bottom Line
Part 6: Appendices
Appendix A: The Bottom Line
Chapter 1: Exploring the InterfaceChapter 2: Creating Your First DrawingChapter 3: Setting Up and Using the Drafting ToolsChapter 4: Organizing Objects with Blocks and GroupsChapter 5: Keeping Track of Layers and BlocksChapter 6: Editing and Reusing Data to Work EfficientlyChapter 7: Mastering Viewing Tools, Hatches, and External ReferencesChapter 8: Introducing Printing, Plotting, and LayoutsChapter 9: Adding Text to DrawingsChapter 10: Using Fields and TablesChapter 11: Using DimensionsChapter 12: Using AttributesChapter 13: Copying Existing Drawings from Other SourcesChapter 14: Advanced Editing and OrganizingChapter 15: Laying Out Your Printer OutputChapter 16: Making “Smart” Drawings with Parametric ToolsChapter 17: Using Dynamic BlocksChapter 18: Drawing CurvesChapter 19: Getting and Exchanging Data from DrawingsChapter 20: Creating 3D DrawingsChapter 21: Using Advanced 3D FeaturesChapter 22: Editing and Visualizing 3D SolidsChapter 23: Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface ModelingChapter 24: Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch PatternsChapter 25: Managing and Sharing Your Drawings
Appendix B: Installing and Setting Up AutoCAD
Before Installing AutoCADProceeding with the InstallationConfiguring AutoCADConfiguring the Tablet Menu AreaTurning On the Noun/Verb Selection MethodTurning On the Grips FeatureSetting Up the Tracking Vector FeatureAdjusting the AutoCAD 3D Graphics SystemFinding Folders That Contain AutoCAD FilesSetting Up AutoCAD with a White Background
Appendix C: The Autodesk AutoCAD 2015 Certification
End-User License Agreement

Overview

The ultimate reference and tutorial for AutoCAD software

This Autodesk Official Press book employs concise explanations, focused examples, step-by-step instructions, and hands-on projects to help you master both AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. This detailed guide works well as both a tutorial and stand-alone reference, and is the perfect resource regardless of your level of expertise.

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

Part V discusses customization and integration

The supporting website includes all the project files necessary for the tutorials as well as video tutorials and other bonus content.

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
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