book

Practical Autodesk AutoCAD 2023 and AutoCAD LT 2023 - Second Edition

by Jaiprakash Pandey, Yasser Shoukry

October 2022

Beginner

674 pages

15h 51m

English

Packt Publishing

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ContributorsAbout the authorsAbout the reviewers
Who this book is forWhat this book coversTo get the most out of this bookDownload the color imagesConventions usedGet in touchDownload a free PDF copy of this book
Technical requirementsAutoCAD for Mac and AutoCAD LTUnderstanding the user interfaceThe application buttonThe quick access toolbarThe info barThe ribbon areaThe file tabsThe ViewCube and navigation barThe selection cursorThe command line or paletteThe user coordinate systemThe layout tabsThe status bar togglesNavigating in AutoCADSelecting and panningZooming in and outMaking selectionsSetting units and limitsSetting unitsSetting limitsSaving settings as a templateSaving a drawing file as DWGSummary
Understanding the coordinate systemCartesian coordinatesPolar coordinatesUsing the Line commandMaking lines with direct distance entryMaking lines using absolute coordinatesUsing polar coordinatesUsing relative coordinatesMaking a drawing without coordinate valuesBasic status bar modesUsing Dynamic InputUsing Ortho modeUsing polar trackingMaking a circleCenter, radius, and diameter2-Point and 3-PointTan, Tan, Radius and Tan, Tan, TanMaking an arcStart, Center, EndStart, End, RadiusCenter, Start, EndMaking a rectangleMaking a rectangle using absolute coordinatesMaking a rectangle using relative coordinatesMaking a rectangle with Dynamic InputMaking a polygonInscribed and circumscribed polygonsMaking our first polygonUsing the Move and Copy commandsUsing the Rotate commandSimple RotateRotate with ReferenceUsing the Fillet commandUsing the Trim commandUsing the Extend commandSummary
Using Object SnapsThe Endpoint and Midpoint snapsThe Center snapThe Geometric Center snapThe Node snapThe Quadrant snapThe Intersection snapThe Extension snapThe Perpendicular snapThe Tangent snapThe Nearest snapThe Parallel snapThe Object Snap overrideObject Snap TrackingMaking an ellipseThe Construction Line commandThe Revision Cloud toolThe Rectangular Revision Cloud toolThe Polygonal Revision Cloud toolThe Freehand Revision Cloud toolWorking with regionsPoint and point styleWorking with SplineSpline fitSpline CVMore Modify commandsThe Mirror commandThe Offset commandThe Scale commandThe Chamfer commandThe Join commandThe Explode commandThe Stretch commandSummary
Using advanced status bar modesGrid modeSnap modeSelection cyclingMaking ArraysThe Rectangular ArrayThe Polar ArrayThe Path ArrayWorking with blocksMaking blocksInserting blocksModifying blocksRedefining blocksThe Block Count featureWorking with groupsCreating groupsUsing groupsWorking with attributesMaking attributesUnderstanding attribute modesMaking invisible attributesSummary
Managing object propertiesAdding a linetypeAdding transparencyAdding a lineweightAdding colorChanging properties using the PROPERTIES paletteUsing Match PropertiesModifying property types to matchUsing inquiry commandsThe Quick inquiry toolThe Distance inquiry toolThe Radius inquiry toolThe Angle inquiry toolThe Area inquiry toolDrawing management using layersUsing the LAYER PROPERTIES MANAGER paletteUsing the quick access tools in the Layers panelSummary
Filling an area with hatchesHatches with pick pointsHatches with the Select optionHatch colorHatch transparencyHatch angleSet OriginAssociative hatchesGap toleranceCreating color gradientsAdding text to the drawingCreating a text styleAdding Multiline textAdding single-line textWorking with dimensionsMaking a dimension styleAdding dimensionsUnderstanding the Dimension toolThe Continue dimension toolThe Baseline dimension toolModifying dimensionsUsing alternate units in dimensionsAdding tolerancesWorking with multileadersCreating a multileader styleAdding a multileaderSummary

Working with AutoCAD tablesMaking a table in AutoCADSpecify window table optionModifying tablesMaking a sample tableAdding data to a sample tableExporting tables in Excel formatImporting an Excel table into AutoCADWorking with the table style managerWorking with data linksUnderstanding fieldsMaking isometric drawingsPreparing a workspace for isometric drawingMaking the drawingSummary
Making custom linetypesMaking a simple linetype using the Make Linetype Express toolMaking complex linetypes using Express toolsMaking linetypes using codeMaking custom Hatches patternsCustomizing the user interfaceMaking a custom panelMaking user interface changesUsing Design CenterInserting blocks from Design CenterInserting named objects from other drawingsUsing tool palettesInserting blocks from a tool paletteAdding custom blocks to tool palettesWorking with complex polylines and splinesComplex polylinesEditing polylinesComplex splinesSummary
Working with External ReferencesInserting XRefsThe Attach External Reference window’s optionsThe External Reference tabThe EXTERNAL REFERENCES paletteUsing eTransmit for XRefsWorking with dynamic blocksMaking a dynamic block using parameters and actionsCleaning and fixing drawing issuesUsing PURGE to clean drawingsUsing OVERKILL to clean drawingsUsing the AUDIT commandUsing the RECOVER commandSummary
Technical requirements3D modeling workspacesIntroduction to workspacesExploring the 3D Basics workspaceExploring the 3D Modeling workspaceNavigation and switching viewsBasic navigationThe ViewCubePreset viewsCreating a custom-named viewAdjusting visual stylesPreset visual stylesAdjusting visual style settingsConfiguring multiple viewports Exploring UCSThe appearance of the UCS iconRotating the UCSTranslating the UCSAligning the UCS with objectsCreating a UCS by specifying pointsSaving the modified UCSDynamic UCS functionsSummary
Creating boxesCenter option for BoxCube option for BoxCreating cylinders3P and 2P cylinder optionsTtr cylinder optionElliptical optionCreating conesCreating spheresCreating pyramidsCreating wedgesCenter option of a wedgeCreating a torusCreating a polysolidSummary
Using the Extrude commandUsing the Revolve commandUsing the Sweep commandUsing the Loft commandUsing the Presspull commandUsing the Flatshot commandUsing the Section Plane toolSummary
Exploring basic modify commandsUsing 2D modify commands with 3D objectsUsing the 3D Gizmo toolUsing Boolean operationsUsing the union commandUsing the subtract commandUsing the intersect commandWorking with solid editing commandsUsing the separate commandUsing the shell commandUsing the slice commandUsing the Thicken commandWorking with face editing commandsUsing the taper faces commandUsing the extrude faces commandUsing the offset faces commandWorking with edge editing commandsUsing the FILLETEDGE commandUsing the chamfer edge commandSummary
Understanding the paper spaceIntroduction to paper spaceExploring the layout tabSetting up the paper space tabsCreating viewports and title blocksCreating rectangular viewportsAdjusting the viewport settingsCreating orthographic and isometric views for a three-dimensional modelCreating viewports with general shapesCreating a title blockExamples of creating and setting layout tabs and viewportsUnderstanding the printing processStarting the print commandChoosing what to printUsing plot stylesExamples of using the Plot Style Table EditorSummary
Setting the lighting of a sceneLighting intensity unitsCreating a Point light sourceCreating a Spotlight sourceCreating a Distant light sourceWeblight sourceSun lightingDisplaying shadowsApplying and viewing materialsSetting the visual style to display materialsExploring the Materials BrowserApplying materials to objectsMaterial mappingUsing custom materials/texture mapsCreating camerasCreating a new cameraModifying cameras using grab pointsRendering scenesSetting the render qualitySetting the rendered image resolutionRenderingImporting and exporting 3D filesSummary
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Overview

Dive into the world of 2D drafting and 3D modeling with "Practical Autodesk AutoCAD 2023 and AutoCAD LT 2023". This book serves as a comprehensive guide for learning the capabilities of AutoCAD in detail, from mastering basic 2D sketching to crafting advanced 3D models and visualizations. Structured for beginners and professionals alike, it ensures you gain confidence in CAD design.

What this Book will help me do

Understand and confidently use CAD fundamentals, user interface, and navigation.
Develop proficiency in creating and editing complex 2D and 3D designs efficiently.
Apply reusable objects such as blocks and xRefs to optimize your workflows.
Exploit advanced features like isometric drawings and dynamic blocks to enhance your designs.
Render and visualize design projects professionally, preparing them for presentation and communication.

Author(s)

Jaiprakash Pandey is a seasoned CAD professional with years of experience teaching and using various design software, including AutoCAD. His co-author, None Shoukry, brings additional expertise in 3D modeling and technical training. Together, they offer clear instructions and hands-on examples to guide learners in mastering design tools.

Who is it for?

This book is perfect for engineers, architects, construction professionals, and enthusiasts interested in design technology. It caters to beginners with no prior CAD experience as well as practicing professionals aiming to enhance their AutoCAD skills. If you're seeking to understand and apply 2D and 3D CAD for impactful projects, this guide is for you.