AutoCAD® 2009 & AutoCAD LT® 2009 All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies®

AutoCAD® 2009 & AutoCAD LT® 2009 All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies®

Released May 2008
Publisher(s): For Dummies
ISBN: 9780470243787

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Book description

Nobody ever said AutoCAD was easy, which is why you need AutoCAD & AutoCAD LT 2009 All-In-One Desk Reference for Dummies! These nine minibooks cover all the stuff you need to know to set up AutoCAD for 2D or 3D, create drawings, modify and share them, publish your work, and more. There’s even a minibook devoted to increasing your options with AutoCAD LT!

This one-stop guide to creating great technical drawings using AutoCAD 2009 shows you how to navigate the AutoCAD interface, set up drawings, use basic and precision tools, and use drawing objects. You’ll learn how to annotate your drawings, use dimensioning and hatching, and work with AutoCAD’s new Annotation Scaling feature. You’ll also find out how to work with solids, texture surfaces, add lighting, and much more. Discover how to

  • Navigate the AutoCAD interface

  • Work with lines, shapes, and curves

  • Add explanatory text

  • Understand AutoCAD LT’s limitations

  • Render your drawings

  • Create and manage blocks

  • Use AutoCAD advanced drafting techniques

  • Comply with CAD management and standards

  • Share your work with others

  • Customize the AutoCAD interface, tools, and more

Complete with Web links to advanced information on navigating the AutoCAD programming interfaces, using custom programs, getting started with AutoLISP, and working with Visual Basic for AutoCAD, AutoCAD & AutoCAD LT 2009 All-In-One Desk Reference for Dummies is the only comprehensive AutoCAD guide you’ll ever need.

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
  2. About the Author
  3. Author's Acknowledgments
  4. Publisher's Acknowledgments
  5. Introduction
    1. About This Book
    2. Foolish Assumptions
    3. Conventions Used in This Book
      1. Menu browser access
      2. Ribbon access
      3. Toolbar access
      4. Menu bar ("classic menu") access
    4. How This Book Is Organized
      1. Book I: AutoCAD Basics
      2. Book II: 2D Drafting
      3. Book III: Annotating Drawings
      4. Book IV: LT Differences
      5. Book V: 3D Modeling
      6. Book VI: Advanced Drafting
      7. Book VII: Publishing Drawings
      8. Book VIII: Collaboration
      9. Book IX: Customizing AutoCAD
      10. Bonus Content
    5. Icons Used in This Book
  6. Book I. AutoCAD Basics
    1. 1. One-on-One Time with AutoCAD
      1. 1.1. Starting AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT
        1. 1.1.1. Accessing the right tools for the right job
        2. 1.1.2. Creating a new drawing
        3. 1.1.3. What is created should be saved
      2. 1.2. Drawing Setup
        1. 1.2.1. Getting snappy and griddy
        2. 1.2.2. Establishing the limits
        3. 1.2.3. Organizing objects with layers
      3. 1.3. Drawing and Editing Objects
        1. 1.3.1. Walking the straight and curved
          1. 1.3.1.1. Don't be a square
          2. 1.3.1.2. Multiply segments, one object
          3. 1.3.1.3. Going straight from point A to point B
          4. 1.3.1.4. Just a circle thing
          5. 1.3.1.5. Going around the arc
        2. 1.3.2. Modifying objects
          1. 1.3.2.1. Duplicating objects
          2. 1.3.2.2. Here's looking at you
      4. 1.4. Annotating with Text and Dimensions
        1. 1.4.1. Expressing yourself through text
        2. 1.4.2. Entering the drafting dimension
      5. 1.5. Fast Track to Plotting
    2. 2. Drawing on and in AutoCAD
      1. 2.1. Understanding AutoCAD Files and Formats
      2. 2.2. Seeing the LT
      3. 2.3. Using AutoCAD's Latest-and-Greatest Feature Set
    3. 3. Navigating the AutoCAD Interface
      1. 3.1. Starting the Application
        1. 3.1.1. Creating Start menu shortcuts
        2. 3.1.2. Using desktop shortcuts
        3. 3.1.3. Accessing files from Windows Explorer
      2. 3.2. Touring the AutoCAD Interface
        1. 3.2.1. Title bars
        2. 3.2.2. AutoCAD menus and menu browser
        3. 3.2.3. AutoCAD toolbars
        4. 3.2.4. Quick Access toolbar
        5. 3.2.5. Palettes
        6. 3.2.6. Drawing area
        7. 3.2.7. Crosshairs
        8. 3.2.8. The floating command window
        9. 3.2.9. The status bar
      3. 3.3. Communicating with Your Software
        1. 3.3.1. The command line
        2. 3.3.2. Dynamic input
        3. 3.3.3. Dialog boxes
      4. 3.4. Running AutoCAD Commands
        1. 3.4.1. Grasping the AutoCAD difference
        2. 3.4.2. Repeating a command
        3. 3.4.3. Canceling a running command
        4. 3.4.4. Invoking transparent commands
      5. 3.5. Reaching for AutoCAD Help
        1. 3.5.1. Using built-in Help
        2. 3.5.2. Tooltips
        3. 3.5.3. InfoCenter
        4. 3.5.4. Finding online resources
    4. 4. All about Files
      1. 4.1. File Types in AutoCAD
      2. 4.2. Starting a New Drawing
        1. 4.2.1. Starting from scratch
        2. 4.2.2. Using a wizard
        3. 4.2.3. Using a drawing template
      3. 4.3. Saving a Drawing
        1. 4.3.1. Save
        2. 4.3.2. Save As
        3. 4.3.3. QSAVE
      4. 4.4. Opening an Existing Drawing
        1. 4.4.1. Open command
        2. 4.4.2. Recent drawings
        3. 4.4.3. Using Windows Explorer
          1. 4.4.3.1. And a double-click to open
          2. 4.4.3.2. What a drag (and drop)
      5. 4.5. The Multiple-Drawing Environment
      6. 4.6. Closing Windows
      7. 4.7. File Management for AutoCAD
        1. 4.7.1. Naming drawing files
        2. 4.7.2. Storing your files
      8. 4.8. Backing Up Is Hard to Do . . .
    5. 5. Basic Tools
      1. 5.1. Drawing Lines
      2. 5.2. Creating Circles
      3. 5.3. Taking a Closer Look
        1. 5.3.1. Checking out realtime zoom
        2. 5.3.2. Using realtime pan
      4. 5.4. Modifying Objects
      5. 5.5. Erasing and Unerasing Stuff
        1. 5.5.1. Using the digital eraser
        2. 5.5.2. Unerasing objects
      6. 5.6. Ready . . . Undo, Undo, Redo . . .
    6. 6. Setting Up Drawings
      1. 6.1. Choosing Units of Measurement
        1. 6.1.1. AutoCAD units
        2. 6.1.2. Imperial or metric
        3. 6.1.3. System variables
        4. 6.1.4. Setting units in your drawing
      2. 6.2. Setting Limits for Your Drawings
      3. 6.3. Understanding Drawing Scale
        1. 6.3.1. Scaling on the drawing board
        2. 6.3.2. Scaling in AutoCAD
        3. 6.3.3. Scale factors
        4. 6.3.4. Using scale factors to establish drawing settings
      4. 6.4. Lost in Space: Model or Paper?
      5. 6.5. A Layered Approach
        1. 6.5.1. Creating layers
        2. 6.5.2. Defining layer properties
        3. 6.5.3. Setting layer modes
        4. 6.5.4. Modifying layer settings
          1. 6.5.4.1. Setting layer color
          2. 6.5.4.2. Setting linetype
          3. 6.5.4.3. Setting lineweight
          4. 6.5.4.4. Setting layer modes
        5. 6.5.5. The Layer Control drop-down list
        6. 6.5.6. Layer tools
      6. 6.6. Object Properties
        1. 6.6.1. Using AutoCAD's color systems
        2. 6.6.2. Using linetypes
      7. 6.7. Setting Up Standards
    7. 7. Precision Tools
      1. 7.1. Understanding Accuracy and Precision
      2. 7.2. Understanding Coordinate Systems
        1. 7.2.1. The world coordinate system
        2. 7.2.2. Entering coordinates
          1. 7.2.2.1. Entering absolute x,y coordinates
          2. 7.2.2.2. Entering relative x,y coordinates
          3. 7.2.2.3. Entering relative polar coordinates
        3. 7.2.3. Direct distance entry
        4. 7.2.4. Dynamic input and coordinate entry
      3. 7.3. Setting Grid and Snap
      4. 7.4. Understanding Ortho and Polar Tracking
        1. 7.4.1. Using ortho mode
        2. 7.4.2. Using polar tracking
      5. 7.5. Working with Object Snaps
      6. 7.6. Using Point Filters
      7. 7.7. Working with Object Snap Tracking Mode
  7. Book II. 2D Drafting
    1. 1. Drawing Objects
      1. 1.1. Locating and Using the Drawing Tools
      2. 1.2. Let's Get Primitive
        1. 1.2.1. Keeping to the straight and narrow
        2. 1.2.2. Going around in circles
        3. 1.2.3. Arcs of triumph
        4. 1.2.4. The point of the exercise
      3. 1.3. Creating Construction Geometry
        1. 1.3.1. Xlines for X-men
        2. 1.3.2. A little ray of sunshine
      4. 1.4. Without a Trace
      5. 1.5. A Bit Sketchy
      6. 1.6. Drawing Parallel Lines
      7. 1.7. Complex Curves
        1. 1.7.1. Lucy, you have some splining to do!
        2. 1.7.2. Solar ellipses
          1. 1.7.2.1. Drawing ellipses
          2. 1.7.2.2. Drawing elliptical arcs
      8. 1.8. Complex Objects and Shapes
        1. 1.8.1. 2D solids
        2. 1.8.2. Rectang, Polygon, Donut
          1. 1.8.2.1. Rectangles
          2. 1.8.2.2. Polygons
          3. 1.8.2.3. Donuts
        3. 1.8.3. Polylines
        4. 1.8.4. Ahhhh . . . Wipeout
    2. 2. Modifying Objects
      1. 2.1. Setting Selection Options
      2. 2.2. Selecting Objects
        1. 2.2.1. Selecting multiple objects
        2. 2.2.2. Object selection modes
        3. 2.2.3. Selection preview
        4. 2.2.4. Object groups
      3. 2.3. AutoCAD's Editing Commands
        1. 2.3.1. Removing stuff
        2. 2.3.2. Relocating and replicating
          1. 2.3.2.1. MOVE
          2. 2.3.2.2. COPY
          3. 2.3.2.3. MIRROR
          4. 2.3.2.4. OFFSET
          5. 2.3.2.5. ARRAY
        3. 2.3.3. Rotating and resizing
          1. 2.3.3.1. ROTATE
          2. 2.3.3.2. SCALE
          3. 2.3.3.3. STRETCH
          4. 2.3.3.4. LENGTHEN
        4. 2.3.4. Breaking, mending, and blowing up real good
          1. 2.3.4.1. BREAK
          2. 2.3.4.2. JOIN
          3. 2.3.4.3. EXPLODE
        5. 2.3.5. Double-barrel commands
          1. 2.3.5.1. TRIM and EXTEND
          2. 2.3.5.2. FILLET and CHAMFER
        6. 2.3.6. Specialized commands
        7. 2.3.7. Changing properties
          1. 2.3.7.1. MATCH PROPERTIES
          2. 2.3.7.2. PROPERTIES
          3. 2.3.7.3. Quick Properties
          4. 2.3.7.4. SETBYLAYER
        8. 2.3.8. Changing your mind
      4. 2.4. Coming to Grips with Grips
    3. 3. Managing Views
      1. 3.1. A Zoom of One's Own
        1. 3.1.1. Wheeling through your drawing
        2. 3.1.2. Realtime zooming
      2. 3.2. Pan in a Flash
      3. 3.3. Get a Grip on the Wheel and Hang On
      4. 3.4. Name That View
        1. 3.4.1. Creating views
        2. 3.4.2. Other view options
      5. 3.5. Having AutoCAD Put on a Show
      6. 3.6. To Regen or to Redraw . . . That Is the Question
  8. Book III. Annotating Drawings
    1. 1. Text: When Pictures Just Won't Do
      1. 1.1. Text in AutoCAD
        1. 1.1.1. Getting familiar with text terminology
        2. 1.1.2. Will that be one line or two?
        3. 1.1.3. Justification
          1. 1.1.3.1. Justifying single-line text
          2. 1.1.3.2. Justifying multiline text
        4. 1.1.4. Where should text go?
          1. 1.1.4.1. Scaling text for model space
          2. 1.1.4.2. Adding text to paper space
      2. 1.2. Fonts
        1. 1.2.1. Types used by AutoCAD
        2. 1.2.2. Using fonts in drawings
      3. 1.3. Working with Text Styles
      4. 1.4. Creating Single Line Text
      5. 1.5. Working with Multiline Text
      6. 1.6. Creating Multiline Text
        1. 1.6.1. Formatting options
        2. 1.6.2. Numbered and bulleted lists
        3. 1.6.3. Controlling the flow of text
        4. 1.6.4. Fields, masks, and other multiline text delights
          1. 1.6.4.1. Fields
          2. 1.6.4.2. Background masks
      7. 1.7. Editing Text
        1. 1.7.1. Editing single-line text
        2. 1.7.2. Editing multiline text
      8. 1.8. Turning the Tables
        1. 1.8.1. Setting the table with styles
        2. 1.8.2. Creating and editing tables
        3. 1.8.3. Link me up Scotty
      9. 1.9. Finding Text and Spell Checking
    2. 2. Dimensioning
      1. 2.1. Understanding What a Dimension Is Made Of
      2. 2.2. Types of Dimensions
        1. 2.2.1. Associative dimensions
        2. 2.2.2. Nonassociative dimensions
        3. 2.2.3. Exploded dimensions
      3. 2.3. Creating New Dimensions as Associative
      4. 2.4. Using and Creating Dimension Styles
        1. 2.4.1. Working with Dimension Style Manager
        2. 2.4.2. Creating a dimension style
        3. 2.4.3. Stylizing dimensions
          1. 2.4.3.1. The Lines tab
          2. 2.4.3.2. The Symbols and Arrows tab
          3. 2.4.3.3. The Text tab
          4. 2.4.3.4. The Fit tab
          5. 2.4.3.5. The Primary Units tab
          6. 2.4.3.6. The Alternate Units tab
          7. 2.4.3.7. The Tolerances tab
        4. 2.4.4. Defining the scale for dimensions
        5. 2.4.5. Dimension variables
        6. 2.4.6. Setting a dimension style current
        7. 2.4.7. Modifying a dimension style
          1. 2.4.7.1. Dimension style overrides
          2. 2.4.7.2. Dimension substyles
        8. 2.4.8. Renaming a dimension style
        9. 2.4.9. Deleting a dimension style
        10. 2.4.10. Comparing dimension styles
        11. 2.4.11. Importing a dimension style
      5. 2.5. Creating Dimensions
        1. 2.5.1. Linear and aligned dimensions
        2. 2.5.2. Baseline and continued dimensions
        3. 2.5.3. Angular dimensions
        4. 2.5.4. Arc length dimensions
        5. 2.5.5. Radius, diameter, and jogged dimensions
          1. 2.5.5.1. Radius dimensions
          2. 2.5.5.2. Diameter dimensions
          3. 2.5.5.3. Jogged dimensions
          4. 2.5.5.4. Center marks
        6. 2.5.6. Ordinate dimensions
        7. 2.5.7. The Quick Dimension command
        8. 2.5.8. Trans-spatial dimensions
      6. 2.6. Editing Dimensions
        1. 2.6.1. Adding overrides to a dimension
        2. 2.6.2. Editing the dimension text
        3. 2.6.3. Using grips to edit dimensions
        4. 2.6.4. Associating dimensions
        5. 2.6.5. Breaking and spacing dimensions
        6. 2.6.6. Inspecting dimensions
      7. 2.7. Leaders
        1. 2.7.1. Make way for multiple leaders
          1. 2.7.1.1. Multileader styles
          2. 2.7.1.2. Multileaders
          3. 2.7.1.3. Modifying multileaders
        2. 2.7.2. Legacy leaders
      8. 2.8. Working with Geometric Tolerances
    3. 3. Hatching Your Drawings
      1. 3.1. Adding Hatch Patterns and Fills
        1. 3.1.1. Adding hatch to a drawing
        2. 3.1.2. Hatching and tool palettes
        3. 3.1.3. Hatching and DesignCenter
        4. 3.1.4. Advanced settings for additional control
          1. 3.1.4.1. Being annotative
          2. 3.1.4.2. Specifying the origin of a hatch object
          3. 3.1.4.3. Island detection
          4. 3.1.4.4. Others settings available for defining a hatch object
      2. 3.2. Working with Hatch Patterns and Solid Fills
        1. 3.2.1. Predefined patterns
        2. 3.2.2. User-defined patterns
        3. 3.2.3. Custom hatch patterns
      3. 3.3. Using Gradient Fills
      4. 3.4. Editing Hatch Patterns and Fills
    4. 4. Scaling Mt. Annotation
      1. 4.1. The What, With, and Why of Annotation Scaling
      2. 4.2. Making Styles and Objects Annotative
        1. 4.2.1. Annotative styles and block definitions
        2. 4.2.2. Annotative objects
      3. 4.3. Adding and Removing Annotation Scales
      4. 4.4. Controlling the Annotation Scale for Output
  9. Book IV. LT Differences
    1. 1. The LT Difference
      1. 1.1. Understanding the Boundaries and Limitations of AutoCAD LT
      2. 1.2. Determining Whether AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT Is Best for You
    2. 2. Extending AutoCAD LT
      1. 2.1. Customizing AutoCAD LT
        1. 2.1.1. It's all in the script
        2. 2.1.2. Linetype and hatch patterns
        3. 2.1.3. Blocks and DesignCenter
        4. 2.1.4. Tool palettes
        5. 2.1.5. Changing the user interface with the CUI Editor
        6. 2.1.6. Diesel
        7. 2.1.7. Command aliases
        8. 2.1.8. Desktop icons
      2. 2.2. Object Enabler Technology
      3. 2.3. Additional Utilities Available from Autodesk
        1. 2.3.1. DWG TrueView 2009
        2. 2.3.2. Viewers
      4. 2.4. Companion Products from Autodesk
        1. 2.4.1. Autodesk Symbols 2000
        2. 2.4.2. Autodesk VIZ 2008
        3. 2.4.3. Autodesk Impression
      5. 2.5. Third-Party Custom Solutions
        1. 2.5.1. Block utilities/libraries
        2. 2.5.2. Viewers
    3. 3. Mixed Environments
      1. 3.1. Using AutoCAD LT and AutoCAD in the Same Office
        1. 3.1.1. Budgeting
        2. 3.1.2. Training
        3. 3.1.3. Communication
        4. 3.1.4. Environment
        5. 3.1.5. Customization
        6. 3.1.6. Installation and deployment
      2. 3.2. Making the Trip from AutoCAD to AutoCAD LT
        1. 3.2.1. 2D drafting
        2. 3.2.2. 3D modeling
        3. 3.2.3. Annotation
        4. 3.2.4. Viewing
        5. 3.2.5. Visualization
        6. 3.2.6. CAD Standards
        7. 3.2.7. Collaboration and sharing
  10. Book V. 3D Modeling
    1. 1. Introducing the Third Dimension
      1. 1.1. Understanding the Different Types of 3D Models
      2. 1.2. Entering Coordinates above the x,y Plane
        1. 1.2.1. Manually inputting coordinates
          1. 1.2.1.1. Absolute x, y, and z coordinates
          2. 1.2.1.2. Relative x, y, and z coordinates
          3. 1.2.1.3. Cylindrical coordinates
          4. 1.2.1.4. Spherical coordinates
        2. 1.2.2. Point filters
        3. 1.2.3. Object snaps
        4. 1.2.4. Object snap tracking and moving orthogonally
        5. 1.2.5. Elevation . . . going up
    2. 2. Using the 3D Environment
      1. 2.1. Setting Up AutoCAD for 3D
        1. 2.1.1. Orienting yourself in the drawing window
        2. 2.1.2. Customizing crosshairs and dynamic input
        3. 2.1.3. Using workspaces to switch between 2D and 3D drafting
        4. 2.1.4. Introducing toolbars and ribbon tabs for 3D
        5. 2.1.5. Accelerating your hardware
      2. 2.2. Understanding What the UCS Icon Is Telling You
        1. 2.2.1. Orientating yourself with the UCS icon
          1. 2.2.1.1. Model space and 2D wireframe visual style
          2. 2.2.1.2. Model space and a 3D visual style
          3. 2.2.1.3. Paper space layout
        2. 2.2.2. Controlling the display of the UCS icon
      3. 2.3. Using the Coordinate System for 3D Drawing
        1. 2.3.1. Understanding the coordinate system
          1. 2.3.1.1. World coordinate system (WCS)
          2. 2.3.1.2. User coordinate system (UCS)
        2. 2.3.2. Adjusting the UCS
          1. 2.3.2.1. Commanding the UCS
          2. 2.3.2.2. Using named UCSs
          3. 2.3.2.3. Using the dynamic UCS feature
    3. 3. Viewing in 3D
      1. 3.1. Expressing Your Point of View
        1. 3.1.1. Using preset views
          1. 3.1.1.1. Specifying a standard view preset
          2. 3.1.1.2. Changing with the Viewpoint Presets dialog box
        2. 3.1.2. Finding your way with the compass and tripod
        3. 3.1.3. Cameras
          1. 3.1.3.1. Creating a camera
          2. 3.1.3.2. Adjusting the view of a camera
        4. 3.1.4. Perspective versus parallel
      2. 3.2. Orbiting around a 3D Model
      3. 3.3. Navigating a 3D Model
      4. 3.4. Hugging the Corners with the SteeringWheels
      5. 3.5. Cube with a View
      6. 3.6. Adding Color and Style to a 3D Model
        1. 3.6.1. Visual styles in AutoCAD
        2. 3.6.2. Shademode in AutoCAD LT
    4. 4. Moving from 2D to 3D
      1. 4.1. Working with Regions
        1. 4.1.1. Creating regions
        2. 4.1.2. Modifying regions
          1. 4.1.2.1. Union
          2. 4.1.2.2. Subtract
          3. 4.1.2.3. Intersect
        3. 4.1.3. Getting more information about regions
      2. 4.2. 3D Polylines and Helixes
        1. 4.2.1. 3D polyline
        2. 4.2.2. Helix
      3. 4.3. Creating 3D Objects from 2D Objects
        1. 4.3.1. Thickness
        2. 4.3.2. Extrude
        3. 4.3.3. Loft
        4. 4.3.4. Sweep
        5. 4.3.5. Revolve
      4. 4.4. Creating 2D Objects from 3D Objects
        1. 4.4.1. Flatshot
        2. 4.4.2. Section Plane
        3. 4.4.3. Solid Draw, Solid View, and Solid Profile
      5. 4.5. 3D Modify Commands
        1. 4.5.1. 3D Move
        2. 4.5.2. 3D Rotate
        3. 4.5.3. Align
        4. 4.5.4. 3D Align
        5. 4.5.5. 3D Mirror
        6. 4.5.6. 3D Array
    5. 5. Working with Solids
      1. 5.1. Creating Solid Primitives
        1. 5.1.1. Polysolid
        2. 5.1.2. Box
        3. 5.1.3. Wedge
        4. 5.1.4. Cone
        5. 5.1.5. Sphere
        6. 5.1.6. Cylinder
        7. 5.1.7. Torus
        8. 5.1.8. Pyramid
      2. 5.2. Editing Solids
        1. 5.2.1. Solid editing
        2. 5.2.2. Using grips to edit 3D solids
        3. 5.2.3. Complex solids
        4. 5.2.4. Filleting and chamfering
        5. 5.2.5. Slice
    6. 6. Rendering: Lights, Camera, AutoCAD!
      1. 6.1. Lighting a Scene
        1. 6.1.1. Default lights
        2. 6.1.2. User lights
        3. 6.1.3. Sunlight
      2. 6.2. Getting the Right Look with Materials
      3. 6.3. Setting Up a Backdrop
      4. 6.4. Rendering the Final Scene
  11. Book VI. Advanced Drafting
    1. 1. Playing with Blocks
      1. 1.1. Working with Reusable Content
      2. 1.2. Creating Blocks
        1. 1.2.1. Accessing the Block Definition dialog box
        2. 1.2.2. Exploring some advanced options
      3. 1.3. Inserting Blocks
      4. 1.4. Managing Blocks
        1. 1.4.1. Renaming a block definition
        2. 1.4.2. Redefining a block definition
        3. 1.4.3. Purging a block definition
        4. 1.4.4. Exporting a block definition
      5. 1.5. Enhancing Blocks with Attributes
        1. 1.5.1. Adding an attribute to a block definition
        2. 1.5.2. Inserting a block with attributes
        3. 1.5.3. Editing an attribute's value in a block
        4. 1.5.4. Managing attributes in blocks
        5. 1.5.5. Extracting attribute data from blocks
    2. 2. Dynamic Blocks
      1. 2.1. What Makes a Block Dynamic?
      2. 2.2. Block Editor Environment
        1. 2.2.1. Components of the Block Editor
        2. 2.2.2. Editing a block definition
      3. 2.3. Going Dynamic
        1. 2.3.1. Adding parameters
        2. 2.3.2. Adding actions
        3. 2.3.3. Using parameter sets
        4. 2.3.4. Visibility states
      4. 2.4. Using Dynamic Blocks
        1. 2.4.1. Inserting a dynamic block
        2. 2.4.2. Modifying a dynamic block
          1. 2.4.2.1. Using a dynamic block's custom grips
          2. 2.4.2.2. Resetting a dynamic block
      5. 2.5. Dynamic Blocks in Older Releases
    3. 3. External References
      1. 3.1. Blocks versus External References
      2. 3.2. Working with External References
        1. 3.2.1. Path to success with xrefs
        2. 3.2.2. Attaching an xref
        3. 3.2.3. External reference notification
        4. 3.2.4. Editing an xref
          1. 3.2.4.1. Editing a reference in-place
          2. 3.2.4.2. Opening a reference
        5. 3.2.5. Clipping an xref
          1. 3.2.5.1. Clipping a drawing reference (xref)
          2. 3.2.5.2. Editing a clipped xref
        6. 3.2.6. Increasing the performance of xrefs
        7. 3.2.7. Binding an xref
      3. 3.3. Raster Images
        1. 3.3.1. Attaching a raster image
        2. 3.3.2. Clipping a raster image
          1. 3.3.2.1. Clip a raster image
          2. 3.3.2.2. Editing a clipped raster image
        3. 3.3.3. Controlling the appearance of a raster image
      4. 3.4. DWF and DWFx Underlays
        1. 3.4.1. Attaching a DWF underlay
        2. 3.4.2. Clipping a DWF underlay
          1. 3.4.2.1. Clip a DWF underlay
          2. 3.4.2.2. Editing a clipped DWF underlay
        3. 3.4.3. Controlling the appearance of DWF underlay
      5. 3.5. DGN Underlays
        1. 3.5.1. Attaching a DGN underlay
        2. 3.5.2. Clipping a DGN underlay
          1. 3.5.2.1. Clip a DGN underlay
          2. 3.5.2.2. Editing a clipped DGN underlay
        3. 3.5.3. Controlling the appearance of a DGN underlay
      6. 3.6. Draw Order
      7. 3.7. Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)
      8. 3.8. Managing External References Outside AutoCAD
    4. 4. Organizing Your Drawings
      1. 4.1. Why Bother to Organize Drawings?
      2. 4.2. Using the Windows Clipboard
        1. 4.2.1. Copying objects from a drawing
        2. 4.2.2. Cutting objects from a drawing
        3. 4.2.3. Pasting objects into a drawing
      3. 4.3. AutoCAD DesignCenter
        1. 4.3.1. Locating resources in drawings
        2. 4.3.2. Adding resources to drawings
        3. 4.3.3. Inserting hatches and loading linetypes
      4. 4.4. Using the Tool Palettes Window
        1. 4.4.1. Blocks, xrefs, images, tables, and hatches
        2. 4.4.2. Command and flyouts tools
        3. 4.4.3. Modifying tools on a tool palette
        4. 4.4.4. Customizing and organizing tool palettes
  12. Book VII. Publishing Drawings
    1. 1. Page Setup
      1. 1.1. Preparing for Output with Page Setups
        1. 1.1.1. Options of a page setup
        2. 1.1.2. Working with page setups
          1. 1.1.2.1. Creating a page setup
          2. 1.1.2.2. Importing a page setup
          3. 1.1.2.3. Assigning a page setup to a layout
          4. 1.1.2.4. Editing a page setup
      2. 1.2. Organizing a Drawing with Layouts
        1. 1.2.1. Working with layouts
          1. 1.2.1.1. Creating a layout by using the Create Layout Wizard
          2. 1.2.1.2. Importing a layout
          3. 1.2.1.3. Modifying a layout
          4. 1.2.1.4. Navigating layouts
          5. 1.2.1.5. Appearance of layouts
      3. 1.3. Looking at a Model through Viewports
        1. 1.3.1. Defining a viewport's shape
          1. 1.3.1.1. Creating a rectangular viewport
          2. 1.3.1.2. Creating an irregular viewport
        2. 1.3.2. Controlling scale
        3. 1.3.3. Controlling the display within a viewport
        4. 1.3.4. Modifying a viewport
    2. 2. Sheet Sets without Regret
      1. 2.1. Overview of a Sheet Set
      2. 2.2. Sheet Set Manager
      3. 2.3. Creating a Sheet Set
        1. 2.3.1. Starting from scratch
        2. 2.3.2. Starting from an existing sheet set
      4. 2.4. Managing Drawings with a Sheet Set
        1. 2.4.1. Opening a sheet set
        2. 2.4.2. Importing existing drawings as sheets
        3. 2.4.3. Organizing with subsets
        4. 2.4.4. Setting up a sheet set and subset for adding new sheets
          1. 2.4.4.1. Setting up drawing template settings for a sheet set
          2. 2.4.4.2. Setting up drawing template settings for a subset
        5. 2.4.5. Adding a new sheet
        6. 2.4.6. Opening a sheet
        7. 2.4.7. Removing, renaming, and renumbering a sheet
        8. 2.4.8. Sheet set and sheet properties
        9. 2.4.9. Setting up callouts and label blocks
          1. 2.4.9.1. Setting up label blocks
          2. 2.4.9.2. Setting up callout blocks
        10. 2.4.10. Adding resource drawings
        11. 2.4.11. Adding model views to a sheet
      5. 2.5. Publishing, eTransmitting, and Archiving a Sheet Set
    3. 3. Print, Plot, Publish
      1. 3.1. You Say Printing, I Say Plotting, They Say Publishing
        1. 3.1.1. Working with drivers
        2. 3.1.2. Configuring a printer or plotter
          1. 3.1.2.1. Determining which printers and plotters are available
          2. 3.1.2.2. Setting up a nonsystem printer
          3. 3.1.2.3. Editing a nonsystem printer configuration
        3. 3.1.3. Putting style in your plots
          1. 3.1.3.1. Setting up a plot style
          2. 3.1.3.2. Editing a plot style
      2. 3.2. Output Made Easy
        1. 3.2.1. Plotting the Model tab
        2. 3.2.2. Plotting a paper space layout
        3. 3.2.3. Scaling your drawing
        4. 3.2.4. More plotting options
      3. 3.3. Publishing Drawings
  13. Book VIII. Collaboration
    1. 1. CAD Management: The Necessary Evil
      1. 1.1. Getting a Handle on the Basics of CAD Management
      2. 1.2. Managing the Drafting Environment
      3. 1.3. Creating a Good Foundation
        1. 1.3.1. Creating a drawing template file
        2. 1.3.2. Using a drawing template file
        3. 1.3.3. Specifying a drawing template file for use with QNEW
        4. 1.3.4. Specifying the location of drawing template files
    2. 2. CAD Standards
      1. 2.1. CAD Standards Overview
      2. 2.2. Using AutoCAD's CAD Standards Tools
        1. 2.2.1. Drawing standards (DWS) files
        2. 2.2.2. Managing standards
          1. 2.2.2.1. Configuring standards
          2. 2.2.2.2. Checking standards
        3. 2.2.3. Translating layers
        4. 2.2.4. Batch checking drawings
    3. 3. Working with Drawing Files
      1. 3.1. It's All in the Name: File-Naming Conventions
      2. 3.2. Part of a Drawing Can Be a Good Thing: Working with Partial Open
      3. 3.3. Controlling What Happens during a Save
        1. 3.3.1. Getting a handle on drawing file formats
        2. 3.3.2. Indexing the contents of a drawing
      4. 3.4. Protecting Your Drawings
        1. 3.4.1. Password-protecting
          1. 3.4.1.1. Assigning a password to a drawing file
          2. 3.4.1.2. Working with a password-protected drawing
        2. 3.4.2. Digital signatures
          1. 3.4.2.1. Obtaining a digital signature from VeriSign
          2. 3.4.2.2. Digitally signing a drawing file
          3. 3.4.2.3. Opening a digitally signed drawing file
          4. 3.4.2.4. Digitally signing a batch of drawings
    4. 4. Sharing Electronic Files
      1. 4.1. Sharing Drawings with Non-AutoCAD-based Products
      2. 4.2. Taking Drawings to the Internet
        1. 4.2.1. Using an FTP site
        2. 4.2.2. Publishing drawings to the Web
        3. 4.2.3. Using Web-based project sites
      3. 4.3. Emulating Paper Digitally
        1. 4.3.1. Design Web Format (DWF and DWFx)
        2. 4.3.2. Portable Document File (PDF)
        3. 4.3.3. Head-to-head comparison
      4. 4.4. Working with DWF and DWFx Files
        1. 4.4.1. Creating a DWF or DWFx file
        2. 4.4.2. Viewing a DWF or DWFx file
        3. 4.4.3. Electronically marking up a DWF or DWFx file
  14. Book IX. Customizing AutoCAD
    1. 1. The Basics of Customizing AutoCAD
      1. 1.1. Why Customize AutoCAD?
      2. 1.2. Customizing the AutoCAD Startup Process
        1. 1.2.1. Startup options
        2. 1.2.2. Using command line switches
          1. 1.2.2.1. Creating a new desktop shortcut
          2. 1.2.2.2. Modifying a desktop shortcut
      3. 1.3. Changing Options and Working with User Profiles
        1. 1.3.1. Launching the Options dialog box
        2. 1.3.2. Overview of AutoCAD options
        3. 1.3.3. Working with user profiles
          1. 1.3.3.1. Creating a user profile
          2. 1.3.3.2. Setting a user profile current
          3. 1.3.3.3. Exporting and importing a user profile
      4. 1.4. Creating and Managing Command Aliases
        1. 1.4.1. Editing the PGP file
          1. 1.4.1.1. Opening the PGP file
          2. 1.4.1.2. Adding a new command alias
        2. 1.4.2. Working with the AutoCAD Alias Editor
    2. 2. Customizing the Interface
      1. 2.1. Influencing Your Status (Bar)
        1. 2.1.1. Displaying the drawing status bar
        2. 2.1.2. Toggling the display of a control on the status bars
        3. 2.1.3. Powering the status bar with DIESEL
      2. 2.2. Training Your Toolbars, Panels, and Dockable Windows to Stay
        1. 2.2.1. Locking toolbars, panels, and dockable windows
        2. 2.2.2. Locking and unlocking toolbars, panels, and dockable windows
      3. 2.3. Controlling the Appearance of AutoCAD and the Drawing Window
        1. 2.3.1. Window elements
        2. 2.3.2. Layout elements
        3. 2.3.3. Size of the crosshairs
        4. 2.3.4. Other settings
      4. 2.4. Organizing Your Space
        1. 2.4.1. Using the Workspaces toolbar
          1. 2.4.1.1. Creating a new workspace
          2. 2.4.1.2. Saving changes to an existing workspace
        2. 2.4.2. Using the Customize User Interface Editor
          1. 2.4.2.1. Creating a new workspace
          2. 2.4.2.2. Changing the order of pull-down menus
          3. 2.4.2.3. Other workspace properties
        3. 2.4.3. Maximizing the drawing space
    3. 3. Customizing the Tools
      1. 3.1. How Customizing the User Interface Has Changed
      2. 3.2. Getting to Know the Customize User Interface Editor
        1. 3.2.1. The Customizations In pane
        2. 3.2.2. The Command List pane
        3. 3.2.3. The Dynamic pane
        4. 3.2.4. Launching the CUI Editor
        5. 3.2.5. Commands in the CUI Editor
          1. 3.2.5.1. Understanding a command macro
          2. 3.2.5.2. Creating a new command
          3. 3.2.5.3. Assigning an image to a command
          4. 3.2.5.4. Assigning a help string to a command
      3. 3.3. Customizing Toolbars, Pull-Down and Shortcut Menus, and the Ribbon
        1. 3.3.1. Quick Access toolbar
        2. 3.3.2. Toolbars
          1. 3.3.2.1. Creating a new toolbar
          2. 3.3.2.2. Creating a new flyout
        3. 3.3.3. Menus
          1. 3.3.3.1. Creating a new menu
          2. 3.3.3.2. Creating a new submenu
          3. 3.3.3.3. Using special characters with a menu item's name
        4. 3.3.4. Shortcut menus
        5. 3.3.5. The Ribbon
          1. 3.3.5.1. Ribbon panels
          2. 3.3.5.2. Ribbon tabs
        6. 3.3.6. Separator bars
      4. 3.4. Creating a New Shortcut Key
      5. 3.5. Customizing Double-Click Actions
      6. 3.6. Customizing the Quick Properties Panel and Rollover Tooltips
      7. 3.7. Migrating and Transferring Customization
      8. 3.8. Working with Partial and Enterprise Customization Files
        1. 3.8.1. Loading an enterprise customization file
        2. 3.8.2. Loading a partial customization file
    4. 4. Delving Deeper into Customization
      1. 4.1. Working from a Script
        1. 4.1.1. What's in a script?
        2. 4.1.2. Creating a script file
        3. 4.1.3. Loading and running a script file
        4. 4.1.4. Running a script file at startup
      2. 4.2. Getting Familiar with Shapes
      3. 4.3. Working with Express Tools
        1. 4.3.1. Installing Express Tools
        2. 4.3.2. Block tools
        3. 4.3.3. Text tools
        4. 4.3.4. Layout tools
        5. 4.3.5. Dimension tools
        6. 4.3.6. Selection tools
        7. 4.3.7. Modify tools
        8. 4.3.8. Draw tools
        9. 4.3.9. File tools
        10. 4.3.10. Web tools
        11. 4.3.11. Tools
        12. 4.3.12. Command line only tools
    5. 5. Recording Your Actions
      1. 5.1. Actions and Action Recorder
      2. 5.2. Recording and Managing Action Macros
        1. 5.2.1. Recording actions
        2. 5.2.2. Managing and editing action macro files
        3. 5.2.3. Managing the location of action macro files
      3. 5.3. Editing Actions and Recorded Values
      4. 5.4. Just Press Play
  15. 1. Working with Surfaces
    1. 1.1. Creating Primitive Surfaces
      1. 1.1.1. 3D face
      2. 1.1.2. 3D mesh
      3. 1.1.3. Planar surface
      4. 1.1.4. Box
      5. 1.1.5. Wedge
      6. 1.1.6. Cone
      7. 1.1.7. Sphere
      8. 1.1.8. Dish and dome
      9. 1.1.9. Torus
      10. 1.1.10. Pyramid
    2. 1.2. Creating Complex Surfaces
      1. 1.2.1. Tabulated Mesh
      2. 1.2.2. Revolved Mesh
      3. 1.2.3. Ruled Mesh
      4. 1.2.4. Edge Mesh
    3. 1.3. Editing Surfaces
      1. 1.3.1. Controlling the visibility of edges
      2. 1.3.2. Using grips to edit surfaces
      3. 1.3.3. Working with convert to surface
      4. 1.3.4. Thicken
  16. 2. The AutoCAD Programming Interfaces
    1. 2.1. Discovering What You Can Do by Programming AutoCAD
      1. 2.1.1. The advantages of using APIs
      2. 2.1.2. The other side of the story
    2. 2.2. Getting to Know the Available Programming Interfaces
      1. 2.2.1. AutoLISP
      2. 2.2.2. ActiveX automation
      3. 2.2.3. VBA
      4. 2.2.4. ObjectARX and ObjectDBX
      5. 2.2.5. .NET
    3. 2.3. Comparing Strengths and Weaknesses of the Programming Interfaces
    4. 2.4. Deciding Which Programming Interface Is Best for You
  17. 3. Using Custom Programs
    1. 3.1. Identifying Application Files
    2. 3.2. Loading and Unloading Applications
      1. 3.2.1. The Load/Unload Applications dialog box
        1. 3.2.1.1. Launching the Load/Unload Application dialog box
        2. 3.2.1.2. Loading an application file
        3. 3.2.1.3. Determining which application files are loaded
        4. 3.2.1.4. Unloading an application file
      2. 3.2.2. Loading an AutoLISP file
      3. 3.2.3. Loading and unloading a VBA project file
        1. 3.2.3.1. Using VBALOAD and VBAUNLOAD with a VBA file
        2. 3.2.3.2. Loading a VBA file
        3. 3.2.3.3. Loading a VBA project file by using AutoLISP
        4. 3.2.3.4. Unloading a VBA project file
      4. 3.2.4. Loading and unloading an ObjectARX file
        1. 3.2.4.1. Using the ARX command
        2. 3.2.4.2. Loading an ObjectARX file by using AutoLISP
        3. 3.2.4.3. Unloading an ObjectARX file by using AutoLISP
        4. 3.2.4.4. Loading a .NET file
    3. 3.3. Automatically Loading Application Files
      1. 3.3.1. Using the Startup Suite
      2. 3.3.2. Getting AutoCAD to do some of the work
        1. 3.3.2.1. Automatically loading AutoLISP files
        2. 3.3.2.2. Automatically loading VBA files
        3. 3.3.2.3. Automatically loading ObjectARX files
    4. 3.4. Running a Program in an Application File
  18. 4. Introducing AutoLISP
    1. 4.1. Accessing the AutoLISP Development Environment
      1. 4.1.1. Launching the Visual LISP Editor
      2. 4.1.2. Loading an existing AutoLISP application file
    2. 4.2. Using the VLIDE
      1. 4.2.1. Controlling color-coding in the text window
      2. 4.2.2. Controlling text size and font style for the text window
      3. 4.2.3. Navigating the text window
    3. 4.3. Creating a Basic Program
      1. 4.3.1. Creating a new AutoLISP file
      2. 4.3.2. Anatomy of an AutoLISP expression
      3. 4.3.3. Adding comments
      4. 4.3.4. To command or just to function
      5. 4.3.5. Creating your first AutoLISP program
    4. 4.4. More Than Just the Essentials of AutoLISP
      1. 4.4.1. Supported data types
      2. 4.4.2. Math functions
      3. 4.4.3. String functions
      4. 4.4.4. List functions
      5. 4.4.5. Data conversion functions
      6. 4.4.6. Saving and accessing values for later
      7. 4.4.7. Exchanging information with AutoCAD
    5. 4.5. Getting Information to and from the User
      1. 4.5.1. Giving feedback to the user
      2. 4.5.2. Other functions to note
    6. 4.6. Using the Debug Tools in the Visual LISP Editor
      1. 4.6.1. Breakpoints
      2. 4.6.2. Watch what is happening
      3. 4.6.3. Setting up breakpoints and using watch
      4. 4.6.4. AutoLISP error messages
    7. 4.7. Going GUI with DCL
      1. 4.7.1. Basics of DCL
      2. 4.7.2. Adding comments
      3. 4.7.3. Using DCL to add interaction to AutoLISP
    8. 4.8. Using ActiveX Automation with AutoLISP
      1. 4.8.1. Referencing the AutoCAD application
      2. 4.8.2. Using methods of an object
      3. 4.8.3. Setting and retrieving a property of an object
      4. 4.8.4. Revising the BCIRC command
  19. 5. Visual Basic for AutoCAD
    1. 5.1. AutoCAD Commands for VBA
      1. 5.1.1. VBAIDE
      2. 5.1.2. VBALOAD
      3. 5.1.3. VBAUNLOAD
      4. 5.1.4. VBARUN
      5. 5.1.5. VBAMAN
      6. 5.1.6. Other commands
    2. 5.2. Working with the IDE
      1. 5.2.1. Exploring the IDE
      2. 5.2.2. Project Explorer
      3. 5.2.3. Properties window
      4. 5.2.4. Editor windows
      5. 5.2.5. Object Browser
    3. 5.3. Parts of a VBA Project
      1. 5.3.1. Standard code module
      2. 5.3.2. Class code module
      3. 5.3.3. Procedure (subroutine and function)
      4. 5.3.4. Declaring variables
      5. 5.3.5. Data types
      6. 5.3.6. Assigning a value to a variable
      7. 5.3.7. The basics of working with objects
      8. 5.3.8. Adding comments
    4. 5.4. Introducing the AutoCAD Object Model
      1. 5.4.1. Creating a basic VBA project
      2. 5.4.2. Working with the new VBA project in the editor
      3. 5.4.3. Adding a new procedure to a code module
      4. 5.4.4. Running the new procedure
  20. 6. AutoCAD Utilities
    1. 6.1. Filtering Objects during Selection
      1. 6.1.1. Quick Select
      2. 6.1.2. Filter
    2. 6.2. AutoCAD Calculator
      1. 6.2.1. Using QuickCalc with the Properties palette
      2. 6.2.2. Using QuickCalc with a command
    3. 6.3. Purging Named Objects
    4. 6.4. Auditing and Recovering Drawings
      1. 6.4.1. Auditing a drawing
      2. 6.4.2. Recovering a drawing
      3. 6.4.3. Using Drawing Recovery Manager
  21. 7. Creating Custom Linetypes, Shapes, and Hatch Patterns
    1. 7.1. It's All in the Linetype
      1. 7.1.1. Simple linetypes
        1. 7.1.1.1. Simple linetype structure
        2. 7.1.1.2. Creating a simple linetype
        3. 7.1.1.3. Using a custom linetype file
      2. 7.1.2. Complex linetypes
    2. 7.2. Getting Familiar with Shapes
    3. 7.3. Creating Custom Patterns
      1. 7.3.1. The structure of a hatch pattern
      2. 7.3.2. Creating a hatch pattern
      3. 7.3.3. Using a custom hatch pattern file

Product information

  • Title: AutoCAD® 2009 & AutoCAD LT® 2009 All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies®
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: May 2008
  • Publisher(s): For Dummies
  • ISBN: 9780470243787