AutoCAD® 2012 and AutoCAD LT® 2012: No Experience Required

Book description

The perfect step-by-step introduction to Autodesk's powerful architectural design software

With this essential guide, you'll learn how to plan, develop, document, and present a complete AutoCAD project by building a summer cabin from start to finish. You can follow each step sequentially or jump in at any point by downloading the drawing files from the book's companion web site. You'll also master all essential AutoCAD features, get a thorough grounding in the basics, learn the very latest industry standards and techniques, and quickly become productive with AutoCAD 2012.

  • Features concise explanations, focused examples, and step-by-step instructions for learning AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT in a hands-on project that runs throughout the book

  • Addresses the newest features of AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012 as well as emerging techniques and standards in the industry

  • Begins with the basics such as the AutoCAD interface, basic commands, and creating drawings and gradually progresses to more advanced topics, including grouping, elevations, hatches, and using text in drawings

  • Introduces dimensioning, external references, layouts and printing, and using 3D

AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT: No Experience Required helps you quickly learn to use AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT right away.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Dear Reader,
  5. Dedication
  6. Acknowledgments
  7. About the Author
  8. Introduction
    1. What Will You Learn from This Book?
  9. Chapter 1: Getting to Know AutoCAD
    1. Starting AutoCAD
    2. Introducing the AutoCAD Application Window
    3. Working in the Command-Line Window
    4. Using the Ribbon
    5. Using the Application Menu
    6. Using the Drop-Down Menus
    7. Using the Toolbars
    8. Saving Workspaces
    9. Using the Keyboard
    10. Using the Mouse
    11. Are You Experienced?
  10. Chapter 2: Learning Basic Commands to Get Started
    1. Using the Line Command
    2. Drawing the Shape
    3. Completing the Shape
    4. If You Would Like More Practice…
    5. Are You Experienced?
  11. Chapter 3: Setting Up a Drawing
    1. Setting Up the Drawing Units
    2. Setting Up the Drawing Size
    3. Drawing with Grid and Snap
    4. A Closer Look at Dynamic Input
    5. Saving Your Work
    6. A Summary of AutoCAD’s Units
    7. Are You Experienced?
  12. Chapter 4: Developing Drawing Strategies: Part 1
    1. Laying Out the Walls
    2. Creating Doors
    3. If You Would Like More Practice…
    4. Are You Experienced?
  13. Chapter 5: Developing Drawing Strategies: Part 2
    1. Starting and Running Commands
    2. Drawing the Thresholds
    3. Drawing the Decks and Stairs
    4. Laying Out the Kitchen
    5. Constructing the Bathroom
    6. If You Would Like More Practice…
    7. Are You Experienced?
  14. Chapter 6: Using Layers to Organize Your Drawing
    1. Using Layers as an Organizing Tool
    2. Setting a Linetype Scale Factor
    3. Setting Properties of Layers and Objects
    4. Using the Action Recorder
    5. Creating Layer States
    6. If You Would Like More Practice…
    7. Are You Experienced?
  15. Chapter 7: Combining Objects into Blocks
    1. Making a Block for a Door
    2. Finding Blocks in a Drawing
    3. Inserting the Window Block
    4. Revising a Block
    5. Sharing Information between Drawings
    6. If You Would Like More Practice…
    7. Are You Experienced?
  16. Chapter 8: Controlling Text in a Drawing
    1. Setting Up Text Styles
    2. Using Annotative Text
    3. Using Multiline Text
    4. If You Would Like More Practice…
    5. Are You Experienced?
  17. Chapter 9: Using Dynamic Blocks and Tables
    1. Using Attributes for a Grid
    2. Setting Up Multiple Attributes in a Block
    3. Creating a Dynamic Block
    4. Creating a Table
    5. If You Would Like More Practice…
    6. Are You Experienced?
  18. Chapter 10: Generating Elevations
    1. Drawing the South Elevation
    2. Generating the Other Elevations
    3. Considering Drawing Scale Issues
    4. Drawing Interior Elevations
    5. If You Would Like More Practice…
    6. Are You Experienced?
  19. Chapter 11: Working with Hatches, Gradients, and Tool Palettes
    1. Hatching the South Elevation
    2. Using Hatches in the Floor Plan
    3. Modifying the Shape of Hatch Patterns
    4. Creating and Managing Tool Palettes
    5. If You Would Like More Practice…
    6. Are You Experienced?
  20. Chapter 12: Dimensioning a Drawing
    1. Introducing Dimension Styles
    2. Placing Dimensions on the Drawing
    3. Using Other Types of Dimensions
    4. Modifying Dimensions
    5. If You Would Like More Practice…
    6. Are You Experienced?
  21. Chapter 13: Managing External References
    1. Drawing a Site Plan
    2. Setting Up an External Reference
    3. Modifying an Xref Drawing
    4. Putting Xrefs to Use
    5. Exploring Additional Xref Features
    6. Exploring Further on Your Own
    7. If You Would Like More Practice…
    8. Are You Experienced?
  22. Chapter 14: Using Layouts to Set Up a Print
    1. Getting Ready
    2. Preparing the Title Block
    3. Setting Up a Sheet Template
    4. Creating Your First Plan Sheet
    5. Using Sheet Set Manager
    6. Setting Up Layouts
    7. Adjusting a Viewport’s Contents
    8. If You Would Like More Practice…
    9. Are You Experienced?
  23. Chapter 15: Printing an AutoCAD Drawing
    1. Using the Plot Dialog Box
    2. Applying Plot-Style Tables
    3. Printing a Drawing
    4. Viewing Plots in Design Review
    5. Printing a Drawing Using Layouts
    6. Going Forward
    7. If You Would Like More Practice…
    8. Are You Experienced?
  24. Chapter 16: Creating 3D Geometry
    1. Modeling in 3D
    2. Creating the Floor, Foundation, and Thresholds
    3. Getting Further Directions in 3D
    4. If You Would Like More Practice…
    5. Are You Experienced?
  25. Chapter 17: Rendering and Materials
    1. Creating Cameras to Reproduce Views
    2. Creating a Lighting Scheme
    3. Adding Materials
    4. If You Would Like More Practice…
    5. Are You Experienced?
  26. Index

Product information

  • Title: AutoCAD® 2012 and AutoCAD LT® 2012: No Experience Required
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: August 2011
  • Publisher(s): Sybex
  • ISBN: 9781118016770