Book description
30th Anniversary of the bestselling AutoCAD reference - fully updated for the 2018 releaseMastering AutoCAD 2018 and AutoCAD LT 2018 is the complete tutorial and reference every design and drafting professional needs. Step-by-step instructions coupled with concise explanation walk you through everything you need to know about the latest AutoCAD tools and techniques; read through from beginning to end for complete training, or dip in as needed to for quick reference—it's all here.
Hands-on projects teach you practical skills that apply directly to real-world projects, and the companion website features the accompanying project files and other bonus content to help you master every crucial technique. This new edition has been updated to include the latest AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT capabilities, so your skills will transfer directly to real-world projects. With expert guidance and a practical focus, this complete reference is your ultimate resource for mastering this powerful software.
AutoCAD is a critical skill in the design fields; whether you're preparing for a certification exam, or just want to become more productive with the software, this book will help you:
- Master the basic drafting tools that you'll use in every project
- Work with hatches, fields, tables, attributes, dynamic blocks, and other intermediate tools
- Turn your 2D drawing into a 3D model with advanced modeling and imaging techniques
- Customize AutoCAD to fit the way you work, integrate outside data, and much more
If you're new to AutoCAD, this book will be your "bible;" if you're an experienced user, this book will introduce you to unfamiliar tools and techniques, and show you tips and tricks that streamline your workflow.
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Acknowledgments
- About the Authors
- Contents
- Contents
- Introduction
-
Part 1 • The Basics
- Chapter 1 • Exploring the Interface
-
Chapter 2 • Creating Your First Drawing
- Getting to Know the Home Tab’s Draw and Modify Panels
- Starting Your First Drawing
- Specifying Exact Distances with Coordinates
- Interpreting the Cursor Modes and Understanding Prompts
- Selecting Objects
- Editing with Grips
- Understanding Dynamic Input
- Displaying Data in a Text Window
- Displaying the Properties of an Object
- Getting Help
- The Bottom Line
- Chapter 3 • Setting Up and Using the Drafting Tools
- Chapter 4 • Organizing Objects with Blocks and Groups
- Chapter 5 • Keeping Track of Layers and Blocks
-
Part 2 • Mastering Intermediate Skills
- Chapter 6 • Editing and Reusing Data to Work Efficiently
-
Chapter 7 • Mastering Viewing Tools, Hatches, and External References
- Assembling the Parts
- Taking Control of the AutoCAD Display
- Using Hatch Patterns in Your Drawings
-
Understanding the Boundary Hatch Options
- Controlling Boundaries with the Boundaries Panel
- Fine-Tuning the Boundary Behavior
- Controlling Hatch Behavior with the Options Panel
- Controlling Hatch Default Layer, Layout Scale, and ISO Line Weight
- Using Additional Hatch Features
- Using Gradient Shading
- Tips for Using Hatch
- Space Planning and Hatch Patterns
- Using External References
- Editing Xrefs in Place
- The Bottom Line
- Chapter 8 • Introducing Printing, Plotting, and Layouts
-
Chapter 9 • Adding Text to Drawings
- Preparing a Drawing for Text
- Setting the Annotation Scale and Adding Text
- Understanding the Text Style Dialog Box Options
- Exploring Text Formatting in AutoCAD
- What Do the Fonts Look Like?
- Adding Simple Single-Line Text Objects
- Using the Check Spelling Feature
- Substituting Fonts
- Finding and Replacing Text
- The Bottom Line
- Chapter 10 • Using Fields and Tables
-
Chapter 11 • Using Dimensions
- Understanding the Components of a Dimension
- Creating a Dimension Style
- Drawing Linear Dimensions
-
Editing Dimensions
- Appending Data to Dimension Text
- Using Grips to Make Minor Adjustments to Dimensions
- Changing Style Settings of Individual Dimensions
- Editing Dimensions and Other Objects Together
- Associating Dimensions with Objects
- Adding a String of Dimensions with a Single Operation
- Adding or Removing the Alternate Dimensions
- Dimensioning Nonorthogonal Objects
- Using the Dimension Tool
- Adding a Note with a Leader Arrow
- Applying Ordinate Dimensions
- Adding Tolerance Notation
- The Bottom Line
-
Part 3 • Mastering Advanced Skills
- Chapter 12 • Using Attributes
- Chapter 13 • Copying Existing Drawings from Other Sources
- Chapter 14 • Advanced Editing and Organizing
- Chapter 15 • Laying Out Your Printer Output
- Chapter 16 • Making “Smart” Drawings with Parametric Tools
- Chapter 17 • Using Dynamic Blocks
- Chapter 18 • Drawing Curves
-
Chapter 19 • Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings
- Finding the Area of Closed Boundaries
-
Getting General Information
- Determining the Drawing’s Status
- Keeping Track of Time
- Getting Information from System Variables
- Keeping a Log of Your Activity
- Capturing and Saving Text Data from the AutoCAD Text Window
- Understanding the Command Window Context Menu
- Storing Searchable Information in AutoCAD Files
- Searching for AutoCAD Files
- Recovering Corrupted Files
- Using the DXF File Format to Exchange CAD Data with Other Programs
- Using AutoCAD Drawings in Page Layout Programs
- Using OLE to Import Data
- The Bottom Line
-
Part 4 • 3D Modeling and Imaging
- Chapter 20 • Creating 3D Drawings
- Chapter 21 • Using Advanced 3D Features
- Chapter 22 • Editing and Visualizing 3D Solids
- Chapter 23 • Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface Modeling
-
Part 5 • Customization and Integration
-
Chapter 24 • Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns
- Using Workspaces
-
Customizing the User Interface
- Taking a Quick Customization Tour
- Understanding the Customizations In All Files Panel
- Getting the Overall View
- Finding Commands in the Command List
- Opening Preview, Button Image, and Shortcuts
- Getting to the Core of Customization in the Properties Group
- Creating Your Own Ribbon Panels and Menus
- Customizing Ribbon Panel Tools
- Creating Macros in Tools and Menus
- Editing Keyboard Shortcuts
- Saving, Loading, and Unloading Your Customizations
- Understanding the DIESEL Macro Language
- Creating Custom Linetypes
- Creating Hatch Patterns
- The Bottom Line
- Chapter 25 • Managing and Sharing Your Drawings
-
Chapter 24 • Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns
-
Part 6 • Appendixes
-
Appendix A • The Bottom Line
- Chapter 1: Exploring the Interface
- Chapter 2: Creating Your First Drawing
- Chapter 3: Setting Up and Using the Drafting Tools
- Chapter 4: Organizing Objects with Blocks and Groups
- Chapter 5: Keeping Track of Layers and Blocks
- Chapter 6: Editing and Reusing Data to Work Efficiently
- Chapter 7: Mastering Viewing Tools, Hatches, and External References
- Chapter 8: Introducing Printing, Plotting, and Layouts
- Chapter 9: Adding Text to Drawings
- Chapter 10: Using Fields and Tables
- Chapter 11: Using Dimensions
- Chapter 12: Using Attributes
- Chapter 13: Copying Existing Drawings from Other Sources
- Chapter 14: Advanced Editing and Organizing
- Chapter 15: Laying Out Your Printer Output
- Chapter 16: Making “Smart” Drawings with Parametric Tools
- Chapter 17: Using Dynamic Blocks
- Chapter 18: Drawing Curves
- Chapter 19: Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings
- Chapter 20: Creating 3D Drawings
- Chapter 21: Using Advanced 3D Features
- Chapter 22: Editing and Visualizing 3D Solids
- Chapter 23: Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface Modeling
- Chapter 24: Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns
- Chapter 25: Managing and Sharing Your Drawings
-
Appendix B • Installing and Setting Up AutoCAD
- Before Installing AutoCAD
- Proceeding with the Installation
- Configuring AutoCAD
- Configuring the Tablet Menu Area
- Turning On the Noun/Verb Selection Method
- Turning on the Grips Feature
- Setting Up the Tracking Vector Feature
- Adjusting the AutoCAD 3D Graphics System
- Finding Folders That Contain AutoCAD Files
- Setting Up AutoCAD with a White Background
- Appendix C • The Autodesk AutoCAD 2018 Certification
-
Appendix A • The Bottom Line
- Index
- Eula
Product information
- Title: Mastering AutoCAD 2018 and AutoCAD LT 2018
- Author(s):
- Release date: May 2017
- Publisher(s): Sybex
- ISBN: 9781119386797
You might also like
book
AutoCAD 2018 and AutoCAD LT 2018 Essentials
The step-by-step, full-color AutoCAD 2018 guide with real-world practicality AutoCAD 2018 and AutoCAD LT 2018 Essentials …
book
AutoCAD 2017 and AutoCAD LT 2017 Essentials
Hands-on AutoCAD 2017 instruction for a real-world workflow AutoCAD 2017 and AutoCAD LT 2017 Essentials is …
video
Advanced AutoCAD 2017
In this Advanced AutoCAD 2017 training course, expert author Brian Benton teaches you about advanced tools …
video
Autodesk AutoCAD 2014 (2D) Essentials
Master AutoCAD 2014 on your own terms with this one-of-a-kind video training course. AutoCAD is the …