book

Mastering: AutoCAD® 2011 and AutoCAD LT® 2011

Name: Mastering: AutoCAD® 2011 and AutoCAD LT® 2011
Author: George Omura
ISBN: 9780470621974

by George Omura

June 2010

Intermediate to advanced

1248 pages

38h 26m

English

Sybex

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Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dear Reader
Dedication
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Foreword
Introduction
How to Use This BookAutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD LT 2011Getting Information FastWhat to ExpectThe Minimum System RequirementsDoing Things in StyleNew Features of AutoCAD 2011Contact the Author
Part 1: The Basics

Chapter 1: Exploring the AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT 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 GripsUsing Dynamic InputGetting HelpDisplaying Data in a Text WindowDisplaying the Properties of an ObjectThe Bottom Line
Chapter 3: Setting Up and Using AutoCAD’s 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 a SymbolInserting 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: Understanding Plot Styles
Choosing between Color-Dependent and Named Plot Style TablesCreating a Color Plot Style TableEditing and Using Plot Style TablesAssigning Named Plot Styles Directly to Layers and ObjectsThe Bottom Line
Chapter 10: 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 11: 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 12: Using Dimensions
Understanding the Components of a DimensionCreating a Dimension StyleDrawing Linear DimensionsEditing DimensionsDimensioning Non-orthogonal ObjectsAdding a Note with a Leader ArrowApplying Ordinate DimensionsAdding Tolerance NotationThe Bottom Line
Part 3: Mastering Advanced Skills
Chapter 13: Using Attributes
Creating AttributesEditing AttributesExtracting and Exporting Attribute InformationThe Bottom Line
Chapter 14: Copying Existing Drawings into AutoCAD
Methods for Converting Paper Drawings to AutoCAD FilesImporting a Raster ImageWorking with a Raster ImageWorking with PDF FilesThe Bottom Line
Chapter 15: Advanced Editing and Organizing
Using External References (Xrefs)Managing LayersUsing Advanced Tools: Filter and Quick SelectUsing the QuickCalc CalculatorThe Bottom Line
Chapter 16: Laying Out Your Printer Output
Understanding Model Space and Paper SpaceWorking with Paper Space ViewportsCreating Odd-Shaped ViewportsUnderstanding Line Weights, Linetypes, and Dimensions in Paper SpaceThe Bottom Line
Chapter 17: Making “Smart” Drawings with Parametric Tools
Why Use Parametric Drawing ToolsConnecting Objects with Geometric ConstraintsControlling Sizes with Dimensional ConstraintsUsing Formulas to Control and Link DimensionsEditing the Constraint OptionsPutting Constraints to UseThe Bottom Line
Chapter 18: 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 19: Drawing Curves
Introducing PolylinesEditing PolylinesCreating a Polyline Spline CurveUsing True Spline CurvesMarking Divisions on CurvesThe Bottom Line
Chapter 20: 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 21: 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 22: Using Advanced 3D Features
Setting Up AutoCAD for This ChapterMastering the User Coordinate SystemUnderstanding the UCS OptionsUsing Viewports to Aid in 3D DrawingCreating Complex 3D SurfacesCreating Spiral FormsCreating Surface ModelsMoving Objects in 3D SpaceThe Bottom Line
Chapter 23: Rendering 3D Drawings
Testing the WatersCreating a Quick-Study RenderingSimulating the SunUsing MaterialsCreating Effects Using Materials and LightsApplying and Adjusting Texture MapsUnderstanding the Rendering OptionsAdding Cameras for Better View ControlPrinting Your RenderingsSimulating Natural LightThe Bottom Line
Chapter 24: Editing and Visualizing 3D Solids
Understanding Solid ModelingCreating Solid FormsCreating Complex SolidsEditing SolidsStreamlining the 2D Drawing ProcessVisualizing SolidsThe Bottom Line
Chapter 25: 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 26: Using the Express Tools
Using Enhancements Straight from the SourcePutting AutoLISP to WorkThe Bottom Line
Chapter 27: Exploring AutoLISP
Understanding the InterpreterUsing Arguments and FunctionsCreating a Simple ProgramSelecting Objects with AutoLISPControlling the Flow of an AutoLISP ProgramConverting Data TypesStoring Your Programs as FilesGetting More Help with AutoLISPThe Bottom Line
Chapter 28: Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns
Using WorkspacesCustomizing the User InterfaceCreating Macros in Tools and MenusPausing for User InputOpening an Expanded Text Box for the Macro OptionEditing Keyboard ShortcutsSaving, Loading, and Unloading Your CustomizationsUnderstanding the Diesel Macro LanguageCreating Custom LinetypesCreating Hatch PatternsThe Bottom Line
Chapter 29: Managing and Sharing Your Drawings
Sharing Drawings over the InternetePublishing Your DrawingsManaging Your Drawings with DesignCenter and the Tool PalettesEstablishing Office StandardsConverting Multiple Layer SettingsThe Bottom Line
Chapter 30: Keeping a Project Organized with Sheet Sets
Understanding Sheet SetsCreating a Sheet Set from an Existing ProjectManaging Title Blocks and Cross-ReferencesCustomizing Sheet SetsArchiving, Publishing, and eTransmitting Sheet SetsThe Bottom Line
Appendices
Appendix A: The Bottom Line
Chapter 1: Exploring the AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT InterfaceChapter 2: Creating Your First DrawingChapter 3: Setting Up and Using AutoCAD’s 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: Understanding Plot StylesChapter 10: Adding Text to DrawingsChapter 11: Using Fields and TablesChapter 12: Using DimensionsChapter 13: Using AttributesChapter 14: Copying Existing Drawings into AutoCADChapter 15: Advanced Editing and OrganizingChapter 16: Laying Out Your Printer OutputChapter 17: Making “Smart” Drawings with Parametric ToolsChapter 18: Using Dynamic BlocksChapter 19: Drawing CurvesChapter 20: Getting and Exchanging Data from DrawingsChapter 21: Creating 3D DrawingsChapter 22: Using Advanced 3D FeaturesChapter 23: Rendering 3D DrawingsChapter 24: Editing and Visualizing 3D SolidsChapter 25: Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface ModelingChapter 26: Using the Express ToolsChapter 27: Exploring AutoLISPChapter 28: Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch PatternsChapter 29: Managing and Sharing Your DrawingsChapter 30: Keeping a Project Organized with Sheet Sets
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 AutoCAD’s 3D Graphics SystemFinding Hidden Folders That Contain AutoCAD Files
Appendix C: Hardware and Software Tips
The Graphics DisplayPointing DevicesOutput DevicesFine-Tuning the Appearance of OutputMemory and AutoCAD PerformanceAutoCAD Tools to Improve Memory UseSetting Up AutoCAD Architecture to Act Like Standard AutoCADWhen Things Go Wrong
Appendix D: System Variables and Dimension Styles
System VariablesTaking a Closer Look at the Dimension Style Dialog Boxes
Appendix E: About the Companion DVD
What You’ll Find on the DVDSystem RequirementsUsing the DVDTroubleshooting
Appendix F: The AutoCAD 2011 Certification Exams
Index

Content preview from Mastering: AutoCAD® 2011 and AutoCAD LT® 2011

Chapter 11: Using Fields and Tables

Adding text to a set of drawings can become a large part of your work. You’ll find that you’re editing notes and labels almost as frequently as you’re editing the graphics in your drawings. To make some of those editing tasks easier, AutoCAD provides a few special text objects.

In this chapter, you’ll look at fields and tables, two features that can help automate some of the more common tasks in AutoCAD. Fields are a special type of text that can automatically update to reflect changes in the drawing. The Table feature is a tool that helps to automate the process of creating and editing tables and schedules. Tables are a common part of technical drawings and are similar to spreadsheets. In fact, AutoCAD tables ...

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Mastering: AutoCAD® 2011 and AutoCAD LT® 2011

by George Omura

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,
and much more.