book

Mastering AutoCAD® 2012 and AutoCAD LT® 2012

by George Omura

June 2011

Intermediate to advanced

1286 pages

37h 30m

English

Sybex

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How to Use This BookAutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012Getting Information FastWhat to ExpectThe Minimum System RequirementsDoing Things in StyleNew Features of AutoCAD 2012Contact the Authors
Taking a Guided TourWorking with AutoCADThe Bottom Line
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
Setting Up a Work AreaExploring the Drawing ProcessPlanning and Laying Out a DrawingUsing the AutoCAD Modes as Drafting ToolsThe Bottom Line
Creating a SymbolInserting a SymbolModifying a BlockUnderstanding the Annotation ScaleGrouping ObjectsThe Bottom Line
Organizing Information with LayersKeeping Track of Blocks and LayersThe Bottom Line
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
Assembling the PartsTaking Control of the AutoCAD DisplayUsing Hatch Patterns in Your DrawingsUnderstanding the Boundary Hatch OptionsUsing External ReferencesEditing Xrefs in PlaceThe Bottom Line
Plotting the PlanUnderstanding the Plotter SettingsWYSIWYG Plotting Using Layout ViewsAdding an Output DeviceStoring a Page SetupPlotter and Printer Hardware ConsiderationsThe Bottom Line
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
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
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
Understanding the Components of a DimensionCreating a Dimension StyleDrawing Linear DimensionsEditing DimensionsDimensioning Nonorthogonal ObjectsAdding a Note with a Leader ArrowApplying Ordinate DimensionsAdding Tolerance NotationThe Bottom Line
Creating AttributesEditing AttributesExtracting and Exporting Attribute InformationThe Bottom Line
Methods for Converting Paper Drawings to AutoCAD FilesImporting a Raster ImageWorking with a Raster ImageWorking with PDF FilesThe Bottom Line
Using External ReferencesManaging LayersUsing Advanced Tools: Filter and Quick SelectUsing the QuickCalc CalculatorThe Bottom Line
Understanding Model Space and Paper SpaceWorking with Paper Space ViewportsCreating Odd-Shaped ViewportsUnderstanding Lineweights, Linetypes, and Dimensions in Paper SpaceThe Bottom Line
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
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
Introducing PolylinesEditing PolylinesCreating a Polyline Spline CurveUsing True Spline CurvesMarking Divisions on CurvesThe Bottom Line
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
Getting to Know the 3D Modeling WorkspaceDrawing in 3D Using SolidsCreating 3D Forms from 2D ShapesExtruding a PolylineIsolating Coordinates with Point FiltersMoving Around Your ModelGetting a Visual EffectTurning a 3D View into a 2D AutoCAD DrawingUsing the Point Cloud FeatureThe Bottom Line
Setting Up AutoCAD for This ChapterMastering the User Coordinate SystemUnderstanding the UCS OptionsUsing Viewports to Aid in 3D DrawingUsing the Array ToolsCreating Complex 3D SurfacesCreating Spiral FormsCreating Surface ModelsMoving Objects in 3D SpaceThe Bottom Line
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
Understanding Solid ModelingCreating Solid FormsCreating Complex SolidsEditing SolidsStreamlining the 2D Drawing ProcessVisualizing SolidsThe Bottom Line
Creating a Simple 3D MeshEditing Faces and EdgesCreating Mesh SurfacesConverting Meshes to SolidsUnderstanding 3D SurfacesEditing SurfacesThe Bottom Line
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
Sharing Drawings over the InternetePublishing Your DrawingsManaging Your Drawings with DesignCenter and the Tool PalettesSearching Your Drawing Library With Content ExplorerEstablishing Office StandardsConverting Multiple Layer SettingsThe 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 : Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch PatternsChapter 27 : Managing and Sharing Your Drawings
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
What You'll Find on the DVDSystem RequirementsUsing the DVDTroubleshooting
Using Enhancements Straight from the SourcePutting AutoLISP to Work
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 AutoLISP
Understanding Sheet SetsCreating a Sheet Set from an Existing ProjectManaging Title Blocks and Cross-ReferencesCustomizing Sheet SetsArchiving, Publishing, and eTransmitting Sheet Sets
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
System VariablesTaking a Closer Look at the Dimension Style Dialog Boxes

Content preview from Mastering AutoCAD® 2012 and AutoCAD LT® 2012

Acknowledgments

Many talented and hardworking folks gave their best effort to produce Mastering AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012. I offer my sincerest gratitude to those people who helped bring this book to you.

Heartfelt thanks go to the editorial and production teams at Sybex for their efforts. Willem Knibbe, as always, made sure things got off to a great start and was always there for support. Gary Schwartz kept a watchful eye on the progress of the book. Jon McFarland and Melanie Perry did an excellent job of ensuring that I didn't make any glaring mistakes and offered suggestions based on their own writing experience. On the production side, Dassi Zeidel kept the workflow going and answered my dumb questions during the review process, and ...

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

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ISBN: 9780470952887Purchase book

Mastering AutoCAD® 2012 and AutoCAD LT® 2012

by George Omura

Acknowledgments

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Publisher Resources

Acknowledgments

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.

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Publisher Resources

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.