Mastering AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012

Learn to master the AutoCAD software

This Autodesk Official Training guide is a comprehensive
reference and tutorial that will help you quickly master AutoCAD
software. Featuring concise explanations, step-by-step
instructions, and hands-on projects based on real-world designs,
this Autodesk Official Training Guide covers everything from
interface best practices to hatches, fields, dynamic blocks,
attributes, linking drawings to databases, rendering realistic
views, and presenting designs. This Mastering book is recommended
as a Certification Preparation study guide resource for the AutoCAD
Associate and Professional exams.

• Serves as an in-depth resource on the fundamentals, functions,
  and features of AutoCAD, the popular 2D and 3D drawing software,
  and its less expensive version AutoCAD LT

• Describes how to effectively use hatches, fields, and tables;
  execute 3D modeling, imaging, and customizing; work with dynamic
  blocks, drawing curves, and solid fills; and more

• Features a DVD with more than a dozen video tutorials, "before
  and after" tutorial files, a trial version of AutoCAD, and
  additional tools and utilities

• Shares helpful examples, step-by-step instructions, and
  hands-on projects from award-winning author and CAD specialist
  George Omura

This detailed tutorial is mandatory reading if you're eager to
become proficient with AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT.

Autorentext

George Omura is a licensed architect and Autodesk Authorized Author who has more than 30 years of experience in architecture and has been using AutoCAD for more than 20 years. He has worked on design projects ranging from resort hotels to metropolitan transit systems to the San Francisco Library project. He is the all-time bestselling AutoCAD author and was cited as favorite CAD author by members of the Autodesk User Group International (AUGI) in AUGIWorld magazine's "Best of Everything CAD" issue.

Zusammenfassung
Learn to master the AutoCAD software This Autodesk Official Training guide is a comprehensive reference and tutorial that will help you quickly master AutoCAD software. Featuring concise explanations, step-by-step instructions, and hands-on projects based on real-world designs, this Autodesk Official Training Guide covers everything from interface best practices to hatches, fields, dynamic blocks, attributes, linking drawings to databases, rendering realistic views, and presenting designs. This Mastering book is recommended as a Certification Preparation study guide resource for the AutoCAD Associate and Professional exams.

• Serves as an in-depth resource on the fundamentals, functions, and features of AutoCAD, the popular 2D and 3D drawing software, and its less expensive version AutoCAD LT
• Describes how to effectively use hatches, fields, and tables; execute 3D modeling, imaging, and customizing; work with dynamic blocks, drawing curves, and solid fills; and more
• Features a DVD with more than a dozen video tutorials, "before and after" tutorial files, a trial version of AutoCAD, and additional tools and utilities
• Shares helpful examples, step-by-step instructions, and hands-on projects from award-winning author and CAD specialist George Omura
  This detailed tutorial is mandatory reading if you're eager to become proficient with AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT.

Inhalt
Foreword xxix Introduction xxxi

Part 1 • The Basics 1

Chapter 1 • Exploring the AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT Interface 3

Taking a Guided Tour 4

Launching AutoCAD 4

The AutoCAD Window 5

Using the Application Menu 7

Using the Ribbon 9

Picking Points in the Drawing Area 13

Using the UCS Icon 14

Working in the Command Window 14

Working with AutoCAD 15

Opening an Existing File 15

Getting a Closer Look 17

Saving a File as You Work 20

Making Changes 20

Working with Multiple Files 22

Adding a Predrawn Symbol with the Tool Palettes 25

The Bottom Line 26

Chapter 2 • Creating Your First Drawing 27

Getting to Know the Home Tab's Draw and Modify Panels 28

Starting Your First Drawing 30

Specifying Exact Distances with Coordinates 34

Specifying Polar Coordinates 36

Specifying Relative Cartesian Coordinates 37

Interpreting the Cursor Modes and Understanding Prompts 39

Understanding Cursor Modes 39

Choosing Command Options 41

Selecting Objects 45

Selecting Objects in AutoCAD 45

Using Noun/Verb Selection 51

Editing with Grips 56

Stretching Lines by Using Grips 57

Moving and Rotating with Grips 59

Using Dynamic Input 61

Getting Help 66

Using the InfoCenter 67

Using Context-Sensitive Help 68

Exploring Autodesk Exchange 68

Finding Additional Sources of Help 69

Displaying Data in a Text Window 70

Displaying the Properties of an Object 71

The Bottom Line 74

Chapter 3 • Setting Up and Using AutoCAD's Drafting Tools 75

Setting Up a Work Area 76

Specifying Units 76

Fine-Tuning the Measurement System 79

Setting Up the Drawing Limits 80

Looking at an Alternative to Limits 81

Understanding Scale Factors 82

Using Polar Tracking 83

Setting the Polar Tracking Angle 84

Exploring the Drawing Process 86

Locating an Object in Reference to Others 86

Getting a Closer Look 87

Modifying an Object 88

Planning and Laying Out a Drawing 92

Making a Preliminary Sketch 93

Using the Layout 94

Erasing the Layout Lines 101

Putting On the Finishing Touches 103

Aligning Objects by Using Object Snap Tracking 104

Using the AutoCAD Modes as Drafting Tools 110

Using Grid Mode as a Background Grid 110

Using the Snap Modes 113

The Bottom Line 114

Chapter 4 • Organizing Objects with Blocks and Groups 115

Creating a Symbol 116

Understanding the Block Definition Dialog Box 118

Inserting a Symbol 120

Scaling and Rotating Blocks 123

Using an Existing Drawing as a Symbol 124

Modifying a Block 127

Unblocking and Redefining a Block 128

Saving a Block as a Drawing File 129

Replacing Existing Files with Blocks 130

Other Uses for Blocks 131

Understanding the Annotation Scale 132

Grouping Objects 135

Modifying Members of a Group 137

Ungrouping, Adding, and Subtracting From a Group 140

Working with the Object Grouping Dialog Box 141

Working with the LT Group Manager 143

The Bottom Line 144

Chapter 5 • Keeping Track of Layers and Blocks 145

Organizing Information with Layers 146

Creating and Assigning Layers 147

Working on Layers 154

Controlling Layer Visibility 158

Finding the Layers You Want 160

Taming an Unwieldy List of Layers 161

Assigning Linetypes to Layers 168 <p&gt...