Autocad for Dummies

You're one step away from creating crystal-clear computer-aided drafts in AutoCAD
 
Ever started an AutoCAD project, only to give up when you couldn't quite get the hang of it? Or do you have a project coming up that would really benefit from a few meticulously created drawings? Then you need the latest edition of AutoCAD For Dummies, the world's bestselling retail book about the wildly popular program.
 
With coverage of all the important updates to AutoCAD released since 2019, this book walks you through the very basics of pixels, vectors, lines, text, and more, before moving on to more advanced step-by-step tutorials on three-dimensional drawings and models. Already know the fundamentals? Then skip right to the part you need! From blocks to parametrics, it's all right here at your fingertips.
 
You'll also find:
* In-depth explanations of how to create and store your drawings on the web
* Stepwise instructions on creating your very first AutoCAD drawing, from product installation and project creation to the final touches
* An exploration of system variables you can tweak to get the best performance from AutoCAD
 
Perfect for the AutoCAD newbie just trying to find their way around the interface for the first time, AutoCAD For Dummies is also a must-read reference for the experienced user looking to get acquainted with the program's latest features and essential drawing tips. Grab a copy today!

Sommario

Introduction 1
 
About This Book 2
 
Foolish Assumptions 3
 
Conventions Used in This Book 3
 
Using the command line 3
 
Using aliases 4
 
Icons Used in This Book 4
 
Beyond the Book 5
 
Where to Go from Here 6
 
Part 1: Getting Started With Autocad 7
 
Chapter 1: Introducing AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT 9
 
Launching AutoCAD 10
 
Drawing in AutoCAD 11
 
Understanding Pixels and Vectors 14
 
The Cartesian Coordinate System 15
 
Chapter 2: The Grand Tour of AutoCAD 17
 
Looking at AutoCAD's Drawing Screen 18
 
For your information 21
 
Making choices from the Application menu 22
 
Unraveling the Ribbon 24
 
Getting with the Program 27
 
Looking for Mr Status Bar 28
 
Using Dynamic Input 28
 
Let your fingers do the talking: The command line 29
 
The key(board) to AutoCAD success 30
 
Keeping tabs on palettes 34
 
Down the main stretch: The drawing area 34
 
Fun with F1 35
 
Chapter 3: A Lap around the CAD Track 37
 
A Simple Setup 38
 
Drawing a (Base) Plate 43
 
Taking a Closer Look with Zoom and Pan 52
 
Modifying to Make It Merrier 53
 
Crossing your hatches 53
 
Now that's a stretch 54
 
Following the Plot 57
 
Plotting the drawing 57
 
Today's layer forecast: Freezing 60
 
Chapter 4: Setup for Success 61
 
A Setup Roadmap 62
 
Choosing your units 62
 
Weighing up your scales 65
 
Thinking about paper 68
 
Defending your border 69
 
A Template for Success 69
 
Making the Most of Model Space 72
 
Setting your units 72
 
Making the drawing area snap-py (and grid-dy) 73
 
Setting linetype, text, and dimension scales 76
 
Entering drawing properties 77
 
Making Templates Your Own 77
 
Chapter 5: A Zoom with a View 83
 
Panning and Zooming with Glass and Hand 84
 
The wheel deal 84
 
Navigating a drawing 85
 
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom 87
 
A View by Any Other Name 88
 
Degenerating and Regenerating 91
 
Part 2: Let There Be Lines 93
 
Chapter 6: Along the Straight and Narrow 95
 
Drawing for Success 96
 
Introducing the Straight-Line Drawing Commands 97
 
Drawing Lines and Polylines 98
 
Toeing the line 99
 
Connecting the lines with polyline 100
 
Squaring Off with Rectangles 105
 
Choosing Sides with POLygon 106
 
Chapter 7: Dangerous Curves Ahead 109
 
Throwing Curves 109
 
Going Full Circle 110
 
Arc-y-ology 112
 
Solar Ellipses 114
 
Splines: Sketchy, Sinuous Curves 115
 
Donuts: Circles with a Difference 117
 
Revision Clouds on the Horizon 118
 
Scoring Points 120
 
Chapter 8: Preciseliness Is Next to CADliness 123
 
Controlling Precision 124
 
Understanding the AutoCAD Coordinate Systems 127
 
Keyboard capers: Coordinate input 128
 
Introducing user coordinate systems 128
 
Drawing by numbers 129
 
Grabbing an Object and Making It Snappy 131
 
Grabbing points with object snap overrides 132
 
Snap goes the cursor 134
 
Running with object snaps 135
 
Other Practical Precision Procedures 137
 
Chapter 9: Manage Your Properties 141
 
Using Properties with Objects 142
 
Using the ByLayer approach 142
 
Changing properties 144
 
Working with Layers 146
&n

Info autore

Ralph Grabowski is editor of upFront.eZine, a weekly e-newsletter that reports on the business of computer-aided design. He is the author of more than 240 books and e-books on CAD and other topics, and his renowned WorldCAD Access industry blog is widely respected in the industry.

Riassunto

You're one step away from creating crystal-clear computer-aided drafts in AutoCAD

Ever started an AutoCAD project, only to give up when you couldn't quite get the hang of it? Or do you have a project coming up that would really benefit from a few meticulously created drawings? Then you need the latest edition of AutoCAD For Dummies, the world's bestselling retail book about the wildly popular program.

With coverage of all the important updates to AutoCAD released since 2019, this book walks you through the very basics of pixels, vectors, lines, text, and more, before moving on to more advanced step-by-step tutorials on three-dimensional drawings and models. Already know the fundamentals? Then skip right to the part you need! From blocks to parametrics, it's all right here at your fingertips.

You'll also find:
* In-depth explanations of how to create and store your drawings on the web
* Stepwise instructions on creating your very first AutoCAD drawing, from product installation and project creation to the final touches
* An exploration of system variables you can tweak to get the best performance from AutoCAD

Perfect for the AutoCAD newbie just trying to find their way around the interface for the first time, AutoCAD For Dummies is also a must-read reference for the experienced user looking to get acquainted with the program's latest features and essential drawing tips. Grab a copy today!

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Autori: R Grabowski, Ralph Grabowski, Grabowski Ralph
• Editore: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Lingue: Inglese
• Formato: Tascabile
• Pubblicazione: 31.05.2022
• EAN: 9781119868767
• ISBN: 978-1-119-86876-7
• Pagine: 544
• Categorie: Scienze naturali, medicina, informatica, tecnica > Informatica, EDP > Software applicativo; AutoCAD, End-User Computing, Computer-Ratgeber, Graphik- u. Designsoftware (außer Microsoft), Graphics & Design software (Non-Microsoft)