The ultimate reference and tutorial for AutoCAD software

This Autodesk Official Press book helps you become an AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT expert and has been fully updated to cover all of AutoCAD's new capabilities. Featuring the popular, empowering presentation style of veteran award-winning author George Omura, this indispensable resource teaches AutoCAD essentials using concise explanations, focused examples, step-by-step instructions, and hands-on projects.

• Introduces you to the basics of the interface and drafting tools
• Details how to effectively use hatches, fields, and tables
• Covers attributes, dynamic blocks, curves, and geometric constraints
• Explores 3D modeling and imaging
• Discusses customization and integration
• Helps you prepare for the AutoCAD certification exams
• Features a website that includes all the project files necessary for the tutorials

This detailed reference and tutorial is the perfect resource for becoming proficient with AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT.

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. Brian C. Benton is a senior engineering technician, CAD consultant, author, trainer, and popular blogger (cadablog.com) with 20 years of experience in several design fields. He's the Cadalyst magazine "Tip Patroller" columnist, former AUGI HotNews production manager, and an inaugural member of the Autodesk Expert Elite program.

Introduction xxix

Part 1 • The Basics 1

Chapter 1 • Exploring the Interface  3

Chapter 2 • Creating Your First Drawing 29

Chapter 3 • Setting Up and Using the Drafting Tools 79

Chapter 4 • Organizing Objects with Blocks and Groups 119

Chapter 5 • Keeping Track of Layers and Blocks 151

Part 2 • Mastering Intermediate Skills 185

Chapter 6 • Editing and Reusing Data to Work Efficiently 187

Chapter 7 • Mastering Viewing Tools, Hatches, and External References  231

Chapter 8 • Introducing Printing, Plotting, and Layouts 281

Chapter 9 • Understanding Plot Styles 311

Chapter 10 • Adding Text to Drawings 337

Chapter 11 • Using Fields and Tables 375

Chapter 12 • Using Dimensions 397

Part 3 • Mastering Advanced Skills 445

Chapter 13 • Using Attributes 447

Chapter 14 • Copying Existing Drawings from Other Sources 473

Chapter 15 • Advanced Editing and Organizing 499

Chapter 16 • Laying Out Your Printer Output 543

Chapter 17 • Making “Smart” Drawings with Parametric Tools 571

Chapter 18 • Using Dynamic Blocks  591

Chapter 19 • Drawing Curves 625

Chapter 20 • Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings 657

Part 4 • 3D Modeling and Imaging 689

Chapter 21 • Creating 3D Drawings 691

Chapter 22 • Using Advanced 3D Features 733

Chapter 23 • Rendering 3D Drawings 789

Chapter 24 • Editing and Visualizing 3D Solids 863

Chapter 25 • Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface Modeling 911

Part 5 • Customization and Integration 961

Chapter 26 • Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns 963

Chapter 27 • Managing and Sharing Your Drawings 1005

Chapter 28 • Keeping a Project Organized with Sheet Sets 1061

Appendices 1105

Appendix A • The Bottom Line 1107

Appendix B • Installing and Setting Up AutoCAD 1135

Appendix C • The Autodesk® AutoCAD® 2014 Certification 1167

Index 1173