Up and Running with AutoCAD 2013: 2D and 3D Drawing and Modeling

Up and Running with AutoCAD 2013 by Elliot Gindis is an easy-to-learn introduction to AutoCAD featuring step-by-step instructions that explain both the why and the how for using this industry standard software package. The book strips away complexities, both real and perceived, and reduces AutoCAD to easy-to-understand basic concepts. All concepts are explained first in theory, and then shown in practice, helping the reader understand what it is they are doing and why, before they do it.

The book is divided into three parts, guiding students through the subject matter from the beginning stages of using the software through advanced AutoCAD, including 3D features. Chapters deal with topics such as: layers, colors, linetypes, and properties; text, Mtext, editing, and style; blocks, Wblocks, dynamic blocks, groups, and purge; importing and exporting data; Boolean operations; Dview, walk and fly, animation, and action recording; and lighting and rendering. Also included is an extensive Appendix for each part, detailing additional useful CAD-related information not often found in other text books. In addition, the book contains supporting graphics (screen shots); a summary with a self-test section at the end of each chapter; drawing examples and exercises; and two running "projects" that the student works on as he/she progresses through the chapters .

This book will appeal to beginner through advanced users of AutoCAD; architectural engineers, drafting, civil/construction engineers, and mechanical engineers; and students taking drafting/engineering drawing courses in engineering and engineering technology programs.

Strips away complexities, both real and perceived and reduces AutoCAD to easy-to-understand basic conceptsTeaches only what is essential to operating AutoCAD first, thereby immediately building student confidenceAll basic commands are documented step-by-step, meaning that what the student needs to type in and how AutoCAD responds is all spelled out in discrete and clear steps with screen shots added as neededUsing the author’s extensive multi-industry knowledge of what is important and widely used in practice versus what is not, the material is presented by immediately immersing the student in practical, critically essential knowledge, with no padding of text or filler materialAll concepts are explained first in theory, and only then is AutoCAD introduced and the actual "button pushing" discussed. This is one of the key concepts in having students understand exactly what it is they are doing and why, before they do it

Level 1 1. AutoCAD Fundamentals Part I 2. AutoCAD Fundamentals Part II 3. Layers, Colors, Linetypes, and Properties 4. Text, Mtext, Editing, and Style 5. Hatch Patterns 6. Dimensions 7. Blocks, Wblocks, Dynamic Blocks, Groups, and Purge 8. Polar, Rectangular and Path Arrays 9. Basic Printing and Output 10. Advanced Output—Paper Space

Level 2 11. Advanced Linework 12. Advanced Layers 13. Advanced Dimensions 14. Options, Shortcuts, CUI, Design Center, and Express Tools 15. Advanced Design and File Management Tools 16. Importing and Exporting Data 17. External References (Xrefs) 18. Attributes 20. Isometric Drawing

Level 3 21. 3D Basics 22. Primitives 23. Object Manipulation 24. Boolean Operations 25. Solid Modeling 26. Advanced Solids, Faces, and Edges 27. Surfaces and Meshes 28. UCS, Vports, Text, and Dimensions in 3D 29. Dview, Walk and Fly, Animation, and Action Recording 30. Lighting and Rendering