Mastering AutoCAD 2013 and AutoCAD LT 2013

Learn to Harness the Power and Flexibility of AutoCAD From AutoCAD basics and new ways of modeling in 3D to installation and customization, this Autodesk Official Training Guide gets you quickly up to speed on AutoCAD software. It offers a unique blend of step–by–step tutorials and references so that you can begin using all the latest features of both AutoCAD 2013 and AutoCAD LT 2013. Award–winning author George Omura provides you with extensive tips and hands–on projects that help you create your own real–world designs. As you progress through each step, you′ll move closer to becoming an AutoCAD expert. All the while, you′ll also learn the information you need to know for Autodesk′s Certified Associate and Certified Professional exams. Coverage includes: Setting up a work area and laying out a drawing Keeping track of layers and blocks Mastering viewing tools, hatches, fields, and tables Adding spreadsheet functionality to your drawings Collaborating with others using Autodesk 360 and Cloud Transferring paper drawings to AutoCAD Using dynamic blocks and drawing curves Adding constraints to create parametric drawings Expanding your ideas by presenting 3D models Adapting AutoCAD to your own work style Saving time by automating orthogonal view creation Extracting 3D surfaces from solid models Featured on the DVD Find all of the project files for the book′s exercises, over a dozen video tutorials, a trial version of AutoCAD, and additional tools and utilities. Build Your Skills with AutoCAD′s Interface and Drafting Tools Create More Complex Drawings with the Latest Features Take Advantage of Best Practices and Expert Tips Explore 3D Modeling and Imaging to Create Powerful Designs Prepare for the AutoCAD Certified Associate and AutoCAD Certified Professional Certification Exams

Introduction xxvii 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 121 Chapter 5 Keeping Track of Layers and Blocks 153 Part 2 Mastering Intermediate Skills 187 Chapter 6 Editing and Reusing Data to Work Efficiently 189 Chapter 7 Mastering Viewing Tools, Hatches, and External References 233 Chapter 8 Introducing Printing, Plotting, and Layouts 283 Chapter 9 Understanding Plot Styles 315 Chapter 10 Adding Text to Drawings 341 Chapter 11 Using Fields and Tables 379 Chapter 12 Using Dimensions 401 Part 3 Mastering Advanced Skills 449 Chapter 13 Using Attributes 451 Chapter 14 Copying Existing Drawings from Other Sources 477 Chapter 15 Advanced Editing and Organizing 497 Chapter 16 Laying Out Your Printer Output 539 Chapter 17 Making "Smart" Drawings with Parametric Tools 565 Chapter 18 Using Dynamic Blocks 585 Chapter 19 Drawing Curves 617 Chapter 20 Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings 649 Part 4 3D Modeling and Imaging 681 Chapter 21 Creating 3D Drawings 683 Chapter 22 Using Advanced 3D Features 725 Chapter 23 Rendering 3D Drawings 783 Chapter 24 Editing and Visualizing 3D Solids 855 Chapter 25 Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface Modeling 905 Part 5 Customization and Integration 955 Chapter 26 Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns 957 Chapter 27 Managing and Sharing Your Drawings 997 Appendices Appendix A The Bottom Line 1051 Appendix B Installing and Setting Up the Autodesk AutoCAD Software 1077 Appendix C The Autodesk AutoCAD 2013 Certification 1109 Appendix D About the Companion DVD 1115 Index 1119

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.