AutoCAD 2D & 3D

Chapter 1: Exploring the Interface Taking a Guided Tour Launching AutoCAD The AutoCAD Window Using the Application Menu Using the Ribbon Picking Points in the Drawing Area Using the UCS Icon Working in the Command Window Working with AutoCAD Opening an Existing File Getting a Closer Look Saving a File as You Work Making Changes Working with Multiple Files Adding a Predrawn Symbol with the Tool Palettes The Bottom Line Chapter 2: Creating Your First Drawing Getting to Know the Home Tabl's Draw and Modify Panels Starting Your First Drawing Specifying Exact Distances with Coordinates Specifying Polar Coordinates Specifying Relative Cartesian Coordinates Interpreting the Cursor Modes and Understanding Prompts Understanding Cursor Modes Choosing Command Options Selecting Objects Selecting Objects in AutoCAD Using Noun/Verb Selection Editing with Grips Stretching Lines by Using Grips Moving and Rotating with Grips Using Dynamic Input Getting Help Using the InfoCenter Using Context-Sensitive Help Exploring The AutoCAD 2013 Welcome Window Finding Additional Sources of Help Displaying Data in a Text Window Displaying the Properties of an Object The Bottom Line Chapter 3: Setting Up and Using the Drafting Tools Setting Up a Work Area Specifying Units Fine-Tuning the Measurement System Setting Up the Drawing Limits Looking at an Alternative to Limits Understanding Scale Factors Using Polar Tracking Setting the Polar Tracking Angle Exploring the Drawing Process Locating an Object in Reference to Others Getting a Closer Look Modifying an Object Planning and Laying Out a Drawing Making a Preliminary Sketch Using the Layout Erasing the Layout Lines Putting On the Finishing Touches Aligning Objects by Using Object Snap Tracking Using the AutoCAD Modes as Drafting Tools Using Grid Mode as a Background Grid Using Snap Modes The Bottom Line Chapter 4: Organizing Objects with Blocks and Groups Creating a Symbol Understanding the Block Definition Dialog Box Inserting a Symbol Scaling and Rotating Blocks Using an Existing Drawing as a Symbol Modifying a Block Unblocking and Redefining a Block Saving a Block as a Drawing File Replacing Existing Files with Blocks Other Uses for Blocks Understanding the Annotation Scale Grouping Objects Modifying Members of a Group Ungrouping, Adding, and Subtracting From a Group Working with the Object Grouping Dialog Box Working with the AutoCAD LT Group Manager The Bottom Line Chapter 5: Keeping Track of Layers and Blocks Organizing Information with Layers Creating and Assigning Layers Working on Layers Controlling Layer Visibility Finding the Layers You Want Taming an Unwieldy List of Layers