Mastering AutoCAD 2021 and AutoCAD LT 2021

Description

Cover Title Page Copyright Page Contents Introduction Part 1 The Basics Chapter 1 Exploring the Interface Taking a Guided Tour AutoCAD References in This Book 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 Tab’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 Providing Base Points Using Noun/Verb Selection Editing with Grips Stretching Lines by Using Grips Moving and Rotating with Grips Understanding Dynamic Input Displaying Data in a Text Window Displaying the Properties of an Object Getting Help Using the InfoCenter Finding Additional Sources of Help 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 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 and Using 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 Understanding the Write Block Dialog Box Options 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 Assigning Linetypes to Layers Adding a Linetype to a Drawing Controlling Lineweights Keeping Track of Blocks and Layers Getting a Text File List of Layers or Blocks The Bottom Line Part 2 Mastering Intermediate Skills Chapter 6 Editing and Reusing Data to Work Efficiently Creating and Using Templates Creating a Template Using a Template Copying an Object Multiple Times Making Circular Copies Making Row and Column Copies Fine-Tuning Your View Finishing the Kitchenette Array Along a Path Making Changes to an Associative Array Developing Your Drawing Importing Settings Using Osnap Tracking to Place Objects Finding an Exact Distance Along a Curve Changing the Length of Objects Creating a New Drawing by Using Parts from Another Drawing Eliminating Unused Blocks, Layers, Linetypes, Shapes, Styles, and More The Bottom Line Chapter 7 Mastering Viewing Tools, Hatches, and External References Assembling the Parts Taking Control of the AutoCAD Display Understanding Regeneration and Redrawing Saving Views Understanding the Frozen Layer Option Using Hatch Patterns in Your Drawings Placing a Hatch Pattern in a Specific Area Adding Predefined Hatch Patterns Positioning Hatch Patterns Accurately Updating a Block from an External File Changing the Hatch Area Modifying a Hatch Pattern Understanding the Boundary Hatch Options Controlling Boundaries with the Boundaries Panel Fine-Tuning the Boundary Behavior Controlling Hatch Behavior with the Options Panel Controlling Hatch Default Layer, Layout Scale, and ISO Line Weight Using Additional Hatch Features Using Gradient Shading Tips for Using Hatch Space Planning and Hatch Patterns Using External References Attaching a Drawing as an External Reference Other Differences Between External References and Blocks Other External Reference Options Clipping Xref Views and Improving Performance Editing Xrefs in Place Using the External Reference Tab Adding and Removing Objects from Blocks and Xrefs Understanding the Reference Edit Dialog Box Options The Bottom Line Chapter 8 Introducing Printing, Plotting, and Layouts Plotting the Plan Understanding the Plotter Settings Paper Size Drawing Orientation Plot Area Plot Scale Shaded Viewport Options Plot Offset Plot Options Exit Options Plotting Using Layout Views Setting Plot Scale in the Layout Viewports Adding an Output Device Editing a Plotter Configuration Storing a Page Setup Using Electronic Plots Exporting to PDF Through the Plot Dialog Box Exporting to PDF Through the Export To DWF/PDF Ribbon Panel Exporting Autodesk DWF and DWFx Files The Bottom Line Chapter 9 Adding Text to Drawings Preparing a Drawing for Text Organizing Text by Styles Getting Familiar with the Text and Annotation Scale Control Panels Setting the Annotation Scale and Adding Text Inserting Text Exploring Text and Scale Understanding the Text Style Dialog Box Options Styles Set Current/New/Delete Font Size Effects Exploring Text Formatting in AutoCAD Adjusting the Text Height and Font Understanding the Text Editor Tab Adding Symbols and Special Characters Setting Indents and Tabs What Do the Fonts Look Like? Adding Simple Single-Line Text Objects Justifying Single-Line Text Objects Using Special Characters with Single-Line Text Objects Using the Check Spelling Feature How Check Spelling Works Choosing a Dictionary Substituting Fonts Finding and Replacing Text The Bottom Line Chapter 10 Using Fields and Tables Using Fields to Associate Text with Drawing Properties Adding Tables to Your Drawing Creating a Table Adding Cell Text Adjusting Table Text Orientation and Location Editing the Table Line Work Adding Formulas to Cells Using Formulas Directly in Cells Using Other Math Operations Importing and Exporting Tables Importing a Table Exporting Tables Creating Table Styles Adding or Modifying a Table Style Exploring the Table Style Options The Bottom Line Chapter 11 Using Dimensions Understanding the Components of a Dimension Creating a Dimension Style Setting Up the Primary Unit Style Setting the Height for Dimension Text Setting the Location and Orientation of Dimension Text Choosing an Arrow Style and Setting the Dimension Scale Setting Up Alternate Units Setting the Current Dimension Style Modifying a Dimension Style Drawing Linear Dimensions Understanding the Dimensions Panel Placing Horizontal and Vertical Dimensions Continuing a Dimension Drawing Dimensions from a Common Base Extension Line Adjusting the Distance Between Dimensions Editing Dimensions Appending Data to Dimension Text Using Grips to Make Minor Adjustments to Dimensions Changing Style Settings of Individual Dimensions Associating Dimensions with Objects Adding a String of Dimensions with a Single Operation Adding or Removing the Alternate Dimensions Dimensioning Nonorthogonal Objects Dimensioning Nonorthogonal Linear Distances Dimensioning Radii, Diameters, and Arcs Skewing Dimension Lines Using the Dimension Tool Adding a Note with a Leader Arrow Creating Multileader Styles Editing Multileader Notes Breaking a Dimension Line for a Leader Applying Ordinate Dimensions Adding Tolerance Notation Inserting Tolerance and Datum Values Adding Inspection Dimensions The Bottom Line Part 3 Mastering Advanced Skills Chapter 12 Using Attributes Creating Attributes Adding Attributes to Blocks Copying and Editing Attribute Definitions Turning the Attribute Definitions into a Block Inserting Blocks Containing Attributes Editing Attributes Editing Attribute Values One at a Time Editing Attribute Text Formats and Properties Making Global Changes to Attribute Values Making Invisible Attributes Visible Making Global Format and Property Changes to Attributes Other Block Attribute Manager Options Redefining Blocks Containing Attributes Extracting and Exporting Attribute Information Performing the Extraction Extracting Attribute Data to an AutoCAD Table The Bottom Line Chapter 13 Copying Existing Drawings from Other Sources Methods for Converting Paper Drawings to AutoCAD Files Importing a Raster Image Working with a Raster Image Scaling a Raster Image Controlling Object Visibility and Overlap with Raster Images Adjusting Brightness, Contrast, and Fade Clipping a Raster Image Turning Off the Frame, Adjusting Overall Quality, and Controlling Transparency Working with PDF Files Importing a PDF Scaling and Osnaps with PDFs Controlling the PDF Display Importing a PDF as an AutoCAD Drawing Reconstructing Imported AutoCAD SHX Fonts Coordinating Geographic Locations Making Adjustments to the Map Finding Measurements and Distances The Bottom Line Chapter 14 Advanced Editing and Organizing Using External References Preparing Existing Drawings for External Referencing Assembling Xrefs to Build a Drawing Updating Blocks in Xrefs Importing Named Elements from Xrefs Controlling the Xref Search Path Managing Layers Saving and Recalling Layer Settings Other Tools for Managing Layers Using Advanced Tools: Filter and Quick Select Filtering Selections Using Quick Select Using the QuickCalc Calculator Adding Foot and Inch Lengths and Finding the Sum of Angles Converting Units with QuickCalc Using QuickCalc to Find Points Finding Fractional Distances Between Two Points Using QuickCalc While in the Middle of a Command Storing Expressions and Values Guidelines for Working with QuickCalc The Bottom Line Chapter 15 Laying Out Your Printer Output Understanding Model Space and Paper Space Switching from Model Space to Paper Space Setting the Size of a Paper Space Layout Creating New Paper Space Viewports Creating a Viewport from a Saved View Reaching Inside Viewports Working with Paper Space Viewports Scaling Views in Paper Space Setting Layers in Individual Viewports Creating and Using Multiple Paper Space Layouts Creating Odd-Shaped Viewports Understanding Lineweights, Linetypes, and Dimensions in Paper Space Controlling and Viewing Lineweights in Paper Space Using the Lineweight Settings Dialog Box Controlling Linetype Scales and Paper Space Dimensioning in Paper Space Layouts Other Uses for Paper Space The Bottom Line Chapter 16 Making “Smart” Drawings with Parametric Tools Why Use Parametric Drawing Tools? Connecting Objects with Geometric Constraints Using AutoConstrain to Add Constraints Automatically Editing a Drawing Containing Constraints Using Other Geometric Constraints Using Constraints in the Drawing Process Controlling Sizes with Dimensional Constraints Adding a Dimensional Constraint Editing a Dimensional Constraint Using Formulas to Control and Link Dimensions Adding a Formula Parameter Testing the Formula Using Other Formulas Editing the Constraint Options Putting Constraints to Use The Bottom Line Chapter 17 Using Dynamic Blocks Exploring the Block Editor Opening the Block Editor Editing a Block and Creating New Blocks Creating a Dynamic Block Adding a Parameter Adding an Action Adding an Increment Value Editing Parameters and Actions Keeping an Object Centered Using Constraints in Dynamic Blocks Adding a List of Predefined Options Creating Multiple Shapes in One Block Rotating Objects in Unison Filling in a Space Automatically with Objects Including Block Information with Data Extraction The Bottom Line Chapter 18 Drawing Curves Introducing Polylines Drawing a Polyline Setting Polyline Options Editing Polylines Setting Pedit Options Smoothing Polylines Editing Vertices Creating a Polyline Spline Curve Using True Spline Curves Drawing a True Spline Understanding the Spline Options Fine-Tuning Spline Curves Marking Divisions on Curves Dividing Objects into Segments of Equal Length Dividing Objects into Specified Lengths The Bottom Line Chapter 19 Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings Finding the Area of Closed Boundaries Finding the Area of an Object Using Hatch Patterns to Find Areas Adding and Subtracting Areas with the Area Command Getting General Information Determining the Drawing’s Status Keeping Track of Time Getting Information from System Variables Keeping a Log of Your Activity Capturing and Saving Text Data from the AutoCAD Text Window Understanding the Command Window Context Menu Storing Searchable Information in AutoCAD Files Searching for AutoCAD Files Recovering Corrupted Files Using the DXF File Format to Exchange CAD Data with Other Programs Exporting DXF Files Opening or Importing DXF Files Using AutoCAD Drawings in Page Layout Programs Exporting Raster Files Exporting Vector Files Using OLE to Import Data Editing OLE Links Importing Worksheets as AutoCAD Tables Understanding Options for Embedding Data Using the Clipboard to Export AutoCAD Drawings The Bottom Line Part 4 3D Modeling and Imaging Chapter 20 Creating 3D Drawings Getting to Know the 3D Modeling Workspace Drawing in 3D Using Solids Adjusting Appearances Creating a 3D Box Editing 3D Solids with Grips Constraining Motion with the Gizmo Rotating Objects in 3D Using Dynamic UCS Drawing on a 3D Object’s Surface Pushing and Pulling Shapes from a Solid Making Changes to Your Solid Creating 3D Forms from 2D Shapes Isolating Coordinates with Point Filters Moving Around Your Model Finding Isometric and Orthogonal Views Rotating Freely Around Your Model Changing Your View Direction Using SteeringWheels Changing Where You Are Looking Flying Through Your View Changing from Perspective to Parallel Projection Getting a Visual Effect Using Visual Styles Creating a Sketched Look with Visual Styles In-Canvas Viewport Controls Turning a 3D View into a 2D AutoCAD Drawing Using the Point Cloud Feature The Bottom Line Chapter 21 Using Advanced 3D Features Setting Up AutoCAD for This Chapter Mastering the User Coordinate System Defining a UCS Saving a UCS Working in a UCS Building 3D Parts in Separate Files Understanding the UCS Options UCS Based on Object Orientation UCS Based on Offset Orientation UCS Rotated Around an Axis Orienting a UCS in the View Plane Manipulating the UCS Icon Saving a UCS with a View Using Viewports to Aid in 3D Drawing Using the Array Tools Making Changes to an Associative Array Creating Complex 3D Surfaces Laying Out a 3D Form Spherical and Cylindrical Coordinate Formats Using a 3D Polyline Creating a Curved 3D Surface Converting the Surface into a Solid Shaping the Solid Finding the Interference Between Two Solids Creating Tubes with the Sweep Tool Using Sweep to Create Complex Forms Creating Spiral Forms Creating Surface Models Slicing a Solid with a Surface Finding the Volume of a Cut Understanding the Loft Command Moving Objects in 3D Space Aligning Objects in 3D Space Moving an Object in 3D Rotating an Object in 3D The Bottom Line Chapter 22 Editing and Visualizing 3D Solids Understanding Solid Modeling Creating Solid Forms Joining Primitives Cutting Portions Out of a Solid Creating Complex Solids Tapering an Extrusion Sweeping a Shape on a Curved Path Revolving a Polyline Editing Solids Splitting a Solid into Two Pieces Rounding Corners with the Fillet Tool Chamfering Corners with the Chamfer Tool Using the Solid-Editing Tools Streamlining the 2D Drawing Process Drawing Standard Top, Front, and Right-Side Views Creating 2D Drawings with the Base View Command Adding Dimensions and Notes in a Layout Using Visual Styles with a Viewport Visualizing Solids The Bottom Line Chapter 23 Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface Modeling Creating a Simple 3D Mesh Creating a Mesh Primitive Understanding the Parts of a Mesh Smoothing a Mesh Editing Faces and Edges Stretching Faces Moving an Edge Adding More Faces Rotating an Edge Adding a Crease Splitting and Extruding a Mesh Face Creating Mesh Surfaces Revolved Surface Edge Surface Ruled Surface Tabulated Surface Converting Meshes to Solids Understanding 3D Surfaces Editing Surfaces Using Extrude, Surface Trim, and Surface Fillet Using Surface Blend, Patch, and Offset Understanding Associativity Editing with Control Vertices Editing with the CV Edit Bar Making Holes in a Surface with the Project Geometry Panel Visualizing Curvature: Understanding the Analysis Panel The Bottom Line Part 5 Customization and Integration Chapter 24 Customizing the Workspace Environment, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns Using Workspaces Customizing the User Interface Taking a Quick Customization Tour Understanding the Customizations In All Files Panel Getting the Overall View Finding Commands in the Command List Opening Preview, Button Image, and Shortcuts Getting to the Core of Customization in the Properties Group Creating Your Own Ribbon Panels and Menus Customizing Ribbon Panel Tools Creating Macros in Tools and Menus Pausing for User Input Opening an Expanded Text Box for the Macro Option Editing Keyboard Shortcuts Saving, Loading, and Unloading Your Customizations Understanding the DIESEL Macro Language Using DIESEL at the Command Line Using DIESEL in a Custom Menu Macro Using DIESEL as a Menu Bar Option Label Using DIESEL and Fields to Generate Text Creating Custom Linetypes Viewing Available Linetypes Creating a New Linetype Understanding the Linetype Code Creating Complex Linetypes Creating Hatch Patterns The Bottom Line Chapter 25 Managing and Sharing Your Drawings Sharing Drawings Online Sharing Project Files with eTransmit Creating Additional Transmittal Setup Options Publishing Your Drawings Exchanging Drawing Sets Exploring Other Publish Options Creating a PDF or DWF File by Using the Plot Dialog Box Sharing Views for Commenting Using the Shared Views Tool Using the Autodesk Viewer Web Page Adding Hyperlinks to Drawings Creating Hyperlinks Editing and Deleting Hyperlinks Taking a Closer Look at the Hyperlink Options Managing Your Drawings with DesignCenter and the Tool Palettes Getting Familiar with DesignCenter Opening and Inserting Files with DesignCenter Finding and Extracting the Contents of a Drawing Exchanging Data between Open Files Loading Specific Files into DesignCenter Customizing the Tool Palettes with DesignCenter Comparing Drawing Versions to Discover Changes Using the Drawing Compare Tool Looking at the Compare Tab Tools Establishing Office Standards Establishing Layering and Text Conventions Checking Office Standards Converting Multiple Layer Settings Exploring Other Layer Translator Options The Bottom Line Part 6 Appendices Appendix A The Bottom Line Chapter 1: Exploring the Interface Chapter 2: Creating Your First Drawing Chapter 3: Setting Up and Using the Drafting Tools Chapter 4: Organizing Objects with Blocks and Groups Chapter 5: Keeping Track of Layers and Blocks Chapter 6: Editing and Reusing Data to Work Efficiently Chapter 7: Mastering Viewing Tools, Hatches, and External References Chapter 8: Introducing Printing, Plotting, and Layouts Chapter 9: Adding Text to Drawings Chapter 10: Using Fields and Tables Chapter 11: Using Dimensions Chapter 12: Using Attributes Chapter 13: Copying Existing Drawings from Other Sources Chapter 14: Advanced Editing and Organizing Chapter 15: Laying Out Your Printer Output Chapter 16: Making “Smart” Drawings with Parametric Tools Chapter 17: Using Dynamic Blocks Chapter 18: Drawing Curves Chapter 19: Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings Chapter 20: Creating 3D Drawings Chapter 21: Using Advanced 3D Features Chapter 22: Editing and Visualizing 3D Solids Chapter 23: Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface Modeling Chapter 24: Customizing the Workspace Environment, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns Chapter 25: Managing and Sharing Your Drawings Appendix B Installing and Setting Up AutoCAD Before Installing AutoCAD Proceeding with the Installation Configuring AutoCAD The Files Tab The Display Tab The Open And Save Tab The Plot and Publish Tab The System Tab The User Preferences Tab The Drafting Tab The 3D Modeling Tab The Selection Tab The Profiles Tab Turning On the Noun/Verb Selection Method Turning on the Grips Feature Setting Up the Tracking Vector Feature Adjusting the AutoCAD 3D Graphics System Finding Folders That Contain AutoCAD Files Setting Up AutoCAD with a White Background Appendix C The Autodesk AutoCAD 2021 Certification Index EULA