Preface
We live in a digital world where the trend in technology is to duplicate reality as much as possible. As time goes on, more and more industries and fields require the use of AutoCAD drafting and design software. AutoCAD has long been, and will remain, the industry standard for generating top-of-the-line CAD drawings in the least amount of time possible.
Introduction to AutoCAD® 2015: A Modern Perspective offers a complete guide for students and professionals who want to enter the interesting world of computer-aided drafting using AutoCAD. This book covers all aspects of the AutoCAD program’s 2D tools, from the basic concepts to the most powerful tools used in design and engineering.
In this book, readers will find an interesting combination of theory and many complex projects and exercises, as well as clear and descriptive illustrations. Real design problems starting from scratch will be solved throughout the projects. In addition, many other short exercise sections are included to ensure full comprehension of the commands.
Concepts are explained clearly in easy-to-understand language and are accompanied by descriptive illustrations, which will help the reader to understand each topic and to speed up the learning process. By following the steps in each project, readers will see results immediately and will understand the development process as they go along, rather than just entering instructions.
After using this book, readers will realize that AutoCAD is the premier software for generating 2D drawings. Its ease of use, combined with its ability to create complex drawings, makes it the first choice among many design and drafting professionals.
About This Book
This book can serve as a reference for designers, draftspersons, or anyone with a basic knowledge of technical drawing who wants to learn how to use the AutoCAD program to create his or her work. The projects and the exercise sections are designed to enhance and help the reader retain the content learned in each chapter.
You do not need to be an expert draftsperson to use this book, but you should have some drafting background. This book focuses more on using AutoCAD as a tool for creating 2D CAD drawings. Occasionally, industry standards are referenced as they relate to a topic. Unfortunately, it is impossible to address standards thoroughly because each industry and discipline is different.
It is also assumed that you have some knowledge of computers and basic file management. Because some of the topics in the later chapters are rather technically advanced, having some computer background is helpful. A basic technical background is required because AutoCAD has many Internet and network-enabled features that facilitate the sharing of information.
In addition to learning the basic AutoCAD tools, you will also learn to recognize and use these tools to achieve specific goals. A number of challenging end-of-chapter projects from varying disciplines progress through multiple chapters so you can see how a drawing is put together from beginning until end. Brief definitions of the commands involved, as well as notes containing tips and warnings, will give you extra help in understanding the commands.
Chapter Organization
The book is organized into seven parts that advance in complexity as you go through each chapter. Each subsequent chapter is meant to build on the preceding chapters so you can see the steps typically taken to create a set of drawings from start to finish.
PART ONE—An Introduction to AutoCAD
Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD introduces you to fundamental CAD concepts and the AutoCAD interface.
Chapter 2: Quick Start Tutorial allows you to hit the ground running so that you learn the basics necessary to start a new drawing, create and modify some objects, add annotation features, and print out your work. All topics are then explained in detail in the subsequent chapters.
PART TWO—Drafting Skills: Drawing with AutoCAD
Chapter 3: Controlling the Drawing Display shows you how to move around in a drawing by panning and zooming. It also introduces some different display performance settings.
Chapter 4: Basic Drawing Commands provides an overview of the basic drawing commands such as LINE and CIRCLE so you can create a simple drawing.
Chapter 5: Drawing Tools and Drafting Settings explains the different drawing tools and settings available to help you create and modify your work.
Chapter 6: Managing Object Properties shows how to set up and apply different layer systems and manage other object properties.
PART THREE—Understanding Editing Techniques: Basics Through Advanced
Chapter 7: Basic Editing Techniques explains how to select groups of AutoCAD objects that can be modified as a single unit. Grips are introduced to teach you how to modify objects directly by simply selecting them in your drawing.
Chapter 8: Advanced Editing Techniques introduces some of the more advanced modify commands that allow you to perform complex operations.
PART FOUR—Working with Complex Objects
Chapter 9: Drawing and Editing Complex Objects looks at creating and editing complex polyline-based objects with multiple line segments.
Chapter 10: Pattern Fills and Hatching provides information about incorporating different predefined pattern fills and hatch patterns into your drawings to create filled areas.
PART FIVE—Annotating Drawings
Chapter 11: Adding Text shows the different ways to manage and create text in a drawing.
Chapter 12: Working with Tables explains how to insert and modify different types of tables in a drawing, including those linked to Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and those extracted from object information in a drawing.
Chapter 13: Dimensioning Drawings outlines the different dimensioning tools and shows how to manage their appearance using dimension styles.
PART SIX—Outputting Your Work
Chapter 14: Managing Paper Space Layouts shows you step by step how to set up paper space layouts for plotting using industry standard techniques, including multiple layouts and multiple scaled viewports.
Chapter 15: Plotting and Publishing provides an overview of the different plotting tools and settings, including how to batch plot a group of drawings using the PUBLISH command.
PART SEVEN—Advanced Drawing and Construction Methods
Chapter 16: Blocks and Block Attributes explains how to create complex named symbols that can be inserted anywhere in a drawing or drawings. Dynamic block attribute text examples are explained to show how to update individual blocks quickly, as well as extract alphanumeric information to a table or external file.
Chapter 17: Working with External References shows you how to reference external files (drawings, images, DWF, DGN, and PDF files) into your current drawing so that you can coordinate and communicate work without having to open the referenced file.
Chapter 18: Drawing Management Tools and Utilities provides an overview of AutoCAD’s drawing utilities for fixing and/or restoring drawings. Purging a drawing to reduce file size and complexity is demonstrated. Object linking and embedding are explained so that you can share information with other programs. AutoCAD’s Action Recorder tool is introduced so you can automate repetitive commands. The Measure tools and the QuickCalc calculator are explained so you can both measure and calculate numeric values using drawing object data. Preserving data integrity by deleting duplicate objects using the OVERKILL command and web-based collaboration tools are introduced. The web-based collaboration tools provided by Autodesk 360 and Design Feed allow you to share and update drawing files in real time on the web and on mobile devices so that everyone on the team always has access to the latest and greatest information wherever he or she is located.
Features New to This Edition
Chapter 1
• New Tab has been added that displays as a file tab when you launch AutoCAD, when there are no drawings open, or when you create a new tab.
• A new dark-themed interface that includes the ribbon, status bar, and palettes has been added, which helps minimize the contrast between the drawing space and surrounding tools to help reduce eye strain.
• File tabs have been added to provide a fast and visual way to switch between open drawings or to create new ones.
• Tools on the View tab of the ribbon have been reorganized to make it easier to control the visibility of user interface features such as the UCS icon, ViewCube, navigation bar, and Layout tabs.
• New tabs of the ribbon include BIM 360, Performance, and Featured Apps.
• The command line window has been enhanced to provide a more intuitive and efficient way to access commands and system variables. Additionally, it is now possible to locate content such as layers, blocks, and hatch patterns and even search the Internet.
• The cursor has been enhanced so that it provides contextual feedback by displaying different icons that reflect the current status of many common commands and operations.
• A single status bar provides quick access to some of the most commonly used drawing tools.
• The online Help system has been enhanced. New search filters allow you to narrow your search based on user type. It is now possible to locate tools in the AutoCAD user interface directly from the relevant Help content.
Chapter 2
• The Templates list is now displayed from Start Drawing on the New Tab.
• A new command preview control allows you to preview the results of many modify commands before accepting them.
Chapter 3
• The LINESMOOTHING system variable has been added so you can turn on anti-aliasing of drawings in viewports configured with the 2D wireframe visual style. When turned on, 2D objects such as lines, arcs, circles, and drawing aids such as grid lines look smoother.
Chapter 4
• It is now possible to draw an arc in either direction by holding the <Ctrl> key and switching directions as you draw.
Chapter 6
• A new Merge option has been added to the Layer Properties Manager palette that enables you to select one or more layers and merge the objects from their original layer onto a different layer while purging the drawing.
• The number of layers displayed on the Home tab of the ribbon has been increased, and they are now displayed using a natural sort order.
Chapter 7
• User feedback has been enhanced when you preselect and select objects. As you pass the cursor over an object in the drawing, the line geometry appears thicker and darker or lighter depending on the background color.
• It is possible to create a lasso selection by clicking the cursor in a blank area of the drawing and then dragging around objects.
Chapter 9
• Pressing the <Ctrl> key while creating a polyline arc allows you to draw it in the opposite direction.
Chapter 10
• The Hatch tool now maintains the previous method for selecting objects to hatch, and the Undo option has been added to the command line.
Chapter 11
• Match Properties tool has been added to the Text Editor context tab of the ribbon.
• Superscript and subscript text have been improved.
• Bulleted lists have been automated.
• Caps lock functionality has been enhanced.
• Autostacking fractions has been simplified.
• Single-line text will now maintain the last justification setting used until it is changed.
• TEXTALIGN command has been added to allow you to quickly align text and attributes.
Chapter 14
• Layout tabs now include a plus “+” icon for quickly adding new layouts.
Chapter 15
• The CONVERTPSTYLES command has been enhanced to support style names with spaces.
Chapter 16
• The default behavior for inserting blocks with attributes now displays the dialog box because the system variable ATTDIA is set to 1.
Chapter 17
• You can now quickly change the attachment type for an xref between Attach and Overlay by double-clicking in the Type column in the External References palette.
• A new option in the right-click menu enables you to change the xref type for multiple selected xrefs at the same time.
Chapter 18
• Purge command can now purge DGN linetypes and orphaned DGN linetype data.
• The Online tab of the ribbon has been renamed Autodesk 360.
• A new Design Feed tool allows you to enter posts and images for a drawing that can be shared online.
Dr. Gerald L. Bacza
Coordinator and Professor: Drafting/Design/CAD Engineering Technology
Fairmont State Community and Technical College
Chapter 18: Drawing Management Tools and Utilities
Kelly Keala
Clackamas Community College, OR
Drawings and Drawing Expertise
Kimi Barham
Student, Clackamas Community College, OR
The authors also like to thank the following individuals for their helpful reviews: Dede Griffith, Lee College; Lloyd W. Lunde, Southeast Technical Institute; Ronald M. Mauno, Michigan Tech; and Susan Campbell, Glendale Community College.
