Table of Contents
AutoCAD 2014 and AutoCAD LT 2014
Where to Get the Tutorial Files and Bonus Chapters
The Minimum System Requirements
Chapter 1: Exploring the Interface
Chapter 2: Creating Your First Drawing
Getting to Know the Home Tab’s Draw and Modify Panels
Specifying Exact Distances with Coordinates
Interpreting the Cursor Modes and Understanding Prompts
Displaying Data in a Text Window
Displaying the Properties of an Object
Chapter 3: Setting Up and Using the Drafting Tools
Planning and Laying Out a Drawing
Using the AutoCAD Modes as Drafting Tools
Chapter 4: Organizing Objects with Blocks and Groups
Understanding the Annotation Scale
Chapter 5: Keeping Track of Layers and Blocks
Organizing Information with Layers
Keeping Track of Blocks and Layers
Part 2: Mastering Intermediate Skills
Chapter 6: Editing and Reusing Data to Work Efficiently
Copying an Object Multiple Times
Finding an Exact Distance along a Curve
Changing the Length of Objects
Creating a New Drawing by Using Parts from Another Drawing
Chapter 7: Mastering Viewing Tools, Hatches, and External References
Taking Control of the AutoCAD Display
Using Hatch Patterns in Your Drawings
Understanding the Boundary Hatch Options
Chapter 8: Introducing Printing, Plotting, and Layouts
Understanding the Plotter Settings
WYSIWYG Plotting Using Layout Views
Plotter and Printer Hardware Considerations
Chapter 9: Understanding Plot Styles
Choosing Between Color-Dependent and Named Plot Style Tables
Creating a Color Plot Style Table
Editing and Using Plot Style Tables
Assigning Named Plot Styles Directly to Layers and Objects
Chapter 10: Adding Text to Drawings
Setting the Annotation Scale and Adding Text
Understanding the Text Style Dialog Box Options
Exploring Text Formatting in AutoCAD
Adding Simple Single-Line Text Objects
Using the Check Spelling Feature
Chapter 11: Using Fields and Tables
Using Fields to Associate Text with Drawing Properties
Importing and Exporting Tables
Understanding the Components of a Dimension
Dimensioning Nonorthogonal Objects
Adding a Note with a Leader Arrow
Part 3: Mastering Advanced Skills
Extracting and Exporting Attribute Information
Chapter 14: Copying Existing Drawings from Other Sources
Methods for Converting Paper Drawings to AutoCAD Files
Coordinating Geographic Locations
Chapter 15: Advanced Editing and Organizing
Using Advanced Tools: Filter and Quick Select
Using the QuickCalc Calculator
Chapter 16: Laying Out Your Printer Output
Understanding Model Space and Paper Space
Working with Paper Space Viewports
Understanding Lineweights, Linetypes, and Dimensions in Paper Space
Chapter 17: Making “Smart” Drawings with Parametric Tools
Why Use Parametric Drawing Tools?
Connecting Objects with Geometric Constraints
Controlling Sizes with Dimensional Constraints
Using Formulas to Control and Link Dimensions
Editing the Constraint Options
Chapter 18: Using Dynamic Blocks
Using Constraints in Dynamic Blocks
Adding a List of Predefined Options
Creating Multiple Shapes in One Block
Filling in a Space Automatically with Objects
Including Block Information with Data Extraction
Creating a Polyline Spline Curve
Chapter 20: Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings
Finding the Area of Closed Boundaries
Using the DXF File Format to Exchange CAD Data with Other Programs
Using AutoCAD Drawings in Page Layout Programs
Part 4: 3D Modeling and Imaging
Chapter 21: Creating 3D Drawings
Getting to Know the 3D Modeling Workspace
Creating 3D Forms from 2D Shapes
Isolating Coordinates with Point Filters
Turning a 3D View into a 2D AutoCAD Drawing
Chapter 22: Using Advanced 3D Features
Setting Up AutoCAD for This Chapter
Mastering the User Coordinate System
Using Viewports to Aid in 3D Drawing
Chapter 23: Rendering 3D Drawings
Creating a Quick Study Rendering
Creating Effects Using Materials and Lights
Applying and Adjusting Texture Maps
Understanding the Rendering Options
Adding Cameras for Better View Control
Chapter 24: Editing and Visualizing 3D Solids
Streamlining the 2D Drawing Process
Chapter 25: Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface Modeling
Part 5: Customization and Integration
Chapter 26: Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns
Customizing the User Interface
Creating Macros in Tools and Menus
Saving, Loading, and Unloading Your Customizations
Understanding the Diesel Macro Language
Chapter 27: Managing and Sharing Your Drawings
Sharing Files with Autodesk 360
Managing Your Drawings with DesignCenter and the Tool Palettes
Searching Your Drawing Library with Content Explorer
Converting Multiple Layer Settings
Chapter 28: Keeping a Project Organized with Sheet Sets
Creating a Sheet Set from an Existing Project
Managing Title Blocks and Cross-References
Archiving, Publishing, and eTransmitting Sheet Sets
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: Understanding Plot Styles
Chapter 10: Adding Text to Drawings
Chapter 11: Using Fields and Tables
Chapter 14: Copying Existing Drawings from Other Sources
Chapter 15: Advanced Editing and Organizing
Chapter 16: Laying Out Your Printer Output
Chapter 17: Making “Smart” Drawings with Parametric Tools
Chapter 18: Using Dynamic Blocks
Chapter 20: Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings
Chapter 21: Creating 3D Drawings
Chapter 22: Using Advanced 3D Features
Chapter 23: Rendering 3D Drawings
Chapter 24: Editing and Visualizing 3D Solids
Chapter 25: Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface Modeling
Chapter 26: Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns
Chapter 27: Managing and Sharing Your Drawings
Chapter 28: Keeping a Project Organized with Sheet Sets
Appendix B: Installing and Setting Up AutoCAD
Proceeding with the Installation
Configuring the Tablet Menu Area
Turning On the Noun/Verb Selection Method
Setting Up the Tracking Vector Feature
Adjusting the AutoCAD 3D Graphics System
Finding Hidden Folders That Contain AutoCAD Files