Mastering AutoCAD 2017 and AutoCAD LT 2017

Introduction xxvii Part 1 The Basics 1 Chapter 1 Exploring the Interface 3 Taking a Guided Tour 3 Launching AutoCAD 4 The AutoCAD Window 4 Using the Application Menu 8 Using the Ribbon 9 Picking Points in the Drawing Area 14 Using the UCS Icon 15 Working in the Command Window 15 Working with AutoCAD 16 Opening an Existing File 16 Getting a Closer Look 18 Saving a File as You Work 22 Making Changes 22 Working with Multiple Files 23 Adding a Predrawn Symbol with the Tool Palettes 27 The Bottom Line 29 Chapter 2 Creating Your First Drawing 31 Getting to Know the Home Tab s Draw and Modify Panels 31 Starting Your First Drawing 34 Specifying Exact Distances with Coordinates 38 Specifying Polar Coordinates 40 Specifying Relative Cartesian Coordinates 41 Interpreting the Cursor Modes and Understanding Prompts 43 Understanding Cursor Modes 43 Choosing Command Options 45 Selecting Objects 50 Selecting Objects in AutoCAD 50 Providing Base Points 53 Using Noun/Verb Selection 56 Editing with Grips 61 Stretching Lines by Using Grips 62 Moving and Rotating with Grips 64 Understanding Dynamic Input 66 Displaying Data in a Text Window 71 Displaying the Properties of an Object 72 Getting Help 75 Using the InfoCenter 75 Finding Additional Sources of Help 76 The Bottom Line 77 Chapter 3 Setting Up and Using the Drafting Tools 79 Setting Up a Work Area 79 Specifying Units 80 Fine-Tuning the Measurement System 82 Setting Up the Drawing Limits 83 Looking at an Alternative to Limits 85 Understanding Scale Factors 85 Using Polar Tracking 87 Setting the Polar Tracking Angle 88 Exploring the Drawing Process 90 Locating an Object in Reference to Others 90 Getting a Closer Look 91 Modifying an Object 91 Planning and Laying Out a Drawing 95 Making a Preliminary Sketch97 Using the Layout 98 Erasing the Layout Lines 103 Putting on the Finishing Touches 106 Aligning Objects by Using Object Snap Tracking 107 Using the AutoCAD Modes as Drafting Tools 113 Using Grid Mode as a Background Grid 113 Using Snap Modes 116 The Bottom Line 117 Chapter 4 Organizing Objects with Blocks and Groups 119 Creating and Using a Symbol 119 Understanding the Block Definition Dialog Box 121 Inserting a Symbol 123 Scaling and Rotating Blocks 126 Using an Existing Drawing as a Symbol 128 Modifying a Block 130 Unblocking and Redefi ning a Block 130 Saving a Block as a Drawing File 132 Replacing Existing Files with Blocks 133 Understanding the Write Block Dialog Box Options 134 Other Uses for Blocks 134 Understanding the Annotation Scale 135 Grouping Objects 138 Modifying Members of a Group 140 Ungrouping, Adding, and Subtracting from a Group 143 Working with the Object Grouping Dialog Box 144 Working with the AutoCAD LT Group Manager 146 The Bottom Line 147 Chapter 5 Keeping Track of Layers and Blocks 149 Organizing Information with Layers 149 Creating and Assigning Layers 150 Working on Layers 157 Controlling Layer Visibility 161 Finding the Layers You Want 163 Taming an Unwieldy List of Layers 164 Assigning Linetypes to Layers 171 Adding a Linetype to a Drawing 172 Controlling Lineweights 176 Keeping Track of Blocks and Layers 177 Getting a Text File List of Layers or Blocks 177 The Bottom Line 179 Part 2 Mastering Intermediate Skills 181 Chapter 6 Editing and Reusing Data to Work Efficiently 183 Creating and Using Templates 184 Creating a Template 184 Using a Template 185 Copying an Object Multiple Times 186 Making Circular Copies 186 Making Row and Column Copies 188 Fine-Tuning Your View 190 Finishing the Kitchenette 192 Array Along a Path 193 Making Changes to an Associative Array 194 Developing Your Drawing 198 Importing Settings 199 Using Osnap Tracking to Place Objects 201 Finding an Exact Distance Along a Curve 218 Changing the Length of Objects 220 Creating a New Drawing by Using Parts from Another Drawing 221 Eliminating Unused Blocks, Layers, Linetypes, Shapes, Styles, and Morec222 The Bottom Linec224 Chapter 7 Mastering Viewing Tools, Hatches, and External References 225 Assembling the Parts 225 Taking Control of the AutoCAD Display 229 Understanding Regeneration and Redrawing 229 Saving Views 230 Understanding the Frozen Layer Option 233 Using Hatch Patterns in Your Drawings 235 Placing a Hatch Pattern in a Specific Area 235 Adding Predefined Hatch Patterns 237 Positioning Hatch Patterns Accurately 239 Updating a Block from an External File 240 Changing the Hatch Area 242 Modifying a Hatch Pattern 243 Understanding the Boundary Hatch Options 245 Controlling Boundaries with the Boundaries Panel 245 Fine-Tuning the Boundary Behavior 245 Controlling Hatch Behavior with the Options Panel 246 Controlling Hatch Default Layer, Layout Scale, and ISO Line Weight 247 Using Additional Hatch Features 248 Using Gradient Shading 249 Tips for Using Hatch 250 Space Planning and Hatch Patterns 251 Using External References 254 Attaching a Drawing as an External Reference 255 Other Differences Between External References and Blocks 259 Other External Reference Options 260 Clipping Xref Views and Improving Performance 262 Editing Xrefs in Place 265 Using the External Reference Tab 268 Adding and Removing Objects from Blocks and Xrefs 268 Understanding the Reference Edit Dialog Box Options 270 The Bottom Line 272 Chapter 8 Introducing Printing, Plotting, and Layouts 273 Plotting the Plan 273 Understanding the Plotter Settings 277 Paper Size 278 Drawing Orientation 278 Plot Area 278 Plot Scale 280 Shaded Viewport Options 283 Plot Offset 284 Plot Options 285 Exit Options 286 Plotting Using Layout Views 286 Setting Plot Scale in the Layout Viewports 289 Adding an Output Device 291 Editing a Plotter Configuration 293 Storing a Page Setup 295 Using Electronic Plots 299 Exporting to PDF Through the Plot Dialog Box 299 Exporting to PDF Through the Export To DWF/PDF Ribbon Panel 301 Exporting Autodesk DWF and DWFx Files 302 The Bottom Line 302 Chapter 9 Adding Text to Drawings 305 Preparing a Drawing for Text 305 Organizing Text by Styles 306 Getting Familiar with the Text and Annotation Scale Control Panels 308 Setting the Annotation Scale and Adding Text 308 Inserting Text 309 Exploring Text and Scale 310 Understanding the Text Style Dialog Box Options 313 Styles 313 Set Current/New/Delete 313 Font 313 Size 314 Effects 314 Exploring Text Formatting in AutoCAD 315 Adjusting the Text Height and Font 315 Understanding the Text Editor Tab 317 Adding Symbols and Special Characters 319 Setting Indents and Tabs 321 What Do the Fonts Look Like? 325 Adding Simple Single-Line Text Objects 327 Justifying Single-Line Text Objects 328 Using Special Characters with Single-Line Text Objects 330 Using the Check Spelling Feature 331 How Check Spelling Works 331 Choosing a Dictionary 332 Substituting Fonts 334 Finding and Replacing Text 335 The Bottom Line 339 Chapter 10 Using Fields and Tables 341 Using Fields to Associate Text with Drawing Properties 341 Adding Tables to Your Drawing 345 Creating a Table 345 Adding Cell Text 346 Adjusting Table Text Orientation and Location 348 Editing the Table Line Work 351 Adding Formulas to Cells 354 Using Formulas Directly in Cells 354 Using Other Math Operations 355 Importing and Exporting Tables 356 Importing a Table 356 Exporting Tables 358 Creating Table Styles 359 Adding or Modifying a Table Style 359 The Table Style Options 361 The Bottom Line 361 Chapter 11 Using Dimensions 363 Understanding the Components of a Dimension 363 Creating a Dimension Style 364 Setting Up the Primary Unit Style 367 Setting the Height for Dimension Text 368 Setting the Location and Orientation of Dimension Text 369 Choosing an Arrow Style and Setting the Dimension Scale 370 Setting Up Alternate Units 374 Setting the Current Dimension Style 375 Modifying a Dimension Style375 Drawing Linear Dimensions 376 Understanding the Dimensions Panel376 Placing Horizontal and Vertical Dimensions 377 Continuing a Dimension 378 Drawing Dimensions from a Common Base Extension Line 380 Adjusting the Distance Between Dimensions 382 Editing Dimensions 383 Appending Data to Dimension Text 383 Using Grips to Make Minor Adjustments to Dimensions 385 Changing Style Settings of Individual Dimensions 387 Editing Dimensions and Other Objects Together 388 Associating Dimensions with Objects 391 Adding a String of Dimensions with a Single Operation 392 Adding or Removing the Alternate Dimensions 393 Dimensioning Nonorthogonal Objects 394 Dimensioning Nonorthogonal Linear Distances 394 Dimensioning Radii, Diameters, and Arcs 396 Skewing Dimension Lines 400 Using the Dimension Tool 401 Adding a Note with a Leader Arrow 404 Creating Multileader Styles 406 Editing Multileader Notes 409 Breaking a Dimension Line for a Leader 409 Applying Ordinate Dimensions 410 Adding Tolerance Notation 411 Inserting Tolerance and Datum Values 411 Adding Inspection Dimensions 413 The Bottom Line 414 Part 3 Mastering Advanced Skills 415 Chapter 12 Using Attributes 417 Creating Attributes 418 Adding Attributes to Blocks 418 Copying and Editing Attribute Definitions 421 Turning the Attribute Definitions into a Block 423 Inserting Blocks Containing Attributes 424 Editing Attributes 428 Editing Attribute Values One at a Time 428 Editing Attribute Text Formats and Properties 429 Making Global Changes to Attribute Values 431 Making Invisible Attributes Visible 432 Making Global Format and Property Changes to Attributes 433 Other Block Attribute Manager Options 434 Redefining Blocks Containing Attributes 435 Extracting and Exporting Attribute Information 436 Performing the Extraction 436 Extracting Attribute Data to an AutoCAD Table 441 The Bottom Line 443 Chapter 13 Copying Existing Drawings from Other Sources 445 Methods for Converting Paper Drawings to AutoCAD Files 445 Importing a Raster Image 446 Working with a Raster Image 449 Scaling a Raster Image 449 Controlling Object Visibility and Overlap with Raster Images 450 Adjusting Brightness, Contrast, and Fade 452 Clipping a Raster Image 454 Turning Off the Frame, Adjusting Overall Quality, and Controlling Transparency 456 Working with PDF Files 458 Importing a PDF 458 Scaling and Osnaps with PDFs 460 Controlling the PDF Display 461 Importing a PDF as an AutoCAD Drawing 463 Coordinating Geographic Locations 465 Making Adjustments to the Map 468 Finding Measurements and Distances 470 The Bottom Line471 Chapter 14 Advanced Editing and Organizing 473 Using External References 473 Preparing Existing Drawings for External Referencing 474 Assembling Xrefs to Build a Drawing 476 Updating Blocks in Xrefs 480 Importing Named Elements from Xrefs 482 Controlling the Xref Search Path 485 Managing Layers 485 Saving and Recalling Layer Settings 486 Other Tools for Managing Layers 489 Using Advanced Tools: Filter and Quick Select 492 Filtering Selections 492 Using Quick Select 496 Using the QuickCalc Calculator 499 Adding Foot and Inch Lengths and Finding the Sum of Angles 500 Converting Units with QuickCalc 503 Using QuickCalc to Find Points 504 Finding Fractional Distances between Two Points 507 Using QuickCalc While in the Middle of a Command 510 Storing Expressions and Values 511 Guidelines for Working with QuickCalc 513 The Bottom Line 515 Chapter 15 Laying Out Your Printer Output 517 Understanding Model Space and Paper Space 517 Switching from Model Space to Paper Space 518 Setting the Size of a Paper Space Layout 520 Creating New Paper Space Viewports 522 Reaching Inside Viewports 523 Working with Paper Space Viewports 525 Scaling Views in Paper Space 526 Setting Layers in Individual Viewports 528 Creating and Using Multiple Paper Space Layouts 531 Creating Odd-Shaped Viewports 532 Understanding Lineweights, Linetypes, and Dimensions in Paper Space 535 Controlling and Viewing Lineweights in Paper Space 535 The Lineweight Settings Dialog Box 538 Linetype Scales and Paper Space 538 Dimensioning in Paper Space Layouts 539 Other Uses for Paper Space 542 The Bottom Line 543 Chapter 16 Making Smart Drawings with Parametric Tools 545 Why Use Parametric Drawing Tools? 545 Connecting Objects with Geometric Constraints 546 Using AutoConstrain to Add Constraints Automatically 547 Editing a Drawing Containing Constraints 548 Using Other Geometric Constraints 551 Using Constraints in the Drawing Process 552 Controlling Sizes with Dimensional Constraints 552 Adding a Dimensional Constraint 553 Editing a Dimensional Constraint 555 Using Formulas to Control and Link Dimensions 556 Adding a Formula Parameter 557 Testing the Formula 559 Using Other Formulas 559 Editing the Constraint Options 561 Putting Constraints to Use 563 The Bottom Line 564 Chapter 17 Using Dynamic Blocks 565 Exploring the Block Editor 565 Opening the Block Editor 565 Editing a Block and Creating New Blocks 567 Creating a Dynamic Block 568 Adding a Parameter 569 Adding an Action 570 Adding an Increment Value 572 Editing Parameters and Actions 574 Keeping an Object Centered 574 Using Constraints in Dynamic Blocks 576 Adding a List of Predefi ned Options 580 Creating Multiple Shapes in One Block 584 Rotating Objects in Unison 589 Filling In a Space Automatically with Objects 593 Including Block Information with Data Extraction 595 The Bottom Line 597 Chapter 18 Drawing Curves 599 Introducing Polylines 599 Drawing a Polyline 599 Setting Polyline Options 601 Editing Polylines 602 Setting Pedit Options 606 Smoothing Polylines 606 Editing Vertices 608 Creating a Polyline Spline Curve 617 Using True Spline Curves 619 Drawing a True Spline 620 Understanding the Spline Options 621 Fine-Tuning Spline Curves 623 Marking Divisions on Curves 625 Dividing Objects into Segments of Equal Length 626 Dividing Objects into Specified Lengths 628 The Bottom Line 629 Chapter 19 Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings 631 Finding the Area of Closed Boundaries 631 Finding the Area of an Object 632 Using Hatch Patterns to Find Areas 633 Adding and Subtracting Areas with the Area Command 635 Getting General Information 638 Determining the Drawing s Status 639 Keeping Track of Time 641 Getting Information from System Variables 641 Keeping a Log of Your Activity 642 Capturing and Saving Text Data from the AutoCAD Text Window 643 Understanding the Command Window Context Menu 644 Storing Searchable Information in AutoCAD Files 644 Searching for AutoCAD Files 646 Recovering Corrupted Files 646 Using the DXF File Format to Exchange CAD Data with Other Programs 647 Exporting DXF Files 647 Opening or Importing DXF Files 649 Using AutoCAD Drawings in Page Layout Programs 650 Exporting Raster Files 650 Exporting Vector Files 654 WMF Output 654 Using OLE to Import Data 656 Editing OLE Links 658 Importing Worksheets as AutoCAD Tables 659 Understanding Options for Embedding Data 661 Using the Clipboard to Export AutoCAD Drawings 661 The Bottom Line 662 Part 4 3D Modeling and Imaging 663 Chapter 20 Creating 3D Drawings 665 Getting to Know the 3D Modeling Workspace 665 Drawing in 3D Using Solids 667 Adjusting Appearances 668 Creating a 3D Box 669 Editing 3D Solids with Grips 670 Constraining Motion with the Gizmo671 Rotating Objects in 3D Using Dynamic UCS 672 Drawing on a 3D Object s Surface 674 Pushing and Pulling Shapes from a Solid 676 Making Changes to Your Solid 678 Creating 3D Forms from 2D Shapes 680 Isolating Coordinates with Point Filters 685 Moving Around Your Model 688 Finding Isometric and Orthogonal Views 688 Rotating Freely Around Your Model 689 Changing Your View Direction 689 Using SteeringWheels 692 Changing Where You Are Looking 694 Flying through Your View 694 Changing from Perspective to Parallel Projection 696 Getting a Visual Effect 696 Using Visual Styles 696 Creating a Sketched Look with Visual Styles 697 In-Canvas Viewport Controls 700 Turning a 3D View into a 2D AutoCAD Drawing 700 Using the Point Cloud Feature 703 The Bottom Line 704 Chapter 21 Using Advanced 3D Features 707 Setting Up AutoCAD for This Chapter 707 Mastering the User Coordinate System 708 Defi ning a UCS 709 Saving a UCS 711 Working in a UCS 712 Building 3D Parts in Separate Files 713 Understanding the UCS Options 716 UCS Based on Object Orientation 716 UCS Based on Offset Orientation 718 UCS Rotated Around an Axis 719 Orienting a UCS in the View Plane 721 Manipulating the UCS Icon 721 Saving a UCS with a View 722 Using Viewports to Aid in 3D Drawing 723 Using the Array Tools 727 Making Changes to an Associative Array 728 Creating Complex 3D Surfaces 728 Laying Out a 3D Form 729 Spherical and Cylindrical Coordinate Formats 730 Using a 3D Polyline 731 Creating a Curved 3D Surface 733 Converting the Surface into a Solid 737 Shaping the Solid 737 Finding the Interference between Two Solids 739 Creating Tubes with the Sweep Tool 742 Using Sweep to Create Complex Forms 744 Creating Spiral Forms 746 Creating Surface Models 749 Slicing a Solid with a Surface 751 Finding the Volume of a Cut 752 Understanding the Loft Command 754 Moving Objects in 3D Space 758 Aligning Objects in 3D Space 758 Moving an Object in 3D 760 Rotating an Object in 3D 761 The Bottom Line 762 Chapter 22 Editing and Visualizing 3D Solids 765 Understanding Solid Modeling 765 Creating Solid Forms 768 Joining Primitives 768 Cutting Portions Out of a Solid 769 Creating Complex Solids 772 Tapering an Extrusion 772 Sweeping a Shape on a Curved Path 773 Revolving a Polyline 774 Editing Solids 777 Splitting a Solid into Two Pieces 777 Rounding Corners with the Fillet Tool 778 Chamfering Corners with the Chamfer Tool 779 Using the Solid-Editing Tools 781 Streamlining the 2D Drawing Process 790 Drawing Standard Top, Front, and Right-Side Views 790 Creating 2D Drawings with the Base View Command 793 Adding Dimensions and Notes in a Layout 798 Using Visual Styles with a Viewport 799 Visualizing Solids 801 The Bottom Line 811 Chapter 23 Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface Modeling 813 Creating a Simple 3D Mesh 813 Creating a Mesh Primitive 814 Understanding the Parts of a Mesh 815 Smoothing a Mesh 816 Editing Faces and Edges 817 Stretching Faces 818 Moving an Edge 821 Adding More Faces 824 Rotating an Edge 826 Adding a Crease 828 Splitting and Extruding a Mesh Face 830 Creating Mesh Surfaces 833 Revolved Surface 833 Edge Surface 834 Ruled Surface 835 Tabulated Surface 836 Converting Meshes to Solids 837 Understanding 3D Surfaces 838 Editing Surfaces 840 Using Extrude, Surface Trim, and Surface Fillet 842 Using Surface Blend, Patch, and Offset 844 Understanding Associativity 848 Editing with Control Vertices 851 Editing with the CV Edit Bar 854 Making Holes in a Surface with the Project Geometry Panel 857 Visualizing Curvature: Understanding the Analysis Panel 858 The Bottom Line 860 Part 5 Customization and Integration 863 Chapter 24 Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns 865 Using Workspaces 865 Customizing the User Interface 867 Taking a Quick Customization Tour 867 Understanding the Customizations In All Files Panel 871 Getting the Overall View 874 Finding Commands in the Command List 876 Opening Preview, Button Image, and Shortcuts 876 Getting to the Core of Customization in the Properties Group 877 Creating Your Own Ribbon Panels and Menus 878 Customizing Ribbon Panel Tools 879 Creating Macros in Tools and Menus 883 Pausing for User Input 884 Opening an Expanded Text Box for the Macro Option 885 Editing Keyboard Shortcuts 886 Saving, Loading, and Unloading Your Customizations 888 Understanding the DIESEL Macro Language 891 Using DIESEL at the Command Line 891 Using DIESEL in a Custom Menu Macro 892 Using DIESEL as a Menu Bar Option Label 893 Using DIESEL and Fields to Generate Text 896 Creating Custom Linetypes 897 Viewing Available Linetypes 897 Creating a New Linetype 899 Understanding the Linetype Code 900 Creating Complex Linetypes 901 Creating Hatch Patterns 903 The Bottom Line 906 Chapter 25 Managing and Sharing Your Drawings 907 Sharing Drawings Online 907 Sharing Project Files with eTransmit 908 Protecting AutoCAD Drawing Files 912 Publishing Your Drawings 916 Exchanging Drawing Sets 916 Exploring Other Publish Options 918 Creating a PDF or DWF File by Using the Plot Dialog Box 921 Sharing Files with A360 Drive 923 Getting Started with A360 Drive 923 Sharing Files 926 Viewing Drawings Online 927 Controlling File Access 929 Tracking File Versions 929 Collaborating with Others Using Design Feed 930 Adding Hyperlinks to Drawings 932 Creating Hyperlinks 932 Editing and Deleting Hyperlinks 934 Taking a Closer Look at the Hyperlink Options 934 Managing Your Drawings with DesignCenter and the Tool Palettes 935 Getting Familiar with DesignCenter 936 Opening and Inserting Files with DesignCenter 939 Finding and Extracting the Contents of a Drawing 940 Exchanging Data between Open Files 943 Loading Specific Files into DesignCenter 944 Customizing the Tool Palettes with DesignCenter 944 Establishing Office Standards 948 Establishing Layering and Text Conventions 948 Checking Office Standards 949 Converting Multiple Layer Settings 954 Exploring Other Layer Translator Options 956 The Bottom Line 957 Appendixes 959 Appendix A Th e Bottom Line 961 Chapter 1: Exploring the Interface 961 Chapter 2: Creating Your First Drawing 962 Chapter 3: Setting Up and Using the Drafting Tools 963 Chapter 4: Organizing Objects with Blocks and Groups 963 Chapter 5: Keeping Track of Layers and Blocks 964 Chapter 6: Editing and Reusing Data to Work Efficiently 965 Chapter 7: Mastering Viewing Tools, Hatches and External References 966 Chapter 8: Introducing Printing, Plotting, and Layouts 966 Chapter 9: Adding Text to Drawings 967 Chapter 10: Using Fields and Tables 968 Chapter 11: Using Dimensions 969 Chapter 12: Using Attributes 970 Chapter 13: Copying Existing Drawings from Other Sources 971 Chapter 14: Advanced Editing and Organizing 972 Chapter 15: Laying Out Your Printer Output 972 Chapter 16: Making Smart Drawings with Parametric Tools 973 Chapter 17: Using Dynamic Blocks 974 Chapter 18: Drawing Curves 975 Chapter 19: Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings 977 Chapter 20: Creating 3D Drawings 978 Chapter 21: Using Advanced 3D Features 979 Chapter 22: Editing and Visualizing 3D Solids 980 Chapter 23: Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface Modeling981 Chapter 24: Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns 982 Chapter 25: Managing and Sharing Your Drawings 983 Appendix B Installing and Setting Up AutoCAD 985 Before Installing AutoCAD 985 Proceeding with the Installation 985 Configuring AutoCAD 986 The Files Tab 986 The Display Tab 989 The Open And Save Tab 992 The Plot and Publish Tab 995 The System Tab 995 The User Preferences Tab 997 The Drafting Tab 1000 The 3D Modeling Tab 1002 The Selection Tab 1006 The Profiles Tab 1009 The Online Tab 1010 Configuring the Tablet Menu Area 1011 Turning On the Noun/Verb Selection Method 1012 Turning On the Grips Feature 1012 Setting Up the Tracking Vector Feature 1012 Adjusting the AutoCAD 3D Graphics System 1013 Finding Folders That Contain AutoCAD Files 1014 Setting Up AutoCAD with a White Background 1014 Appendix C The Autodesk AutoCAD 2017 Certification 1015 Index 1019