Introduction

Welcome to Mastering AutoCAD 2015 and AutoCAD LT 2015. As many readers have already discovered, this book is a unique blend of tutorial and reference that includes everything you need to get started and stay ahead with Autodesk® AutoCAD® software. With this edition, you get coverage of the latest features of both AutoCAD 2015 and AutoCAD LT® 2015 software along with detailed information on existing features.

How to Use This Book

Rather than just showing you how each command works, this book shows you AutoCAD 2015 in the context of a meaningful activity. You’ll learn how to use commands while working on an actual project and progressing toward a goal. This book also provides a foundation on which you can build your own methods for using AutoCAD and become an AutoCAD expert. For this reason, we haven’t covered every single command or every permutation of a command response. You should think of this book as a way to get a detailed look at AutoCAD as it’s used on a real project. As you follow the exercises, we also encourage you to explore AutoCAD on your own, applying the techniques you learn to your own work.

Both experienced and beginning AutoCAD users will find this book useful. If you aren’t an experienced user, the way to get the most out of this book is to approach it as a tutorial—chapter by chapter, at least for the first two parts of the book. You’ll find that each chapter builds on the skills and information you learned in the previous one. To help you navigate, the exercises are shown in numbered steps. To address the needs of all readers worldwide, the exercises provide both Imperial (feet/inches) and metric measurements. Some exercises use generic units of measurement or, if the focus of the exercise is not dependent on the measurement system, Imperial is used.

After you’ve mastered the material in Parts 1 and 2, you can follow your interests and explore other parts of the book in whatever order you choose. Part 3 takes you to a more advanced skill level. There you’ll learn more about storing and sharing drawing data and how to create more complex drawings. If you’re interested in 3D, check out Part 4. If you want to start customizing right away, go to Part 5. You can check out Chapter 25 at any time because it gives you general information about sharing AutoCAD files with your coworkers and consultants. You can also use this book as a ready reference for your day-to-day problems and questions about commands. The Bottom Line section at the end of each chapter will help you review and look at different ways to apply the information you’ve learned. Experienced users will also find this book a handy reference tool.

Finally, you can learn more about AutoCAD through the author-supplied bonus chapters found at www.omura.com/chapters. For example, if you run into problems using AutoCAD, see the section “When Things Go Wrong” in the bonus chapter “Hardware and Software Tips.” To delve into the details of printers and plotting, check out the bonus chapter “Understanding Plot Styles.”

AutoCAD 2015 and AutoCAD LT 2015

Autodesk has released both AutoCAD 2015 and AutoCAD LT 2015 simultaneously. Not surprisingly, they’re nearly identical in the way they look and work. You can share files between the two programs with complete confidence that you won’t lose data or corrupt files. The main differences are that AutoCAD LT doesn’t support all the 3D functions of AutoCAD 2015, nor does it support the customization tools of AutoLISP® or the .NET Framework. But AutoCAD LT still has plenty to offer in both the productivity and customization areas. Because they’re so similar, we can present material for both programs with only minor adjustments.

When a feature is discussed that is available only in AutoCAD 2015, you’ll see the AutoCAD Only icon.

For the purposes of this publication, the “ACAD only” icon means the relevant (or adjacent) content applies only to AutoCAD software and not to AutoCAD LT software.

You’ll also see warning messages when tutorials vary between AutoCAD 2015 and AutoCAD LT. If only minor differences occur, you’ll see either a warning message or directions embedded in the tutorial indicating the differences between the two programs.

We’ve also provided workaround instructions wherever possible when AutoCAD LT doesn’t offer a feature found in AutoCAD 2015.

Getting Information Fast

In each chapter, you’ll find extensive tips and discussions in the form of sidebars set off from the main text. These provide a wealth of information we have gathered over years of using AutoCAD on a variety of projects in different office environments. You may want to browse through the book and read these boxes just to get an idea of how they might be useful to you.

Another available quick reference is the online bonus chapter “System Variables and Dimension Styles.” It contains descriptions of all the dimension settings with comments on their uses. If you experience any problems, you can consult the section “When Things Go Wrong” in the online bonus chapter “Hardware and Software Tips.”

The Mastering Series

The Mastering series from Sybex provides outstanding instruction for readers with intermediate and advanced skills in the form of top-notch training and development for those already working in their field, and clear, serious education for those aspiring to become pros. Every Mastering book includes the following:

• Skill-based instruction, with chapters organized around real tasks rather than abstract concepts or subjects
• Self-review test questions, so you can be certain you’re equipped to do the job right

What to Expect

Mastering AutoCAD 2015 and AutoCAD LT 2015 is divided into five parts, each representing a milestone in your progress toward becoming an expert AutoCAD user. Here is a description of those parts and what they will show you.

Part 1: The Basics

As with any major endeavor, you must begin by tackling small, manageable tasks. In this first part, you’ll become familiar with the way AutoCAD looks and feels.

• Chapter 1, “Exploring the Interface,” shows you how to get around in AutoCAD.
• Chapter 2, “Creating Your First Drawing,” details how to start and exit the program and how to respond to AutoCAD commands.
• Chapter 3, “Setting Up and Using the Drafting Tools,” tells you how to set up a work area, edit objects, and lay out a drawing.
• Chapter 4, “Organizing Objects with Blocks and Groups,” explores some tools unique to CAD: symbols, blocks, and layers. As you’re introduced to AutoCAD, you’ll also get a chance to make some drawings that you can use later in the book and perhaps even in future projects of your own.
• Chapter 5, “Keeping Track of Layers and Blocks,” shows you how to use layers to keep similar information together and object properties such as linetypes to organize things visually.

Part 2: Mastering Intermediate Skills

After you have the basics down, you’ll begin to explore some of the more subtle qualities of AutoCAD.

• Chapter 6, “Editing and Reusing Data to Work Efficiently,” tells you how to reuse drawing setup information and parts of an existing drawing.
• Chapter 7, “Mastering Viewing Tools, Hatches, and External References,” details how to use viewing tools and hatches and how to assemble and edit a large drawing file.
• Chapter 8, “Introducing Printing, Plotting, and Layouts,” shows you how to get your drawing onto hard copy.
• Chapter 9, “Adding Text to Drawings,” tells you how to annotate your drawing and edit your notes.
• Chapter 10, “Using Fields and Tables,” shows you how to add spreadsheet functionality to your drawings.
• Chapter 11, “Using Dimensions,” gives you practice in using automatic dimensioning (another unique CAD capability).

Part 3: Mastering Advanced Skills

At this point, you’ll be on the verge of becoming a real AutoCAD expert. Part 3 is designed to help you polish your existing skills and give you a few new ones.

• Chapter 12, “Using Attributes,” tells you how to attach information to drawing objects and how to export that information to database and spreadsheet files.
• Chapter 13, “Copying Existing Drawings from Other Sources,” details techniques for transferring paper drawings to AutoCAD. You’ll also learn how to include aerial and map views in your drawings.
• Chapter 14, “Advanced Editing and Organizing,” is where you’ll complete the apartment building tutorial. During this process you’ll learn how to integrate what you’ve learned so far and gain some tips on working in groups.
• Chapter 15, “Laying Out Your Printer Output,” shows you the tools that let you display your drawing in an organized fashion.
• Chapter 16, “Making ‘Smart’ Drawings with Parametric Tools,” introduces you to parametric drawing. This feature lets you quickly modify a drawing by changing a few parameters.
• Chapter 17, “Using Dynamic Blocks,” shows you how you can create blocks that can be edited with grips without having to redefine them.
• Chapter 18, “Drawing Curves,” gives you an in-depth look at some special drawing objects, such as splines and fitted curves.
• Chapter 19, “Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings,” is where you’ll practice getting information about a drawing and learn how AutoCAD can interact with other applications, such as spreadsheets and page layout programs. You’ll...