Mastering AutoCAD 2000

Become a Master

• Find your way around the AutoCAD interface
• Create and developing an AutoCAD drawing
• Manage your drawing projects
• Ensure that your drawings print properly
• Improve your efficiency with AutoCAD
• Align points with existing elements
• Preview your drawings using WYSIWYG plotting
• Capitalize on hidden or hard-to-find features
• Work with multiple documents
• Master the 3D modeling and rendering process
• Use VBA and other techniques to customize AutoCAD
• Collaborate with others on large-scale AutoCAD projects
• Take advantage of AutoCAD's Internet features
• Combine tools to accomplish complex tasks

Featured on the CD

The enclosed CD contains two complete electronic books: AutoCAD 2000 Instant Reference and ABCs of AutoLISP. You'll turn to these fully searchable references again and again as you work your way towards mastery of AutoCAD. Also included are finished versions of all thedrawings referred to in the book, evaluation design software, freeware AutoCAD add-ons, and a symbols library.

Contents

Introduction

Part I: The Basics

Chapter 1: This Is AutoCAD
Chapter 2: Creating Your First Drawing
Chapter 3: Learning the Tools of the Trade
Chapter 4: Organizing Your Work

Part II: Building on the Basics

Chapter 5: Editing for Productivity
Chapter 6: Enhancing Your Drawing Skills
Chapter 7: Printing and Plotting
Chapter 8: Adding Text to Drawings
Chapter 9: Using Dimensions

Part III: Becoming an Expert

Chapter 10: Storing and Linking Data with Graphics
Chapter 11: Working with Pre-existing Drawings and Raster Images
Chapter 12: Advanced Editing Methods
Chapter 13: Drawing Curves and Solid Fills
Chapter 14: Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings

Part IV: Modeling and Imaging in 3D

Chapter 15: Introducing 3D
Chapter 16: Using Advanced 3D Features
Chapter 17: 3D Rendering in AutoCAD
Chapter 18: Mastering 3D Solids

Part V: Customization: Taking AutoCad to the Limit

Chapter 19: Introduction to Customization
Chapter 20: Integrating AutoCAD into Your Projects and Organization
Chapter 21: Introduction to VBA in AutoCAD
Chapter 22: Integrating AutoCAD into Your Work Environment

Part VI: Appendices

Appendix A: Hardware and Software Tips
Appendix B: Installing and Setting Up AutoCAD
Appendix C: What's on the Companion CD-ROM
Appendix D: System and Dimension Variables
Index