AutoCAD (eBook)

About the Author Dan Abbott is a consultant, professor, and award-winning Autodesk University presenter. He is an Autodesk Authorized Author and Developer who has been teaching at the college level since 1989 and has won three "Top Speaker" awards for Autodesk University sessions.

Introduction vii

Chapter 1 AutoCAD Productivity 1

Design Standards 2

AutoCAD Best Practices 5

Feature Review (All Releases) 12

Chapter 2 Managing Your System 41

Managing Files 42

Managing AutoCAD 45

Directories 60

Why DOS Isn't Dead Yet 62

External Commands and Command Aliases 68

Chapter 3 Customizing the AutoCAD Interface 73

Tool Palettes (All Releases) 74

The Customizable User Interface (CUI) 83

Linetypes (All Releases) 97

Chapter 4 Applying Graphics Standards 105

Dimensions 106

Dimensioning Rules 130

Text Styles 133

Linetypes and Weights 135

Applying Standards 143

Chapter 5 Symbols, Tables, and Fields 155

Blocks 156

Dynamic Blocks 165

Symbol Libraries 167

Assigning and Extracting Attributes 172

XRefs: External References 182

Fields and Tables 189

Chapter 6 Plotting 195

Model Space, Paper Space, and Layouts 196

What to Put Where 212

Plotting a Layout 220

AutoCAD Graphics in Other Applications 243

Chapter 7 AutoCAD Scripts 247

Characteristics of Scripts 248

Writing and Running Scripts 248

Updating Thousands of Drawings 258

Chapter 8 AutoLISP by Example: Getting Started 273

Background 274

Writing AutoLISP Programs 275

AutoLISP Examples 282

Automatic Loading 306

Chapter 9 AutoLISP by Example: Getting Better 311

Debugging Techniques 312

Error Handling 325

Annotation 328

Selection Sets and Entity Manipulation 331

IF Function 342

Repeat Function 348

WHILE Function 351

COND, INITGET, GETKWORD 354

Text and String Manipulation 357

Getting to DOS with AutoLISP 360

Chapter 10 3D For Everyone 365

Overview 366

Managing Coordinate Systems 369

Creating a Model 373

Using Existing 2D Geometry 395

Final Suggestions 409

Chapter 11 AutoCAD Puzzlers 411

The Puzzlers 412

The Solutions 421

Index 435

Let's face it... I have read just about every book that I could onAutoCAD over the years and thought that there was nothing new underthe sun. Well... I stand corrected. Dan Abbott has created a MUSTREAD book that you need to add to your book shelf.

AutoCAD Secrets is a refreshing change from the usualpresentation of AutoCAD information, tips and tricks that is foundin most of the book written. He leaves no stone unturned in hisattempt to tell you just about everything you need to know frombasic to very advanced topics.

The eleven chapters of info starts off with a great chapter onAutoCAD productivity. Every topic was discussed in plain Englishand directly to the point (my kind of guy!). He covers the unspoken"boot camp" level principles and best practices of CAD with an indepth look at each topic. As I read it - I discovered nuggets ofgold that renewed my enthusiasm for "common sense" CAD. (see myblog on this topic). He covers the foundational precepts andpractices of sound file creation and data input. As I read Ikept wondering - "Is he going to mention this or that?" and sureenough, there it was. The bottom line guidelines that the wholeworld needs to be reminded of. Chapter One alone is worth the priceof the book.

He continues in chapters covering the management of your files,customization issues, graphic standards, and more. He reviews thebasics of Paper Space and Model Space, what goes where and offerssidebar tips at every turn of the page.

Covering the basics is just the starting point for him to launchinto the advanced topics. There is a complete LISP programmingclass that is presented in logical steps for all to use. Plus thereis actual full working code in the book - just type it in and useit. Or better yet the book tells you where to go online to get thecode. It's like getting two books in one, plus online resources. Hefinishes up with 3D topics and finally AutoCAD Puzzlers.

AutoCAD Puzzlers is a compilation of real world problems andstumpers (he got me on quite a few). Each taken from real questionsfrom the many interactions he has had with students and users.These Puzzlers are often the submittal busters that we all face atcrunch time. He presents them as questions and then provides theanswer at the end of the book. Thirty Five of the toughestquestions and weird behaviors (and the answers to them all).

This ranks very very high on my list of must have books. Iapplaud him for his succinct language, honest approach and realworld emphasis.Forget the new Harry Potter novel... Go buy thisbook!--Review by Mark Kiker, Editor, CADD Manager (www.caddmanager.com)

I've been using AutoCAD for 22 years, and have written a hundredbooks on the subject. I reviewed many CAD books back in the dayswhen book reviews were common in CAD publications; some wereinnovative, others were just sad. But for nearly a decade, it'sbeen mostly silence on the book review front.

Then earlier in the summer, a book arrived in the mail fromSybex: 'AutoCAD Secrets Every User Should Know' by DanAbbott. Reading it, I got excited: here's a book for every AutoCADuser, even old-timers like me.

This book's conversational tone makes for easy reading. But youwon't want to read it through. It's too overwhelming with oneuseful tip after another after another. I suggest reading a coupleof pages a day, marking items with a yellow highlighter. Such asthese tips:
* You can use wildcards in the Rename dialog box.
* Use Ctrl+R to find viewports that the mouse cursor cannot.
* Use Lengthen to extend an arc to a specific length.

Worthwhile for the cost to order from Amazon.com. Good job, MrAbbott!-- Book Review by Ralph Grabowski, upFront.eZine(upfrontezine.com)