Up and Running with Autocad® 2013 started out as a set of classroom notes that outlined, in an easy to understand manner, exactly how AutoCAD is used and applied, in contrast to theoretical musings or clinical descriptions of the commands as found in other books. This book attempts to use experience and top-level knowledge to sort out what is important and what is secondary, and to explain the essentials in plain language. This volume comprises 20 chapters, beginning with the AutoCAD fundamentals. The following chapters then focus on layers, colors, linetypes, and properties; text, Mtext, editing, and style; and hatch patterns; dimensions; blocks, Wblocks, dynamic blocks, groups, and purge. Other chapters cover polar, rectangular, and path arrays; basic printing and output; advanced linework; options, shortcuts, CUI, design center, and express tools; advanced design and file management tools; advanced output and pen settings; and isometric drawing. Each chapter in the book ends with a summary and some review questions to aid the reader in retaining essential concepts. This book will be of interest to engineers, architects, and industrial designers.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments About the Author Preface LEVEL 1: Chapters 1–10 Chapter 1. AutoCAD Fundamentals Learning Objectives 1.1 Introduction and Basic Commands 1.2 The AutoCAD Environment 1.3 Interacting with AutoCAD 1.4 Practicing the Create Objects Commands 1.5 View Objects 1.6 Practicing the Edit/Modify Objects Commands 1.7 Selection Methods 1.8 Drawing Accuracy—Part 1 1.9 Drawing Accuracy—Part 2 1.10 Osnap Drafting Settings Summary Chapter 2. AutoCAD Fundamentals Learning Objectives 2.1 Grips 2.2 Units and Scale 2.3 Snap and Grid 2.4 Cartesian Coordinate System 2.5 Geometric Data Entry 2.6 Inquiry Commands 2.7 Additional Drafting Commands Summary Chapter 3. Layers, Colors, Linetypes, and Properties Learning Objectives 3.1 Introduction to Layers 3.2 Introduction to Linetypes 3.3 Introduction to Properties 3.4 In-Class Drawing Project: Floor Plan Layout Summary Spotlight On: Architecture Chapter 4. Text, Mtext, Editing, and Style Learning Objectives 4.1 Introduction to Text and Mtext 4.2 Text 4.3 Mtext 4.4 Style 4.5 Spell Check 4.6 In-Class Drawing Project: Adding Text and Furniture to Floor Plan Layout Summary Tips Chapter 5. Hatch Patterns Learning Objectives 5.1 Introduction to Hatch 5.2 Hatch Procedures 5.3 Working with Hatch Patterns 5.4 Gradient and Solid Fill 5.5 In-Class Drawing Project: Adding Hatch to Floor Plan Layout Summary Chapter 6. Dimensions Learning Objectives 6.1 Introduction to Dimensions 6.2 Types of Dimensions 6.3 Editing Dimensions 6.4 Customizing Dimensions 6.5 In-Class Drawing Project: Adding Dimensions to Floor Plan Layout Summary Spotlight On: Mechanical Engineering Chapter 7. Blocks, Wblocks, Dynamic Blocks, Groups, and Purge Learning Objectives 7.1 Introduction to Blocks 7.2 Insert 7.3 Purge 7.4 Wblocks 7.5 Dynamic Blocks 7.6 Groups Summary Chapter 8. Polar, Rectangular, and Path Arrays Learning Objectives 8.1 Polar Array 8.2 Rectangular Array 8.3 Path Array 8.4 In-Class Drawing Project: Mechanical Device Summary Chapter 9. Basic Printing and Output Learning Objectives 9.1 Introduction to Printing and Plotting 9.2 The Essentials 9.3 The Plot Dialog Box 9.4 Page Setup Manager Summary Spotlight On: Interior Design Chapter 10. Advanced Output—Paper Space Learning Objectives 10.1 Introduction to Paper Space 10.2 Paper Space Concepts Summary Level 1. Answers to Review Questions LEVEL 2: Chapters 11–20 Chapter 11. Advanced Linework Learning Objectives 11.1 Introduction to Advanced Linework 11.2 Pline (Polyline) 11.3 Xline (Construction Line) 11.4 Ray 11.5 Spline 11.6 Mline (Multiline) 11.7 Sketch 11.8 Level 2 Drawing Project (1 of 10): Architectural Floor Plan Summary Chapter 12. Advanced Layers Learning Objectives 12.1 Introduction to Advanced Layers 12.2 Script Files 12.3 Layer State Manager 12.4 Layer Filtering 12.5 Level 2 Drawing Project (2 of 10): Architectural Floor Plan Summary Chapter 13. Advanced Dimensions Learning Objectives 13.1 Introduction to Advanced Dimensions 13.2 Dimension Style Manager 13.3 Introduction to Constraints 13.4 Geometric Constraints 13.5 Dimensional Constraints 13.6 Dimension-Driven Design 13.7 Level 2 Drawing Project (3 of 10): Architectural Floor Plan Summary Spotlight On: Electrical Engineering Chapter 14. Options, Shortcuts, CUI, Design Center, and Express Tools Learning Objectives 14.1 Options 14.2 Shortcuts 14.3 Customize User Interface 14.4 Design Center 14.5 Express Tools 14.6 Level 2 Drawing Project (4 of 10): Architectural Floor Plan Summary Chapter 15. Advanced Design and File Management Tools Learning Objectives 15.1 Introduction to Advanced Design and File Management Tools 15.2 Align 15.3 Audit and Recover 15.4 Blend 15.5 Break and Join 15.6 Cad Standards 15.7 Calculator 15.8 Defpoints 15.9 Divide and Point Style 15.10 Donut 15.11 Draw Order 15.12 eTransmit 15.13 Filter 15.14 Hyperlink 15.15 Lengthen 15.16 Object Tracking (OTRACK) 15.17 Overkill 15.18 Point and Node 15.19 Publish 15.20 Raster 15.21 Revcloud 15.22 Sheet Sets 15.23 Selection Methods 15.24 Stretch 15.25 System Variables 15.26 Tables 15.27 Tool Palette 15.28 UCS and Crosshair Rotation 15.29 Window Tiling 15.30 Wipeout 15.31 Level 2 Drawing Project (5 of 10): Architectural Floor Plan Summary Chapter 16. Importing and Exporting Data Learning Objectives 16.1 Introduction to Importing and Exporting Data 16.2 Importing and Exporting to and from MS Office Applications 16.3 Screen Shots 16.4 JPG 16.5 PDFs 16.6 Other Cad Software 16.7 Exporting and the Save as Feature 16.8 Inserting and OLE 16.9 Level 2 Drawing Project (6 of 10): Architectural Floor Plan Summary Spotlight On: Aerospace Engineering Chapter 17. External References (Xrefs) Learning Objectives 17.1 Introduction to Xrefs 17.2 Using Xrefs 17.3 Layers in Xrefs 17.4 Editing and Reloading Xrefs 17.5 Multiple Xrefs 17.6 Ribbon and Xrefs 17.7 Level 2 Drawing Project (7 of 10): Architectural Floor Plan Summary Chapter 18. Attributes Learning Objectives 18.1 Introduction to Attributes 18.2 Creating the Design 18.3 Creating the Attribute Definitions 18.4 Creating the Attribute Block 18.5 Attribute Properties and Editing 18.6 Attribute Extraction 18.7 Invisible Attributes 18.8 Level 2 Drawing Project (8 of 10): Architectural Floor Plan Summary Chapter 19. Advanced Output and Pen Settings Learning Objectives 19.1 Introduction to Advanced Output and Pen Settings 19.2 Setting Standards 19.3 The CTB File 19.4 Additional CTB File Features 19.5 The LWT Option 19.6 Level 2 Drawing Project (9 of 10): Architectural Floor Plan Summary Spotlight On: Civil Engineering Chapter 20. Isometric Drawing Learning Objectives 20.1 Introduction to Isometric Perspective 20.2 Basic Technique 20.3 Ellipses in isometric Drawing 20.4 Text and Dimensions in Isometric Drawing 20.5 Level 2 Drawing Project (10 of 10): Architectural Floor Plan Summary Level 2. Answers to Review Questions APPENDIX A: Additional Information on AutoCAD Who Makes AutoCAD? What Is AutoCAD Lt? How Is AutoCAD Purchased and How Much Does It Cost? Are There Significant Differences between AutoCAD Releases? Is There an AutoCAD for the Mac? A Brief History of Autodesk and AutoCAD AutoCAD Releases Major Autodesk Products AutoCAD-Related Websites APPENDIX B: Other CAD Software and Design and Analysis Tools and Concepts MicroStation ArchiCAD TurboCAD Other Design Software CATIA NX Pro/Engineer Solidworks Inventor IronCAD Solid Edge NASTRAN ANSYS ALGOR Fluent APPENDIX C: File Extensions AutoCAD Primary Extensions AutoCAD Secondary Extensions Miscellaneous Software Extensions APPENDIX D: Custom Linetypes and Hatch Patterns Linetype Definitions (Basic) Linetypes (String Complex and Shape Complex) Hatch Pattern Definitions (Basic) APPENDIX E: Principles of CAD Management Part 1. Know the Seven Golden Rules of AutoCAD Part 2. Know the Capabilities and Limitations of AutoCAD Part 3. Maintain an Office cad Standard Part 4. Be an Effective Teacher and Hiring Manager Part 5. Stay Current and Competent APPENDIX F: PC Hardware, Printers and Plotters, and Networks Pc Hardware Printers and Plotters Networks APPENDIX G: AutoCAD Certification Exams APPENDIX H: AutoCAD Employment APPENDIX I: AutoCAD Humor, Oddities, Quirks, and Easter Eggs Real AutoCAD Users The AutoCAD Monkey Joke That Never Goes Away Oddities and Quirks Easter Eggs Index