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