Mastering AutoCAD 2015 and AutoCAD LT 2015: Autodesk Official Press
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  • Wiley

More About This Title Mastering AutoCAD 2015 and AutoCAD LT 2015: Autodesk Official Press

English

The ultimate reference and tutorial for AutoCAD software

This Autodesk Official Press book employs concise explanations, focused examples, step-by-step instructions, and hands-on projects to help you master both AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. This detailed guide works well as both a tutorial and stand-alone reference, and is the perfect resource regardless of your level of expertise.

  • Part I introduces the basics of the interface and drafting tools
  • Part II moves into such intermediate skills as effectively using hatches, fields, and tables
  • Part III details such advanced skills as attributes, dynamic blocks, drawing curves and solid fills
  • Part IV explores 3D modeling and imaging
  • Part V discusses customization and integration

The supporting website includes all the project files necessary for the tutorials as well as video tutorials and other bonus content.

English

GEORGE OMURA is an Autodesk Authorized Author who has over 30 years of architecture experience and has been using AutoCAD for more than two decades. As a CAD specialist, he has worked on design projects ranging from resort hotels to the San Francisco Library project. Omura is the all-time best-selling AutoCAD author and was cited as favorite CAD author by members of the Autodesk User Group International (AUGI). BRIAN C. BENTON is a senior engineering technician, CAD consultant, author, trainer, and popular blogger (http://cadablog.com) with 20 years of experience in several design fields. He has been a Cadalyst magazine Tip Patroller, columnist, and AUGI HotNews production manager.

English

Introduction xxv

Part 1 • The Basics 1

Chapter 1 • Exploring the Interface  3

Taking a Guided Tour 3

Launching AutoCAD 4

The AutoCAD Window 5

Using the Application Menu 7

Using the Ribbon 9

Picking Points in the Drawing Area 13

Using the UCS Icon 14

Working in the Command Window 14

Working with AutoCAD 15

Opening an Existing File 15

Getting a Closer Look 17

Saving a File as You Work 20

Making Changes 21

Working with Multiple Files 21

Adding a Predrawn Symbol with the Tool Palettes 25

The Bottom Line 26

Chapter 2 • Creating Your First Drawing 27

Getting to Know the Home Tab’s Draw and Modify Panels 27

Starting Your First Drawing 30

Specifying Exact Distances with Coordinates 34

Specifying Polar Coordinates 36

Specifying Relative Cartesian Coordinates 37

Interpreting the Cursor Modes and Understanding Prompts 39

Understanding Cursor Modes 39

Choosing Command Options 41

Selecting Objects 45

Selecting Objects in AutoCAD 46

Providing Base Points 49

Using Noun/Verb Selection 52

Editing with Grips 57

Stretching Lines by Using Grips 58

Moving and Rotating with Grips 60

Understanding Dynamic Input 62

Displaying Data in a Text Window 66

Displaying the Properties of an Object 68

Getting Help 71

Using the InfoCenter 71

Finding Additional Sources of Help 72

The Bottom Line 72

Chapter 3 • Setting Up and Using the Drafting Tools 75

Setting Up a Work Area 75

Specifying Units 76

Fine-Tuning the Measurement System 78

Setting Up the Drawing Limits 79

Looking at an Alternative to Limits 81

Understanding Scale Factors 81

Using Polar Tracking 82

Setting the Polar Tracking Angle 84

Exploring the Drawing Process 85

Locating an Object in Reference to Others 86

Getting a Closer Look 86

Modifying an Object 87

Planning and Laying Out a Drawing 91

Making a Preliminary Sketch 92

Using the Layout 94

Erasing the Layout Lines 100

Putting on the Finishing Touches 102

Aligning Objects by Using Object Snap Tracking 104

Using the AutoCAD Modes as Drafting Tools 109

Using Grid Mode as a Background Grid 109

Using Snap Modes 111

The Bottom Line 113

Chapter 4 • Organizing Objects with Blocks and Groups 115

Creating and Using a Symbol 115

Understanding the Block Definition Dialog Box 117

Inserting a Symbol 120

Scaling and Rotating Blocks 122

Using an Existing Drawing as a Symbol 124

Modifying a Block 127

Unblocking and Redefining a Block 127

Saving a Block as a Drawing File 129

Replacing Existing Files with Blocks 130

Understanding the Write Block Dialog Box Options 131

Other Uses for Blocks 131

Understanding the Annotation Scale 132

Grouping Objects 135

Modifying Members of a Group 137

Ungrouping, Adding, and Subtracting from a Group 139

Working with the Object Grouping Dialog Box 140

Working with the AutoCAD LT Group Manager 142

The Bottom Line 143

Chapter 5 • Keeping Track of Layers and Blocks 145

Organizing Information with Layers 145

Creating and Assigning Layers 146

Working on Layers 154

Controlling Layer Visibility 158

Finding the Layers You Want 159

Taming an Unwieldy List of Layers 160

Assigning Linetypes to Layers 167

Adding a Linetype to a Drawing 168

Controlling Lineweights 172

Keeping Track of Blocks and Layers 173

Getting a Text File List of Layers or Blocks 174

The Bottom Line 175

Part 2 • Mastering Intermediate Skills 177

Chapter 6 • Editing and Reusing Data to Work Efficiently 179

Creating and Using Templates 180

Creating a Template 180

Using a Template 181

Copying an Object Multiple Times 182

Making Circular Copies 182

Making Row and Column Copies 184

Fine-Tuning Your View 186

Finishing the Kitchenette 188

Array along a Path 189

Making Changes to an Associative Array 190

Developing Your Drawing 194

Importing Settings 194

Using Osnap Tracking to Place Objects 197

Finding an Exact Distance along a Curve 215

Changing the Length of Objects 217

Creating a New Drawing by Using Parts from Another Drawing 217

Eliminating Unused Blocks, Layers, Linetypes, Shapes, Styles, and More 218

The Bottom Line 221

Chapter 7 • Mastering Viewing Tools, Hatches, and External References 223

Assembling the Parts 223

Taking Control of the AutoCAD Display 226

Understanding Regeneration and Redrawing 226

Saving Views 227

Understanding the Frozen Layer Option 231

Using Hatch Patterns in Your Drawings 233

Placing a Hatch Pattern in a Specific Area 233

Adding Predefined Hatch Patterns 235

Positioning Hatch Patterns Accurately 237

Updating a Block from an External File 238

Changing the Hatch Area 240

Modifying a Hatch Pattern 241

Understanding the Boundary Hatch Options 243

Controlling Boundaries with the Boundaries Panel 244

Fine-Tuning the Boundary Behavior 244

Controlling Hatch Behavior with the Options Panel 245

Controlling Hatch Default Layer, Layout Scale, and ISO Line Weight 246

Using Additional Hatch Features 246

Using Gradient Shading 248

Tips for Using Hatch 249

Space Planning and Hatch Patterns 249

Using External References 253

Attaching a Drawing as an External Reference 253

Other Differences between External References and Blocks 257

Other External Reference Options 258

Clipping Xref Views and Improving Performance 260

Editing Xrefs in Place 263

Using the External Reference Tab 266

Adding and Removing Objects from Blocks and Xrefs 266

Understanding the Reference Edit Dialog Box Options 268

The Bottom Line 270

Chapter 8 • Introducing Printing, Plotting, and Layouts 271

Plotting the Plan 271

Understanding the Plotter Settings 275

Paper Size 276

Drawing Orientation 276

Plot Area 277

Plot Scale 278

Shaded Viewport Options 281

Plot Offset 282

Plot Options 283

Exit Options 284

WYSIWYG Plotting Using Layout Views 284

Setting Plot Scale in the Layout Viewports 287

Adding an Output Device 288

Editing a Plotter Configuration 291

Storing a Page Setup 293

Plotter and Printer Hardware Considerations 295

Understanding Your Plotter’s Limits 295

Knowing Your Plotter’s Origins 298

The Bottom Line 299

Chapter 9 • Adding Text to Drawings  301

Preparing a Drawing for Text 301

Organizing Text by Styles 302

Getting Familiar with the Text and Annotation Scale Control Panels 304

Setting the Annotation Scale and Adding Text 304

Inserting Text 305

Exploring Text and Scale 306

Understanding the Text Style Dialog Box Options 309

Styles 309

Set Current/New/Delete 309

Font 309

Size 309

Effects 310

Exploring Text Formatting in AutoCAD 311

Adjusting the Text Height and Font 311

Understanding the Text Editor Tab 313

Adding Symbols and Special Characters 315

Setting Indents and Tabs 317

What Do the Fonts Look Like? 320

Adding Simple Single-Line Text Objects 323

Justifying Single-Line Text Objects 324

Using Special Characters with Single-Line Text Objects 326

Using the Check Spelling Feature 328

How Check Spelling Works 328

Choosing a Dictionary 329

Substituting Fonts 330

Finding and Replacing Text 331

The Bottom Line 336

Chapter 10 • Using Fields and Tables 337

Using Fields to Associate Text with Drawing Properties 337

Adding Tables to Your Drawing 341

Creating a Table 341

Adding Cell Text 342

Adjusting Table Text Orientation and Location 344

Editing the Table Line Work 347

Adding Formulas to Cells 349

Using Formulas Directly in Cells 350

Using Other Math Operations 351

Importing and Exporting Tables 351

Importing a Table 351

Exporting Tables 353

Creating Table Styles 354

Adding or Modifying a Table Style 354

The Table Style Options 356

The Bottom Line 357

Chapter 11 • Using Dimensions 359

Understanding the Components of a Dimension 359

Creating a Dimension Style 360

Setting Up the Primary Unit Style 363

Setting the Height for Dimension Text 364

Setting the Location and Orientation of Dimension Text 365

Choosing an Arrow Style and Setting the Dimension Scale 365

Setting Up Alternate Units 369

Setting the Current Dimension Style 371

Modifying a Dimension Style 371

Drawing Linear Dimensions 372

Understanding the Dimensions Panel 372

Placing Horizontal and Vertical Dimensions 373

Continuing a Dimension 374

Drawing Dimensions from a Common Base Extension Line 375

Adjusting the Distance between Dimensions 378

Editing Dimensions 378

Appending Data to Dimension Text 378

Using Grips to Make Minor Adjustments to Dimensions 380

Changing Style Settings of Individual Dimensions 382

Editing Dimensions and Other Objects Together 384

Associating Dimensions with Objects 386

Adding a String of Dimensions with a Single Operation 388

Adding or Removing the Alternate Dimensions 389

Dimensioning Nonorthogonal Objects 389

Dimensioning Nonorthogonal Linear Distances 390

Dimensioning Radii, Diameters, and Arcs 391

Skewing Dimension Lines 394

Adding a Note with a Leader Arrow 395

Creating Multileader Styles 396

Editing Multileader Notes 399

Breaking a Dimension Line for a Leader 399

Applying Ordinate Dimensions 400

Adding Tolerance Notation 401

Inserting Tolerance and Datum Values 401

Adding Inspection Dimensions 403

The Bottom Line 403

Part 3 • Mastering Advanced Skills 405

Chapter 12 • Using Attributes 407

Creating Attributes 408

Adding Attributes to Blocks 408

Copying and Editing Attribute Definitions 411

Turning the Attribute Definitions into a Block 414

Inserting Blocks Containing Attributes 415

Editing Attributes 418

Editing Attribute Values One at a Time 418

Editing Attribute Text Formats and Properties 419

Making Global Changes to Attribute Values 421

Making Invisible Attributes Visible 422

Making Global Format and Property Changes to Attributes 423

Other Block Attribute Manager Options 424

Redefining Blocks Containing Attributes 425

Extracting and Exporting Attribute Information 426

Performing the Extraction 426

Extracting Attribute Data to an AutoCAD Table 432

The Bottom Line 433

Chapter 13 • Copying Existing Drawings from Other Sources 435

Methods for Converting Paper Drawings to AutoCAD Files 435

Importing a Raster Image 436

Working with a Raster Image 438

Scaling a Raster Image 439

Controlling Object Visibility and Overlap with Raster Images 440

Clipping a Raster Image 442

Adjusting Brightness, Contrast, and Fade 444

Turning Off the Frame, Adjusting Overall Quality, and Controlling Transparency 445

Working with PDF Files 448

Importing a PDF 448

Scaling and Osnaps with PDFs 449

Controlling the PDF Display 451

Coordinating Geographic Locations 453

Making Adjustments to the Map 457

Finding Measurements and Distances 458

The Bottom Line 459

Chapter 14 • Advanced Editing and Organizing 461

Using External References 461

Preparing Existing Drawings for External Referencing 462

Assembling Xrefs to Build a Drawing 464

Updating Blocks in Xrefs 467

Importing Named Elements from Xrefs 470

Controlling the Xref Search Path 472

Managing Layers 473

Saving and Recalling Layer Settings 473

Other Tools for Managing Layers 477

Using Advanced Tools: Filter and Quick Select 479

Filtering Selections 479

Using Quick Select 483

Using the QuickCalc Calculator 486

Adding Foot and Inch Lengths and Finding the Sum of Angles 487

Converting Units with QuickCalc 490

Using QuickCalc to Find Points 491

Finding Fractional Distances between Two Points 494

Using QuickCalc While in the Middle of a Command 496

Storing Expressions and Values 498

Guidelines for Working with QuickCalc 499

The Bottom Line 502

Chapter 15 • Laying Out Your Printer Output 505

Understanding Model Space and Paper Space 505

Switching from Model Space to Paper Space 506

Setting the Size of a Paper Space Layout 508

Creating New Paper Space Viewports 509

Reaching Inside Viewports 511

Working with Paper Space Viewports 513

Scaling Views in Paper Space 514

Setting Layers in Individual Viewports 516

Creating and Using Multiple Paper Space Layouts 519

Creating Odd-Shaped Viewports 520

Understanding Lineweights, Linetypes, and Dimensions in Paper Space 523

Controlling and Viewing Lineweights in Paper Space 523

The Lineweight Settings Dialog Box 525

Linetype Scales and Paper Space 526

Dimensioning in Paper Space Layouts 526

Other Uses for Paper Space 529

The Bottom Line 530

Chapter 16 • Making “Smart” Drawings with Parametric Tools 531

Why Use Parametric Drawing Tools? 531

Connecting Objects with Geometric Constraints 533

Using AutoConstrain to Add Constraints Automatically 533

Editing a Drawing Containing Constraints 534

Using Other Geometric Constraints 538

Using Constraints in the Drawing Process 539

Controlling Sizes with Dimensional Constraints 539

Adding a Dimensional Constraint 540

Editing a Dimensional Constraint 541

Using Formulas to Control and Link Dimensions 543

Adding a Formula Parameter 543

Testing the Formula 545

Using Other Formulas 546

Editing the Constraint Options 547

Putting Constraints to Use 549

The Bottom Line 550

Chapter 17 • Using Dynamic Blocks  551

Exploring the Block Editor 551

Opening the Block Editor 552

Editing a Block and Creating New Blocks 553

Creating a Dynamic Block 554

Adding a Parameter 555

Adding an Action 556

Adding an Increment Value 558

Editing Parameters and Actions 560

Keeping an Object Centered 560

Using Constraints in Dynamic Blocks 561

Adding a List of Predefined Options 566

Creating Multiple Shapes in One Block 569

Rotating Objects in Unison 574

Filling in a Space Automatically with Objects 578

Including Block Information with Data Extraction 580

The Bottom Line 582

Chapter 18 • Drawing Curves 583

Introducing Polylines 583

Drawing a Polyline 583

Setting Polyline Options 585

Editing Polylines 586

Setting Pedit Options 589

Smoothing Polylines 590

Editing Vertices 591

Creating a Polyline Spline Curve 600

Using True Spline Curves 603

Drawing a True Spline 603

Understanding the Spline Options 605

Fine-Tuning Spline Curves 606

Marking Divisions on Curves 608

Dividing Objects into Segments of Equal Length 609

Dividing Objects into Specified Lengths 611

The Bottom Line 612

Chapter 19 • Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings 615

Finding the Area of Closed Boundaries 615

Finding the Area of an Object 615

Using Hatch Patterns to Find Areas 617

Adding and Subtracting Areas with the Area Command 619

Getting General Information 622

Determining the Drawing’s Status 622

Keeping Track of Time 624

Getting Information from System Variables 625

Keeping a Log of Your Activity 625

Capturing and Saving Text Data from the AutoCAD Text Window 626

Storing Searchable Information in AutoCAD Files 627

Searching for AutoCAD Files 629

Recovering Corrupted Files 629

Using the DXF File Format to Exchange CAD Data with Other Programs 630

Exporting DXF Files 630

Opening or Importing DXF Files 631

Using AutoCAD Drawings in Page Layout Programs 632

Exporting Raster Files 633

Exporting Vector Files 637

Using OLE to Import Data  638

Editing OLE Links 641

Importing Worksheets as AutoCAD Tables 641

Understanding Options for Embedding Data 643

Using the Clipboard to Export AutoCAD Drawings 644

The Bottom Line 644

Part 4 • 3D Modeling and Imaging 647

Chapter 20 • Creating 3D Drawings 649

Getting to Know the 3D Modeling Workspace 649

Drawing in 3D Using Solids 651

Adjusting Appearances 652

Creating a 3D Box 653

Editing 3D Solids with Grips 654

Constraining Motion with the Gizmo 654

Rotating Objects in 3D Using Dynamic UCS 656

Drawing on a 3D Object’s Surface 659

Pushing and Pulling Shapes from a Solid 660

Making Changes to Your Solid 662

Creating 3D Forms from 2D Shapes 665

Isolating Coordinates with Point Filters 669

Moving around Your Model 672

Finding Isometric and Orthogonal Views 672

Rotating Freely around Your Model 673

Changing Your View Direction 674

Using SteeringWheels 676

Changing Where You Are Looking 678

Flying through Your View 678

Changing from Perspective to Parallel Projection 679

Getting a Visual Effect 680

Using Visual Styles 680

Creating a Sketched Look with Visual Styles 681

In-Canvas Viewport Controls 683

Turning a 3D View into a 2D AutoCAD Drawing 684

Using the Point Cloud Feature 686

The Bottom Line 687

Chapter 21 • Using Advanced 3D Features 689

Setting Up AutoCAD for This Chapter 689

Mastering the User Coordinate System 690

Defining a UCS 691

Saving a UCS 694

Working in a UCS 694

Building 3D Parts in Separate Files 696

Understanding the UCS Options 698

UCS Based on Object Orientation 698

UCS Based on Offset Orientation 700

UCS Rotated around an Axis 701

Orienting a UCS in the View Plane 703

Manipulating the UCS Icon 703

Saving a UCS with a View 704

Using Viewports to Aid in 3D Drawing 705

Using the Array Tools 709

Making Changes to an Associative Array 710

Creating Complex 3D Surfaces 710

Laying Out a 3D Form 711

Spherical and Cylindrical Coordinate Formats 712

Using a 3D Polyline 712

Creating a Curved 3D Surface 714

Converting the Surface into a Solid 718

Shaping the Solid 719

Finding the Interference between Two Solids 720

Creating Tubes with the Sweep Tool 723

Using Sweep to Create Complex Forms 725

Creating Spiral Forms 728

Creating Surface Models 730

Slicing a Solid with a Surface 732

Finding the Volume of a Cut 733

Understanding the Loft Command 735

Moving Objects in 3D Space 739

Aligning Objects in 3D Space 739

Moving an Object in 3D 740

Rotating an Object in 3D 741

The Bottom Line 743

Chapter 22 • Editing and Visualizing 3D Solids 745

Understanding Solid Modeling 745

Creating Solid Forms 748

Joining Primitives 748

Cutting Portions out of a Solid 750

Creating Complex Solids 752

Tapering an Extrusion 752

Sweeping a Shape on a Curved Path 754

Revolving a Polyline 755

Editing Solids 758

Splitting a Solid into Two Pieces 758

Rounding Corners with the Fillet Tool 760

Chamfering Corners with the Chamfer Tool 761

Using the Solid-Editing Tools 762

Streamlining the 2D Drawing Process 771

Drawing Standard Top, Front, and Right-Side Views 771

Creating 2D Drawings with the Base View Command 773

Adding Dimensions and Notes in a Layout 778

Using Visual Styles with a Viewport 779

Visualizing Solids 781

The Bottom Line 790

Chapter 23 • Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface Modeling 791

Creating a Simple 3D Mesh 791

Creating a Mesh Primitive 792

Understanding the Parts of a Mesh 793

Smoothing a Mesh 794

Editing Faces and Edges 794

Stretching Faces 796

Moving an Edge 799

Adding More Faces 802

Rotating an Edge 805

Adding a Crease 806

Splitting and Extruding a Mesh Face 808

Creating Mesh Surfaces 811

Revolved Surface 811

Edge Surface 813

Ruled Surface 813

Tabulated Surface 814

Converting Meshes to Solids 815

Understanding 3D Surfaces 816

Editing Surfaces 818

Using Extrude, Surface Trim, and Surface Fillet 819

Using Surface Blend, Patch, and Offset 822

Understanding Associativity 825

Editing with Control Vertices 829

Editing with the CV Edit Bar 832

Making Holes in a Surface with the Project Geometry Panel 834

Visualizing Curvature: Understanding the Analysis Panel 835

The Bottom Line 837

Part 5 • Customization and Integration 839

Chapter 24 • Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns 841

Using Workspaces 841

Customizing the User Interface 843

Taking a Quick Customization Tour 843

Understanding the Customizations In All Files Panel 847

Getting the Overall View 848

Finding Commands in the Command List 851

Opening Preview, Button Image, and Shortcuts 852

Getting to the Core of Customization in the Properties Group 852

Creating Your Own Ribbon Panels and Menus 853

Customizing Ribbon Panel Tools 855

Creating Macros in Tools and Menus 858

Pausing for User Input 859

Opening an Expanded Text Box for the Macro Option 859

Editing Keyboard Shortcuts 861

Saving, Loading, and Unloading Your Customizations 864

Understanding the Diesel Macro Language 867

Using Diesel at the Command Line 867

Using Diesel in a Custom Menu Macro 868

Using Diesel as a Menu Bar Option Label 869

Using Diesel and Fields to Generate Text 872

Creating Custom Linetypes 873

Viewing Available Linetypes 873

Creating a New Linetype 874

Understanding the Linetype Code 875

Creating Complex Linetypes 876

Creating Hatch Patterns 879

The Bottom Line 881

Chapter 25 • Managing and Sharing Your Drawings  883

Sharing Drawings Online 883

Sharing Project Files with eTransmit 884

Protecting AutoCAD Drawing Files 888

ePublishing Your Drawings 892

Exchanging Drawing Sets 893

Exploring Other Publish Options 895

Creating a DWF File by Using the Plot Dialog Box 897

Sharing Files with Autodesk 360 899

Getting Started with Autodesk 360 899

Sharing Files 901

Editing Drawings Online 903

Controlling File Access 904

Tracking File Versions 906

Collaborating with Others Using Design Feed 906

Adding Hyperlinks to Drawings 908

Creating Hyperlinks 908

Editing and Deleting Hyperlinks 910

Taking a Closer Look at the Hyperlink Options 910

Managing Your Drawings with DesignCenter and the Tool Palettes 911

Getting Familiar with DesignCenter 912

Opening and Inserting Files with DesignCenter 915

Finding and Extracting the Contents of a Drawing 916

Exchanging Data between Open Files 919

Loading Specific Files into DesignCenter 920

Customizing the Tool Palettes with DesignCenter 920

Searching Your Drawing Library with Content Explorer 925

Indexing Your Files 925

Searching Your Files 926

Controlling Content Explorer’s Display 926

Adding Network Resources 928

Establishing Office Standards 929

Establishing Layering and Text Conventions 929

Checking Office Standards 930

Converting Multiple Layer Settings 935

Exploring Other Layer Translator Options 936

The Bottom Line 938

Appendices 939

Appendix A • The Bottom Line 941

Chapter 1: Exploring the Interface 941

Chapter 2: Creating Your First Drawing 942

Chapter 3: Setting Up and Using the Drafting Tools 943

Chapter 4: Organizing Objects with Blocks and Groups 943

Chapter 5: Keeping Track of Layers and Blocks 944

Chapter 6: Editing and Reusing Data to Work Efficiently 945

Chapter 7: Mastering Viewing Tools, Hatches, and External References 945

Chapter 8: Introducing Printing, Plotting, and Layouts 946

Chapter 9: Adding Text to Drawings 947

Chapter 10: Using Fields and Tables 948

Chapter 11: Using Dimensions 949

Chapter 12: Using Attributes 950

Chapter 13: Copying Existing Drawings from Other Sources 950

Chapter 14: Advanced Editing and Organizing 951

Chapter 15: Laying Out Your Printer Output 952

Chapter 16: Making “Smart” Drawings with Parametric Tools 953

Chapter 17: Using Dynamic Blocks 954

Chapter 18: Drawing Curves 955

Chapter 19: Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings 956

Chapter 20: Creating 3D Drawings 957

Chapter 21: Using Advanced 3D Features 958

Chapter 22: Editing and Visualizing 3D Solids 959

Chapter 23: Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface Modeling 960

Chapter 24: Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns 961

Chapter 25: Managing and Sharing Your Drawings 962

Appendix B • Installing and Setting Up AutoCAD 965

Before Installing AutoCAD 965

Proceeding with the Installation 965

Configuring AutoCAD 966

The Files Tab 966

The Display Tab 969

The Open And Save Tab 972

The Plot and Publish Tab 975

The System Tab 975

The User Preferences Tab 977

The Drafting Tab 980

The 3D Modeling Tab 981

The Selection Tab 985

The Profiles Tab 988

The Online Tab 989

Configuring the Tablet Menu Area 990

Turning On the Noun/Verb Selection Method 991

Turning On the Grips Feature 991

Setting Up the Tracking Vector Feature 991

Adjusting the AutoCAD 3D Graphics System 992

Finding Folders That Contain AutoCAD Files 992

Setting Up AutoCAD with a White Background 993

Appendix C • The Autodesk AutoCAD 2015 Certification 995

Index 1001

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