Mastering AutoCAD 2018 and AutoCAD LT 2018

30th Anniversary of the bestselling AutoCAD reference – fully updated for the 2018 release

Mastering AutoCAD 2018 and AutoCAD LT 2018 is the complete tutorial and reference every design and drafting professional needs. Step-by-step instructions coupled with concise explanation walk you through everything you need to know about the latest AutoCAD tools and techniques; read through from beginning to end for complete training, or dip in as needed to for quick reference—it’s all here.

Hands-on projects teach you practical skills that apply directly to real-world projects, and the companion website features the accompanying project files and other bonus content to help you master every crucial technique. This new edition has been updated to include the latest AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT capabilities, so your skills will transfer directly to real-world projects. With expert guidance and a practical focus, this complete reference is your ultimate resource for mastering this powerful software.

AutoCAD is a critical skill in the design fields; whether you’re preparing for a certification exam, or just want to become more productive with the software, this book will help you:

• Master the basic drafting tools that you’ll use in every project
• Work with hatches, fields, tables, attributes, dynamic blocks, and other intermediate tools
• Turn your 2D drawing into a 3D model with advanced modeling and imaging techniques
• Customize AutoCAD to fit the way you work, integrate outside data, and much more

If you’re new to AutoCAD, this book will be your “bible;” if you’re an experienced user, this book will introduce you to unfamiliar tools and techniques, and show you tips and tricks that streamline your workflow.

Table of Contents

Part 1. The Basics
Chapter 1. Exploring the Interface
Chapter 2. Creating Your First Drawing
Chapter 3. Setting Up and Using the Drafting Tools
Chapter 4. Organizing Objects with Blocks and Groups
Chapter 5. Keeping Track of Layers and Blocks

Part 2. Mastering Intermediate Skills
Chapter 6. Editing and Reusing Data to Work Efficiently
Chapter 7. Mastering Viewing Tools, Hatches, and External References
Chapter 8. Introducing Printing, Plotting, and Layouts
Chapter 9. Adding Text to Drawings
Chapter 10. Using Fields and Tables
Chapter 11. Using Dimensions

Part 3. Mastering Advanced Skills
Chapter 12. Using Attributes
Chapter 13. Copying Existing Drawings from Other Sources
Chapter 14. Advanced Editing and Organizing
Chapter 15. Laying Out Your Printer Output
Chapter 16. Making “Smart” Drawings with Parametric Tools
Chapter 17. Using Dynamic Blocks
Chapter 18. Drawing Curves
Chapter 19. Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings

Part 4. 3D Modeling and Imaging
Chapter 20. Creating 3D Drawings
Chapter 21. Using Advanced 3D Features
Chapter 22. Editing and Visualizing 3D Solids
Chapter 23. Exploring 3D Mesh and Surface Modeling

Part 5. Customization and Integration
Chapter 24. Customizing Toolbars, Menus, Linetypes, and Hatch Patterns
Chapter 25. Managing and Sharing Your Drawings

Part 6. Appendixes
Appendix A. The Bottom Line
Appendix B. Installing and Setting Up AutoCAD
Appendix C. The Autodesk AutoCAD 2018 Certification