AutoCAD: Secrets Every User Should Know

by Dan Abbott

Overview

"I've been using AutoCAD for 22 years and have written a hundred books on the subject. I reviewed many CAD books back in the days when book reviews were common in CAD publications; some were innovative, others were just sad. But for nearly a decade, it's been mostly silence on the book review front. Then earlier in the summer, a book arrived in the mail from Sybex: AutoCAD Secrets Every User Should Know by Dan Abbott. Reading it, I got excited: here's a book for every AutoCAD user, even old-timers like me." - Ralph Grabowski, Editor, upFront.eZine.com: The Business of CAD

Learn the "why" behind the "how" in this one-of-a-kind reference packed with tips and techniques from award-winning AutoCAD expert Dan Abbott. This info-packed guide reveals some of the best kept AutoCAD secrets on technical standards, AutoLISP programming, DOS functions, scripts, 3D, and everything in between. Based on his popular "Things Every AutoCAD User Should Know" session at Autodesk University and other industry events, Dan gives you the answers to frequently asked AutoCAD questions in his direct and entertaining style while using real-world case studies to put your skills into practice. Read it cover to cover or dive right in to the sections you need most, then get ready to improve your productivity, save more time, and become an AutoCAD all-star.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780470109939
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	01/10/2007
Pages:	464
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

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.

Read an Excerpt

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Table of Contents

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

Editorial Reviews

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

AutoCAD Secrets is a refreshing change from the usual presentation of AutoCAD information, tips and tricks that is found in most of the book written. He leaves no stone unturned in his attempt to tell you just about everything you need to know from basic to very advanced topics.

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

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

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

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

This ranks very very high on my list of must have books. I applaud him for his succinct language, honest approach and real world emphasis.Forget the new Harry Potter novel... Go buy this book!—Review by Mark Kiker, Editor, CADD Manager (www.caddmanager.com)

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

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

This book's conversational tone makes for easy reading. But you won't want to read it through. It's too overwhelming with one useful tip after another after another. I suggest reading a couple of pages a day, marking items with a yellow highlighter. Such as these 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, Mr Abbott!— Book Review by Ralph Grabowski, upFront.eZine (upfrontezine.com)

From the Publisher