AutoCAD® 2010 & AutoCAD LT® 2010 Bible
Table of Contents
Part I: AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT Basics
Quick Start: Drawing a Window
Summary
Chapter 1: Starting to Draw
AutoCAD's Advantages
Comparing AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT
Starting AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT
Creating a New Drawing
Using the AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT Interface
The drawing area
The ribbon and Quick Access toolbar
Using the Application menu
The command line and dynamic input tooltip
The status bar
Creating a New Folder
Using the Interface
Saving a Drawing
Closing a Drawing and Exiting from AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT
Summary
Chapter 2: Opening a Drawing
Creating a New Drawing from a Template
Working with Templates
Customizing the default template
Creating your own templates
Creating a Drawing with Default Settings
Opening an Existing Drawing
Using other ways to open drawings
Switching among open drawings
Saving a Drawing under a New Name
Summary
Chapter 3: Using Commands
The AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT Interface
Using the ribbon
Using menus
Using shortcut menus
Using dialog boxes
Using toolbars
Using palettes
Tool palettes
The Command Line and Dynamic Input
Using Dynamic Input
Understanding command names
Responding to commands
Command Techniques
Repeating commands
Using recent input
Canceling commands
Undoing a command
Redoing a command
Using one command within another command
Of Mice and Pucks
Getting Help
Getting help on a command
Finding help with Quickstart links
Using the main Help system
Working with Help screens
Using the InfoCenter
Summary
Chapter 4: Specifying Coordinates
Understanding the X,Y Coordinate System
Drawing units
Types of measurement notation
Typing Coordinates
Using the Dynamic Input tooltip to enter coordinates
Absolute Cartesian coordinates
Relative Cartesian coordinates
Polar coordinates
Direct distance entry
Orthogonal mode
Polar tracking
Displaying Coordinates
Picking Coordinates on the Screen
Snap settings
Object snaps
Running object snaps and Object Snap mode
Overriding Coordinate Settings
Locating Points
Object snap tracking
Using the temporary tracking feature
Point filters
From feature
Summary
Chapter 5: Setting Up a Drawing
Choosing Unit Types
Setting the drawing units
Setting the angle type
Setting the angle measure and direction
Drawing Limits
Understanding Scales
Working with scale formats
Using annotative scales
Customizing the scale list
Deciding on a scale and sheet size
Creating a Titleblock
Specifying Common Setup Options
Customizing with the MVSETUP Command and Setup Wizards
Summary
Part II: Drawing in Two Dimensions
Chapter 6: Drawing Simple Lines
Using the LINE Command
Drawing Rectangles
Drawing Polygons
Creating Construction Lines
Creating Rays
Summary
Chapter 7: Drawing Curves and Points
Drawing Circles
Understanding the circle options
Drawing circles
Drawing Arcs
Understanding arc options
Drawing arcs
Creating Ellipses and Elliptical Arcs
Understanding ellipse options
Drawing ellipses
Making Donuts
Understanding DONUT options
Drawing donuts
Placing Points
Changing the point style
Creating points
Summary
Chapter 8: Viewing Your Drawing
Regenerating and Redrawing the Display
Panning
Using the PAN command
Using the scroll bars
Using the ZOOM Command
Understanding ZOOM options
Using ZOOM Dynamic
Using the SteeringWheel
Creating Named Views
Saving a view
Displaying a view
Managing named views
Creating animated presentations from named views
Using named views to manage a drawing
Working with Tiled Viewports
Configuring tiled viewports
Using tiled viewports
Saving and restoring viewport configurations
Using Snap Rotation
Understanding User Coordinate Systems
Understanding UCS options
Saving and restoring a custom UCS
Controlling the UCS icon
Using a custom UCS
Creating Isometric Drawings
Understanding isometric planes
Drawing in Isometric mode
Summary
Chapter 9: Editing Your Drawing with Basic Tools
Editing a Drawing
Understanding object-selection basics
Erasing objects
Moving objects
Copying objects
Copying and moving objects from one drawing to another
Rotating objects
Scaling objects
Using the CHANGE command
Selecting Objects
Selecting objects after choosing a command
Cycling through objects
Selecting objects before choosing a command
Implied windowing
Customizing the selection process
Summary
Chapter 10: Editing Your Drawing with Advanced Tools
Copying and Moving Objects
Mirroring objects
Using the ARRAY command
Offsetting objects
Aligning objects
Resizing Commands
Trimming objects
Extending objects
Lengthening objects
Stretching objects
Using Construction Commands
Breaking objects
Joining objects
Creating chamfered corners
Creating rounded corners
Creating a Revision Cloud
Hiding Objects with a Wipeout
Constraining Objects with Parameters
Using geometric constraints
Auto-constraining objects
Using dimensional constraints
Working with the Parameters Manager
Double-Clicking to Edit Objects
Grips
Stretching with grips
Moving with grips
Rotating with grips
Scaling with grips
Mirroring with grips
Customizing grips
Editing with the Quick Properties Palette and the Properties Palette
Using the Quick Properties palette
Using the Properties palette
Selection Filters
Using Quick Select to select objects
Using the FILTER command
Naming and editing filters
Using filters
Groups
Creating and modifying groups in AutoCAD
Creating and modifying groups in AutoCAD LT
Using groups
Summary
Chapter 11: Organizing Drawings with Layers, Colors, Linetypes, and Lineweights
Working with Layers
Understanding layers
Creating new layers
Using layers
Using special layer tools
Modifying layers
Changing Object Color, Linetype, and Lineweight
Changing an object's color
Changing the current color
Changing an object's linetype
Changing the current linetype
Changing an object's lineweight
Changing the current lineweight
Working with Linetype Scales
Changing linetype spacing by using a different linetype
Changing linetype spacing by changing the global linetype scale
Changing linetype spacing by changing the object linetype scale
Importing Layers and Linetypes from Other Drawings
Matching Properties
Summary
Chapter 12: Obtaining Information from Your Drawing
Drawing-Level Information
Listing the status of your drawing
Listing system variables
Tracking drawing time
Object-Level Information
Listing objects
Finding coordinates
Measuring objects
Getting information from the Properties palette
Getting information from the Quick Properties panel
Dividing and Spacing Commands
Dividing objects
Measuring objects
AutoCAD's Calculator
Calculating numbers
Using coordinates
Using object snaps
Using the scientific calculator
Converting units
Working with QuickCalc variables
Using QuickCalc in the Properties palette
Summary
Chapter 13: Creating Text
Creating Single-Line Text
Justifying single-line text
Setting the height
Setting the rotation angle
Adding special characters and formatting
Editing single-line text
Understanding Text Styles
Creating a new text style
Renaming and deleting text styles
Modifying a text style
Making a style current or changing a text object's style
Importing a text style
Creating Multiline Text
Using the In-Place Text Editor
Creating text for different scales
Editing paragraph text
Importing text
Creating Tables
Inserting a table
Specifying a table style
Adding data to a table
Modifying a table
Inserting Fields
Creating fields
Editing and updating fields
Managing Text
Using Quicktext
Using AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT fonts
Freezing text layers
Using MIRRTEXT
Finding Text in Your Drawing
Checking Your Spelling
Summary
Chapter 14: Drawing Dimensions
Working with Dimensions
The elements of a dimension
Preparing to dimension
Drawing Linear Dimensions
Specifying the dimensioned object
Using dimension options
Creating jogged dimension lines
Drawing Aligned Dimensions
Specifying the dimensioned object
Using the options
Creating Baseline and Continued Dimensions
Drawing baseline dimensions
Drawing continued dimensions
Dimensioning Arcs and Circles
Marking arc and circle centers
Dimensioning arc lengths
Creating radial dimensions
Creating diameter dimensions
Dimensioning Angles
Creating Ordinate Dimensions
Drawing Leaders
Creating a multileader
Editing multileaders
Creating a multileader style
Aligning and combining leaders
Using Quick Dimension
Creating Inspection Dimensions
Creating Geometric Tolerances
Starting the tolerance frame
Inserting the tolerance frame
Editing a tolerance frame
Editing Dimensions
Editing associativity
Using the DIMEDIT command
Using the DIMTEDIT command
Flipping dimension arrows
Editing dimension text
Using the Properties palette to edit dimensions
Changing annotative scales
Spacing dimensions equally apart
Breaking dimensions
Using Quick Dimension to edit dimensions
Using grips to edit dimensions
Editing objects and dimensions together
Summary
Chapter 15: Creating Dimension Styles
Understanding Dimension Styles
Defining a New Dimension Style
Managing dimension lines
Defining symbols and arrows
Managing dimension text
Fitting dimensions into tight spaces
Defining primary units
Defining alternate units
Formatting tolerances
Changing Dimension Styles
Choosing a new current dimension style
Creating a variant of a dimension style
Modifying a dimension to use a new dimension style
Modifying dimension styles
Overriding a dimension style
Updating dimensions
Comparing dimension styles
Copying dimension styles from other drawings
Summary
Chapter 16: Drawing Complex Objects
Creating and Editing Polylines
Using the PLINE command
Editing polylines with the PEDIT command
Editing polylines with the Properties palette or Quick Properties palette
Drawing and Editing Splines
Creating splines
Editing splines
Creating Regions
Creating Boundaries
Creating Hatches
Understanding hatch patterns
Defining a hatch
Determining the hatch boundary
Dragging and dropping hatch patterns
Creating gradient fills
Editing hatches
Using the SOLID command
Creating and Editing Multilines
Creating a multiline style
Drawing multilines
Editing multilines
Creating Dlines in AutoCAD LT
Using the SKETCH Command
Digitizing Drawings with the TABLET Command
Summary
Chapter 17: Plotting and Printing Your Drawing
Preparing a Drawing for Plotting or Printing
Doing a draft plot
Plotting a drawing from model space
Creating a Layout in Paper Space
Entering paper space
Using the Layout Wizard
Laying out a drawing in paper space on your own
Annotating a layout
Saving a layout template
Working with Plot Styles
Setting the plot-style mode
Creating a plot-style table
Attaching a plot-style table to a layout
Setting the plot-style property for a layer or object
Plotting a Drawing
Specifying plot settings
Previewing your plot
Creating a plot stamp
Creating the plot
Summary
Part III: Working with Data
Chapter 18: Working with Blocks and Attributes
Combining Objects into Blocks
Understanding base points and insertion points
Creating a block
Redefining a block
Saving blocks as files
Replacing an existing file
Inserting Blocks and Files into Drawings
Using the Insert dialog box
Using the DesignCenter
Managing Blocks
Working with layers
Exploding blocks
Using the XPLODE command
Editing blocks
Creating and Using Dynamic Blocks
Understanding action-based parameters
Understanding the work flow of dynamic blocks
Defining a dynamic block with action-based parameters
Inserting and modifying dynamic blocks
Using Windows Features to Copy Data
Manipulating objects with the Windows Clipboard
Using drag-and-drop
Working with Attributes
Creating attribute definitions
Inserting blocks with attributes
Editing attributes
Extracting a database from attributes
Summary
Chapter 19: Referencing Other Drawings
Understanding External References
Attaching an external reference
Opening an xref
Using the External References palette
Editing an Xref within Your Drawing
Choosing the xref or block to edit
Editing the xref
Controlling Xref Display
Xrefs and dependent symbols
Circular references
Clipping xrefs
Speeding up the display of large xrefs
Managing Xrefs
Xref notification
DesignCenter
The xref log file
Working with DWF, DGN, and PDF Underlays
Attaching a DWF underlay
Attaching a DGN underlay
Attaching a PDF underlay
Modifying an underlay
Summary
Chapter 20: Working with External Databases
Understanding External Database Access
Preparing for Database Connectivity
Organizing the database structure
Configuring a data source
Connecting to Your Database
Connecting a database to a drawing
Opening a data table
Editing data in the Data View window
Linking Data to Drawing Objects
Creating a link template
Creating a link
Creating Labels
Creating label templates
Creating attached labels
Creating freestanding labels
Querying with the Query Editor
Using the Quick Query tab
Using the Range Query tab
Using the Query Builder tab
Using the SQL Query tab
Creating selection sets with Link Select
Working with Query Files
Storing queries
Importing and exporting queries
Summary
Part IV: Drawing in Three Dimensions
Chapter 21: Specifying 3D Coordinates
Working in a 3D Environment
Using 3D Coordinates
Absolute and relative Cartesian coordinates in 3D
Cylindrical and spherical coordinates
Using editing commands with 3D wireframes
Using point filters, object snaps, object tracking, and grips in 3D
Creating 3D polylines
Creating helixes
Using Elevation and Thickness
Creating surfaces with thickness
Using the HIDE command
Controlling the display of hidden lines and objects
Adding elevation to objects
Working with the User Coordinate System
Using the UCS icon
UCSs and viewpoints
Using UCS options to change the UCS
Changing the UCS dynamically
Summary
Chapter 22: Viewing 3D Drawings
Working with the Standard Viewpoints
Using the VPOINT command
Looking at a drawing from the standard viewpoints
Using DDVPOINT
Using the ViewCube to View Your Drawing
Creating a Named View with a Camera
Creating a camera
Editing a camera
Adding a Background to a Named View
Working with the Tripod and Compass
Displaying a Quick Plan View
Displaying Parallel and Perspective Projections
Using 3D Orbit
Starting 3D Orbit
Navigating with 3D Orbit
Refining your 3D Orbit view
Using ShowMotion to Cycle Through Views
Creating shots
Displaying shots
Walking Through a Model
Navigating in Walk mode
Specifying Walk mode settings
Flying through a model
Saving the walk as a movie file
Using a motion path to save a movie file
Navigating with the Wheel
Using DVIEW to a Create a Perspective View
Using DVIEW
Understanding the DVIEW options
Working with Visual Styles
Displaying visual styles in AutoCAD
Creating custom visual styles
Using the shading options in AutoCAD LT
Display materials, textures, and lights as you work
Laying Out 3D Drawings
Using SOLVIEW to lay out paper space viewports
Using SOLDRAW to create hidden lines and hatching
Using SOLPROF to create profiles
Flattening 3D drawings
Printing in 3D
Summary
Chapter 23: Creating 3D Surfaces
Drawing Surfaces with 3DFACE
Using the 3DFACE command
Making 3D face edges invisible
Drawing Surfaces with PFACE
Creating Plane Surfaces
Creating Polygon Meshes with 3DMESH
Drawing Standard 3D Shapes
Box
Wedge
Pyramid
Cone
Sphere
Dome
Dish
Torus
Mesh
Drawing Revolved Surfaces
Understanding the REVSURF command
Working with the REVOLVE command
Drawing an Extruded Surface
Working with the TABSURF command
Working with the EXTRUDE command
Sweeping objects along a path
Drawing Surfaces Between 2D Objects
Creating ruled surfaces
Lofting objects
Drawing Edge Surfaces
Working with Multiple Types of Objects
Converting 2D objects to surfaces
Converting meshes to smooth surfaces
Thickening a surface into a solid
Extracting edges from a surface or a region
Summary
Chapter 24: Creating Solids and Editing in 3D
Drawing Basic Smooth Solids
Drawing a box
Drawing a wedge
Drawing a cone
Drawing a sphere
Drawing a cylinder
Drawing a torus
Drawing a pyramid
Creating Extruded Solids
Managing objects used to make other objects
Using the EXTRUDE command
Drawing Swept Solids
Drawing Revolved Solids
Drawing Lofted Solids
Drawing Polyline-Like Solids
Manipulating Solids
Grip-editing solids
Selecting sub-objects
Moving, rotating, and scaling with the gizmos
Working with Mesh Shapes
Creating meshes
Editing meshes
Converting solids and meshes
Creating Complex Solids
Combining solids
Subtracting solids
Creating a solid from the intersection of two solids
Creating a new solid by using INTERFERE
Pressing or pulling a region
Using solid history
Sectioning and Slicing Solids
Using the SECTION command
Creating an interactive section object
Using the SLICE command
Using Editing Commands in 3D
Mirroring in 3D
Arraying in 3D
Rotating in 3D
Aligning in 3D
Trimming and extending in 3D
Filleting in 3D
Chamfering in 3D
Exploding and converting 3D objects
Using the SOLIDEDIT Command
Editing faces
Editing edges
Editing bodies
Listing Solid Properties
Summary
Chapter 25: Rendering in 3D
Understanding Rendering
Learning the steps
Doing a default rendering
Creating Lights
Setting the default light
Creating a point light
Creating a target point light
Creating a spotlight
Creating a Free spotlight
Creating a distant light
Simulating the sun
Managing lights
Working with Materials
Attaching a material from the Tool Palettes window
Using the Materials palette
Creating your own materials
Attaching materials
Using backgrounds
Doing the Final Render
Statistics
Saving rendered images
Summary
Part V: Organizing and Managing Drawings
Chapter 26: Keeping Control of Your Drawings
Accessing Drawing Components with the DesignCenter
Navigating with the DesignCenter
Accessing named drawing components
Controlling the DesignCenter display
Accessing Drawing Content with Tool Palettes
Creating a new tool palette
Adding content tools
Adding command tools
Copying a tool
Setting tool properties
Organizing tool palettes
Using a tool palette
Setting Standards for Drawings
Using the CAD Standards tools
Using layer notification
Translating layers
The Communication Center
Renaming named objects
Working with Sheet Sets
Understanding sheet sets
Creating a sheet set
Setting up sheet set references
Using a sheet set
Organizing Your Drawings
Archiving drawings
Finding drawings
Specifying drawing properties
Maintaining Security
Password protection
Digital signatures
Keeping Track of Referenced Files
Handling Errors and Crashes
Taking care of temporary files
Repairing corrupted drawing files
Using backup drawings
Recovering from a crash
Managing Drawings from Prior Releases
Summary
Chapter 27: Working with Other Applications
Importing and Exporting Other File Formats
Exporting drawings
Importing files
Working with Raster Images
Attaching images
Managing images
Clipping images
Controlling image display
Pasting, Linking, and Embedding Objects
Embedding objects into a drawing
Using Paste Special
Linking data
Summary
Chapter 28: Creating Electronic Output
Sending Drawings
Using eTransmit
Specifying transmittal settings
Opening Drawings from the Web
Using the Browse the Web – Open dialog box
Using i-drop to drag objects into a drawing
Creating Object Hyperlinks
Creating a hyperlink
Using a hyperlink
Editing a hyperlink
Publishing Drawings
Understanding DWF and DWFx files
Creating 2D DWF and DWFx files
Creating 3D DWF and 3D DWFx files
Using the Publish to Web Wizard
Posting DWF and DWFx files directly
Editing Web pages
Viewing DWF and DWFx drawings
Summary
Part VI: Customizing AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT
Chapter 29: Customizing Commands, Toolbars, and Tool Palettes
Working with Customizable Files
Editing customizable files
Backing up customizable files
Using the command-line form of commands
Documenting your files
Creating Shortcuts for Commands
Creating shortcuts to Windows programs
Creating keyboard shortcuts to commands
Customizing Toolbars
Customizing classic toolbars
Removing buttons from an existing toolbar
Creating a new toolbar
Removing custom commands
Customizing the Quick Access Toolbar
Creating and displaying a Quick Access toolbar
Adding a drop-down menu
Customizing Tool Palettes
Summary
Chapter 30: Creating Macros and Slide Shows
Creating Macros with Script Files
Creating the script file
Running a script file
Recording Actions
Creating an action macro
Editing an action macro
Playing back a macro
Creating Slide Shows
Creating slides
Viewing slides
Using scripts to create slide shows
Creating Slide Libraries
Summary
Chapter 31: Creating Your Own Linetypes and Hatch Patterns
Creating Linetypes
Creating simple linetypes
Creating complex linetypes
Creating Hatch Patterns
Summary
Chapter 32: Creating Shapes and Fonts
Creating Shapes
Using shape files
Creating shape files
Editing shape files
Creating Fonts
Summary
Chapter 33: Customizing the Ribbon and Menus
Working with the Customization File
Understanding the Customization file
Loading and unloading customization files
Customizing the Interface
Looking at a ribbon panel
Writing macros
Customizing the ribbon
Customizing the drop-down menu
Customizing mouse buttons and tablet buttons
Customizing image-tile menus
Customizing tablet menus
Working with the Screen menu
Creating keyboard shortcuts
Customizing the double-click behavior
Customizing the Quick Properties palette and rollover tooltips
Summary
Part VII: Programming AutoCAD
Chapter 34: Understanding AutoLISP and Visual LISP Basics
Introducing Visual LISP
Opening Visual LISP
Opening and loading an AutoLISP file with Visual LISP
Loading an AutoLISP file
Using an AutoLISP routine in AutoCAD
Looking at an AutoLISP routine
Using the Visual LISP editor
Closing a file and Visual LISP
Getting Help in Visual LISP
Working with AutoLISP Expressions
Understanding AutoLISP syntax
Working with numbers and text
Using AutoLISP on the Command Line
Creating AutoLISP Files
Summary
Chapter 35: Exploring AutoLISP Further
Creating Variables
Working with AutoCAD Commands
Accessing AutoCAD commands
Creating functions
Creating functions with arguments
Working with system variables
Working with Lists
Using lists for coordinates
Creating dotted pairs
Setting Conditions
Conditional statements
Loop statements
Managing Drawing Objects
Getting information about an object
Modifying objects
Creating selection sets
Getting Input from the User
Putting on the Finishing Touches
Summary
Chapter 36: Exploring Advanced AutoLISP Topics
Understanding Global and Local Variables
Working with Visual LISP ActiveX Functions
Reviewing AutoLISP retrieval and modification
Using ActiveX with Visual LISP
Debugging Code
Using the Error Trace window
Working with breakpoints
Using the Watch window
Summary
Chapter 37: Programming with Visual Basic for Applications
Starting to Work with VBA
Opening the VBA environment
Getting acquainted with VBA
Investigating the hierarchy model
Accessing help
Writing VBA Code
Looking at VBA syntax
Saving a VBA routine
Loading a VBA routine
Running a VBA routine
Using the Visual Basic Editor
Understanding variables
Creating VBA statements
Getting User Input
Creating Dialog Boxes
Understanding the Toolbox toolbar
Changing dialog box properties
Adding dialog box controls
Modifying Objects
Using constants
Using functions
Debugging and Trapping Errors
Moving to Advanced Programming
Summary
A Final Word
Part VIII: Appendixes
Appendix A: Installing and Configuring AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT
Preparing to install
Starting installation
Installing the VBA enabler
Installing network licenses and CAD Manager tools
Changing an installation
Authorizing AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT
Creating and modifying a workspace
Switching between workspaces
Customizing the status bar
Configuring options
Using command-line switches
Understanding configuration files
Creating multiple configurations
Using the Plotter Manager
Editing a plotter configuration
Appendix B: AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT Resources
Using AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT Help resources
Learning from your dealer
Taking a course
Learning from other users
Reading magazines and newsletters
Appendix C: What's on the DVD-ROM
Using the Drawings folder
Using the Results folder
Using the Links folder
Using the Software folder
Applications
Using the eBook version of AutoCAD 2010 and AutoCAD LT 2010 Bible
AutoCAD® 2010 & AutoCAD LT® 2010 Bible
AutoCAD® 2010 & AutoCAD LT® 2010 Bible
AutoCAD® 2010 & AutoCAD LT® 2010 Bible
Published byWiley Publishing, Inc.10475 Crosspoint BoulevardIndianapolis, IN 46256www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
ISBN: 978-0-470-43640-0
Manufactured in the United States of America
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Dedication
To MMY, for teaching me that there's more to life than meets the eye and that the deeper levels of life are the most intelligent, powerful, and blissful.
About the Author
Ellen Finkelstein learned AutoCAD in Israel, where she always got to pore over the manual because it was in English. After returning to the United States, she started consulting and teaching AutoCAD as well as other computer programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. She has also taught courses on Web writing and usability. Her Web site, www.ellenfinkelsteincom, contains tips and techniques for AutoCAD, PowerPoint, and presenting, and she publishes the AutoCAD Tips Blog, and a monthly AutoCAD Tips Newsletter. Ellen has written extensively on AutoCAD, including articles for Autodesk's Web site and features for AutoCAD's Help system. Ellen's first book was AutoCAD For Dummies Quick Reference. Since then, she has written books on PowerPoint, OpenOffice.org (OpenOffice.org For Dummies), Flash (such as Flash CS4 For Dummies), and Web technologies (Syndicating Web Sites with RSS Feeds For Dummies). You're holding the tenth edition (wow!) of this book, which previously appeared for AutoCAD releases 14, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.
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Foreword
Congratulations!
Whether you are a new or expert user with AutoCAD, you have truly made a worthwhile investment with the AutoCAD 2010 & AutoCAD LT 2010 Bible. This book will be a valuable addition to your library that you will use on a regular basis as a reference and guide to using AutoCAD. With each release of AutoCAD and its new feature set, the AutoCAD Bible is an excellent resource for learning and getting up to speed quickly on all things AutoCAD.
Everything from the basics of AutoCAD to 3D and programming is covered in this book. The information is well organized, and a comprehensive index makes retrieving information that you need a cinch.
You'll see real-world examples and AutoCAD drawings on the DVD that will quickly help you to understand and learn new concepts through the exercises. Even more helpful is the fact that the drawings are available in both a before and after format, allowing you to use the after format as a reference.
Ellen has been writing books about AutoCAD for so long that she is practically a household name here at Autodesk and in the AutoCAD world. She is an active participant in our beta program and helps shape the direction of future releases of AutoCAD. You are truly learning from one of the finest and most experienced professionals in this field.
Although the in-depth coverage of this book may seem overwhelming, do not feel discouraged by the book's thickness. Pick out the tools that you want to learn about and then proceed from there. If you are interested in learning new features, pick a different topic each week to learn about it.
Thank you, Ellen, for creating another great edition of the AutoCAD Bible. I know our customers will benefit from reading it as I have.
Kathy O'ConnellAutoCAD Product ManagerAutodesk, Inc.
Acknowledgments
I would like to offer special thanks to Stephanie McComb, my acquisitions editor, who was very supportive throughout the writing of this book.
A huge thank-you goes to Jade Williams, whose infinite organizing power kept the book on track. Jade kept up with a seemingly infinite number of versions of text documents and images, coordinating the writing, editing, and production of the entire book.
My thanks to Lee Ambrosius, (www.hyperpicscom), the highly knowledgeable technical editor for most of the book. Lee's comments improved the book throughout. In addition, Lee and Brian Benton both took on chapters to update; their expert help made this huge project a lot easier. Finally, Darren Young did a superb job of technical editing for Lee's chapters. These three are AutoCAD authorities and you, the reader, benefit.
I also thank Marylouise Wiack for her precise editing of this very technical book, and all of the people at Wiley who helped with the production of this book and its DVD.
Thanks to Kathy O'Connell, AutoCAD Product Manager at Autodesk, Inc., for the excellent Foreword for this book. I also want to express my great appreciation to the members of Autodesk's beta and product teams who were very supportive throughout the beta period. They include Shaan (the great) Hurley, Nate Bartley, Eric Stover, Matt Stein, and many others.
Many people contributed drawings and software for this book. I'd like to thank all of them. They have helped to make this book the most comprehensive book on AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT available.
Finally, I would like to thank my husband, Evan, who helped out around the house while I was writing, writing, and writing. Without his support, I could not have completed this book.