Tutorial Guide to AutoCAD 2014
Category: Books,Computers & Technology,Graphics & Design
Tutorial Guide to AutoCAD 2014 Details
A Tutorial Guide to AutoCAD 2014 provides a step-by-step introduction to AutoCAD with commands presented in the context of each tutorial. In fifteen clear and comprehensive chapters, author Shawna Lockhart guides readers through all the important commands and techniques in AutoCAD 2014, from 2D drawing to solid modeling and finally finishing with rendering. In each lesson, the author provides step-by-step instructions with frequent illustrations showing exactly what appears on the AutoCAD screen. Later, individual steps are no longer provided, and readers are asked to apply what they've learned by completing sequences on their own. A carefully developed pedagogy reinforces this cumulative-learning approach and supports readers in becoming skilled AutoCAD users. A Tutorial Guide to AutoCAD 2014 begins with three Getting Started chapters that include information to get readers of all levels prepared for the tutorials. The author includes tips that offer suggestions and warnings as you progress through the tutorials. Key Terms and Key Commands are listed at the end of each chapter to recap important topics and commands learned in each tutorial. Also, a glossary of terms and Commands Summary lists the key commands used in the tutorials. Each chapter concludes with end of chapter problems providing challenges to a range of abilities in mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering as well as architectural problems. Table of Contents Getting Started: Preparing for the Tutorials Getting Started: AutoCAD Basics Getting Started: Studying for AutoCAD Certification Introduction to the AutoCAD Software Basic Construction Techniques Basic Editing and Plotting Techniques Geometric Constructions Template Drawings and More Plotting 2D Orthographic Drawings Dimensioning Advanced Dimensioning Section and Auxiliary Views Blocks, DesignCenter, and Custom Tool Palettes Introduction to Solid & Surface Modeling Changing and Plotting Solid Models Creating Assembly Drawings from Solid Models Solid Modeling for Section and Auxiliary Views Rendering Glossary Appendix A: AutoCAD Command Summary Index
Reviews
This is the first AutoCAD book I've reviewed, so to be fair I can't compare it to what is available in general. I have not finished this book either, so this is a first impression. I did not have any AutoCAD experience before reading this book, so it may be a good refresher or supplement for someone who already has some CAD experience. On the other hand, I have a good bit of software experience, and usually find new programs pretty easy to learn, so if programs are usually a problem for you, I wouldn't start here.On the good side, this book is PACKED with information. The teaching style is hands-on, which I find to be the most effective. It includes exercises for each chapter. It is truly aimed at the beginner with no previous CAD experience (or maybe no previous Windows experience as it even explains left clicking and right clicking, etc.). The index seems pretty decent and the material coverage seems well chosen and well-organized chapter-wise.On the bad side, the book suffers from a lack of editing or trial usage. For example, on page GS1-4 she has you set up a default working directory. However, if you follow the directions, you will make a directory, but it will NOT be the AutoCAD default as intended. I realized that so I was able to fix it, but not everyone will. I found this book very frustrating to use, frequently having to go to other resources to figure out why things weren't working like the Tutorial examples. In most cases it was because you needed to use the same settings she had, but she didn't always specify that, and she had no troubleshooting tips for what to do when the instructions did not produce the intended results. A number of things needed to be explained better. In Ch 1 there were two exercises that required information she didn't go over yet. There are probably shortcuts for the way I did most of the exercises in Ch. 1, but since she didn't cover them, I will need to find that information elsewhere. If she had given the book to a few people who knew nothing of CAD and had them run through it on their own computers, I think these shortcomings would have been amended and she would have had a great product. I am considering abandoning this book and learning from another source.
