Design Software Books

You’re one step away from creating crystal-clear computer-aided drafts in AutoCAD Ever started an AutoCAD project, only to give up when you couldn’t quite get the hang of it? Or do you have a project coming up that would really benefit from a few meticulously created drawings? Then you need the latest edition of AutoCAD For Dummies, the world’s bestselling retail book about the wildly popular program. With coverage of all the important updates to AutoCAD released since 2019, this book walks you through the very basics of pixels, vectors, lines, text, and more, before moving on to more advanced step-by-step tutorials on three-dimensional drawings and models. Already know the fundamentals? Then skip right to the part you need! From blocks to parametrics, it’s all right here at your fingertips. You’ll also find: In-depth explanations of how to create and store your drawings on the web Stepwise instructions on creating your very first AutoCAD drawing, from product installation and project creation to the final touches An exploration of system variables you can tweak to get the best performance from AutoCAD Perfect for the AutoCAD newbie just trying to find their way around the interface for the first time, AutoCAD For Dummies is also a must-read reference for the experienced user looking to get acquainted with the program’s latest features and essential drawing tips. Grab a copy today!

The first step in making your ideas a reality SketchUp offers a vast array of tools that help you get your building, woodworking, and design plans out of your head and into a real model. Even if you’ve never dabbled in the software, SketchUp All-in-One For Dummies makes it easy to get started as quickly as the ideas pop into your head! Providing real-world insight from top SketchUp insiders, these six-books-in-one teach you how to tackle the basics of the program and apply those skills to real-world projects. You’ll discover the basics of modeling as they apply to either free or paid versions of SketchUp before diving into creating models to use for making objects, constructing buildings, or redesigning interiors. Navigate the SketchUp product mix Get familiar with the basics of modeling View and share your models Make your architecture, interior design, and woodworking dreams a reality You have tons of great ideas—and now you can harness this powerful software to bring them to life.

Create in 3D with Tinkercad! If you can dream it, you can create it—using Tinkercad. This free tool gives everyone the power to create 3D models, regardless of your level of experience. With the help of Tinkercad For Dummies, you’ll have the knowledge you need to plan your designs, the know-how to utilize the platform’s drag-and-drop tools to create your design, and the information you need to print or export your designs to use them elsewhere. Tinkercad is for everyone! It’s simple enough to be used by kids and students, but robust enough that an adult could use it to create a complex product prototype. With more than 4 million designs posted in the Tinkercad community, the platform is also popular with teachers around the world. Why not join in on the fun? Create your Tinkercad account and join the community Use the drag-and-drop tools to build 3D images Export your designs to have them 3D printed Learn the principles of great 3D design Tinkercad is truly fun for all ages, and this hands-on guide makes it faster and easier to start using it right away!

Everything you need to make the most of building information modeling If you're looking to get involved in the world of BIM, but don't quite know where to start, Building Information Modeling For Dummies is your one-stop guide to collaborative building using one coherent system of computer models rather than as separate sets of drawings. Inside, you'll find an easy-to-follow introduction to BIM and hands-on guidance for understanding drivers for change, the benefits of BIM, requirements you need to get started, and where BIM is headed. The future of BIM is bright—it provides the industry with an increased understanding of predictability, improved efficiency, integration and coordination, less waste, and better value and quality. Additionally, the use of BIM goes beyond the planning and design phase of the project, extending throughout the building life cycle and supporting processes, including cost management, construction management, project management, and facility operation. Now heavily adopted in the U.S., Hong Kong, India, Singapore, France, Canada, and countless other countries, BIM is set to become a mandatory practice in building work in the UK, and this friendly guide gives you everything you need to make sense of it—fast. Demonstrates how BIM saves time and waste on site Shows you how the information generated from BIM leads to fewer errors on site Explains how BIM is based on data sets that describe objects virtually, mimicking the way they'll be handled physically in the real world Helps you grasp how the integration of BIM allows every stage of the life cycle to work together without data or process conflict Written by a team of well-known experts, this friendly, hands-on guide gets you up and running with BIM fast.

Nobody ever said AutoCAD was easy, which is why you need AutoCAD & AutoCAD LT 2009 All-In-One Desk Reference for Dummies! These nine minibooks cover all the stuff you need to know to set up AutoCAD for 2D or 3D, create drawings, modify and share them, publish your work, and more. There’s even a minibook devoted to increasing your options with AutoCAD LT! This one-stop guide to creating great technical drawings using AutoCAD 2009 shows you how to navigate the AutoCAD interface, set up drawings, use basic and precision tools, and use drawing objects. You’ll learn how to annotate your drawings, use dimensioning and hatching, and work with AutoCAD’s new Annotation Scaling feature. You’ll also find out how to work with solids, texture surfaces, add lighting, and much more. Discover how to Navigate the AutoCAD interface Work with lines, shapes, and curves Add explanatory text Understand AutoCAD LT’s limitations Render your drawings Create and manage blocks Use AutoCAD advanced drafting techniques Comply with CAD management and standards Share your work with others Customize the AutoCAD interface, tools, and more Complete with Web links to advanced information on navigating the AutoCAD programming interfaces, using custom programs, getting started with AutoLISP, and working with Visual Basic for AutoCAD, AutoCAD & AutoCAD LT 2009 All-In-One Desk Reference for Dummies is the only comprehensive AutoCAD guide you’ll ever need.

AutoCAD is the leading software tool for creating technical and architectural drawings, but it definitely doesn't lead in the "easy to master" category. That's why there's AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies—the perfect way to break a complex topic into bite-size, easy-to-understand pieces. Once you get the hang of using AutoCAD and its slightly less feature-rich cousin, AutoCAD LT, you discover that it offers wonderful advantages. AutoCAD allows you to Create precision to 14 significant digits Re-use portions of your drawings by copying and pasting Draw things full size and print your drawings in any scale Produce drawings that are easier to read when reduced Electronically share and distribute drawings Design in 2D or 3D So obviously, the trick is to speed up that "getting the hang of it" process. That's where AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies comes in especially handy. Ten easy-to-follow minibooks cover every aspect of AutoCAD, including the latest features of AutoCAD 2007, so you can find just what you need to know quickly and easily. You'll get the scoop on AutoCAD basics, such as setting up drawings, finding your way around the interface, and using all the tools Drawing and modifying objects in 2D and annotating your drawings 3D modeling and viewing, working with solids and surfaces, and rendering Understanding how AutoCAD LT differs from AutoCAD and deciding which program you need Advanced drafting skills, including organizing drawings, working with blocks, and using AutoCAD utilities Setting up your drawings for plotting to paper and publishing Sharing your drawings online for collaboration Customizing and programming AutoCAD to make it work the way you want it to In the familiar, friendly For Dummies fashion, AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies gives you plain-English explanations and step-by-step directions. Written by a pair of AutoDesk Authorized Authors, this handy guide will help make your relationship with AutoCAD a happy and productive one.

AutoCAD 2007 is a premiere computer-aided designing program that lets you organize the objects you draw, their properties, and their files. It also helps you create great-looking models. But it’s not always easy to figure out how to perform these functions, and many users end up missing out on AutoCAD’s full potential. AutoCAD 2007 For Dummies will show you how to perform these tasks and more! This hands-on guide lets you discover how to navigate around all the complications and start creating cool drawings in no time. Soon you’ll have the tools you need to use DWG, set up drawings, add text, and work with lines, as well as: Draw a base plate with rectangles and circles Organize a successful template Zoom and pan with glass and hand Use the AutoCAD design center Navigate through your 3-D drawing projects Plot layout, lineweights, and colors Design block definitions Slice and dice your drawings to create new designs Create a Web format using AutoCAD This book also features suggestions and tips on how to touch up your creations as well as ways to swap drawing data with other people and programs. Written in a friendly, straightforward tone that doesn’t try to overwhelm you, AutoCAD 2007 For Dummies shows you the fun and easy way to draw precise 2-D and 3-D drawings!

Shows how to use the leading technical drawing software-AutoCAD-and its less-expensive sister product, AutoCAD LT, in the friendly, easy-to-understand For Dummies style Shows first-time AutoCAD users how to create precise and efficient 2-D technical drawings and get started with 3-D technical drawings Topics covered include creating a basic layout; drawing and editing; writing text in drawings; plotting, creating, and editing external reference files; CAD standards; and drawing on the Internet Explores new features in the latest version of AutoCAD, including text improvements, streamlined Plot and Page Setup dialogue boxes, increased emphasis on tool palettes, better tools for transmitting sets of electronic files, and much more Includes a new chapter on sheet sets and a new collection of features for creating, managing, and publishing all of the drawings that make up a project

Meet AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT and find out where to draw the line Tour AutoCAD's new features, make CAD standards rule, and find the friendlier xref Once upon a time, architectural drawings were created with - gasp -pencils, paper, and T-squares. Then came AutoCAD, with all its capabilities and complications. While this book won't turn back the clock, it will make it easy to explore AutoCAD 2004's new interface, conform with CAD standards, get the lowdown on 3D, and discover all the amazing things you and AutoCAD can do. The Dummies Way * Explanations in plain English * "Get in, get out" information * Icons and other navigational aids * Tear-out cheat sheet * Top ten lists * A dash of humor and fun

With AutoCAD 2002 For Dummies you can start designing with the world's top drafting software -? no prior knowledge required. This book helps you learn both the menu and toolbar access to commands; maximize productivity by learning how to customize AutoCAD to fit the way you work; and speed up your work by using the command line as an accelerator. This book covers product enhancements first introduced with the AutoCAD 2000i interim software. These key new features include internet-driven design capabilities. Now you can publish to the Web and collaborate with designers and customers online. Also, the user interface has been updated to bring it into closer alignment with the standard Microsoft Windows interface.