Using AutoCAD DesignCenter
DesignCenter is a dumb name for a useful, if somewhat busy, palette. The DesignCenter palette is handy for mining data from all kinds of drawings. Whereas the Properties palette is concerned with object [more…]
Going External with References in AutoCAD 2006
In AutoCAD, an xref, or external reference, is a reference to another, external file — one outside the current drawing — that you can make act as though it's part of your drawing. Technically, a reference [more…]
Accessing Libraries of Materials in AutoCAD 2008
AutoCAD 2008 comes with a large number of predefined materials that are organized into libraries. You can also build your own material library from the materials that you create and use for your 3D models [more…]
Setting a Grid in AutoCAD 2007
AutoCAD's grid is a set of evenly spaced, visible dots that serve as a visual distance reference. The grid (by default) also indicates how far the drawing limits extend. AutoCAD's [more…]
AutoCAD LT 2005: The Defining Difference
AutoCAD LT is one of the better deals around — a shining example of the old 80/20 rule: roughly 80 percent of the capabilities of AutoCAD for roughly 20 percent of the money. Like AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT runs [more…]
Creating a Table in AutoCAD 2007
You don't know the meaning of the word tedious unless you've tried to create a column-and-row data table in older versions of AutoCAD with the Line and DTEXT commands. AutoCAD's table object and the TABLESTYLE [more…]
Getting to Know 3D Features in AutoCAD 2007
Two new features in AutoCAD 2007 help you get your 3D feet wet: the 3D Modeling workspace and the Dashboard. Before you start making stuff or even start looking at already-made stuff, it's important to [more…]
Rendering with Presets in AutoCAD 2008
The rendering presets in AutoCAD 2008 simplifies the process by helping you find the perfect combination of settings to make your 3D model look great. AutoCAD comes with five standard render presets that [more…]
Degenerating and Regenerating in AutoCAD
The image of your drawing that you see displayed on the AutoCAD screen may seem like a simple thing — after all, AutoCAD just has to paint the lines and other objects on the screen as you draw them, right [more…]
Having Words with Your AutoCAD 2005 Drawings
In AutoCAD, adding text to a drawing is only slightly more complicated than adding it to a word processing document. Here are the steps:
1. Create a new AutoCAD text style, or select an existing style, [more…]
Exercising Creativity with AutoCAD 2005 Templates
When you start AutoCAD 2005 with its desktop shortcut or from the Windows Start menu, AutoCAD creates a new, blank drawing based on the default template drawing [more…]
Getting Your Kicks with AutoCAD 2006
AutoCAD 2006 can save files as far back as AutoCAD 2000 format. If you need to go back farther than that (say, for a die-hard client still using Release 14), you can save to the R12 DXF format, which AutoCAD [more…]
Copying Existing Dimension Styles in AutoCAD 2008
If you're lucky enough to work in an office where someone has set up dimension styles that are appropriate for your industry and project, you can copy it and thereby avoid having to create your own dimension [more…]
Defining Arcs in AutoCAD 2008
AutoCAD 2008 offers you an easy way to define arcs: Just specify three points on-screen. These points tell AutoCAD where to start the arc, how much to curve it, and where to end it. The trouble is that [more…]
Using Dockable Windows in AutoCAD 2008
AutoCAD's dockable windows (or palettes) enable you to access settings and options without having to close them when you're done. AutoCAD comes with 14 dockable windows, and you can launch most of them [more…]
Relating AutoCAD 2005 to DWG Details
AutoCAD has been around a long time — since 1982. AutoCAD ushered in the transition from really expensivemainframe and minicomputer CAD systems costing tens of thousands of dollars to [more…]
Choosing an Editing Style in AutoCAD 2006
Editing objects is the flip side of creating them, and in AutoCAD 2006, you spend a lot of time editing — far more than drawing objects from scratch. That's partly because the design and drafting process [more…]
Sizing Up the AutoCAD 2005 Status Bar
The status bar appears at the bottom of the AutoCAD screen. The status bar displays and enables you to change several important settings that affect how you draw and edit in the current drawing. Some of [more…]
Keeping Your AutoCAD Files Intact
Although it can take many hours or days (or weeks) to accomplish a large chunk productive work in AutoCAD, you can accidentally undo it all (and that of your colleagues!) in minutes. Follow these guidelines [more…]
Using AutoCAD LT 2005 DesignCenter
DesignCenter is a dumb name for a useful, if somewhat busy, palette. The DesignCenter palette is handy for mining data from all kinds of drawings. Whereas the Properties palette is concerned with object [more…]
Keeping Tabs on Palettes in AutoCAD 2008
AutoCAD 2008 contains more than a dozen palettes (more than a half-dozen in AutoCAD LT). Palettes, or modeless dialog boxes as the geekier types prefer to call them, made their debut in AutoCAD 2004 and [more…]
