AutoCAD 2016 and AutoCAD LT 2016 Essentials

Book excerpt: Learn AutoCAD 2016 quickly and painlessly with this practical hands-on guide AutoCAD 2016 Essentials gets you up to speed quickly, with hands-on instruction on the program's core features and functions. This new edition provides more manufacturing and landscape examples, a stronger emphasis on skills rather than tools, starting and ending files for every exercise, and a more clearly defined layout that separates the step-by-step instructions from the "why" discussion. Based on the real-world task of designing a house, the hands-on exercises help you quickly develop confidence and become productive with the software as you master the major 2D functions and move into 3D modeling. From layout to presentation, this in-depth guide takes you through the entire design process, and provides downloadable data so you can compare your work to the pros. If you're preparing for AutoCAD certification, this book is the ideal study guide — and the only one officially endorsed by Autodesk. This book is your unique learning resource that features concise, straightforward explanations and hands-on exercises. Each chapter opens with a quick discussion of concepts, and then briskly moves into an approachable, practical tutorial that helps you gain confidence in your new AutoCAD 2016 skills. Master the AutoCAD interface and basic 2D drawing skills Work with splines, polylines, hatch patterns, and gradients Organize objects with layers, groups, blocks, and cross-referencing Use constraints and layouts, print and export, model in 3D, and much more If you're a design professional, AutoCAD is need-to-know software. You have to be comfortable with it to be productive. AutoCAD 2016 Essentials gets you up and running quickly, with patient instruction and plenty of hands-on practice.