Product Description

"Whether you're new to AutoCAD or a veteran, you will undoubtedly find this book to be an excellent resource."
-- Abhi Singh, AutoCAD Product Manager, Autodesk, Inc.

Here's the book that makes AutoCAD approachable

Even the people at Autodesk look to Ellen Finkelstein for AutoCAD training, so who better to teach you about AutoCAD 2008? This comprehensive guide brings veterans up to speed on AutoCAD updates and takes novices from the basics to programming in AutoLISP(r) and VBA. Every feature is covered in a logical order, and with the Quick Start chapter, you'll be creating drawings on your very first day. Success is in your hands.

* Start drawing right away with the easy Quick Start project
*

Master commands and procedures for 2D drawings
*

Work in 3D with hiding, shading, and rendering techniques
*

Automate drawing annotation and the display of layers in viewports
*

Organize and share data
*

Customize commands, toolbars, hatch patterns, and more

What's on the DVD?

* 30-day trial versions of AutoCAD 2008 and AutoCAD LT 2008
*

All drawings needed to complete the exercises in the book, including before-and-after versions
*

The entire text of the book in searchable PDF format
*

A selection of add-on programs that will enhance your use of AutoCAD

System Requirements: Please see the DVD-ROM appendix for details and complete system requirements

Connect to external spreadsheets and extract essential data from your drawing objects

Draw and display sophisticated 3D models

Develop flexible, easy-to-use dynamic blocks

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #113367 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 1296 pages

From the Back Cover
"Whether you're new to AutoCAD or a veteran, you will undoubtedly find this book to be an excellent resource."
— Abhi Singh, AutoCAD Product Manager, Autodesk, Inc.

Here's the book that makes AutoCAD approachable

Even the people at Autodesk look to Ellen Finkelstein for AutoCAD training, so who better to teach you about AutoCAD 2008? This comprehensive guide brings veterans up to speed on AutoCAD updates and takes novices from the basics to programming in AutoLISP® and VBA. Every feature is covered in a logical order, and with the Quick Start chapter, you'll be creating drawings on your very first day. Success is in your hands.

• Start drawing right away with the easy Quick Start project

• Master commands and procedures for 2D drawings

• Work in 3D with hiding, shading, and rendering techniques

• Automate drawing annotation and the display of layers in viewports

• Organize and share data

• Customize commands, toolbars, hatch patterns, and more

What's on the DVD?

• 30-day trial versions of AutoCAD 2008 and AutoCAD LT 2008

• All drawings needed to complete the exercises in the book, including before-and-after versions

• The entire text of the book in searchable PDF format

• A selection of add-on programs that will enhance your use of AutoCAD

System Requirements: Please see the DVD-ROM appendix for details and complete system requirements

Connect to external spreadsheets and extract essential data from your drawing objects

Draw and display sophisticated 3D models

Develop flexible, easy-to-use dynamic blocks

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.ellenfinkelstein.com, contains tips and techniques for AutoCAD and PowerPoint, and she publishes a monthly AutoCAD Tips Newsletter. Ellen has written extensively on AutoCAD, including articles for Autodesk’s Web site, such as three white papers on dynamic blocks, and features for AutoCAD’s Help system. She is also the editor of Inside AutoCAD, a monthly newsletter published by Eli Journals.
Ellen’s first book was AutoCAD For Dummies Quick Reference. Since then, she has written books on Word, PowerPoint, OpenOffice.org (OpenOffice.org For Dummies), Flash (such as Flash 8 For Dummies), and Web technologies (for example, Syndicating Web Sites with RSS Feeds For Dummies). You’re holding the eighth edition of this book, which previously appeared for AutoCAD releases 14, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007.

Customer Reviews

Learn something new everyday...
I'm a student who has been using Autocad for the past 4 years. I kind of hit a point where I just kept using the same basic skills that I learned in early drafting classes. This book has helped me to start using more advanced techniques to put my drawings together better and work more efficiently. There were even a few basic skills that I didn't know of that I got from this book. Great reference or starting place for anyone learning or brushing up on Cad skills. worth every cent.

This is "Really" a great book !
Amazon wrote me an email to review this book. I immediately responded by saying that their are many books out there on the subject. I am a working professional that has to get results rather quickly. Since I am not able to go to AutoCad training at the moment, I thought I would give this book a try. I am very impressed to say the least. In order to get the "most" out of this book and to learn AutoCad easily, you really need to start at the beginning and NOT miss a step along the way. For some, including me, it is so easy to jump right to the middle or back, but in the long run, you will short change yourself. Do you yourself a favor, get the book and follow it from the beginning. There is some repeating of material, but I think it was done for a reason. Don't worry, the book gets you off immediately drawing some things, then the author backs up some and starts to explain what you just did. I am using this book daily even while I write this. Hey, as a matter of fact, I even wrote the author Ellen Finklestien and she wrote me back about a question I had ! Avoid the tempation to even skip a page, because the author packs alot of info in there !

Donnie D.

A winning coverage key to any serious engineering or computer library
Novices who want to move from the basics to programming in AutoLISP and VBA and advanced users of AutoCad who want a seasoned trainer's perspective on all the features of the program will find AUTOCAD 2008 AND AUTOCAD LT 2008 BIBLE essential. While it's a weighty reference which looks as though it would takes week to learn, actually a QuickStart chapter allows for creating drawings on the first day, while features are covered in logical, building-block order to create a strong foundation of tools and knowledge. Add screen shot examples throughout and you have a winning coverage key to any serious engineering or computer library, particularly at the college level.