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Mastering AutoCAD 2004 and AutoCAD LT 2004

by George Omura
Paperback: 1264 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 2.56 x 9.12 x 7.54
Publisher: Sybex; Book and CD-ROM edition (May 19, 2003)
ISBN: 0782141889

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Book Description
George Omura, the all time best selling AutoCAD author popular for his personable and cogent style, has just updated his book for the latest releases of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. For the first time, he is combining meticulous coverage of both Autodesk products in one volume. This new version of the de facto industry-standard for AutoCAD books, is ideal for all levels of users. It leads novices through their first drawing; shows intermediate users how to work with attributes, external databases, modeling and imaging; and introduces advanced users to rendering and animating 3D drawings, customizing, and VBA. The CD offers files for all the drawing exercises in the book, plus general-purpose utilities for better productivity with AutoCAD including symbols libraries and demos.

From the Back Cover
The Classic AutoCAD Resource-Now Covering the Latest Release of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT

Mastering AutoCAD 2004 and AutoCAD LT 2004 is a fully updated and enhanced edition of Omura's classic. If you've never used AutoCAD, the tutorial approach and step-by-step instruction will get you started right away. If you're familiar with an earlier release, in-depth explanations of AutoCAD's newest and most advanced features will quickly take your work to the next level. Whatever your experience, however you use AutoCAD, this is an indispensable resource that you'll refer to again and again. Coverage includes:
- Finding your way around the AutoCAD interface
- Creating and developing an AutoCAD drawing
- Managing your drawing projects
- Controlling your drawings' printed output
- Previewing your drawings using WYSIWYG plotting
- Discovering hidden features
- Mastering the 3D modeling and rendering process
- Customizing AutoCAD
- Taking advantage of AutoCAD's Internet features
- Linking drawings to databases and spreadsheets
- Combining tools to accomplish complex tasks
- Managing custom symbols
- Securing and authenticating your files
- Aligning and coordinating
- Layout views
- Customizing and using the new Tool Palettes
- Using Publish to share files with non-AutoCAD users

Featured on the CD The enclosed CD contains a full-featured 30-day trial version of AutoCAD 2004, ready for you to install and use alongside the book's tutorials. You also get bonus coverage of AutoLISP and AutoCAD system variables, project files (including finished drawings) for all the exercises in the book, and a symbols library.

About the Author
George Omura is an architect and illustrator who has been using AutoCAD for the past 17 years. As a CAD specialist, he has worked on design projects ranging from resort hotels to metropolitan transit systems to the San Francisco Library project. A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, he is the all-time best-selling AutoCAD author. George's other AutoCAD books, all from Sybex, include Mastering AutoCAD 2002, Mastering 3D Studio VIZ, AutoCAD 2000 Instant Reference, and Mastering AutoCAD 2000 for Mechanical Engineers. Currently he is writing a Q&A column for Autodesk.com.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Part 1 • The Basics
Chapter 1 • This Is AutoCAD
Chapter 2 • Creating Your First Drawing
Chapter 3 • Learning the Tools of the Trade
Chapter 4 • Organizing Your Work

Part 2 • Building on the Basics
Chapter 5 • Editing for Productivity
Chapter 6 • Enhancing Your Drawing Skills
Chapter 7 • Printing, Plotting, and Layouts
Chapter 8 • Adding Text to Drawings
Chapter 9 • Using Dimensions

Part 3 • Becoming an Expert
Chapter 10 • Attributes-Storing Data with Graphics
Chapter 11 • Working with External Databases
Chapter 12 • Copying Pre-existing Drawings into AutoCAD
Chapter 13 • Power Editing
Chapter 14 • Drawing Curves and Solid Fills
Chapter 15 • Getting and Exchanging Data from Drawings

Part 4 • 3D Modeling and Imaging
Chapter 16 • Introducing 3D
Chapter 17 • Using Advanced 3D Features
Chapter 18 • Rendering and Animating 3D Drawings
Chapter 19 • Mastering 3D Solids

Part 5 • Customization and Integration
Chapter 20 • Introduction to Customization
Chapter 21 • Integrating AutoCAD into Your Projects and Organization
Chapter 22 • Managing and Sharing Your Drawings

Appendices
Appendix A • What's on the Companion CD?
Appendix B • Installing and Setting Up AutoCAD
Appendix C • Hardware and Software Tips
Appendix D • System and Dimension Variables
Index

Customer Reviews
Omura's Books, June 15, 2003
Reviewer: Arqem Al-Younis from Thamar, Yemen
I love Omura's books about AutoCAD.I have all the versions from AutoCAD13 to AutoCAD2004, it is wonderful, easy to read to Understood to deal with, since I am an architeact& a lecturer in University, I this book very helpful in my work& teching.
Thank you
Arqem

One page is worth the price of the book, May 28, 2003
Reviewer: J. McGee from Seattle, WA United States
Page 963 alone is worth the price of the book if you are an advanced user. I learned how to set up all my blocks into a custom tool palette. Tool palettes are a new feature in 2004.
I started at chapter one, and learned about features I have overlooked although I've been using AutoCAD since version 10.

I can't praise Mr Omura enough, he even gives his e:mail address and invites suggestions for improvements. There isn't a better book on the market for new users of AutoCAD, or experienced users either. The writing style and exercises are so easy to follow.