A reference to AutoCAD 2008 and AutoCAD LT 2008, this book covers the subject, to make a pro out of novice. It teaches the basics of creating drawings, using commands, and specifying coordinates as well as advanced topics such as customization of commands and toolbars, and programming AutoCAD using AutoLISP and VBA. It is accompanied by a CD-ROM.

This is the eighth edition of the popular AutoCAD reference tutorial, the AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT Bible , by Ellen Finkelstein. Because of its comprehensive coverage, it is very popular among both novice and experienced users. Even some of the employees at Autodesk keep this book at their workstations. Coverage of AutoCAD LT, an inexpensive, light version of AutoCAD is also incorporated throughout the book. The book begins with a Quick Start tutorial, so that even beginners will be doing exciting work with AutoCAD on their very first day. The chapters begin with the basics of creating drawings, using commands, and specifying coordinates. Finkelstein builds on this these chapters to cover more complex 2D and 3D drawing techniques, including using layers, creating dimensions, 3D coordinates, solids, and rendering. Finally, the book discusses advanced topics such as customization of commands and toolbars, and programming AutoCAD using AutoLISP and VBA. A CD ROM contains before and after drawings for each tutorial. All of these real world drawings have been collected from AutoCAD professionals.

• About the Author.Foreword.Preface.Acknowledgments.Part I: AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT Basics.Quick Start: Drawing a Window.Chapter 1: Starting to Draw.Chapter 2: Opening a Drawing.Chapter 3: Using Commands.Chapter 4: Specifying Coordinates.Chapter 5: Setting Up a Drawing.Part II: Drawing in Two Dimensions.Chapter 6: Drawing Simple Lines.Chapter 7: Drawing Curves and Points.Chapter 8: Viewing Your Drawing.Chapter 9: Editing Your Drawing with Basic Tools.Chapter 10: Editing Your Drawing with Advanced Tools.Chapter 11: Organizing Drawings with Layers, Colors, Linetypes, and Lineweights.Chapter 12: Obtaining Information from Your Drawing.Chapter 13: Creating Text.Chapter 14: Drawing Dimensions.Chapter 15: Creating Dimension Styles.Chapter 16: Drawing Complex Objects.Chapter 17: Plotting and Printing Your Drawing.Part III: Working with Data.Chapter 18: Working with Blocks and Attributes.Chapter 19: Referencing Other Drawings.Chapter 20: Working with External Databases.Part IV: Drawing in Three Dimensions.Chapter 21: Specifying 3D Coordinates.Chapter 22: Viewing 3D Drawings.Chapter 23: Creating 3D Surfaces.Chapter 24: Creating Solids and Editing in 3D.Chapter 25: Rendering in 3D.Part V: Organizing and Managing Drawings.Chapter 26: Keeping Control of Your Drawings.Chapter 27: Working with Other Applications.Chapter 28: Getting on the Internet.Part VI: Customizing AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT.Chapter 29: Customizing Commands, Toolbars, Tool Palettes, and the Dashboard.Chapter 30: Creating Macros and Slide Shows with Script Files.Chapter 31: Creating Your Own Linetypes and Hatch Patterns.Chapter 32: Creating Shapes and Fonts.Chapter 33: Customizing Menus.Part VII: Programming AutoCAD.Chapter 34: Understanding AutoLISP and Visual LISP Basics.Chapter 35: Exploring AutoLISP Further.Chapter 36: Exploring Advanced AutoLISP Topics.Chapter 37: Programming with Visual Basic for Applications.Part VIII: Appendixes.Appendix A: Installing and Configuring AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT.Appendix B: AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT Resources.Appendix C: What's on the DVD.Index.End-User License Agreement.