Embracing the full capabilities of this powerful program, AutoCAD in 3D: A Modern Approach offers a complete guide to the creation and modification of 3D models. Using simple language and descriptive illustrations, it provides a foundation in the three basic modeling techniques and includes chapters on generating drawings, outputs and rendering. Each chapter is filled with aids to increase understanding-from command grids to job skills sections, to icons that show AutoCAD’s 2009 enhancements. Comprehensive projects, tutorials and exercises are geared to specific disciplines and help students develop an understanding of this software’s potential in their own professional life. 656pp.

Features:

An emphasis on AutoCAD’s full capabilities–is discussed throughout the text.

• Provides readers and instructors with features, uses and applications of AutoCAD not always discussed in competing texts.
• Emphasizes the creation and modification of 3D models.

A Quick-Start Tutorials chapter-appears early in the text.

• Helps introduce users to software capabilities and get them practicing right away.
• Challenges the user to create two 3D models prior to learning the theory behind the operations used.

Command grids-appear in the margin alongside the text.

• Provide specific information about the ways of invoking each command such as the toolbar icon, control panel of the dashboard, pull-down menu and more!

Discipline icons-appear in the margin alongside each exercise, tutorial or project.

• Allows instructors to quickly select discipline-specific assignments and enables students to work on projects that have the most relevance to their course of study.

Tips, Notes and For More Details boxes-highlight additional helpful information.

• Includes items such as dos and don’ts, facts, warnings, and alternative ways of proceeding.

New to AutoCAD 2009 icons-indicate commands and tools that are new to the program.

• Helps users quickly see topics that are completely new and demonstrates the recent improvement in the software.

Job Skills sections-provide information on how content relates to particular job skills.

• Adds relevance to chapter material and makes concepts more meaningful to students.

Exercises–appear within the chapters and walk students through newly acquired skills.

• Encourage students to practice a feature or technique in a safe, non-threatening environment.

Step-by-Step Tutorials-appear at the end of each chapter and offer more in-depthactivities.

• Includes discipline-specific projects that reinforce understanding and chapter content from a practical viewpoint.

Comprehensive projects–appear at the end of the chapter.

• Include assignments such as drawing a 3D model, wireframe model, surface model, solid model, and bench vise assembly model; completing the main body drawing; and the final product presentation.
• Help students learn about the most advanced techniques of the AutoCAD program and encourage them to practice numerous skills by solving these real design problems from start to finish.

Published in collaboration with Autodesk®–combines the expertise of an educational publisher and software developer.

• Addresses the skills, methodology and learning pedagogy for the industries that are supported by the Autodesk® Design Institute (ADI) software products.

Autodesk Learning Licenses-are available with the purchase of the text.

• Gives students the option of obtaining an Autodesk learning license for 180 days or 1 year.
• Provides adequate time for a student to complete all the activities in the book using the AutoCAD software.

Table of Contents:

• 1. Introduction to 3D in the AutoCAD Program
• 2. Quick-Start Tutorials
• 3. Wireframe Modeling
• 4. Creating and Modifying Faceted Surfaces
• 5. Creating 3D Solids and Surfaces
• 6. Editing 3D Solids and Surfaces
• 7. Advanced Tutorials
• 8. Generating Drawings and DWF Files
• 9. Rendering and Other Presentations