Up and Running with AutoCAD 2013: 2D and 3D Drawing and Modeling

Up and Running with AutoCAD 2013 by Elliot Gindis is an easy-to-learn introduction to AutoCAD featuring step-by-step instructions that explain both the why and the how for using this industry standard software package. The book strips away complexities, both real and perceived, and reduces AutoCAD to easy-to-understand basic concepts. All concepts are explained first in theory, and then shown in practice, helping the reader understand what it is they are doing and why, before they do it.

The book is divided into three parts, guiding students through the subject matter from the beginning stages of using the software through advanced AutoCAD, including 3D features. Chapters deal with topics such as: layers, colors, linetypes, and properties; text, Mtext, editing, and style; blocks, Wblocks, dynamic blocks, groups, and purge; importing and exporting data; Boolean operations; Dview, walk and fly, animation, and action recording; and lighting and rendering. Also included is an extensive Appendix for each part, detailing additional useful CAD-related information not often found in other text books. In addition, the book contains supporting graphics (screen shots); a summary with a self-test section at the end of each chapter; drawing examples and exercises; and two running "projects" that the student works on as he/she progresses through the chapters .

This book will appeal to beginner through advanced users of AutoCAD; architectural engineers, drafting, civil/construction engineers, and mechanical engineers; and students taking drafting/engineering drawing courses in engineering and engineering technology programs.

• Strips away complexities, both real and perceived and reduces AutoCAD to easy-to-understand basic concepts
• Teaches only what is essential to operating AutoCAD first, thereby immediately building student confidence
• All basic commands are documented step-by-step, meaning that what the student needs to type in and how AutoCAD responds is all spelled out in discrete and clear steps with screen shots added as needed
• Using the author’s extensive multi-industry knowledge of what is important and widely used in practice versus what is not, the material is presented by immediately immersing the student in practical, critically essential knowledge, with no padding of text or filler material
• All concepts are explained first in theory, and only then is AutoCAD introduced and the actual "button pushing" discussed. This is one of the key concepts in having students understand exactly what it is they are doing and why, before they do it

Elliot Gindis is the founding author of the Up and Running with AutoCAD series of textbooks. He is a former AutoCAD drafter and designer who got his start in New York City in 1996 and has logged in over 25,000 hours of screen time with a wide variety of architecture and engineering companies. From 1999 to 2008 he was on staff with the Pratt Institute of Design and as visiting instructor at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), teaching beginner, intermediate, and advanced (3D) AutoCAD classes. He was also the president of Vertical Technologies Consulting and Design, an AutoCAD training firm, and has advised, consulted, or assisted more than 60 companies nationwide in using and optimizing AutoCAD. Elliot was part of the AutoDesk Developers Network and was a Certified Technical Trainer. He published the first edition of the Up and Running textbook with Elsevier in 2010, and has supported each subsequent edition until 2020, when Robert Kaebisch took over full-time. Elliot currently resides in the Los Angeles area, and is an engineer in the defense industry.