AutoSketch for Windows

From the Book: AutoSketch for Windows is an innovative text written to show you how to apply AutoSketch to typical drafting and design tasks. This text covers computer hardware, industry practices, and the technical language of computer-aided drafting (CAD). These topics are important for readers who are preparing for a career as a drafter or designer, and for readers who want to use CAD for their own convenience. For the home user, this book will help take your ideas from thoughts in your head to a hardcopy. For experienced manual drafters, the topics and activities will make your transition from the drafting board to the computer much smoother, and more enjoyable. For experienced CAD users switching to AutoSketch software, this text will help you learn how AutoSketch differs from other CAD programs. Whether you are a new computer user, an experienced manual drafter, or an experienced CAD user, this text will be a valuable resource. The topics in AutoSketch for Windows are covered in an easy-to-learn sequence. Topics also progress in a way that allows you to become comfortable with the commands as your knowledge builds from one chapter to the next. Each chapter includes the following items. Objectives at the beginning of each chapter stating what will be learned in the chapter. Step-by-step use of AutoSketch commands. Tool icons in the margin next to sections discussing that particular tool. Shortcuts. These are tips on how to use AutoSketch more productively.In-chapter exercises that help you practice AutoSketch commands as soon as they are presented. Many of the exercises build on previously learned material. End-of-chapter lists of Important Terms and New Tools and Commands presented in the chapter. These will help you identify AutoSketch commands and industry language. Review questions that help you study important concepts and drafting practices. Activities that allow you to apply AutoSketch commands to drafting problems. The Activities section is based on commands presented in the chapter, but may contain activities that also build on previously learned material. AutoSketch for Windows not only helps you learn how to use AutoSketch commands, but also makes you familiar with other aspects of CAD. Some of the additional material covered includes the following. Computer hardware used with AutoSketch. Benefits of computer aided drafting over manual drafting. Coordinate systems used by AutoSketch and other drafting programs. Drawing and editing techniques that increase your productivity. Accepted dimensioning practices. Creating working drawings common in mechanical and architectural drafting. Creating three-dimensional pictorial drawings. Exporting drawings for desktop publishing. Creating drawings that can be transferred to computer numerical control (CNC) machines and computer-aided machining systems. Brian L. Duelm