Customer Reviews

AutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD LT 2011: No Experience Required

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AutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD LT 2011 - No Experience Required published by Sybex under their Serious Skill efforts was written by Donnie Gladfelter. This is a massive collection of information for those that are just starting and those that have years of use under their belts. There are seventeen chapters dedicated to the basic of opening files, creating objects and navigating the interface to rendering and materials. The breadth of topics covered is impressive.

Some of the basic stuff is very good for those that are uninitiated. He even goes over where to click on objects for specific actions. This is a learned skill, but Donnie does a good job of explaining the little things that cause frustrations and delays for new users. He does not stop at the new user level - far from it. He covers advanced topics with the same prowess that makes the entire book worth having.

He starts with the things that you would expect to cover in a book like this but does so with greater depth, going into dialog boxes, settings and selections that may confuse those just starting. This basis of foundation builds as the book proceeds. Sprinkled throughout the book are little pullout comments that help those that might notice errors, cautions and erratic behaviors in the program at the beginning. Another nice touch is the pullout conversations about Standards and another on "What to do when you make a Mistake".

One really good chapter to me is "Using Layers as an Organizing Tool". The author goes to great lengths to explain the entire perspective of how Layers can make a difference and what impact getting it right. Colors, Linestyles, naming, etc - it is all covered. He goes over what should be assigned to what Layer and why and also how to do it.

Scattered throughout the book are Warnings and Tips. These are from the many years of using these tools that the author shares with the reader.

Blocks, Dynamic Blocks, Hatching and Dimensions are covered in depth. Sharing procedures for creating them,using them and placing them. All in the context of an ongoing Architectural drawing process. From creation of the first lines to the final Title Block and then setting up Layouts and plotting (even Sheet Set Manager). Xrefs are addressed as well as images and more.

The final chapters even get into 3D creation and use. (I like the Right Hand Rule illustration). Topped off with Rendering and Material gives the reader the full tour of the product from start to finish. Add to that the final Glossary of terms will move the novice to avid user quickly.

This publication is well worth the read and also to study. The wealth of knowledge shared from the authors ample experience will assist everyone who buys and reads this book.

I recently received a copy of Donnie Gladfelter's book AutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD LT 2011: No Experience Required to review. The book is a behemoth at 982 pages and packs all of the steps required to create a plan set and model of The Cad Geek's Cabin inside. By using the example the user is taught how to create a plan set and the steps required to accomplish it. The book is well laid out starting with a review of AutoCAD's user interface and ending with converting the 2D linework into a 3D model of the building complete with materials. The step by step instructions are enhanced with AutoCAD screenshots of both where to pick and how the final product should look like.
The target of the book is primarily new users to the program although newer features of the program are included which could benefit experienced users. Examples of this include the parametric, newer 3D tools and dynamic blocks. I for one hadn't noticed the Infer Constraints button on the status bar. The Infer Constraints button, according to the book, "...will automatically apply constraints between objects as you create or modify them." Another feature that I forgot about was the ability to detach the ribbon from the top or remove a panel from it and drag it off to the side. This provides functionality similar to toolbars the ribbon replaced.
For the most part the book is an easy read and provides explanations and reasons for doing the steps. I also liked where the book provided examples on how to accomplish the same task in different ways. Such as using lines and offsetting, and them trimming or using polylines and offsetting them without having the need to go back and trim. The book has an index and glossary providing an easy way to find topics in the book.
If we had a new hire in the office who wanted to learn AutoCAD I wouldn't hesitate using this book as a learning tool. It would provide a good foundation to build CAD knowledge.
Disclaimer: I received the book from the publisher free of charge.

As the title indicates, this is a good beginner book. It is not meant for experienced users. Equally important, this book does not address the MEP version of AutoCAD 2011.

the book autocad 2011 is a best for beginner. the package is very proffesionaly done. Would recommend even to my competitor.

AutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD LT 2011: No Experience Required is fantastic. Mr. Gladfelter does a tremendous job of taking us from a bare bones starting point and getting us through one of the must complicated and versatile design programs out there. The book is meant for the beginner or novice, however as an experienced user of AutoCAD I found it enjoyable to read and very informative. If you need to learn AutoCAD or to brush up on your CAD Skills, this is a great resource. If you are a CAD Manager and need help in training your users, look here. If you are a drafting instructor in a middle school or high school, try this book out.

Donnie takes us all the way through the design process in AutoCAD and gives us advice on what to do and what not to do. The book is written in a way that makes learning the software enjoyable. Lets face it, this is AutoCAD not an action adventure novel. Click here, click here and click there can get boring. Not here. Each lesson is informative,precise and thorough. If you have used AutoCAD before and need to sharpen your skills or need to expand on what you can do with the program, get this book.

As the title states, this book is for those with absolutely no experience.

For those that have limited experience on a computer in general much less experience in AutoCAD, you will find this book extremely helpful. It is written in a way that is extremely easy to understand while giving multiple paths to get to the same destination. With absolutely no experience at all if you follow through this book you will have a fairly good understanding of the programs major features.

For those people that have some AutoCAD experience this book is probably not for you. I picked it up to brush up on a skill that I had not used in some time. For me personally I found the book painfully slow and not overly challenging. The only challenge that I found was translating some of the instructions to the MAC version of CAD that I use.

I do not mean to sound like I am bashing the book, on the contrary; it is a very good book at a very reasonable price for those with no experience. If you do have AutoCAD experience I think your money would be better spent on something a little more in depth. Or if you are just looking to brush up just find some items in your home that you can draw and then hit up the forums.

I'm not gonna talk about this book much but i will say "if you really want to learn about Revit you have to buy this book". it is simple and easy. Perfect book. Job well done. Many thanks to the author.

Keep up the good work.

I purchased this book because I wanted to teach myself AutoCAD before I started my internship. I skimmed the book and never got into the details or worked through any of the book. The book does go over the basics of how to use AutoCAD... lines, polylines, layers, and more detailed commands. Now I had about a total of one hour of experience of AutoCAD before I looked at the book. Skimming through the chapters I felt it really wasn't that helpful. I do however think that if you have no experience at all then do purchase the book. It a decent price and does provide a good amount of basic information.