AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012 Bible [Paperback]

Ellen Finkelstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 12, 2011 | ISBN-10: 1118022211 | ISBN-13: 978-1118022214 | Edition: 1

The latest version of this perennial favorite, in-depth, reference-tutorial

This top-selling book has been updated by AutoCAD guru and author Ellen Finkelstein to provide you with the very latest coverage of both AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012. It begins with a Quick Start tutorial, so you start creating right away. From there, the book covers so much in-depth material on AutoCAD that it is said that even Autodesk employees keep this comprehensive book at their desks. A DVD is included that features before-and-after drawings of all the tutorials and plenty of great examples from AutoCAD professionals.

• Explains in depth both AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012
• Written by Ellen Finkelstein, a long-time AutoCAD instructor and very popular author of many editions of the AutoCAD Bible
• Starts with a tutorial on AutoCAD 2012 that covers the basics of creating drawings, using commands, and specifying coordinates
• Builds on early chapters to cover more complex 2D and 3D drawing techniquesDiscusses advanced topics such as customization and programming AutoCAD using AutoLISP and VBA
• Features a DVD with before-and-after drawings for each tutorial, and more

If you're eager to create 2D and 3D technical drawings with AutoCAD 2012, the AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT2012 Bible is what you need!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"Whether you are an experienced AutoCAD user or a newer member of the community, you have just made a great investment with the AutoCAD 2012 & AutoCAD LT 2012 Bible. This book will be a valuable reference and guide that we expect you to use on a regular basis to help you become more proficient and more productive with AutoCAD."
—Diane Li, AutoCAD Senior Product Manager, Autodesk, Inc.

Even AutoCAD pros keep this book on hand!

Discover what fans of the previous bestselling editions of this book already know—this in-depth guide from AutoCAD guru Ellen Finkelstein has everything you need to master AutoCAD. Every feature is covered clearly and comprehensively. Start with the basics and quickly progress, or, if you already know AutoCAD, find the detail you need to sharpen your skills to a fine point. If you want to learn AutoCAD, this is the book.

• Get off to a quick start by drawing a window right away

• Draw, view, and edit in 2D, then add text and dimensions

• Build, view, and present complex 3D drawings

• Customize commands, palettes, fonts, shapes, and more

• Program AutoCAD with AutoLISP and VB.NET

• Find a slew of new exercises with metric options

New feature! Array objects along a path

Work with real-world drawings

Create intelligent drawings with dynamic blocks and attribute labels

What's on the DVD?

• Trial versions of both AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012

• Over 130 before-and-after drawings from working AutoCAD professionals

• A selection of helpful add-on programs

• Video tutorials to help you with complex features

• Bonus chapter on working with external databases

System requirements: Please see the DVD appendix for details and system requirements.

DVD Included!

• Trial versions of AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012

• Over 130 before-and-after drawings from AutoCAD professionals

Start drawing today with the Quick Start tutorial

Create sophisticated 2D & 3D drawings and models

Move to advanced customization skills

Product Details

• Paperback: 1296 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (July 12, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1118022211
• ISBN-13: 978-1118022214
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1.9 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,496 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Computers & Technology > Graphic Design > CAD
  • #56 in Books > Professional & Technical > Architecture > Drafting & Presentation

More About the Author

Ellen Finkelstein specializes in training professionals to present effectively. She writes about PowerPoint and presenting. Two of her books are How to Do Everything with PowerPoint 2007 and PowerPoint for Teachers. You can find free tips and sign up for her newsletter on her website, http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com.

Ellen also writes on AutoCAD; her AutoCAD Bible & AutoCAD LT Bible has been a bestseller for years and has been translated into 14 languages.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have! October 27, 2011

By Sam L.

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

One goal of mine this year was to become professionally certified in AutoCAD. I registered for the tests and purchased the AutoCAD 2012 Bible as my study guide. I am happy to say that I have passed both AutoCAD 2011 and 2012 associate and professional exams, in fact I did very well.

The AutoCAD Bible is a great book and resource on all things AutoCAD. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to master their skills in AutoCAD. If you are a beginner or an expert, there is something in there for everyone

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars AutoCAD 2012 September 1, 2011

By Eddie

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Most people that use AutoCAD need some form of formal training. Some people can get by with reading the manual. I for one was able to follow your AutoCAD 2012 Bible as if I was in a classroom. I was able to take your beginner instructions and my first project was completed within a hour.

When I first received your book, I was a little bit overwhelmed by the shear volume of information. I immediately thought it was going to be a tome for engineers that would find it's way to my bookshelf never to be seen again., but after I opened the book and started on lesson 1, I was in the running and now am very thankful for layout and ease of use.

Your included DVD resource is awesome. I found the sample drawings to be very helpful and very entertaining to play with and manipulate as I hone my skills.

Thanks so much!

Happy AutoCAD 2012 Bible user.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars AutoCAD 2012 Bible July 17, 2011

By Ary C. Previato

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Excellent book! It answers all basic questions from beginners to advanced ; covers all range for what a solid knowledge needs in 1251 pages! Has good cost / benefit ratio.
It's really a Bible...has the anwers you do need.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rosetta Stone For Understanding AutoCAD March 12, 2012

By bzerknorseman

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm a CAD student at a tech college. I bought this book hoping it would help decipher the textbook we're currently using for an intro-AutoCAD class I'm taking there. Even though I have many college credits and have read many college textbooks with great success, the textbook I have for my AutoCAD course is written in a form of English that seems like English with an accent, or an English that must be a translation from another language. I read and reread the dang thing for little gain. Then I saw this book on my Amazon "recommendations" list and decided to buy it, try it, and live without $31.00 of something else (student budget you know). I felt more joy than I should have when I read the same topics in "the bible" that seemed almost unintelligable in my course textbook. The "AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012 Bible" version is pithy, to the point, clear, useful, helpful, organized, builds upon the last subject, is cross-referenced, and so on and on. The DVD that comes with it is also quite useful. I went from constant textbook head scratching to actually beginning to love the AutoCAD program MORE than the Solidworks that I'm also studying now (I thought Solidworks would be my sweetheart forever because of how easy she is to understand, and because of my past love-hate relationship with AutoCAD. Now the "bible" makes me feel like I'm cheating behind Solidwork's back!!!). There are many topics in the 1200+ pages of "the bible" I don't need for my current classes, but I now feel inspired to continue studying AutoCad more then I did "pre-bible". This book has proven to me I can still clearly read and understand a somewhat difficult subject when an author is capable of writing in a clear and understandable way.... If I can, so can you with the help of this essential "Rosetta Stone" of most everything that is great about AutoCad 2012,,,,,,,,, };>{> Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars item as described November 22, 2011

By Rdeg

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

this book is very good for all autocad users, explanations very nice and easy to understand.
I recommend for everybody who wants to learn more about autocad.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars AWesome !! November 25, 2012

By Tabletguy

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Did not know a thing about CAD but now I'm able to navigate and understand when someone speaks to me about it. Not an expert yet but that takes time and hands on, this book helped me greatly. If you need to learn CAD for any reason I would recommend this book to anyone.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars great cad August 7, 2012

By tdog

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

great book very helpful great seller. now i can do my ivention drawing as i am new to the latestt cad and am rusty on old cad

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars definitely a great learning-reference tool September 16, 2011

By Jose C

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've been a long time auto cad user, buy once I faced 2012 release i was a bit confused with the new appearance so I bought this book to help me out and It was a very good decision, totally recommend it.