How to Learn AutoCAD 2008

AutoCAD 2008 is the first release of AutoDesk's widely used CAD (computer-aided design) program that has two separate versions: one for 32-bit versions of Windows and the other for 64-bit Windows systems. AutoDesk first released AutoCAD in 1982, when there were virtually no CAD applications for the PC. Though that first version's design tools included only basic shapes (such as lines, rectangles and circles), AutoCAD 2008 has a full set of tools. This enables users to create the complex and precisely defined designs required for architectural and engineering projects.

Instructions

1. Open AutoCAD and begin creating a polygon by selecting the "Draw" menu. Then, click "Polygon." Type "5" in the small text box that appears to tell AutoCAD you want a 5-sided polygon.

2. Click anywhere on the screen to define the polygon's center. Then, select either of the two options that appears ("Inscribed in Circle" or "Circumscribed by Circle").

3. Click and drag to define the polygon, then click again to end the creation mode.

4. Move the polygon by selecting the "Modify" menu's "Move" command. Then click anywhere on the polygon's perimeter. Press "Return" to end the selection mode and begin the move mode. Click and drag anywhere on the screen to move the polygon, then click again to end the move mode.

5. Scale (or resize) the polygon by selecting the "Modify" menu's "Scale" command. Click anywhere on the polygon's perimeter, then press "Return." Click and drag to scale the polygon, then click again to end the scale mode.

6. Rotate the polygon by selecting the "Modify" menu's "Rotate" command. Click anywhere on the polygon's perimeter, then press "Return." Click and drag to rotate the polygon, then click again to end the rotate mode.

7. Display a 3D view, used to view a 3D object, by selecting "View," "3D views," "SW Isometric." This is a predefined view that shows you three different sides of a 3D object.

8. Display the 3D modeling toolbar, which you'll use to create a 3D object, by clicking "Tools," "Toolbars," "AutoCAD," "Modeling."

9. Click the Modeling toolbar's Extrude tool, click anywhere on the polygon's perimeter, then press "Return." Notice that the polygon has turned into a 3D object. Press "Return" again to end the extrusion mode.

   Extrusion is a 3D imaging term that refers to stretching a 2D object into 3D space.

10. Render your object by choosing the "View" menu's "Render" item, then the "Render" tool connected to that item. AutoCAD will display your object as a solid model lit by virtual lighting.

References

• "AutoCAD 2008 and AutoCAD LT 2008 Bible"; Ellen Finkelstein; 2007