AutoCAD 2013 Customization Techniques Workshop

In this workshop you’ll learn how to customize AutoCAD to suit your own personal way of working. The contents of this course include:

Introduction
In this chapter you will get an overview of what will be covered in this course and learn how to access the project files.

Authoring Dynamic Blocks
Dynamic blocks allow you to change the appearance of a block after it is inserted into a drawing. Instead of creating a plethora of static blocks in different sizes, you can create one dynamic block with a resizing parameter. In this chapter you’ll create a dynamic block of a golden rectangle that can be used to help you proportion any design.

Configuring Plotters and Plot Style Tables for Output
Whether you work alone or are a CAD manager in a large firm, someone must ultimately take responsibility for the data’s path from AutoCAD to your output device. In this chapter you will configure a system printer, an AutoCAD plotter, and plot style tables to ensure the highest quality output in the data path from AutoCAD.

Configuring the User Interface
AutoCAD’s user interface is highly configurable, enabling you to place the tools you use the most at your fingertips. In this chapter you will learn how to arrange commonly used symbols on tool palettes. If you prefer to use the keyboard to enter commands, you’ll learn how to configure command aliases.

Creating Custom Linetypes
Linetypes control the way objects are drawn: continuous, dashed, dotted, and so on. A number of standard linetypes are supplied with AutoCAD, but in this chapter you will learn how to create a custom linetype that incorporates text identifying fiber optic cabling.

Automating Tasks
AutoCAD enables you to increase your drafting productivity by automating repetitive tasks. In this chapter you will learn how to create and play back action macros, scripts, and simple Lisp routines.

The lessons are wrapped in a feature-rich interface that lets you jump to any topic and bookmark individual sections for later review. Full-Screen mode provides a hi-def, immersive experience, and Watch-and-Work mode shrinks the video into a small window so you can play the videos alongside your application. Also included are exercise files that give you an easy way to try out the techniques you learn.