Instant AutoCAD: Essentials using LT
Instant AutoCAD: Essentials using AutoCAD 2002 LT is a new book in the Instant AutoCAD series of books designed to take the beginner in AutoCAD LT to basic proficiency in record time and with as much fun as possible.  With frequent Hands-On sessions to illustrate basic concepts and lots of questions, tests, and exercises, the learner is bound to understand AutoCAD LT’s concepts more easily than ever before. And, with a conversational tone and many friendly illustrations, even the most reticent will become involved immediately. 

AutoCAD is a very complex and powerful software program, and it takes many years to become expert in it. Happily, the business of learning does not have to be a grave and studious one and you don't have to be an expert to make great strides in improving your work quality and productivity. It is just as instructive to learn the program with simple exercises, lighter language, and friendly graphics. In fact, for some it may be more instructive to learn a complex topic in this non-threatening way.

Now, we're sure you can understand that a book this size will only touch on the basics of AutoCAD study—the very beginning of your CAD learning. Some topics, those you need to perform basic operations within AutoCAD, are explained more fully while others leave you to do extensive exploration on your own.. We hope that this will be the start of a journey that will never end. In fact, we hope that this book will lead you directly to more specialty areas in AutoCAD.

The layout of the book is explained fully in Chapter 1, but it is essential to emphasize the various components that comprise a chapter. The first section in each chapter lists key ideas that will be covered in the chapter. Throughout the chapter you may see a variety of things: stylized print lifting an idea from the pages for emphasis, tip boxes that stress a certain fact about the program, command sequences in a very simple print that present the user's desired input in bold letters, and hands-on exercises to reinforce a new idea. As well, at the end of each chapter you will find a short-answer test, a series of questions requiring longer answers, and a number of assignments. Remember that the more you put into it in effort, study, and exercise completion, the more you'll take away from it in learning. It's up to you.

We have no doubt that if you enjoy anything in the field of graphics drawing and design, you will love the versatility that comes with a tool such as AutoCAD. As for us, the writers of these texts, we feel a rush of excitement each time someone starts the journey. It's like the envy you feel for someone who's going to see a really excellent film for the very first time. You're at the fair, you've bought your ticket—now let's get on the ride!

Take Note

It would seem you would be correct in assuming that it would be impossible to even introduce a complex subject such as AutoCAD LT in a mere 200 pages. "How do we do it?" you are most likely asking yourself. Well, we'll share our secret at this early stage of the game. The CD that accompanies this text makes ALL the difference.

The CD provides you with myriad images for samples, symbols, and exercises. In fact, there are over 700 files in all.

The CD gives you visual help to bridge a gap in understanding: It provides the details you may need when creating complex drawings; it offers hands-on reinforcement for your newly mastered skills. So, how do we present so much information in 200 pages?—we don't! By using the accompanying CD in concert with the text, you get the benefit of so much more.

An Integrated CD-ROM Learning Assistant is included with this text:
- hands-on practice for concepts presented in the text
- filled with Exercises, Template files, and Symbol files in such areas as Architecture, Machine Design, Electrical, Electronics, Landscape, Piping and Welding

“Because our daily lives are spent with learners at the college, university, and business level, it is how information is disseminated that concerns us most. That’s why it’s such a thrill to have the opportunity to communicate with students effectively in INSTANT AUTOCAD Ethier and Ethier