I need to learn AutoCad and be able to produce engineering drawings of tanks and various electro-mechanical equipment. I'm decent with Pro/Engineer and Solidworks, but have never actually used AutoCad. That being said- I'm looking for a book (for ACAD 2004 or higher)that will explain things, have tutorials/exercises to practice with, and be geared towards engineering design type stuff. Any suggestions?

2/6/2007 1:06:29 AM

Rock Wheel :: Car ~ AutoCad :: SolidWorks

Sorry you're regressing, you've been spoiled by SW. Extra bump to wish you luck.

2/6/2007 2:28:50 AM

Libraries have this kind of thing.

2/6/2007 2:30:21 AM

Borders/Barnes and nobles has dozens of them.

I would get a copy of whichever version you're going to be using and try the built in tutorials and help section, they've been very good in my experience. That along with a basic book for that release will probably be fine. Plus there is a lot of info. on the internet (tutorials and what not).

You could contact Brian Matthews, he's a professor in the Graphic Communications department and his courses typically deal with AutoCad specifically so he may be able to recommend a book to you (though he never used any in class, i'm sure he knows of some).

[Edited on February 6, 2007 at 10:34 AM. Reason : .]

2/6/2007 10:33:53 AM

^ Professor Matthew's has written a few books on AutoCAD. I hope he can suggest one.

2/6/2007 11:44:24 AM

doesnt the newer versions of autocad offer online tutorials with the software?

2/6/2007 11:57:18 AM

when i did my 2nd rotation of co-op this past semester i didn't kno how to use autoCAD but I did know how to use Solid Works...I just checked out a bunch of books from the library and I'm pretty decent at using it now so i guess just check out some books at the library

2/6/2007 1:00:46 PM

Quote :

"Libraries have this kind of thing."

I'm sure they do. Let me clarify something though: I now live and work in Kansas City, and don't really have access to a library with the variety of technical books/material that DH Hill has. I doubt the public library has anything decent either. So I want to just go ahead and buy a book (my company is paying for it anyways).

I have checked all the various online retailers and read user reviews and such... but there were so many different AutoCad books, I was hoping someone could suggest a specific one (or a few) that they used, was helpful, and actually liked.

I haven't checked about online tutorials yet.... the version is AutoCAD 2004, although I'm sure all the recent versions are fundamentally the same.

2/6/2007 9:58:14 PM

currently using "Discoverin AutoCAD 2006" by Dix and Riley

2/6/2007 10:31:22 PM

I'd suggest using the various online tutorials at the most, don't blow money on a book. AutoCAD is easy enough that purchase of a book isn't necessary. Had to use AutoCAD for a class in high school last year; was using keyboard shortcuts and turning out designs fast enough that I think I was annoying the teacher.

2/13/2007 12:09:35 AM