AutoCAD_2008_Users_Guide
get information
find the information you need
search for and receive information
overview of searching for and receiving information
search for information
receive product updates and announcements
overview of communication center
receive new information notifications
save and access favorite topics
specify infocenter settings
use the help system efficiently
find information in help
use searches
understand how help topics are organized
print help topics
show and hide the contents pane
get additional help
learn about new features
learn the product
access subscription center
overview of subscription center
manage files with autodesk vault
view the product readme
where to find autocad express tools volumes 1-9
join the customer involvement program
get information from drawings
obtain general drawing information
count objects within a drawing
the user interface
toolbars, menus, and the dashboard
toolbars
status bars
the application status bar
the drawing status bar
the menu bar
shortcut menus
the dashboard
the command window
enter commands on the command line
enter system variables on the command line
navigate and edit within the command window
switch between dialog boxes and the command line
dock, resize, and hide the command window
designcenter
overview of designcenter
understand the designcenter window
access content with designcenter
add content with designcenter
retrieve content from the web with designcenter online
overview of designcenter online
understand designcenter online content types
retrieve content from the web
customize the drawing environment
set interface options
create task-based workspaces
save and restore interface settings (profiles)
customize startup
tool palettes
create and use tools from objects and images
create and use command tools
change tool palette settings
control tool properties
customize tool palettes
organize tool palettes
save and share tool palettes
start, organize, and save a drawing
start a drawing
start a drawing from scratch
use a wizard to start a drawing
use a template file to start a drawing
specify units and unit formats
determine the units of measurement
set linear unit conventions
set angular unit conventions
add identifying information to drawings
open or save a drawing
open a drawing
open part of a large drawing (partial load)
work with multiple open drawings
save a drawing
find a drawing file
specify search paths and file locations
repair, restore, or recover drawing files
repair a damaged drawing file
create and restore backup files
recover from a system failure
maintain standards in drawings
overview of cad standards
define standards
check drawings for standards violations
translate layer names and properties
control the drawing views
change views
pan or zoom a view
pan and zoom with the aerial view window
save and restore views
control the 3d projection style
overview of parallel and perspective views
define a perspective projection (dview)
define a parallel projection
choose preset 3d views
define a 3d view with coordinate values or angles
change to a view of the xy plane
shade a model and use edge effects
use a visual style to display your model
customize a visual style
shade and color faces
display backgrounds and shadows
control the display of edges
control performance
adaptive degradation
performance tuning
memory tuning
use 3d viewing tools
specify 3d views
overview of 3d views
use 3d navigation tools
walk and fly through a drawing
create a 3d dynamic view (dview)
define a 3d view with a camera
overview of cameras
create a camera
change camera properties
create preview animations
create motion path animations
control a camera motion path
specify motion path settings
record a motion path animation
display multiple views in model space
set model space viewports
select and use the current viewport
save and restore model tab viewport arrangements
choose a work process before you begin
create single-view drawings (model space)
quick start for model space drafting
draw, scale, and annotate in model space
create multiple-view drawing layouts (paper space)
quick start for layouts
understand the layout process
work with model space and paper space
work on the model tab
work on a layout tab
access model space from a layout viewport
create and modify layout viewports
control views in layout viewports
scale views in layout viewports
control visibility in layout viewports
freeze specified layers in a layout viewport
screen objects in layout viewports
turn layout viewports on or off
scale linetypes in layout viewports
align views in layout viewports
rotate views in layout viewports
reuse layouts and layout settings
work with sheets in a sheet set
quick start for sheet sets
understand the sheet set manager interface
create and manage a sheet set
create a sheet set
organize a sheet set
create and modify sheets
include information with sheets and sheet sets
publish, transmit, and archive sheet sets
use sheet sets in a team
create and modify objects
control the properties of objects
overview of object properties
display and change the properties of objects
copy properties between objects
work with layers
overview of layers
use layers to manage complexity
create and name layers
change layer settings and layer properties
override layer properties in viewports
filter and sort the list of layers
use new layer notification
reconcile new layers
work with layer states
save, restore, and edit layer states
import and export layer states
work with colors
set the current color
change the color of an object
use color books
work with linetypes
overview of linetypes
load linetypes
set the current linetype
change the linetype of an object
control linetype scale
display linetypes on short segments and polylines
control lineweights
overview of lineweights
display lineweights
set the current lineweight
change the lineweight of an object
control the display properties of certain objects
control the display of polylines, hatches, gradient fills, lineweights, and text
control how overlapping objects are displayed
use precision tools
use coordinates and coordinate systems (ucs)
overview of coordinate entry
enter 2d coordinates
enter cartesian coordinates
enter polar coordinates
enter 3d coordinates
enter 3d cartesian coordinates
enter cylindrical coordinates
enter spherical coordinates
understand the user coordinate system (ucs)
specify workplanes in 3d (ucs)
understand the user coordinate system in 3d
control the user coordinate system in 3d
use the dynamic ucs with solid models
assign user coordinate system orientations to viewports
control the display of the user coordinate system icon
use dynamic input
snap to locations on objects (object snaps)
use object snaps
the object snap menu
set visual aids for object snaps (autosnap)
override object snap settings
restrict cursor movement
adjust grid and grid snap
use orthogonal locking (ortho mode)
use polar tracking and polarsnap
lock an angle for one point (angle)
combine or offset points and coordinates
combine coordinate values (coordinate filters)
track to points on objects (object snap tracking)
track to offset point locations (tracking)
specify distances
enter direct distances
offset from temporary reference points
specify intervals on objects
overview of specifying intervals on objects
specify measured intervals on objects
divide an object into equal segments
extract geometric information from objects
obtain distances, angles, and point locations
obtain area and mass properties information
use a calculator
use the quickcalc calculator
overview of quickcalc
access quickcalc and understand its behavior
enter, evaluate, and retrieve expressions
convert units of measurement
create and use calculator variables
use the command line calculator
draw geometric objects
draw linear objects
draw lines
draw polylines
draw rectangles and polygons
draw multiline objects
draw freehand sketches
draw curved objects
draw arcs
draw circles
draw polyline arcs
draw donuts
draw ellipses
draw splines
draw helixes
draw construction and reference geometry
draw reference points
draw construction lines (and rays)
create and combine areas (regions)
create revision clouds
create and use blocks (symbols)
overview of blocks
create and store blocks
how blocks are stored and referenced
create blocks within a drawing
create drawing files for use as blocks
control the color and linetype properties in blocks
nest blocks
create block libraries
use tool palettes to organize blocks
remove block definitions
add dynamic behavior to blocks
quick start to creating dynamic blocks
overview of dynamic blocks
use the block editor
overview of the block editor
use block authoring palettes
how objects are displayed in the block editor
add dynamic elements to blocks
overview of dynamic block elements
use parameters in dynamic blocks
use actions with dynamic blocks
overview of using actions in dynamic blocks
use a move action in a dynamic block
use a scale action in a dynamic block
use a stretch action in a dynamic block
use a polar stretch action in a dynamic block
use a rotate action in a dynamic block
use a flip action in a dynamic block
use an array action in a dynamic block
use a lookup action in a dynamic block
use distance multiplier and angle offset action overrides
use parameter sets
specify grips for dynamic blocks
create visibility states
use lookup tables to assign data to dynamic blocks
overview of using lookup tables to assign data to dynamic blocks
specify values for lookup tables
specify custom properties for dynamic blocks
overview of specifying custom properties for dynamic blocks
specify value sets for dynamic blocks
allow chained actions for dynamic blocks
modify dynamic block definitions
correct errors in dynamic block definitions
save a block in the block editor
insert blocks
work with dynamic blocks in drawings
attach data to blocks (block attributes)
overview of block attributes
define block attributes
extract data from block attributes
extract block attribute data (advanced)
modify blocks
modify a block definition
change the color and linetype in a block
modify the data in block attributes
modify a block attribute definition
disassemble a block reference (explode)
change existing objects
select objects
select objects individually
select multiple objects
prevent objects from being selected
filter selection sets
customize object selection
group objects
overview of groups
create groups
select objects in groups
edit groups
correct mistakes
erase objects
use windows cut, copy, and paste
modify objects
choose a method to modify objects
move or rotate objects
move objects
rotate objects
align objects
copy, offset, or mirror objects
copy objects
create an array of objects
offset an object
mirror objects
change the size and shape of objects
trim or extend objects
resize or reshape objects
fillet, chamfer, break, or join objects
create fillets
create chamfers
break and join objects
use grips to edit objects
use grip modes
make multiple copies with grips
control grips in blocks
modify complex objects
disassociate compound objects (explode)
modify or join polylines
modify splines
modify helixes
modify multilines
work with 3d models
create 3d models
overview of 3d modeling
create 3d solids and surfaces
overview of creating 3d solids and surfaces
create 3d solid primitives
create a solid box
create a solid wedge
create a solid cone
create a solid cylinder
create a solid sphere
create a solid pyramid
create a solid torus
create a polysolid
create solids and surfaces from lines and curves
extrude objects
create a solid or surface by sweeping
create a solid or surface by lofting
create a solid or surface by revolving
create solids and surfaces from objects
create solids from surfaces
create composite solids
create solids by slicing
check for interferences within a solid model
create meshes
create wireframe models
add 3d thickness to objects
modify 3d solids and surfaces
manipulate 3d solids and surfaces
manipulate individual solids and surfaces
work with composite solids
display original forms of composite solids
manipulate composite solids
select and modify 3d subobjects
select 3d subobjects
move, rotate, and scale subobjects
modify faces on 3d solids
move, rotate, and scale faces on 3d solids
copy, delete, and color faces on 3d solids
modify edges on 3d solids
modify vertices on 3d solids
press or pull bounded areas
use grip tools to modify objects
understand grip tools
use the move grip tool to modify objects
use the rotate grip tool to modify objects
add edges and faces to solids
separate 3d solids
shell 3d solids
clean and check 3d solids
create sections and 2d drawings from 3d models
section 3d solids
work with section objects
overview of section objects
create section objects
set section object states
use section object grips
access section object shortcut menu
change section object properties
associate section objects with views and cameras
publish section objects
save section object as tool palette tool
add jogs to a section
live sectioning
understand live sectioning behavior
generate 2d and 3d sections
create a flattened view
annotate drawings
work with annotations
overview of annotations
scale annotations
overview of scaling annotations
set annotation scale
create annotative objects
overview of creating annotative objects
work with annotative styles
create annotative text
create annotative dimensions and tolerances
create annotative leaders and multileaders
create annotative blocks and attributes
create annotative hatches
display annotative objects
add and modify scale representations
set orientation for annotations
hatches, fills, and wipeouts
overview of hatch patterns and fills
define hatch boundaries
overview of hatch boundaries
control the hatching in islands
define hatch boundaries in large drawings
create unbounded hatches
choose hatch patterns and solid fills
create solid-filled areas
create gradient-filled areas
use predefined hatch patterns
create user-defined hatch patterns
modify hatches and solid-filled areas
create a blank area to cover objects
notes and labels
overview of notes and labels
create text
overview of creating text
create single-line text
create multiline text
overview of multiline text
justify multiline text
format characters within multiline text
create lists in multiline text
indent multiline text and use tabs
specify the line spacing within multiline text
create stacked characters within multiline text
create and edit columns in multiline text
import text from external files
create leaders
overview of leader objects
create and modify leaders
work with leader styles
add content to a leader
use fields in text
insert fields
update fields
use hyperlinks in fields
work with text styles
overview of text styles
assign text fonts
overview of assigning text fonts
use truetype fonts
use text fonts for international work
substitute fonts
set text height
set text obliquing angle
set horizontal or vertical text orientation
change text
overview of changing text
change single-line text
change multiline text
change text scale and justification
check spelling
use an alternate text editor
overview of using an alternate text editor
format multiline text in an alternate text editor
tables
create and modify tables
link a table to external data
work with table styles
add text and blocks to tables
use formulas in table cells
dimensions and tolerances
understand basic concepts of dimensioning
overview of dimensioning
parts of a dimension
associative dimensions
use dimension styles
overview of dimension styles
compare dimension styles and variables
control dimension geometry
control dimension lines
control extension lines
control dimension arrowheads
customize arrowheads
control dimension text
fit dimension text within extension lines
control the location of dimension text
control the appearance of dimension text
control dimension values
control the display of dimension units
round off dimension values
suppress zeros in dimensions
display lateral tolerances
set the scale for dimensions
create dimensions
create linear dimensions
overview of creating linear dimensions
create horizontal and vertical dimensions
create aligned dimensions
create baseline and continued dimensions
create rotated dimensions
create dimensions with oblique extension lines
create radial dimensions
create angular dimensions
create ordinate dimensions
create arc length dimensions
modify existing dimensions
apply a new dimension style to existing dimensions
override a dimension style
modify a dimension
dimension jog
inspection dimension
dimension breaks
adjust dimension spacing
modify dimension text
modify dimension geometry
change dimension associativity
add geometric tolerances
overview of geometric tolerances
material conditions
datum reference frames
projected tolerance zones
composite tolerances
plot and publish drawings
prepare drawings for plotting and publishing
quick start to preparing drawings for plotting and publishing
specify page setup settings
overview of page setup settings
select a printer or plotter for a layout
select a paper size for a layout
set the plot area of a layout
adjust the plot offset of a layout
set the plot scale for a layout
set the lineweight scale for a layout
select a plot style table for a layout
set shaded viewport and plot options for a layout
determine the drawing orientation of a layout
use the layout wizard to specify layout settings
import pcp or pc2 settings into a layout
create and use named page setups
use named page setups with sheet sets
plot drawings
quick start to plotting
overview of plotting
use a page setup to specify plot settings
select a printer or plotter
specify the area to plot
set paper size
position the drawing on the paper
specify the printable area
set the position of the plot
set drawing orientation
control how objects are plotted
set plot scale
set shaded viewport options
overview of shaded viewport plotting
specify shaded plotting settings
specify a resolution level for shaded plotting
set options for plotted objects
use plot styles to control plotted objects
overview of plot styles
choose a type of plot style table
switch the type of plot style table
assign plot style tables to layouts
manage plot style tables
use color-dependent plot style tables
use named plot style tables
use named plot styles
manage named plot styles
use predefined named plot style tables
delete color mapping tables
change plot style settings
overview of plot style settings
set color, screening, grayscale, and dither in plot style tables
assign pen numbers and virtual pens in plot style tables
control plotted lineweight and linetype
assign plotted line end and join styles
assign plotted fill styles
preview a plot
plot files to other formats
plot dwf files
plot to dxb file formats
plot to raster file formats
plot adobe pdf files
plot adobe postscript files
create plot files
publish drawings
quick start to publishing
overview of publishing
create and modify a drawing set for publishing
create a paper or plot file drawing set
publish an electronic drawing set
publish a sheet set
republish a drawing set
view a published electronic drawing set
set publish options
3d dwf publishing
configure a dwf6 driver (advanced)
overview of creating or modifying a dwf6 configuration file
set the dwf file resolution
set the dwf file compression
set font handling for the dwf file
edit pen patterns for the dwf file
share data between drawings and applications
reference other drawing files
overview of referenced drawings (xrefs)
attach and detach referenced drawings
attach drawing references (xrefs)
set paths to referenced drawings
detach referenced drawings
update and bind referenced drawings
nest and overlay referenced drawings
update referenced drawing attachments
archive drawings that contain referenced drawings (bind)
clip referenced drawings and blocks
edit referenced drawings
edit a referenced drawing in a separate window
edit selected objects in referenced drawings and blocks
use the working set to edit referenced drawings and blocks
save back edited referenced drawings and blocks
edit referenced drawings and blocks with nesting, ole, or attributes
resolve referenced drawing errors
resolve missing external references
resolve circular external references
resolve name conflicts in external references
track external reference operations (log file)
increase performance with large referenced drawings
overview of demand loading
unload xrefs
work with demand loading
work with layer and spatial indexes
set paths for temporary xref file copies
link and embed data (ole)
overview of object linking and embedding
import ole objects
overview of importing ole objects into drawings
link ole objects in drawings
embed ole objects in drawings
export ole objects from drawings
edit ole objects in drawings
work with data in other formats
import, attach, or open other file formats
import 3ds files
import acis sat files
attach dwf files as underlays
attach and detach dwf underlays
attach dwf files as underlays
detach dwf underlay files
work with attached dwf underlay files
change dwf underlay display properties and clipping
control the display of layers in a dwf underlay
adjust dwf underlay contrast, fade, monochrome, and colors for background
clip dwf underlays
hide and show dwf underlay frames
manage and publish drawings containing dwf underlays
view dwf underlay information
change file paths of dwf underlays
publish, save, and etransmit drawings containing dwf underlays
reference manager and dwf underlays
convert dxf and dxb files to dwg format
attach dgn files as underlays
overview of underlaying dgn files
cross-reference of microstation to autocad terms
attach and detach dgn underlays
attach dgn files
detach dgn underlays
work with dgn underlays
edit dgn underlays
adjust dgn underlay appearance and clipping boundaries
adjust dgn underlay fade, contrast, and monochrome
clip dgn underlays
show and hide dgn underlay frames
manage and publish drawings containing dgn underlays
view dgn underlay information
change file paths of dgn underlays
publish, save, and etransmit drawings containing dgn underlays
reference manager and dgn underlays
import microstation v8 dgn files
attach raster image files
overview of raster images
attach, scale, and detach raster images
attach raster images
scale raster images
detach raster images
modify raster images and image boundaries
show and hide raster image boundaries
clip raster images
change raster image brightness, contrast, and fade
modify color and transparency for bitonal raster images
manage raster images
view raster image information
assign descriptive names to raster images
change file paths of raster images
tune raster image performance
load and unload raster images
improve the display speed of raster images
insert wmf files
export drawings to other file formats
export dxf files
export microstation v8 dgn files
export wmf files
export raster files
export postscript files
export acis sat files
export stereolithography stl files
use drawings from different versions and applications
work with drawings in earlier releases
save drawings to previous drawing file formats
work with autocad drawings in autocad lt
work with custom and proxy objects
extract data from drawings and spreadsheets
overview of data extraction
extract data using the data extraction wizard
start the data extraction
select the source for a data extraction
select objects for data extraction
organize and refine the extracted data
use table styles for data extraction tables
link an excel spreadsheet to access data
understand data linking and matching
data matching validation
output extracted data
update extracted data
update extracted data manually
update data extraction table automatically
modify a data extraction table
access external databases
overview of using external databases
access a database from within autocad
configure a database for use with autocad drawings
view data in a database table
edit data in a database table
link database records to graphical objects
create and edit links and link templates
identify and select existing links
find and correct link errors
export link information
use labels to display database information in the drawing
create and edit labels and label templates
update labels with new values from the database
use queries to filter database information
overview of queries
construct simple queries
use the query builder
use sql queries
combine queries
save and reuse queries
share link and label templates and queries with other users
work with links in files from earlier releases
work with other people and organizations
protect and sign drawings
drawing encryption
overview of encryption
protect drawings with encryption
add a password to a drawing
choose the type of encryption
view password-protected drawings
enter a password to view a drawing
view password-protected xrefs
view properties of an encrypted drawing
sign drawings
overview of digital signatures
personally sign drawings
obtain a digital id
attach a signature to a single file
attach digital signatures to multiple files
digitally sign an encrypted drawing
view drawings with digital signatures
view digital signature details
install a root certificate
use a comment and time stamp
use the internet to share drawings
get started with internet access
add hyperlinks to a drawing
overview of using hyperlinks in a drawing
use a hyperlink to access a file or a web page
use a hyperlink to create an email message
use hyperlinks in blocks
use a hyperlink to start a new drawing
work with drawing files over the internet
open and save drawing files from the internet
share drawing files internationally
access buzzsaw for project collaboration
work with xrefs over the internet
insert content from a website
overview of i-drop
use i-drop
package a set of files for internet transmission
use the publish to web wizard to create web pages
use markups for design review
overview of using markups for design review
publish drawings for review
insert markups
view markups
respond to markups
republish a markup set
create realistic images and graphics
draw 2d isometric views
set isometric grid and snap
draw isometric circles
add lighting to your model
overview of lighting
standard and photometric lighting workflow
illuminate a scene
guidelines for lighting
use point lights
use spotlights
use weblights
ies standard file format
common lamp values for photometric lights
use distant lights
assigning a shape to a light
adjust and manipulate lights
control the display of lights
adjust light placement
control light properties
lights dashboard
sun and sky simulation
incorporate luminaire objects
converting lights
work with lights in drawings from previous versions of autocad
import drawings into 3ds max or viz
materials and textures
overview of materials
materials dashboard and tool palettes
materials dashboard
materials tool palettes
create materials
apply materials to objects and faces
modify materials
advanced lighting override
using maps for added realism
use map channels for added realism
diffuse map
reflection map
opacity map
bump map
understand map types
texture map
procedural maps
checker
marble
noise
speckle
tiles
waves
wood
modify map properties
adjust mapping on objects and faces
converting materials
render 3d objects for realism
overview of rendering
prepare a model for rendering
understand face normals and hidden surfaces
minimize intersecting and coplanar faces
balance mesh density for smooth geometry
set up the renderer
use the render settings palette
create custom render presets
control the rendering environment
basics of rendering
the render dashboard
set the render destination
render views, selected objects, or cropped content
set output resolution
material adjustments
adjust sampling to improve image quality
use shadows in rendering
advanced rendering
ray-traced reflections and refractions
benefits of indirect illumination
final gathering
rendered image histories
save and redisplay rendered images
save a rendered image
redisplay a rendered image
save copies of rendered images
use models with other applications
update legacy drawings
glossary