Book Review: Beginning AutoCAD 2005

Exercise-based text focuses on 2D drawing

Beginning AutoCAD 2005 is an exercise-based text, focusing on the fundamentals of 2D drawing. The text provides step-by-step procedures for many common tasks and defines the terms and concepts.

The book is divided into 49 chapters. These short chapters cover basic 2D drawing and modification tools, templates, xrefs, the design center and CAD standards. Some of the new tools introduced in AutoCAD 2005 are discussed, such as drafting tools, drawing management, drawing output, plot and publish tools, productivity tools, sheet set manager and tool palette enhancements.

The book is well-organized and easy to follow with black-and-white illustrations and screenshots throughout the text. User exercises throughout the text provide a form of self assessment. However, you won't find any sample drawing files included with the text. While the text is not written for a specific discipline, most of the examples are more mechanical in nature, and you wont find any architectural examples or exercises.

The book is available from Newnes Publications (Elsevier) and other booksellers.