Book Image

Practical Autodesk AutoCAD 2023 and AutoCAD LT 2023 - Second Edition

By : Jaiprakash Pandey, Yasser Shoukry
Book Image

Practical Autodesk AutoCAD 2023 and AutoCAD LT 2023 - Second Edition

By: Jaiprakash Pandey, Yasser Shoukry

Overview of this book

AutoCAD is one of the most versatile software applications for architectural and engineering designs and the most popular computer-aided design (CAD) platform for 2D drafting and 3D modeling. This hands-on 2nd edition guide will take you through everything you need to know to make the most out of this powerful tool, from a simple tour of the user interface to using advanced tools. Starting with basic drawing shapes and functions, you'll get to grips with the fundamentals of CAD designs. You’ll then learn about effective drawing management using layers, dynamic blocks, and groups, and discover how to add annotations and plots like a professional. As you progress, the book will show you how to convert your 2D drawings into 3D models and shapes. You’ll also discover advanced features, such as isometric drawings, drawing utilities for managing and recovering complex files, quantity surveying, and multidisciplinary drawing files using xRefs. Finally, you’ll focus on rendering and visualizing your designs in AutoCAD. By the end of this book, you’ll have developed a solid understanding of CAD principles and be able to work with AutoCAD software confidently to build impressive 2D and 3D creations.
Table of Contents (21 chapters)
1
Part 1: Introduction and 2D Drafting
6
Part 2: Customization, Collaboration, and Using Reusable Content
12
Part 3: 3D Modeling

Using the Flatshot command

The Flatshot command is a quick way of converting different views of your 3D drawing into 2D right inside the model space. This allows you to create drawings and blocks from your 3D drawing without you having to do the 2D drawings again from scratch.

To start the Flatshot command, you can type the FLATSHOT command name, or just FL, and then press Enter. Alternatively, you can click on the Flatshot button found in the Section panel under the Home tab, or on the Section panel under the Solid tab, in the 3D modeling workspace, as shown in the following figure:

Figure 12.37: The Flatshot command on the Section panel of the Home tab

The Flatshot command can be used to create 2D drawings by taking a shot of an existing 3D model. You just adjust the view angle as desired, and then use the command to create the 2D shot. The created 2D drawing is inserted into the model as a block in the XY plane as follows:

  1. Start by adjusting...