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

Working with Spline

Splines are mathematical curves called non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) that can be used to make organic shapes in AutoCAD. An example of a drawing made with a spline is this top view of a computer mouse. Making this shape with regular Draw tools, such as Circle, Arc, and Line, will be difficult, as shown:

Figure 3.42: A simple top view of a computer mouse made with the spline tool

In AutoCAD, there are two ways of making spline. They are spline fit, which is defined by the fit points, and spline control vertice (CV), which is defined by the CVs (or control vertices) that act as a frame for the curve.

Spline fit

In the expanded Draw panel of the Home tab, you will find the Spline tool, as shown in the following figure. Alternatively, you can use its command alias, SPL:

Figure 3.43: The spline fit option in the expanded Draw panel

In the next example, we will make a simple spline and then we will...