For Dummies AutoCAD 2011 978-0-470-59539-8 User Manual
Product codes
978-0-470-59539-8
12
Part I: AutoCAD 101
AutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD LT 2011 are supported in the following Windows
flavors, including both 32- and 64-bit versions:
flavors, including both 32- and 64-bit versions:
✓
Windows 7 and Windows Vista Home Premium
✓
Windows 7 Professional
✓
Windows 7 and Windows Vista Enterprise
✓
Windows 7 and Windows Vista Ultimate
✓
Windows Vista Business
✓
Windows XP Professional
✓
Windows XP Home (32-bit only)
Although it’s not officially supported, it can also run in Windows XP Tablet
2005 Edition and make use of the tablet functionality included in Windows
Vista and Windows 7. Trying to do production drafting on a tablet isn’t a
great idea due to limitations in the graphics system, but I know it works,
because I’m running it that way myself!
2005 Edition and make use of the tablet functionality included in Windows
Vista and Windows 7. Trying to do production drafting on a tablet isn’t a
great idea due to limitations in the graphics system, but I know it works,
because I’m running it that way myself!
Because of AutoCAD’s MS-DOS heritage and its emphasis on efficiency for
production drafters, it’s not the easiest program to master, but it has gotten
easier and more consistent over the past decade or so. AutoCAD is pretty
well integrated into the Windows environment now, but you still bump into
some vestiges of its MS-DOS legacy — especially the command line (that
text area lurking at the bottom of the AutoCAD screen — see Chapter 2 for
details). But even the command line — oops! command window — is kinder
and gentler in AutoCAD 2011. This book guides you around the bumps and
minimizes the bruises.
production drafters, it’s not the easiest program to master, but it has gotten
easier and more consistent over the past decade or so. AutoCAD is pretty
well integrated into the Windows environment now, but you still bump into
some vestiges of its MS-DOS legacy — especially the command line (that
text area lurking at the bottom of the AutoCAD screen — see Chapter 2 for
details). But even the command line — oops! command window — is kinder
and gentler in AutoCAD 2011. This book guides you around the bumps and
minimizes the bruises.
Why AutoCAD?
AutoCAD has been around a long time — since 1982, which I suspect, dear
readers, is longer than some of you! AutoCAD ushered in the transition from
really expensive mainframe and minicomputer CAD systems costing tens of
thousands of dollars to merely somewhat expensive microcomputer CAD pro-
grams costing a few thousand dollars.
readers, is longer than some of you! AutoCAD ushered in the transition from
really expensive mainframe and minicomputer CAD systems costing tens of
thousands of dollars to merely somewhat expensive microcomputer CAD pro-
grams costing a few thousand dollars.
AutoCAD’s 3D abilities have grown by leaps and bounds over the last several
releases, and 3D modeling is becoming a common way of checking designs
before they’re drafted. Nevertheless, AutoCAD is, first and foremost, a pro-
gram for creating two-dimensional technical drawings: drawings in which
measurements and precision are important because these kinds of drawings
releases, and 3D modeling is becoming a common way of checking designs
before they’re drafted. Nevertheless, AutoCAD is, first and foremost, a pro-
gram for creating two-dimensional technical drawings: drawings in which
measurements and precision are important because these kinds of drawings
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