Bring your design vision to life with this full-color guide to AutoCAD 2013!

Used by everyone from engineers and architects to interior designers and draftspeople, AutoCAD 2013 is the world's leading 2D and 3D technical drawing program. But, with so many options and features available, finding your way around AutoCAD can be a challenge, even for experienced CAD professionals. AutoCAD 2013 For Dummies is here to help. You'll learn to build a solid foundation for all your projects, use standard CAD techniques, get familiar with new tools and features, and start sharing your models and designs in no time with this easy-to-follow guide.

• Covers the latest AutoCAD features and techniques, including creating a basic layout, navigating the AutoCAD Ribbon, drawing and editing, working with dimensions, adding text, creating 3D models, and more
• Walks readers through setting up a drawing environment, applying visual styles, managing data across several drawings, and showcasing your designs to potential clients and customers
• Features full-color illustrations that mirror what you'll see on your AutoCAD 2013 screens plus a companion website with downloadable drawing files so you can put your CAD skills to the test

Whether you're an AutoCAD amateur or a modeling master, AutoCAD 2013 For Dummies has something for you.

Learn to:

• Set up the AutoCAD environment and use the AutoCAD Ribbon
• Create your first drawing, add text, and manage properties
• Build amazing 2D and 3D models in no time

Make your design and shapes come to life by using the new features in AutoCAD 2013

Time to put away the pencil and paper and get up to speed quickly with AutoCAD 2013. From setting up your drawing environment to outputting your masterworks to sharing your work with others, this guide shows you how to get started with this powerful program. Before you know it, you'll be using proper CAD techniques and creating complex technical drawings.

• Build the foundation — from the AutoCAD screen to AutoCAD-based products, gain a strong understanding of the basics
• Create geometry — discover how to draw objects, edit, and zoom in to see them better on the screen
• Add the essentials — spice up your drawing with text, dimensions, and hatching, then create a snapshot to show it off to your client
• Get advanced — find out how to use a host of drawing and data-sharing features, then share your drawings on the web
• Explore 3D models — apply visual styles and navigate around your drawing with AutoCAD's 3D capabilities

Open the book and find:

• The differences between AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT
• All the new features in AutoCAD 2013
• Tips for using the command-line area and setting up your drawing properly
• Ways to utilize the different drawing commands
• Steps for navigating the plot process
• How to manage data within drawings, between drawings, and across a network
• Directions for using predefined visual styles