Residential Design Using AutoCAD 2013

This textbook starts with an optional section that covers basic hand sketching techniques and concepts intended to increase your ability to sketch design ideas by hand and to think three-dimensionally. The book then proceeds with a basic introduction to AutoCAD 2013. The first three chapters are intended to get the reader familiar with the user interface and many of the common menus and tools. Throughout the rest of the book readers design a residence through to its completion.

Using step-by-step tutorial lessons, the residential project is followed through to create elevations, sections, details, etc. Throughout the project, new AutoCAD commands are covered at the appropriate time. Focus is placed on the most essential parts of a command rather than an exhaustive review of every sub-feature of a particular command. The Appendix contains a bonus section covering the fundamental principles of engineering graphics that relate to architecture.

About the Videos

The videos contained on the included CD make it easy to see the menu selections and will make learning AutoCAD straightforward and simple. At the start of each chapter the reader is prompted to watch a video that previews the topics that will be covered in the proceeding chapter. This allows the reader to be familiar with the menu selections and techniques before they begin the tutorial. Readers will feel more confident in what they are doing and have a better understanding of the desired outcome of each lesson by watching these videos.

Table of Contents
Introduction - Sketching Exercises
1. Getting started with AutoCAD 2013
2. Crash Course Introduction (The Basics)
3. Drawing Architectural Objects (Draw & Modify)
4. Floor Plans
5. Exterior Elevations
6. Sections
7. Plan Layout & Interior Elevations
8. Site Plan
9. Schedules & Set Up Sheet
10. Lineweights & Plotting
Appendix A: Engineering Graphics

CD Content
11. Introduction to Computers
12. Introduction to Google SketchUp
Appendix B: Roof Study Workbook - Draft Edition