Newbie- AutoCad 2008 help.......

[WSS]

Hi, I just purchased AutoCad 08 and am overwhelmed with the new layout. I have been using AutoDesk Quickcad, which is a version from '99 or 2000 I think. I have used other CAD software as well but the only AutoDesk experience is with QuickCad.

Some of the things I cannot figure out are:

1) the "direct select" tool, where you could click a item or drag a box around a section to select it.

2) The grid is now dots, can it be changed to lines (the old 2D drafting look)?

3) Where did the guidelines go? Are they still called guides? I used to have a tool area or window for choosing all things guide-wise.


Any input will be appreciated!!!

Thanks,

WSS

[ger21]

1)if you drag to the left, anything the box touches is selected. Drag to the right and anything completely inside the box is selected. You can also click individual items, and you can select multiple items. Shift + click deselects individual items.

2) AfaiK, it's always been dots. At least it has been for the past 10 or more years. Don't think you can change it.

3) Never heard of them?? And I've been using AutoCAD daily for about 15 years.

[WSS]

Originally Posted by ger21 1)if you drag to the left, anything the box touches is selected. Drag to the right and anything completely inside the box is selected. You can also click individual items, and you can select multiple items. Shift + click deselects individual items. 2) AfaiK, it's always been dots. At least it has been for the past 10 or more years. Don't think you can change it. 3) Never heard of them?? And I've been using AutoCAD daily for about 15 years.

Gerry,

Thank-you,

1) Great! That sounds super efficient.

2) I can live with the dots, just have to get used to it.

3) What they are is a line that your objects tend to snap to. In PhotoShop, you would reach and grab in the ruler area (X or Y) and drag the line where you want it. With the QuickCad version I was using it had point to point or specific angle, round, vertical, horizontal and so on. I used them often. By placing them at the dimension needed, you could run a irregular poly or lines to snap right to it and have correct dimensions.

I will get a screen shot of it posted here a bit later today.

Again, Thanks for the help

WSS

[ger21]

I use guides in Photoshop all the time. If you need lines to snap to in AutoCAD, just draw some.

You can also use the tracking features. I personally don't use them, so can't explain them very well.

[WSS]

I have been looking at self-teaching books and videos (not the seven step kind) to learn '08.

Any suggestions on the best beginner/novice DVD or video out there? I seem to learn better from video type teaching over the book method, at least i feel it gets me there faster. Any advice would be grateful.

Thank-you,
WSS