Datasheet

Starting AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT
This section starts a quick tour of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. The first step is to start the program.
The DVD contains a 30-day trial version of AutoCAD 2008 and AutoCAD LT 2008.
This book covers AutoCAD 2008 and AutoCAD LT 2008 running on Windows 2000, Windows XP
Home/Professional, or Windows Vista. (Most of the figures were taken in Windows Vista.) Every computer
is set up somewhat differently, so you may need to adjust the following steps slightly. If you didn’t install the
software yourself and are unfamiliar with the folders (also called directories) on your computer, get help
from someone who is familiar with your computer system.
If you need information on installing AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT, see Appendix A. Appendix A
also covers configuring the software and printers or plotters.
By default, installing AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT places a shortcut on your desktop, as shown in Figure 1.1.
You can double-click one of the shortcuts to launch the program that is installed on your machine, or you
may choose one of the following:
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For AutoCAD: Start ➪ (All) Programs ➪ Autodesk ➪ AutoCAD 2008 ➪ AutoCAD 2008
n
For AutoCAD LT: Start ➪ (All) Programs ➪ Autodesk ➪ AutoCAD LT 2008 ➪
AutoCAD LT 2008
FIGURE 1.1
A shortcut on the desktop provides a quick way to open AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT.
Creating a New Drawing
After you launch AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT, it automatically opens a new drawing named Drawing1.dwg.
You can see the drawing name on the title bar. You can start drawing immediately. In Chapter 2, I explain
how to start a drawing based on a template and how to open an existing drawing.
STEPS: Starting AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT
1. Click Start on the taskbar at the bottom of your screen.
2. Choose one of the following:
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For AutoCAD: Start ➪ (All) Programs ➪ Autodesk ➪ AutoCAD 2008 ➪ AutoCAD 2008
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For AutoCAD LT: Start ➪ (All) Programs ➪ Autodesk ➪ AutoCAD LT 2008 ➪
AutoCAD LT 2008
You see a blank drawing named
Drawing1.dwg.
If you are continuing with this chapter, keep this drawing open. I cover exiting from AutoCAD and
AutoCAD LT later in this chapter.
CROSS-REF
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Starting to Draw
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