Mastering AutoCAD 2004 and AutoCAD LT 2004 [With CD]

As a student landscape and gardenarchitecture (last year), i found myself lacking the courage and will to learn autocad as they taught us at school. I actually got very bad grades untill i decided to make an effort and buy some kind of book that could teach me. After giving it some thought i decided to buy this book written by Omura and boy! i am i glad i did. My grades went up a whole bunch and suddenly i understood what the teacher was explaining. Students around me started to come to me to get answers on things they didn't understand about the program. So in short, what makes this a good book? It starts from zero, absolutely from the beginning, working itself up to the point where you enter a more advanced level. each step is fully explained, instead of telling what to do, George Omura tells you WHY you need to do what you do. The best about the book is that in the back of the book, there is a list with keywords, enabling you to fastacces things you are stuck with or don't understand as you use the program. So this book isn't only handy to learn autocad, it's also good for a fast look-up on something you need to know. I did at a certain point hunger for more knowledge on the more advanced 3D operations. George Omura does a good job explaining the fundaments, but i wish he would've gone more deeper into it sometimes. Sometimes the explanation felt lacking more information. But overall, i class this a 5 star book!

I've been an Autocad user for 9 years going back to version 12. I've used every version since. Let me state right off the bat, whether you're a beginner or a very experienced cad user, BUY THIS BOOK. This book will give you a solid foundation for every area of Autocad. The book is structured from beginner to expert and includes 4 appendixes.For the beginner (I read the beginner chaps just for fun and to see what's new in 2004) excellent walk-thru exercises with great pictures and easy to understand instructions should have you drawing in no time as well as building your confidence with each chapter. For the more experienced user who wants to delve in to the 3d features and customization capabilities of Autocad (ex. database integration, VBA, Lisp, Web dev, sys vars, etc.), excellent coverage including walk-thru's of these areas will provide you with the solid foundation to do whatever you want. I was particularly impressed with the coverage of the 3d environment as Omura devotes 4 chapters to this topic with each one being a must read.The inclusion of good screen shots throughout the book allows you to read and understand while away from the computer. Very satisfied with the purchase of this book!!

I love Omura's books about AutoCAD.I have all the versions from AutoCAD13 to AutoCAD2004, it is wonderful, easy to read to Understood to deal with, since I am an architeact & a lecturer in University, I this book very helpful in my work & teching.Thank youArqem

Page 963 alone is worth the price of the book if you are an advanced user. I learned how to set up all my blocks into a custom tool palette. Tool palettes are a new feature in 2004.I started at chapter one, and learned about features I have overlooked although I've been using AutoCAD since version 10.I can't praise Mr Omura enough, he even gives his e:mail address and invites suggestions for improvements. There isn't a better book on the market for new users of AutoCAD, or experienced users either. The writing style and exercises are so easy to follow.