Tools for Design Using AutoCAD 2025 and Autodesk Inventor 2025: Hand Sketching, 2D Drawing and 3D Modeling

Solid CAD skills start with deliberate, hands-on practice. Tools for Design Using AutoCAD 2025 and Autodesk Inventor 2025 is a project-driven introduction to two of the most widely used design applications in mechanical engineering and product design. Author Randy H. Shih combines clear explanations with exercise-intensive tutorials that move from foundational 2D drawing to advanced 3D modeling and assembly design.

Learn by Designing Real Parts

Rather than simply listing commands, this book builds understanding through a series of guided projects. You will create actual mechanical components—brackets, locators, gaskets, rocker arms—while learning essential tools and techniques. Each lesson introduces new commands and concepts, reinforcing previous material and helping you develop a working knowledge of both AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor.

What You’ll Explore Inside

• AutoCAD Fundamentals: screen layout, coordinate systems, drawing setup, line and circle tools, object snap, dynamic input, and editing commands.
• Geometric Construction: bisection, tangents, fillets, offsets, and precision drawing methods.
• Orthographic Views: creating multiview drawings with layers, projections, and construction lines.
• Dimensioning and Annotation: adding linear, angular, radius, and diameter dimensions, plus notes and text.
• Autodesk Inventor Basics: transitioning to 3D parametric modeling, feature-based design, and assembly creation.

Designed for Practical Learning

The tutorial structure is ideal for students, CAD beginners, and professionals upgrading from earlier software versions. Because the techniques follow standard parametric feature-based workflows, the skills transfer to other modern CAD packages. Review questions and exercises at the end of chapters reinforce key concepts and encourage independent problem-solving.

A Clear Path to CAD Confidence

With 15 focused lessons, this book helps you build a solid foundation in computer-aided design. Whether you are studying engineering graphics, preparing for industry certification, or sharpening your professional toolkit, the step-by-step approach makes complex topics accessible and immediately applicable. 📐