ADT Tutorials by H. Edward Goldberg

I ran, almost literally, into Ed Goldberg at Autodesk University and having read his articles over the years it was great to finally meet him in person. Even in the huge AU crowd, we met between sessions in the foyer, he stood out with his rather distinctive trademark hat!

He offered to send a copy of his book and a short time after I got home a rather weary looking courier delivered a substantial package to the front door. The title “A Comprehensive Tutorial” is no exaggeration as there are close to 600 pages in this large format book.

It covers every aspect of ADT beginning with an overview of the installation process. Then the interface, including ADT specific concepts like Tools Palettes, Content Browser and Open Drawing Menu, is introduced. From this point on you are creating content as objects or concepts are introduced with:

• A description of it’s role in the design/documentation process.
• Detail on the tools & interface to access & control it.
• A hands-on exercise, with screen-shots, to demonstrate it’s use.

It works through the design process beginning with an introduction to massing and space planning as alternative techniques for conceptual design. Then every building object in the ADT tool-box is introduced. The principles of scheduling and property sets demonstrate techniques to extract data from the model. Elevations and section tools are covered, including subdivisions and material boundaries, along with an introduction to the use of ADT’s 2D detailing tools for documentation. This is followed by the concepts, implementation and use of ADT’s drawing management system, including ADT 2006’s project standards, and a quick look at Viz Render.

I’d say it’s aimed at users with existing AutoCAD knowledge updating to ADT rather than complete novices. If you are not familiar with basic AutoCAD concepts the exercises could be a struggle as basic AutoCAD commands - changing views, coordinate entry, UCS, OSNAP etc – are required, but not detailed. One other thing lacking, for many outside the US, is that all exercises use imperial measurements. That said the detail and conceptual information makes this book worthwhile, even for those of us that use a proper measurement system*

Available at www.prenhall.com

Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2006 - A Comprehensive Tutorial - By H. Edward Goldberg

And a work in progress, I guess due soon:

Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2007 - A Comprehensive Tutorial - By H. Edward Goldberg

* I often use Imperial playing in beta files, samples are often in “feet ‘n Inches”, but am so grateful NZ made the move to Metric back in the ‘70’s especially when I hear the tales of those coping with mixtures of Imperial & Metric within a project!