QCAD - An Introduction to Computer-Aided Design

Sarnen, Obwalden, Switzerland: RibbonSoft GmbH Company, 2012. Assumed First Edition . Trade Paperback. Very Good. 6 3/4" x 10" 1/2. 217 Pages Indexed. QCAD is a computer application that allows you to create technical drawings such as plans for mechanical parts or floor plans. The CAD in QCAD stands for Computer-Aided Drafting or Computer-Aided Design. QCAD is one of many applications on the market that provides this kind of functionality. However, if you have tried other popular CAD systems before, you will likely have realized that these systems are usually very complex, difficult to learn and for most private users and small businesses almost unaffordable. This is because CAD has long been a technology that was only used by major industrial companies, universities and governments and most CAD manufacturers still exclusively target these groups of users. QCAD is an alternative solution that is available to everyone who is interested in CAD. QCAD is not only a lot easier to use than other traditional CAD systems, it also runs on most modern operating systems including Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. This means that with QCAD you are not locked in on any particular system and you can share your drawings with friends and companies who happen to use another system. Despite all these advantages, QCAD is also one of the most affordable complete CAD packages on the market today. Although QCAD is easy to use compared to other CAD solutions, using a CAD system in general is not as trivial as using a word processor or browsing the web. Simply learning how to use the various tools and features of QCAD is not enough to create professional looking technical drawings. You also have to become familiar with the fundamental concepts of technical drafting in general and with some CAD specific concepts such as layers, blocks and precision tools. These concepts are what separates a CAD system from a simple drawing or presentation software. This book will not only help you to get started with QCAD immediately, it will also teach you the basics of technical drafting and CAD along the way. Contents in Five Parts: First Steps with QCAD, Basic CAD Concepts, Drawing and Editing with QCAD, Blocks, and Import Export and Printing