Mechanical CAD Principles and Practice - (Second Edition)

Author: Xiao Gang / Li Xuezhi / Li Junyuan (editors)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: This book, while inheriting the structural framework of the first edition, has been revised and updated in part. After the revision, the book is divided into 13 chapters. Chapters 1–7 cover the fundamental principles of CAD, systematically elaborating on the basic content, principles, and methods of CAD technology, including an overview of the development of CAD technology, commonly used data structures in CAD, the principles of interactive drawing systems, parametric design technology, programmatic processing of design data, database management technology for engineering data, and CAD interactive techniques and auxiliary tools. Chapters 8–13 focus on CAD development practices, providing detailed introductions to the basic development environment, various development technologies, and development examples of AutoCAD software, including the fundamentals of AutoCAD system development, graphics data exchange technologies and standards, VisualLISP development technology, AutoCAD VBA development technology, AutoCAD dialog box design technology, and examples of CAD application system development. This book can serve as a teaching material for computer-aided design courses in engineering disciplines at universities and colleges, as well as a reference for software developers and users of CAD application systems. [Preface] Preface to the Second Edition The development and application level of CAD technology have become one of the important indicators for measuring a country's modernization in science, technology, and industry. It has fundamentally transformed the content and methods of product design, completely changing the traditional manual design and drawing methods, and driving design revolutions in almost every field. Due to the strong emphasis placed by Chinese government departments on this new technology, especially since the 1990s, the Ministry of Science and Technology has vigorously promoted the application and popularization of CAD technology, implementing CAD application projects with a breakthrough in "paperless drawing," establishing a nationwide CAD training network, and cultivating a large number of CAD technology development and application talents. A batch of domestic CAD software has been industrialized, and universities and colleges have widely conducted CAD technology teaching. Currently, this new technology has been applied and is functioning in many enterprises. CAD technology has not only improved the speed and precision of product development but also enhanced the technical capabilities of enterprises, strengthening their competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. Although China has achieved significant accomplishments in the application of CAD technology, there remains a considerable gap compared to developed countries. Additionally, the application of CAD technology within the country is still uneven, requiring continuous efforts from science and education workers engaged in CAD application and promotion to cultivate more engineering talents with a solid foundation in CAD theory and mastery of new CAD methods, thereby improving China's overall design level. Since the first edition of this book was published in 1999, it has been reprinted multiple times. However, due to the ongoing development of CAD technology, some content in the book has become outdated and requires timely adjustments and revisions. Therefore, after carefully analyzing existing issues and considering readers' suggestions, we have decided to maintain the structural framework and characteristics of the first edition while revising and updating only certain parts to meet the needs of CAD teaching and talent cultivation in the new era. The specific revision details are as follows: Chapters 1 (Introduction), 6 (Database Management Technology for Engineering Data), 7 (Interactive Techniques and User Interfaces), 8 (Fundamentals of AutoCAD System Development), 9 (AutoLISP Programming Language), and 12 (Examples of CAD Application System Development) have been rewritten; Chapter 10 (Advanced Development System ADS) has been removed, and chapters on graphics data exchange technology and AutoCAD VBA development technology have been added. Chapters 2 (Common Data Structures in CAD), 3 (Principles of Interactive Engineering Drawing Systems), 4 (Parametric Design Technology), and 5 (Programmatic Processing of Design Data) remain largely unchanged, with only minor adjustments to certain content. After the revision, the book is divided into 13 chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the development overview of CAD technology, the composition of hardware and software in CAD systems, and the latest trends in CAD technology; Chapter 2 provides a detailed introduction to the common data structures used in CAD systems; Chapter 3 elaborates on the composition, basic principles, data structures, and several technical issues of interactive drawing systems; Chapter 4 introduces various parametric design methods and principles; Chapter 5 details the programmatic processing methods for various types of design data; Chapter 6 introduces database management technology for engineering data; Chapter 7 briefly introduces some common interactive techniques and auxiliary tools in CAD systems; Chapter 8 explains the basic methods for developing AutoCAD systems, including the customization of menus, toolbars, linetypes, and fill patterns; Chapter 9 introduces graphics data exchange technologies, the initial graphics exchange standard IGES, and the STEP standard, with a focus on a detailed description of DXF files; Chapter 10 introduces the data types, program structures, various functions, and development methods of the VisualLISP programming language; Chapter 11 provides a detailed introduction to the characteristics and development methods of AutoCAD VBA development technology; Chapter 12 describes the composition of AutoCAD dialog boxes, the structure and syntax of dialog box control languages, various functions, and design techniques in detail; and Chapter 13 presents several examples of CAD application systems. The content of this book is fresh and innovative, emphasizing both theory and practice, making it suitable as a teaching material for senior undergraduate and graduate students in engineering disciplines at universities and colleges, as well as a reference for software developers and engineering technicians engaged in CAD knowledge training and continuing education. Chapters 1, 3, 4, and 7 were written by Xiao Gang; Chapters 2 and 5 were written by Li Xuezhi; Chapters 6, 9, 10, and 11 were written by Li Junyuan; Chapters 8, 12, and 13 were written by Xiao Gang and Li Junyuan; and the entire book was compiled and finalized by Xiao Gang. The content of this book is a summary and reflection of the authors' many years of experience in CAD teaching and research, and it is inevitable that there are shortcomings. We sincerely welcome readers' criticisms and corrections. Contact Information of the Authors: xg@zjut.edu.cn