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Thread: Handbook for R6.0

  1. #1
    The CADSmith Chad Smith's Avatar
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    Default

    Pretty simple one, how about a users manual.

    For those unfamiliar with these, Revit developers take note, they are pages of paper bound at the side and describe how to use the product.
    They come in various sizes and colours and are very useful to beginners.

    But seriously, nothing beats sitting down and flipping through a book, taking it home for bed time reading, then coming back the next day and putting the new knowledge to use. I find I'm still learning new things about AutoCAD just by opening the manual at a random location at reading the section. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's sick of Alt-Tabbing between online help and the program.

    Autodesk are still producing manuals for AutoCAD and Architectural Desktop as I found out when we upgraded our office licenses to 2004, but I was bitterly disappointed when my new Revit package arrived. And with the high cost of the software, you would expect to get one.

    If that's too much to ask for, then how about a printable PDF version, so we can print them ourselves.

  2. #2
    Super Moderator beegee's Avatar
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    Default Re: Handbook for R6.0

    Chad,

    I'm a manual sort of person too. And I agree about the high cap cost warranting a hardcopy. ( Which most software these days seems to come without )

    Next best thing at this stage, is Cyril Verley's Courseware book, mentioned in naother thread.
    Its readable , succinct and you won't be sorry.

  3. #3
    All AUGI, all the time
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    Default Re: Handbook for R6.0

    I too am in favor of a well written manual. The main problem that I have with software manuals is that they usually aren't very well written. You end up with explanations such as "setvarlenglimit sets the variable length limit" without any explanation as to where, when, why or what that variable is used for.

  4. #4
    All AUGI, all the time Allen Lacy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Handbook for R6.0

    Chad, you are aware that you can download tutorials, white papers and help files in PFD format from here (click on Other 5.1 Documents and White Papers)? I agree that it's not the same a manual that you can get your hands on, but it may be the next best thing.

  5. #5
    Active Member Kirky's Avatar
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    Default Re: Handbook for R6.0

    I always keep an AutoCAD manual handy, nothing better to put you asleep fast.

    I have a theory: the thicker the manual the worse the software?

    Ian

  6. #6
    Super Moderator beegee's Avatar
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    Default Re: Handbook for R6.0

    Quote Originally Posted by Kirky
    I have a theory: the thicker the manual the worse the software?
    Hmmm, .... you could be right Ian.

    I don't normally quote other ngs, about other software, but this is different :-

    ADT without training, use of the 2600 page pdf manual, and a good supplemental book, can be treacherous. Bob

  7. #7
    AUGI Addict PeterJ's Avatar
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    Default Re: Handbook for R6.0

    2600 pages? I have a wobbly desk in my office, maybe I should go buy ADT.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Handbook for R6.0

    Quote Originally Posted by PeterJ
    2600 pages? I have a wobbly desk in my office, maybe I should go buy ADT.
    Wobbly? it must have half a leg missing

    Agree with the reference book though, I used to when I had a spare 10 mins in the office look through the autocad one for something I didnt know about, then read up on it... after doing this for a few months you get to know a load of stuff you may never have found out about otherwise. (DIY tip of the day I suppose)

  9. #9
    Revit Technical Specialist - Autodesk Scott D Davis's Avatar
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    Default Re: Handbook for R6.0

    I had a a set of ADT 2.0 manuals around for a while. I used them to lift my monitor up higher off my desktop. I knew they were good for something.....

  10. #10
    AUGI Addict Scott Hopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Handbook for R6.0

    Scott,

    Looking back at my old ADT 3.1 manual, I am still amazed at how poorly written it was. Whoever wrote it must have gotten paid by the pound. It is so verbose and repetitive that reading it is the equivalent to taking a handful of valiums. I find it hard to believe that, in company as big as AutoDesk, someone with some common sense didn’t proof-read the manual and immediately stop the presses. You are right however; it does make a great monitor stand.

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