Intro to AutoCAD book review: When electronic design isn’t enough

Most EEs work comfortably with electronic CAD/CAE tools and don't need to venture out into mechanical design. However, if you work with electro-mechanical devices you may need to gain familiarity with mechanical CAD tools too. Introduction to AutoCAD 2007: 2D and 3D Design (Newnes/Elsevier ISBN 0-7506-8154-3, 2007) by Alf Yarwood provides step-by-step instruction for using AutoCAD 2007. The book's generous use of full color figures makes it easy to follow the exercises. Unlike some step-by-step books, this one discusses menu options in addition to the particular ones you are using in the exercise so that you can leave the path given in the exercise. This makes the text useful as a reference too, and especially handy for those of us who might not be using mechanical CAD tools on a regular basis. The 346 page text gives equal time to both 2D and 3D design. Check out the Table of Contents. $39.95.