5 comments about Engineering Design with SolidWorks 2008 & MultiMedia CD.

1. I teach a single semester class of SolidWorks and a two semester class of SolidWorks. The SolidWorks Tutorial book is excellent for the single semester class, but the Engineering Design book is the best one that I have seen for the two semester class. Both books are very well written for education and are easy to read and follow. Both books have integrated homework examples which are directly aligned to the chapters and the SolidWorks CSWA Certification program.
   
   Engineering Design covers all of the main features: Extruded Boss/Base, Extruded Cut, Revolved Boss/Base. Loft Boss/Base, Swept Boss/Base, Linear & Circular Patterns, hole, and more. The chapters are divided into logical project streams to apply the appropriate features, commands, and design intent. Both bottom up and top down assembly methods are applied with configurations. The Drawing section is well documented with exploded views, crop, projected, cut, section, detail, etc. The Sheetmetal chapter is a plus. The book is easy to follow with its bold command structure and step by step illustrations. Base features and Base Sketch planes are well documented and explained. Want to learn SolidWorks? Go no further.



2. I'm new to SolidWorks. I used AutoCAD many years ago, and was downsized last year. I now work as a mechanical designer for a medium size auto part manufacturer.
   
   One of the job requirements was to learn SolidWorks. SolidWorks is an amazing product... I purchased two books from these authors. Both are great. Their writing style is very straightforward. They do not assume that you have previous knowledge in 2D or 3D CAD. They give many illustrations in the book, and supply a multimedia CD. This is a BIG advantage when learning a new software package.
   
   Solid engineering fundamentals are provided when creating a part, assembly or drawing. The back of each chapter is packed with examples which are aligned with the CSWA certification. I'm the only one in the department that is not certified. My goal is to past the CSWA certification exam someday!



3. There are many SolidWorks books that are being offered in today's environment. It is difficult to know which book is right for you. As an Inventor user who moved to SolidWorks, I am looking for a detail book that provides information in a structural format to educate me in a new software package. I am also in search of a book that will keep my attention, move at a reasonable pace, and cover major feature, sketch, drawing, assembly and analysis topics and tools. This is a very good book for the person that is looking for the above like me. The multimedia CD is a plus, but just reviews what is in the book. Additional details and tips would be nice.



4. This book has good, easy to follow instructions that step you through a process that starts out from beginner and ends up with a good understanding of the power and utility of SolidWorks 2008. The only negative is the lack of color, the text looks a little plain and could use some spicing up. However, as far as the utility goes, this is an excellent manual.



5. I've been combining my retraining in 3D modeling and learning SolidWorks specifics with the help of two SolidWorks books; Engineering Design with SolidWorks and A Commands Guide for SolidWorks. Both books deploy a step-by-step very well illustrated instruction approach.
   
   I'm rather new to 3D. I found the two books to be extremely useful and easy to follow. In a previous life, I was an AutoCad VAR, although that is going back quite a few years. Part of my learning process has been unlearning some of my AutoCad approaches. This takes time, but is well worth it. SolidWorks is a great software package.
   
   Engineering Design with SolidWorks walks you through SW in no time by combining parts that you create with sub-assemblies and assemblies. The numerous illustrations with the easy step-by-step procedure makes this book ideal for the self taught person or the classroom environment. Example: In the assembly section, there are screen shots of each selection; edge, face, etc. and then a screen shot of the model with the Mate PropertyManager to inforce and guide you through the process. This is very helpful for any new user. This type of illustration is provided throughout the book.
   
   At the end of each chapter, additional parts and sub-assemblies are available to build your confidence. The book spends a great deal of time addressing geometric sketch relationships, and the ability to edit a sketch or feature in a model. This is time well spent.
   
   The drawing chapter takes you through setting up a sheet format, detailing drawings with multi sheets, multi views, setting part numbers in a BOM, revision tables, and inserting design tables with configurations. All great things.
   
   The included CD has all the lessons animated. Great work here. If you get bored reading the book, pop in the CD, sit back and enjoy some Solidworks modeling.

No comments about Learning Flex 3: Getting up to Speed with Rich Internet Applications (Adobe Developer Library).

5 comments about SolidWorks 2007 Bible.

1. This book has pictures that create the illusion that you are going to learn all of that model and at the end it doesn't show you the way step by step to make those models.



2. I haven't received the SolidWorks Bible yet, thouhg I have it ordered one month ago.
   I am still waiting my book



3. I found it very useful for filling in holes I had with Solid works primarily design tables and some basic programming. It is useful but not terribly detailed. It covers a lot and not much of that a lot in detail.



4. The description of the book states: "The most complete resource for SolidWorks on the market. Matt Lombard's in-depth knowledge plus his snappy wit and wisdom make SolidWorks accessible to users at all levels."
   
   Sheer size with bad wit does not make a book good. It shows for this book!
   
   The book is fragmented, poorly explained, written, and illustrated, with a mound of tips that look like they came from various SW User groups.
   
   As a new 3D CAD user and a Mechanical Engineer with 10+ years in industry, it did not help, nor would it help if I was not a new user.
   
   The book was not recommended by my local SW VAR, I know now and I should have listened!!!!



5. The book looks nice but I haven't found enough time to read it. Overall it is good for any one who is in starting phase or in the middle.
   
   Other good thing is they send me free mac coupons.
   
   Thanks.

5 comments about Apple Pro Training Series: Color (Apple Pro Training).

1. I ordered this in June of last year and I wish I'd not. I'm a live tv camera shader so my background is in color manipulation. If you have absolutely no idea how to manipulate colorimetry, this is not the book for you at all. It tells you how to drive the software with some helpful color hints scattered about. Read the manual, work in the application, scour the net and Amazon for information about color and you can learn the same stuff.
   
   If you have a background in color manipulation, skip this book and read the manual to learn how to drive Apple's Color. If you're like me and enjoy constant learning, run and pick up "Encyclopedia of Color Correction" by Alexis van Hurkman. It's a far more useful text than this title.



2. Aside from the frustrations of the "one-star-reviewer", one must consider that the purpose of this book is to teach how to use the software. Apple is making professional tools available to the "general public", and is offering a training series of which this book is a part.
   
   One assumes that if you're an industry professional, you're well on your way, without the need for "training wheels". But if you're like me, more or less still exploring the richness and the depth of Final Cut Studio 2, then this book is a must for you.
   
   I was a bit frustrated about the long waiting period and the delay of the publishing date and was close to cancelling my order, but I am happy I own this book now. The book may seem a bit meager and I wish for more examples and exercises in an updated version, but I feel it gives me a great headstart in learning how to use Color and I feel confident enough to explore all the possibilities on my own.



3. I waited a long time before this book arrived but it was completely worth it. I edit on Final cut pro but never really did too much with respect to secondary coloring. I used the color correction tools with Final cut but they are not very good for precision coloring. I've always peeped through the window admiring da vinci system and even considered buying Final Touch but didn't have the nerve to pluck down $20K. Then Apple bought the company and folded it into Final Cut suite. I upgraded immediately. I soon found that i was out of my element in Apple Color.
   The manual that came with Apple color didn't help that much either. Yes i could color but didn't always get the exact look i was going for. I concluded that only Da vinci system could give me the look i wanted.
   Then came this book. It thoroughly explained the right way to mix and match to get precise looks, from skin tone to mood.
   This book is worth twice it's price. Forget going on any silly course. read it and practice and you are good.
   
   I'll say this for Apple color. It can color as good as any da vinci system. It is 10 times slower to render unless you create a huge cluster, granted, but the end result is the same. Anyone tell you different is trying to justify their higher rates.



4. All the Apple Pro books are great tools for anyone that does video editing. However, my copy of Color came with the top left hand corner of the back cover ripped off. I expected better quality since I was ordering directly from Amazon.



5. let's start by the conclusion.your chances of running "colour" software without this book are purely and simply unexisting.How can you..?where to start...?
   considering mostly colour is a must have software.
   so the book is great and the excercises fantastic.It is very nice to learn in those conditions

5 comments about Adobe InDesign CS2 Classroom in a Book.

1. This book is extremely helpful with the Adobe InDesign program I wish I would have had it a year ago!!



2. I'm only giving it 1 star because CS3 has now been released, so the book is of modest value except for those who wish not to take advantage of the new and improved. Try taking this one to a used book store and you'll see that at "1" it's over-rated.
   
   Aside from that, this is an excellent series of manuals, particular valuable as software publishers no longer include manuals! As they say at O'Reilly: "The book that should have been in the box."



3. I am a convert from PageMaker, so I was already familiar with a lot of the functions in InDesign. However, the book has still been very beneficial. The examples and already finished or almost finished documents that come on the disc are great tools to learn with.
   
   The book is easy to read, despite being written by Adobe. Sometimes the only way to learn is to buy a book written by a third party, but I've found that is not the case here. Adobe did a great job.



4. I was just starting to learn InDesign and had not taken any classes. This book was great. It really helped me through many projects. A definite plus to your library if your are an InDesign user.



5. I bought this book and yes, it is a good book but it is not the reference book that I was looking for. I need to be able to look up how to do a particular application or what a certain button does. I have to figure out which lesson this might be found in and then go through to the lesson. This is time consuming and I do not always find the information I need. I am really looking for a great index with step by step on how to perform certain funtions.

5 comments about ActionScript 3.0 Bible.

1. I am an experienced programmer who knows Java very well, and I was looking to learn ActionScript 3 so as to be able to build Flash applications. I found this book very easy to read and to understand, and the examples easy to put in practice. Sure, there are a few errors here and there (including in the code, which may confound a truly inexperienced programmer, but also make him think a bit to find the errors... a good exercise), but the overall tone is nice. I took my time, going through about one chapter a day (having other things to do as well), so I finished the book in about a month. Someone dedicated can probably read the whole book and play with all the examples in about a week. I especially liked the fact that the book introduces the reader to almost all Flash APIs: graphics, animation, user interface, XML parsing, file management, networking, image processing, printing, JavaScript interaction, etc. It does not go in depth into most APIs, but by the time you're done reading the book, you have a great overall picture of what you can do with Flash, and you can now explore the APIs in depth by yourself to build more complex projects (using the very comprehensive integrated help that comes with Flash CS3 Professional). You know where to look. I took notes while reading the book every time I learned a new concept, and now I use a highlighter to cross individual notes out as I put the concept in practice into my code and memorize it for good. I hope to have crossed out all my notes in the coming weeks. Anyway, one month after having finished the book, I consider myself quite familiar with ActionScript 3, and I have been writing some good code. So I would say that I am very happy that I purchased this book.



2. The Flash 8 Actionscript bible was an amazing reference, and covered just about every feature. This book is nothing like that. The examples are ok, but the whole way it is written and the index in particular feels kind of rushed. I need a good reference book!



3. It's surprising that nobody has published a simple language reference for ActionScript 3.0 yet; until that day comes, this book is my most often visited reference when programming Flash projects.
   
   Great job by the authors.
   
   My only complaint: The examples are good, but would be of much more use if they also included classpaths (e.g., the correct "import" statement) within them. As they are, I often find myself searching Adobe's online references for the correct package/class to import before trying them out.



4. In my opinion there are three things to look for in a Computer Language book. Exhaustive reference, truly illustrative examples and applicable conventions and design patterns.
   
   Unfortunately this book failed on all counts, so I rarely open it anymore.
   
   I also have "Essential Actionscript 3" and "Actionscript 3 Cookbook" in my library. I use these a lot more frequently.



5. Contradictory to most "Bibles" this book is not a thorough reference guide, meaning it does not break down every function or object with all of the property and methods. However, the examples are very clear and it's an excellent book to learn what you need and why you want it about Actionscript. I really enjoyed the simple explanations and for each topic I think just the right amount of information is presented without overloading you or leaving wondering what you're missing. Given that there is a wealth of detailed "reference" material at Adobe's site and built into Flex Builder, I think this book is an excellent complement to those materials. I recommend this book to anyone with a little programming experience looking to add ActionScript to their knowledgebase.

5 comments about The Painter X Wow! Book.

1. If you are serious about learning Painter X, yes the book is really worth what it costs. It expands and explains in much more detail , everything that is in the product manual, and I haven't even looked at the CD that comes with the WoW Book. Do It if you can.



2. This is not a book for a person with no experience with the Painter software. While I believe there is useful information contained in it, it is not organized in a manner for a newbie to easily garner the workings of the software. The book is overloaded with pictures and screen shots accompanied by extremely small type which, while interesting, both detract from the content and do little to create a learning experience. I will probably come back to it after finding a more useful book and gaining more experience.



3. I was forced to read and use this book for a class in Corel Painter X. I also owned the first Painter Wow book. This one is a great improvement over that, however it still misses the mark on what is needed. Painter has improved greatly also, and has become more complex, if not enigmatic program. Painter was designed for a special group of people, (artists, yes we're special,) who generally like to just pick up a tool and start making art with it. While this book has great full color illustrations of what is possible, thus the "WOW," i feel it has too many exercises, trying to emulate someone else's example, and not enough organized detailing of the tools.
   
   What an artist needs with Painter is an accurate reference manual, where one can easily look-up a brush or other tool, find out all its standard variants, what they do and don't do, and what you may do to adjust it. The author attempts to do this, but you have to follow too many cross references, and too much detail is left out.
   
   This book is however the best you can get and she does do a great job of explaining the principles behind the different aspects of this program. Painter is so complex it is not easy for any person to fully know, but this is why a complete and usable guide is needed.



4. This book is a great source of information of how to use the program creatively and in many different approaches. There are a lot of examples from different Artists showing how they use Painter to create their work. And in the beginning of the book there is enough information to cover the basics.



5. The content of this book is superb. Unfortunately, accessing the content when you have a question, is a problem. I've only had the book a couple days, and I've only gone to the index three times, but for two of those three times, I was directed to the wrong page. I have been able to flip around in the book, looking for sections that are likely to contain the answer, but it is frustrating to pay almost 40 dollars for a book with a poorly assembled index.
   
   I would still recommend this book, despite this flaw. It's organization makes it relatively easy to hunt for the info you need via the table of contents, and admittedly, it isn't aimed at complete novices to Painter, nor is it intended to replace the Painter help menu. My questions were fairly simple, like I didn't understand why the blender brush wouldn't work on a layer. (Check the "pick up underlying color" box on the layers pallete for it to work). I suspect that this book is aimed at someone who would already know or be able to easily guess this.

1 comments about OpenGL(R) Programming Guide: The Official Guide to Learning OpenGL(R), Version 2.1 (6th Edition) (OpenGL).

1. If you are interested in computer graphics, a very good language to learn is OpenGL. It is widely used and freely available for most operating systems. As this book demonstrates, it has impressive capabilities, with many graphics algorithms implemented.
   
   The text starts off simply, with a quick introduction to basic operations, like setting a point size or line width. These exist in almost every graphics system, and in OpenGL, the syntax for calling these in your code is straightforward. Embedded throughout the book are code samples written in C, showing how to use numerous OpenGL routines. A quick way to get up to speed with accessing those routines.
   
   The authors also thoughtfully included several colour plates. Illustrating results of rendering operations. Most plates are quite vivid and good pedagogy. As referenced in relevant sections of the text, the plates artfully demonstrate the efficacies of different rendering methods.
   
   For the experienced graphics coder, later sections of the book show how you can make your own shaders (renderers). OpenGL turns out to be quite extensible, so you improve it on your own if you wish.

5 comments about Photoshop CS / CS2 Wow! Book, The, 1/e (WOW!).

1. This is your Photoshop Bible that you should keep with you at all times! I just hate that I paid $65 for it at Borders, when I could have gotten it here for MUCH less!



2. Let me begin by saying that this book is BIG, slightly bigger than a hard backed dictionary or textbook. If you plan on carrying this around in a backpack or ferrying it between school/work and home, don't.
   
   This book has a humongous, colorful wealth of information. I guarantee that this book will show you how to do ANYTHING you could possibly want to do in Photoshop. Whether you plan on reading it straight through or using it as a reference book (I recommend the latter), you will appreciate the collection of tips and tricks this book has to offer.
   
   Covering everything from picture touchups to full fledged graphic design, this book is artfully written and painstakingly thorough in its design. With pictures demonstrating everything, along with the helpful and easy to follow text, this book is great for those wanting to really get into Photoshop. If you're a graphic artist or have a job that requires the use of Photoshop, this book will expand your knowledge and understanding of Photoshop. Whether you're new to photoshop or a professional, this book is definitely a wise investment to help further your Photoshop skills.



3. This book is to me the bible of Photoshop. It's so thorough and thick, and it's large number of illustrations, screen shots, and photos make it work whether I am carefully following a book example on my computer, or sitting and reading without the computer.



4. This is another in the WOW series and even though it's for the last interation of photoshop (CS2) there is a wealth if info here. It's all in color, clearly explained. It gives you an overview of how much you can do in this amazing program and helps you develop the chops to put it to use. Nicewly structured so you can pick and choose what you need at the time if you don't want to read it cover to cover. You won't need every technique here but it gives you the tool to apply in other ways for whatever you want to do. One of the easily accessible and useful books on the subject.



5. If you need help, this is where you'll find it.
   The CD that comes with it is a lot of help too.
   Worth the price.

4 comments about Taking Your iPod touch to the Max (Technology in Action).

1. If I wanted another manual for my iPod, I would have downloaded it. This book is primarily an "iPod touch for dummies". The "secret, undocumented features" are either published by Apple or easily discoverable. The last chapter on jailbreaking & hacking is inferior to even the briefest google search.
   
   Save your money and time. I returned mine the day after it arrived.



2. I have to agree with the first reviewer. This book is only useful for someone who absolutely knows nothing about the iPod, iTunes, and portable digital music hardware and software. I was expecting a lot more from Erica Sudan. She has written good books and articles about hacking software and hardware, and I thought the "max" part of this book would get readers beyond the "ipod for dummies" information. Nothing wrong with "dummies" books, but I just expected lots more in this one. She barely devotes a chapter to jailbreaking the iPod touch, which she has written about on other websites. I like Sudan and I thank her for the writing she does, but I would suggest Scott Kelby's book on the iPod/iPod touch or another book titled, iPod: The Missing Manual. Those two books are much better laid and approachable for iPod newbies.



3. First, I do not own an iPod Touch. I have a Classic iPod with video. I was interested in reviewing this book because I wanted to know more about the iPod Touch and if it is really worth the money. Having read through several chapters, I am now planning to buy myself an iPod Touch, although I may wait a little while to see what the next generation is going to be.
   Here is what I found out using this book. Apparently, those who bought the iPod Touch early on had to pay $20 for a software upgrade that enables features which provide Mail, Google Maps, Weather, Stocks, and Notes. All newer models come with that upgrade now.
   The iPod Touch is almost like having an iPhone but without the phone and the $60 a month fee. It uses Wi-Fi, so you are able to do a lot of things online such as checking stock prices, browsing news, looking at YouTube videos and so on. It has a QWERTY keyboard which allows you to type notes or email. Videos can be watched in widescreen just as on the iPhone by turning the iPod Touch horizontally. Instant Messaging is possible using the iPod Touch, but iChat is not included. That is really what I am waiting for. I figure the time to buy one is when I can do a voice or video chat with my iPod Touch. Then who would need an iPhone? Of course, the difference is an iPhone can be used anywhere and the iPod Touch needs Wi-Fi, which is not everywhere--yet. Also, not everyone uses iChat, but a lot of people I know do.
   If you own an iPod Touch, then this book will teach you how to set up your email, use Safari web browser with it, check for traffic conditions, weather forecasts, and buy music from the iTunes Store while using Wi-Fi. It also tells how the iPod Touch operates by the touch screen and using your fingers to perform different tasks.



4. I needed a book that would take me step by step through every keystroke for every feature. There are a couple of places where this is the case, but too often it said things like "you can do "such and such" and just leave it at that. I need to know HOW do you do "such and such"! The one thing I am really pining for is to be able to play games! A simple Klondike, or Twin Towers or Aces High... I can't believe that my beloved Apple would go to all this trouble and leave out a way for loyal septuagenarians to get games.