5 comments about Visual Basic 6 for Dummies (for Windows).

1. When I was trying to make the upgrade from Visual Basic 4.0 to Visual Basic 6.0, this was the first book that I bought. This book is very easy to read and there are ample examples to illustrate each principle that the author is trying to teach you. I combined this books with the 4 "Learn to Program Visual Basic" books by John Smiley to give me a solid foundation in Visual Basic 6.0. The cartoons in this book will reduce down the stress of trying to learn something new.

   Now that I am moving into .Net technology, I really appreciate how good this book was for people who have little or no experience with Visual Basic. This should be your first Visual Basic 6 book. By the way, Visual Basic 6 and the legacy source code that goes with it will be around for years to come.




2. I used this book, and found it very helpful to begin writing vb code. The only drawback is that it is of course covers only the basic stuff with very little background info. If you want to get started in VB, I would suggest this book to anyone.



3. I bought this book and quickly discovered that Visual Book 6 is no longer the latest tool for VB programming. Microsoft has introduced Visual Basic 2005--which you can download free from Microsoft.
   
   Consequently, any book on VB6 is really a waste of your time. You would just end up converting your VB6 code to MS VB 2005. Why waste time learning old commands? Go right to the latest.
   
   If you want a great book on MS VB 2005 try Michael Halvorson Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Step by Step.



4. I generally like Dummies books, but this one is a little weak. The book covers a lot of topics but is really short on examples. I went through 90% of it and still didn't feel like I could actually write a meaningfull program. I purchased "Microsoft Visiual Basic 6.0 Professional step by step" by Michael Halvorson and found it to be MUCH better. I'm about 50% of the way through it and have learned a lot more.



5. Having been to school for this subject but never quite understood the workings of this program, this book has been an eye-opener

5 comments about Test-Driven Development in Microsoft .NET (Microsoft Professional).

1. Many people think that Test-Driven Development (TDD) is all about testing software. In fact, test-driven development's main goal is not testing software, but aiding the programmer and customer during the development process with unambiguous requirements. The requirements are in the form of tests that the software must pass along the development process.
   
   This procedure helps to insure that problems are found early and corrected while they are still small.
   
   This book first discusses TDD from a conceptual point of view then gives a TDD example using a realistic application.



2. This is a great book for experienced developers. It covers a wide range of realistic uses in .NET and has plenty of detailed examples. It gets you into the mindset of Test-Driven Development (TDD) in good increments. The NUnit discussed is a free download and is very easy to start using with your own software quickly, so you can come up to speed right away and begin using it on your projects. One of the better TDD books that I have read, possibly the best. It will certainly remain on my bookshelf for some time.



3. Test-Driven Development in Microsoft.NET rises head and shoulders above the other books on the subject. While I know that is a very strong statement to make, the authors have made the focus of the book a very practical one. Don't get me wrong, there are several other great books on this subject, but they all seem to fall down when it comes to real-world situations.
   
   The book is split into two parts; Part I is an overview of Test-Driven Development, and Part II covers using TDD to develop an example application.
   
   Chapter 1 frames the entire discussion with an overview of Test-Driven Development concepts, including some straightforward guidelines for design. I thought it was laid out in very logical fashion.
   
   Chapter 2 throws you right into the process it's a classic stack example, found in many other TDD books. What I liked most about it though, was that the chapter began with discussing HOW you start figuring out WHAT tests to write as you develop an application.
   
   Chapter 3 covers another critical concept of TDD Refactoring. (What's Refactoring? You askread chapter 3 ;) ). Again, the authors walk you through a short yet concise primer using the Sieve of Eratosthenes implemented in C#. They introduce the algorithm and then discuss it in light of code refactoring techniques as implemented originally in Martin Fowler's Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code.
   
   Chapter 4 is the introduction of the example application that will be the focus of the remainder of the book. It lays out the scenario, project features and constraints of the fictitious project.
   
   Chapter 5 covers an area that I've found generates a ton of interest when developers start thinking about TDD, namely data access. I really appreciated the practical approach that the authors took when writing the implementation chapters for the example application. I found the tests surrounding entities and relationships and the resulting explanations to be very good.
   
   Chapter 6 covers how you create tests when implementing Web Services. In the process, the service interface pattern is discussed along with refactoring Web Services. The authors attempt to lead you through a "thought framework" for creating tests through each of the implementation chapters.
   
   Chapters 7, 8, and 9 make a shift from programmer testing to customer testing and cover differing aspects of customer or acceptance testing. This group of chapters starts with an overview of acceptance testing and techniques. The middle chapter deals with driving development up through the implemented layers from a user or customer perspective. Chapter 9 rounds out the discussion by focusing on handling faults and how acceptance testing allows you to tighten things up.
   
   Chapter 10 leads us back to the programmer testing side by dealing with transactions. Following this, Chapter 11 introduces the reader to Service-level refactoring, leading you through the thought process behind different techniques. The story winds down in Chapter 12 with applying the process of TDD to implementing a web client.
   
   All in all, while I'd have like to have seen a both a simpler example and always more "real world" tips and tricks, I can tell you from my own experience that finding that balance is extremely difficult. I believe the authors have made a significant attempt at striking the "real world" / simplicity balance and that the resulting outcome is an excellent resource for learning TDD. When that is combined with the level of effort the authors are putting in to maintaining the code and forums at their GotDotNet workspace, this makes Test-Driven Development in Microsoft .NET an excellent choice for your library.



4. I attended a workshop on test driven development presented by James Newkirk. I was so intrigued with the concept that I had to go out and get his book to find out more. As a result our project now uses NUnit, TestDriven.net for test driven development and find that this has really boosted confidence in the developers and their code. The concept of test-driven development is a very useful agile method of writing code to the requirements based on tests (Red/Green/Refactor). This has certainly changed my perspective towards development and want to thank James Newkirk for purveying this concept.



5. For .NET developers new to test-driven-development who want a recipe for the process, an invaluable book. This is not a concept book, but rather a concrete example that gets a little loose towards the end. Those who have also adopted Model-View-Controller for their ASP.NET applications will be able to logically extend the first half of the book to test their web interfaces, something that is admittedly difficult using the "stock" ASP.NET design philosophy.
   
   I would supplement this book with Pragmatic Unit Testing with nUnit and C#, which gives you a much higher-level view of how to utilize TDD on a daily basis.

5 comments about The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Web Page & Blog, 6th Edition (The Complete Idiot's Guide).

1. I tried a bunch of the basic books on website and blog creation which covered the same subjec matter and content, and this one was definitely the best. McFedries presents his info in clear, precise terms. He seems to know what is important to learn and what isn't for the beginner/intermediate web designer. He is also funny (which all the idiot and dummy books are designed to be) but he is appropriately funny without being condescending or using really lame humor as some other books in these series tend to do. Also recommended at this level are Learn HTML in a Weekend and Blogger (which only covers the google Blogger program).



2. Although I have read other articles and books on Creating a Web Page, I still felt I was an "Idiot" before reading Paul McFedries book. It is well laid out and explains everything in simple language, so much so that I now understand what is involved, rather than just blindly following HTML. Although I read the book from beginning to end, it is possible to pick it up at any point if you want to learn a particular part of web design. This is a book that will also act as a reference that you go back to time and again as necessary. I now feel I have moved up a grade and would recommend the book to anyone else who felt they were in the same position.



3. 
   There are many books on the marketplace that teach the fundamentals of blogging, but this one takes it to a whole new level.
   
   Written in a very understandable, user-friendly format, blogging newcomers will be able to effectively create a blog in no time at all. The information written by Paul McFedries, guides you through every step of the process, from the very basics of setting up your blog to more in depth HTML tutorials.
   
   I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking to create a web blog without the frustration often associated to 'technical' type books. This one is far from that, two thumbs up!



4. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Web Page & Blog, 6th Edition (The Complete Idiot's Guide)
   
   I can't say much more than the other reviewers, but I will say this:
   Having very basic knowlegde of HTML and scripting, and after reading the first couple of chapters, I was able to start setting up my "practice" page. It's kind of a rush seeing what you created in a web browser, pre-publish of course :), and I'm only on Chapter 5. McFedries book is very page-by-page, with good explanations of the what's, why's, and how's. I actually look forward to each new step in the creation process. I have a couple of other books, and they have mispelled words, improper grammer, etc., point being McFedries and his team pay attention to detail. I highly recommend this book to anyone that thinks coding is beyond their reach. (Guess I had more to say than I thought)



5. I was afraid that, since it was published in 2004, this book would already be outdated. However, it provided the perfect step-by-step instructions that I needed to build a basic web page from scratch (and to even make it pretty with frames, colors, and tables!)
   
   One minor complaint is that it took me a LOT of extra time and phone calls to the web hosting company even once my HTML was all in place and my web page was ready to go. I had to coordinate for the domain name, web server, and ftp program to all be in sync with one another to actually get my page to show up on the net, and that is more difficult than it sounds for a neophyte. In the next edition, I would make that part a bit more comprehensive, perhaps better showing step-by-step how to get all those elements coordinated.
   
   I would also maybe give provide suggestions on where I could find good beginner's resources for building common specific functions that require programming, such as message boards or info that comes up based on "drop- down" menu choices. I know that programming was outside the scope of the book, but it is very difficult for novices to figure out where to go next to implement simple programs, without wading through an endless sea of java text information sites geared towards experienced programmers.
   
   All in all, I was VERY satisfied with the amount of useful, easy to understand info I was able to gain in a short time by reading this book.

5 comments about PHP 5 Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach.

1. I normally don't write reviews unless I had a bad experience. However, in this case, the PHP 5 Recipes book is an exception! I love this book! The examples are CORRECT!! The information I need is very well organized - I really love the way that the book was organized! I wish all of my tech books for other languages were arranged in this problem-solution manner. The information you need to build a robust and well organized and valid website is here in the book! I definitely highly recommend that you get THIS book if you are thinking about doing some php work. The php code they have is on the mark! The authors included more than I needed by including a section on XML/XSLT with PHP. Definitely get this book!



2. I highly recommend this book. It covers all aspects of PHP 5, including OOP, without getting bogged down. Though this book consists of contributions from four authors, it comes together as one smooth read. Its full of examples and hits its mark very effectively. It makes a great companion to the Zend PHP 5 Certification Guide. Well done!!



3. Generally, I'm not a big fan of cookbooks (for programming!) but this one is really good. A great reference to have as you are coding and think "oh... how do i do X again?" or just to read and review. Another use - give a copy to your friends who STILL are writing PHP 4 code!



4. I'm a bit of a novice PHP programmer still, and I found this book accessible and useful. The scripts are well commented, well explained, I have found them to be secure thus far (I have limited knowledge here but they seem to adhere to best practices), and I can find what I want quickly. When they have special needs like JavaScript or something, they explain why afterward. Each script also has a "How It Works" section afterward. Before each script, they have intro paragraphs saying what is needed in order for it to work, such as a pre-created directory or something.
   
   I can recommend this book to other PHP programmers at the novice/beginner level as well as the more advanced levels.



5. Instead of reading this book from front to back I read the sections as needed. PHP isn't the only language I dabble in so I haven't had many opportunities to go through the book but the sections I have read are very well written, informative and easy to read.
   
   I would say this book could be utilized by a novice or experienced PHP programmer. The author covers topics starting advanced enough not to bore the hell out of the experienced and thorough enough not to loose the novice.

2 comments about Developing Drivers with the Windows Driver Foundation (Pro Developer).

1. This book does exactly what it says, it provides a practical, sample-oriented introduction to developing drivers the Microsoft Windows Driver Foundation way.
   
   The driver code for the samples used in the book, tools needed for developing drivers, and reference documentation are all downloadable (all 2.5GB of it, but it's free) from Microsoft. If you're like me and spend only a small part of your time working on drivers (I'm trying to interface a USB gadget), this is a great guide to WDF as well as to Windows I/O techniques and interface best practices. To get started, you can just hack the samples provided, as the authors intend. WDF looks after plug-n-play and power management, so it makes it easy to develop a basic user-mode USB driver like mine.
   
   If you're a driver specialist, are writing kernel drivers, or have drivers to port from a different operating system, then the book is a detailed reference for moving to WDF. There's a lot of abstraction in the Windows way of doing drivers, and understanding the abstractions helps you write and debug your driver, so this book does a comprehensive job of explaining the relevant abstractions as you go along.
   
   For example, if you're already an expert in the COM programming model, so that it's obvious to you why you need to implement the IUnknown methods, then you can likely skip most of Chapter 18. For the rest of us, we need the how-to advice and the examples, so there's a good reason the book is close to 900 pages :).



2. The content of the book feels more accessible than the online WDK documentation. It does cover the material, but each chapter is divided into three parts: stuff common between the kernel driver framework and user mode driver framework, stuff about the kernel driver framework, and stuff about the user mode driver framework. The authors probably had a hard time organizing the material, but the book should have been structured into those three parts. For example, I'm not currently interested in developing a user mode driver and I found the user mode driver material distracting.
   
   This book is more reference than how-to. Maybe the authors should have structured the book like some of the Linux driver books: develop a real device driver.

5 comments about Hot Topics Flashcards for Passing the PMP and CAPM Exams (Audio Version)(5th Edition).

1. This Audio CD is an excellent supporting material for preparing for the PMP Exam. Rita Mulcahy hits the nail right on the head with this preparation material.



2. I passed the PMP exam on my first try weeks ago. I didn't attend any prep class. The only materials I used to prepare for PMP were three books and 1 CD I got here from Amazon. Besides, English is not my first language. So I guess I read slower than most exam takers.
   
   
   Here is my comment for them:
   
   - The PMP Exam: How to Pass On Your First Try, by Andy Crowe
   I think this was the single most useful resource that helped me pass the exam. The content of it is well organized and self contained. It took me about 3 weeks to read it cover to cover. And after that, I felt much comfortable about the system of both PM process groups & knowledge areas. It was a pity that I did't really have time to re-read it before the exam or use the free 1 week online resource it provided. Or it should make my test experience easier.
   Bottom line: HIGHLY recommend.
   
   - PMP In Depth: Project Management Professional Study Guide for PMP and CAPM Exams, by Paul Sanghera
   I bought this one simply because it got pretty good rating on Amazon, but I have to say it's pretty disappointing. First, the process group oriented approach to organize this book is a good try. It should be easier for most rookies to have a good idea about the big picture of PM. However, I don't think the author did a very good job on mapping processes in different knowledge areas with related process groups. Besides, this may be the first book I've ever read that goes with so many typos and mistakes. I really wonder if it has been edited or proofread before publishing.
   Bottom line: NOT recommend.
   
   - PMP Exam Quicklet: Project Management Professional Practice Exams, by Paul Sanghera
   The same author as "PMP In Depth", thus it contains a lot of typos, too. In addition, I don't think those questions in this book will get you a good feel of the real exam questions, because at least 30~40% of them will be much more difficult. When I tried those questions in this book before exam at home, I could easily finish 200 questions in about 2 and half hours and got about 85% correctness. However, it took me more than 3 and half hours and a lot of guesses in the real test. Third, quite a few of the 540 questions in this book are repetitive.
   Bottom line: Somewhat recommend.
   
   - Hot Topics Flashcards for Passing the PMP and CAPM Exams (Audio CD),
   by Rita Mulcahy (Author)
   I spend more than one hour on public transportations everyday during weekdays. That's why I bought this CD. It is a nice review and memory enhancement if you don't mind listening to those boring stuff when you walk or drive.
   Bottom line: Recommend.
   
   - PMP Exam Prep: Rita's Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam, by Rita Mulcahy
   I did not buy this book, but based on my experience of using the "Hot Topics Flashcards" CD, I believe this should be a pretty good material for the PMP exam.
   Bottom line: HIGHLY Recommend.
   
   
   Overall, my suggestions would be :
   
   1. You should expect to study intensively for 1 to 3 months to pass the exam. (It took me 3) If you plan to spend more than 3 months, you may forget what you study in the first beginning. Better to focus and get it done quickly.
   
   2. Carefully study "The PMP Exam: How to Pass On Your First Try" & "PMP Exam Prep, Fifth Edition: Rita's Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam".
   
   3. Do enough simulation questions (enough = at least 600 questions = 3 full set exams). Be sure to figure out the correct answers of those questions you got wrong.
   
   4. Don't rely on PMBOK as your only resource for PMP preparation. There are some testing materials not even included in it, ex. organization & motivation theories.
   
   5. Be sure to get enough sleep the night before exam. The real questions will be hard and require a very clear mind.



3. This book is worth buying it provides a break down of inputs and outputs to each process or knowledge area. It has a lot of definitions and formulas



4. I found this to be extremely helpful if you are a commuter. I would just take it with on the train / bus and even to work and quiz myself. The book is the meat of it and the flashcards are the seasonings! I think its a great addition to any study material. Just put it in your purse and whenever you have a free moment wherever you're at you can pull it out and quiz yourself. Good buy!



5. I found these audio CDs very useful since you can hear it anywhere anytime while driving. I in fact uploaded it into my iPod, so that I can listen to it anytime. It makes your remember all the definitions and basic concept.
   
   I would highly recommend it to those who are preparing for PMP Certification.

2 comments about Learn FileMaker Pro 9 (Wordware Library for FileMaker).

1. Stars quickly introduces the concepts you need to design a truly useful database. Most other books (including the three mentioned at the end of this review) discuss each module of FileMaker separately and in the abstract, similar to the FileMaker User Guide, leaving you wondering how to get started designing your own database. For example, most books defer "related tables" until halfway into the book because relationships are considered a difficult topic, but Stars introduces related tables in a very basic way in chapter 2.
   
   Perhaps the best feature of Stars is that he offers far more practical tips, including pitfalls to avoid, than any other book I've read.
   
   Stars explains how to design a database the way you'd do it in real life. He initially designs an elementary database, then adds more sophisticated features. (One of the beauties of FileMaker is that you don't need to design an all encompassing database in one fell swoop. You can start simple, then add features a little at a time, and adapt existing features to your evolving needs.) He uses many brief examples throughout the book, so there is no problem understanding the examples if you jump in the middle of the book.
   
   I agree with Stars' philosophy that it is hard to learn FileMaker by reading a book cover-to-cover away from your computer. His book is designed to be read while you are near your computer so you can experiment with his examples. FileMaker is well adapted for learning by experimentation. (If you are beyond the neophyte stage, the book is self-explanatory without requiring access to a computer.)
   
   The downside of Stars is that he is not the most articulate writer, so a few explanations are too vague. However, you almost always can understand him by context or by briefly experimenting with his examples.
   
   Stars is much better for beginning-to-intermediate FileMaker users than the FileMaker Bible, FileMaker Missing Manual, or Que Special Edition. Stars has far more practical advice than the first two. The Que book is too difficult for a neophyte and covers only selected topics in depth. Although the Missing Manual is thicker than Stars, it actually conveys less information because it consumes too much space with the mechanics of pressing each button in a series of dialog windows. Stars presents the same info more concisely, yet is even more approachable for a neophyte.



2. Learn FileMaker Pro 9 is a great book for the beginner to intermediate user. I actually reviewed this book for a FileMaker newsletter, and I was extremely pleased with the content.
   
   Jonathan has a knack for explaining technical tasks in a conversational tone. If you are just beginning to learn FileMaker his friendly explanations will be a breath of fresh air.
   
   Jonathan also knows when to turn to others for advice on some of the more technical topics and brings in other FileMaker experts to fill in the gaps.
   
   This book will definitely help provide jump start for anyone beginning FileMaker.

5 comments about C++ Programming: From Problem Analysis to Program Design.

1. If you're new to programming, this book may be too long-winded for you. I certainly think anyone who reads through the text and spends time on the examples could manage to learn the language, but for the absolute beginner, I would suggest something shorter with simpler examples. Each section is covered in copious detail and I would imagine many new students would not be interested in reading it all.
   
   If you've programmed before, I highly recommend this book. It covers all the basics of the C++ language and many intermediate topics. Breezing through certain sections while looking through examples and their output, you can quickly pick up on the differences in C++ and other programming languages; however, if you come across something that doesn't seem familiar, the incredible detail provided in this book can certainly clear it up. The book also provides useful appendixes for reference as well as an index.



2. I have just completed my order with Amazon.com for a copy of this book, so I don't have the book yet. Why the decision to purchase ? Well, I read the reviews here and decided to download the source codes from the author's website and see what the fuzzes are all about. I opened up my Ultra Studio and start going over the codes. Holly smoke, these stuffs can saved you hours of programming, the author's got items on stacks, queues, linked list, etc. I read some sample writing from the website, and the writings do seem more accadamical than an easy read on a Sunday afternoon. For me, this is fine, as I am used to this type of writings.
   
   Overall, seem like a safe purchase.



3. I took an introductory c++ class a few years ago and the textbook for that class was much more difficult to follow. Malik does a great job going over things so that difficult concepts are easily understood. If you are a beginner you may have a hard time understanding some of the concepts in this book. However, learning to program takes effort to learn well and the lengthy code examples in this book are an excellent way to see overall programs instead of just snippets. Some reviewers complain about the math in the book. There is actually very little and what there is fairly basic algebra. You can skip through most of the math problems and be fine. A good use of color as well.



4. This book presents C++ programming in a fairly rigorous fashion. Many of the examples are somewhat long, however, this is what happens when you need to move beyond simple stuff like finding the maximum number in an array, counting a series of numbers with a loop, printing a triangle of asterisks, and so on. Such problems are examined in this book but the author doesn't stop there. This is one of the few books that actually demonstrates the kind of programming skills that the "real world" demands.



5. Whenever I go to learn a new language, I always look to see whether there is a book from Thompson's, 'From Problem Analysis to Program Design' series available on that language. This style of textbook always seems to get it right when it comes to academic learning.
   
   After trying a couple of C++ texts, I found that with this particular book, I could understand those niggly bits of the language that can be very hard to explain/learn. This book has brought me much further than I was able to go with other texts. Clear explanations and useful case studies make for the best way to learn a language. Especially the case studies, as they show you how you can use what you have learnt constructively.
   
   My advice: learn C++ with this book, and use C++ Primer Plus (5th Edition) as a reference companion.

2 comments about Programming Excel with VBA and .NET (Programming).

1. When you attempt to get into a new area of coding, it is best to have an authoritative reference. Confidence in your source really helps in getting through the inevitable rough spots. "Excel with VBA & .NET" seems to fill the bill. It certainly does not hurt to know that the author was on the Microsoft OLE Automation team when VB was added to Excel.
   
   The "comprehensive" half of my review title comes with the packed 1100 pages. All the programming basics, all the programmable objects, all the usable features are covered. In addition, the book covers extending Excel with add-ins and dealing with security.
   
   My own interest in programming Excel objects is related to my job as a GUI interface developer for browser-based applications. As more information and functionality goes to the Web, the convenience of taking HTML data displays and exporting them to Excel is finding an expanding and demanding market. I was somewhat disappointed that the book did not approach more topics from the perspective of this modern trend.
   
   A friend preparing to teach Excel VBA next fall grabbed the book from my desk and had a look. She was certain "Excel with VBA & .NET" would be an excellent platform and reference for that class. That high recommendation certainly trumps my quibble about not having more material on browser implementations.



2. "Programming Excel with VBA & .NET" is certainly a very 'weighty' tome. At around 1100 pages you certainly get a lot of paper for your money! However, do you get value for your money? I have yet to read a book on this topic which is more comprehensive in its coverage in terms of the description of the Object Model and the properties and methods, in many cases complete with useful examples. So in that regard it is an excellent reference. The benefit of the author being part of the Microsoft OLE Automation team when VB was added to Excel is very clear. The book also covers VBA itself in good depth. However, I feel that much of this could have been usefully relegated to a reference Appendix. If you are buying this book to learn VBA as such then there are many other excellent choices. The value in this book is in the application of VBA to Excel. You should not consider this book unless you are already very comfortable with VBA. If you are only just learning VBA but try to go on to read the rest of the book, you might find it hard going.
   
   I have read other books that devote more space to and explain better the use of Ranges in VBA code; "pictures are worth a thousand words". If you cannot assimilate this aspect of VBA programming with Excel then you will struggle. Because of the recursive nature of Range references in Excel it can be a difficult concept to understand. I know personally that when I got the hang of that and how to use relative referencing with the R1C1 notation and to use the Cell object my productivity went up tremendously, and my frustration level dropped accordingly. Excel is probably the most difficult and complex application of the Office products when it comes to the Object Model and accordingly programming in VBA. On balance I would have no hesitation in recommending this book as part of your Excel VBA programming arsenal. Typically no one book can give you all of the insight that you need. Accordingly I feel comfortable in giving it 5 stars.
   
   Cheers
   Graham Jones

5 comments about 3D Game Textures: Create Professional Game Art Using Photoshop.

1. Unlike the rewiever who gave this book 1 star, I am giving 5. Because unlike him, I find this full-color book very well written and very useful. It goes beyond basic texture creation tutorials. The first half of the book explains theory behind good textures and texture creation as well as ways to take pictures for your own textures. It gives lot of examples to demonstrate various points. The second half of the book is the tutorial part. The tutorials are detailed and easy to follow. The only negative thing I find about this book is, that the tutorials give you exact values for everything without explaining why these values were actually chosen. However, it is up to the user to make his/her own tweeking and see, how changing these values effect the final result. Also, I would like to see how these textures are applied to a specific UV layout, which the book does not discuss. But then again, the book is about creating textures, not applying them to your model, so I do not hold it against it. After all, the textures that are created in the tutorials are nicely done and you certainly can find a good use for any of them. So, five stars it is.



2. This book is useful as a jumping-off point for using Photoshop to create textures, and covers most of the basic topics that someone new to both Photoshop and texturing would need to know. However, you'll need to search for additional resources to complete the journey that this book starts you on, since it's a pretty basic overview with a few confidence-building exercises that give you a taste of the possibilities.



3. I already know texturing and wanted to take my texturing to the next level. I compared textures before and after, and I noticed a difference. Its easier to make hand painted textures for me now.
   There are step by step examples of how to make bricks, windows, doors, etc.
   It even discusses how to take pictures of textures yourself, and how to make your 3d scenes seem more real by placing objects, breaking up plain parts, etc.
   The only thing missing is how to create history on textures and as far as I can tell, there are no books.
   I recommend going to cgsociety and check out the forums. Stephen Morrell has a good pdf on texturing somewhere.



4. There's a lot to like about a book like this for the beginning texture artist, such as myself. It gives you the fundamentals of how to recreate a texture from the ground up without actually having to paint hardly anything! Just use what Photoshop has to offer and you can follow this book all the way through.
   That would be the downside though, must have Photoshop! If you don't then I wouldn't see you getting much out of this book except the techniques, which may or may not be done in another paint program.
   This is just a beginner's book because it doesn't cover anything about skin or human painting and texturing, which is what I'm now looking for in another book. This just covers inanimate objects, but it just blows my mind how easy it now is using his techniques. I'm no longer intimidated by a blank white screen with no textures, and am now cranking stuff out a lot better looking (not professional yet, but getting there).
   Deffinantly worth getting for beginners or people apprehensive towards texturing.



5. the final textures are excellent. the only problem is sometimes the insructions are a little vague and the software in the book is outdated