5 comments about Fashion Computing: Design Techniques And CAD.

1. Out of the 4 books that I have read so far teaching Adobe Illustrator this is the best - my graphics have improved immensely in the short time that I started using this book (and I'm only a third of the way through the book).
   
   The only downside is that with the update in Illustrator (CS 3) some of the instructions for Illustrator do not work and I have had to search through the Illustrator Help menus to download updated instructions.
   
   So the book needs a little updating, but generally I would recommend this book over others so far.



2. I have started using Illustrator software recently and this book have served a good support for flat sketching the garments for women,men and kidswear.Is also gives tips to prepare portfolio, but you already should know basics of how to use Illustrator programme. It is nicely illustrated book and one can get ideas. But again its a basic book and does not cover all the aspects of flat sketching.



3. Great book! Even if you are a complete beginner you will find this book an informative and useful resource. It gets you up and running quickly with really simple, step-by-step, illustrated techniques for fashion computing using current software.
   
   In my fashion design studio, we predominatly use CorelDraw, Illustrator and Photoshop, and found this book informative for each of these packages. It covers the basics - how to create flat drawings from vests, skirts, shirts, dresses to pants, and then moves on to producing mood and design boards, visualizing your design ideas using Photoshop. The section on creating a digital portfolio is also vital in todays digital world. Plus it covers womenswear, menswear and childrenswear.
   
   It is well illustrated with great examples of flats, illustrations and fashion presentations from illustrators and designers in the fashion industry and from top fashion schools and universities globally.



4. This book has great pictures of fashion illustrations and is helpful because it gives instructions for 3 different CAD platforms, but as far as giving explicite directions on "how to", I found it lacking in substance. It seems that the really great stuff in the book was still hand drawn,scanned in and manipulated a bit with Photoshop. If you are absolutely brand new to these programs and need help gettting started it might help you. For me, it will be more of a pretty book to look at once in a while rather than a reference for problem solving.



5. It is fantastic! Top Marks!
   By following the easy steps laid out in the chapters, I cannot believe how simple it is to draw and color my flats, scan and manipulate my fashion drawings and then bring it all together to create my presentations in Photoshop.
   
   I use Illustrator and Photoshop primarily at fashion school, and the other books I own do not explain the tools and techniques as simply as this one does...plus the examples are all fashion and textiles based! For the price it's great value.

4 comments about Commands Guide Tutorial For Solidworks 2008 (Solidworks).

1. These authors are great. I've used them in college and now I use them in industry. This is a great reference book with over 200 models on an incorporated book CD.
   
   I cracked open the book, inserted the CD and as I worked through the problems, I become more and more impressed with it. SolidWorks 2008 has a very different look from 2007. There are many neat tools and features; namely - Pop-up Context toolbars, DimXpert, MotionStudy, Instant3D and TolAnalysis to name a few.
   
   There are some weaknesses in this book, but ones that you can work around. To have all of the answers, they would need to write a 3000 page book. The index, in particular, I found to be pretty expansive - I used it to find answers to more than one problem where I was fairly clueless. Tons of illustrations and clearly written. Keep up the good work.



2. I purchased this book because of its title and its many good reviews. If you are very new to 3D cad or Solidworks, this is a pretty good book. However, if you are looking for a concise command reference, this book is not for you.



3. For the past two years, I've been using SolidWorks either in college or at work. SolidWorks is a fantastic, uncomplicated 3D CAD package with a familiar Windows user interface. At work, we just updated from 2006 to 2008; and 2008 provides a lot of new features, menus, and toolbars. In other words; there are a lot of new cool tools.
   
   This is a great book which provides a core overview of the new 2008 SolidWorks User Interface with over 200 embedded short model tutorials on the enclosed CD. Use the models to learn and apply many of the existing and new features; both for 2D and 3D sketches, and 3D features. The book provides a strong insight and overview of drawings, and assemblies; both top-down and bottom-up. For each feature, the full PropertyManager is displayed to identify the available options. I like the way the PropertyManager is illustrated as the options are discussed. This makes if very easy for the user to relate the words/options to the actual illustrated PropertyManager. I used the book today, to help me create and calculate the flow area for a vent in a sheet metal box.
   
   I also like the way the authors provide the initial and final models. I've used numerous models; "Edit Feature tool in the FeatureManager" to help me apply the feature tools to my everyday functions.
   
   This is not the first book which I purchased from these authors, and it will surely not be the last. Keep up the good work.



4. While it's a weighty book which looks as though it would take weeks to get through, actually the QuickStart chapter and logical grouping layout allows the user to create a part, assembly, and a drawing in the very first session while learning the new 2008 user interface, CommandManager, and features.
   
   SolidWorks 2008 has had a major interface enhancement along with the addition of new features and tools; it is far better than any other version. This is a great book for three reasons. 1.) It is accurate, precise, and easy to understand and use. All action commands are displayed in bold lettering. The authors provide tips and design hints throughout the book. 2.) The outstanding index makes the book very user friendly; you can look something up, and readily find it. There are over 200 short learning tutorials with the initial and final models on the enclosed CD. Read, do, compare, and learn. It is that easy. 3.) The commands are short and clear with great illustrations to aid the reader. You can read it, grasp it, and 30 seconds later be on your way. This is a great book for the beginner to intermediate user.
   
   On the negative side, the book does not cover in depth advance surfaces, advanced mates, mechanical mates, and macros. I guess this is what user groups are for!

5 comments about American Dream Homes: Luxury Design : 50 New Glamour Homes.

1. I will never be able to afford any of the homes in this book, and even if I could, I don't think I'd want something that big. Regardless, it is fun to look



2. I bought this book to get ideas for a custom home we were building. I loved the full-page color photos, and found a few ideas I could incorporate in my new home, even though it is much smaller than these plans! I love Colonial, European, and Neo-classic styles, so there were only a few homes with touches of these styles (hence, only 4 stars), but I still found the book useful. For more classic, European style homes, I highly recommend "Villa Decor - Decidedly French and Italian Style" and "French Influences", both by Betty Lou Phillips.



3. The photos in this book are not exclusive, as they can be found in many other books and magazines. It is certainly a better value than "dream home" magazines that usually sell for $7 a pop at the newstands, but it pales in comparison to "Dan Sater's Luxury Home Plans". Sater's book is better in just about every way... larger format, larger pictures, thicker paper, a better selection of homes in my opinion (not to mention a few identical ones), and a lower price.
   
   You probably already know that the purpose of these books is to sell home plans. That's why they're so cheap. From a consumer standpoint, they're fun to browse through and you don't feel any buyer's remorse since you can easily spend more money at McDonald's.
   
   If you're looking for a book to get valuable ideas for your next home or remodel, take a look at "Home by Design" by Sarah Susanka.



4. I have bought house plan books before and normally only the first few are in full color and then the rest are black and white and don't show any interior photos. This book, however, has full color photos for every house plan featured. They show a few interior pictures for each, and it is by far the best house plan book I have found. Although, every plan in this book is quite large and you'd have to be a millionaire to be able to afford them.



5. Ok,I just read...well skimmed through this book,I just looked at the pics of all the gorgeous houses.My house is custom designed and I wanted to see some other interesting designs.Well I certainly got alot of ideas for my next house,I personally think i'ts a brilliant book that anyone that is fascinated with wealth should read!

5 comments about SolidWorks For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)).

1. I bought this book hoping to learn some little known shortcuts, secrets, etc., but all I got from the book was a different writing of the help file.
   This might be a great book for someone just starting out.



2. This is a good task-based, issues-based overview of SolidWorks. Suitable for today's attention-deficit, info-overloaded, multi-tasked-maxed-out student or working stooge who wants to get a solid beginner's feel for this complex, cool 3D engineering tool--jus' the facts and not a heck of a lot of incomprehensible theorizing. (Of course a committed engineer will need to go somewhere else for the math & other CAD ideas). I'd venture a bold statement and say that this is THE starting point for people considering a career change to this field, and what I liked especially is that the book is pretty clear about being a starting point only. Near the end are the "Ten Tips" for new SW engineers; they make a lot of practical sense. I recommmend pairing this with another task-based product, a video tutorial by VTN, which is also good for the busy beginner who just needs to figure out how to become quickly productive with this tool. Learn SolidWorks by Video - Volume 1 and Learn SolidWorks by Video - Volume 2.



3. I am still busy with the book but have already started enjoying it. As for Amazone the book arrived one day after their estemated day of delivery Very good



4. This book is written by the Solidworks Customer Satisfaction Manager.
   
   He rehashes the same stuff as in the Solidworks Essentials manual that comes with the software.
   
   I found it virtually useless.
   I was seeking a different viewpoint in the hopes of gaining a better grasp of the many vague issues in the manual.



5. I love the dummies series, so I was greatly dissapointed by this book. I needed a solidworks tutorial because I found the help files and "basic" tutorials that come with solidworks to be too advanced. When this book is not tooting its own horn on how great solidworks is, then it is way too technical for the beginner. I am a designer, not an engineer. I am hired for the look of a product, not for how it is molded. This book assumes too much. I had to look up chamfer and fillet on Wikipedia, as this books skips the basics and launches into a thou-shalt-sketch-like-this. (again, I am NOT AN ENGINEER) I understand that engineers out there would find this book too basic because it takes half the book outlining anal-retentive ways of structuring workload before launching into actually making anything. [...].

5 comments about AutoCAD 2007 and AutoCAD LT 2007: No Experience Required.

1. Computer aided design is ever changing.
   Working 20 years in aerospace and then having to shift altogether I found a great benefit in this book.
   I love learning and refreshing my skills .This book was of great value.



2. Well laid out format with step by step instructions that are easy to follow. Very informative even to a beginner at CAD.



3. the book arrived on time and in perfect condition. i will be purchasing from amazon every term now and saving ooodles of money.. i love it



4. When I ordered autocad 2007, this book came up as a "better with" and I took it. This is a beginners book and not really a reference or problem lookup book. If you are not a beginner get Mastering Autocad or the Autocad Bible.



5. This book takes somebody with zero CAD experience and walks you through the software at your own pace. If you want to master the content, then you can always repeat a chapter, and all of the chapters have an "if you want more practice" section that gives you exercises with very little guidance to test yours skills. Also, you can always cruise through the stuff you want to get past, knowing that you'll always have the book as a reference. Throughout the book, the author has you repeating some of the more basic and very important commands that you need to know. I don't have experience with other CAD tutorials, but I certainly feel like this was a good value.

5 comments about AutoCAD 2004 and AutoCAD LT 2004: No Experience Required.

1. Excellent book: clear, succint and detailed in explanations of AutoCAD design. I tried other books before, but this one really motivates you to keep going and review all the tricky parts of this program.
   The following is not a critique of the book but rather my wishes on my engineering field: I would have liked to have several examples of electrical design applications in the book.
   Anyway, thanks for your book.
   Joseph



2. I recommend this to anyone who is interested in learing the basics of autocad. After using the book, I can now create professional floor plans for the apartments that I own and manage



3. Follow the instructions and you will be able to navigate through Auto Cad in no time at all. Easy to understand,well written and illustrated for the first time Cad user. Excellent reference manual.



4. As the title says, No Experience Required. I tried several AutoCAD books including the"Dummies" series and it seems they all assume that the reader has some basic knowledge of AutoCAD. Frey assumes nothing and teaches by example, which to me is the best way to learn. Start with this book, learn a chapter a day, and in a couple of weeks you'll have a good working knowledge of AutoCAD. Then you can pick up some of the other books and go from there.



5. Great, easy learning tool!
   Highy recommended as navigational reference of "how to" design.

4 comments about Architectural Graphic Standards Student Edition: An Abridgement of the 9th Edition.

1. I am a fourth year architecture student and I use this book every semester. I keep it with me at all times. It is the perfect design handbook. If you don't have it, You need it!



2. The book was in great condition as expected. It was delivered during the expected time frame, but it was later rather than sooner. I purchase frequently from amazon and I recieve consistently good service from them.



3. Loaded with tons of reference data all good for Architects.
   Font is a small



4. This book is one of the best reference books an architect will ever use. It contains the necessary information for the beginning and advanced architect. Inside the 568 pages in this book one will find from the most basic to the highly complex architectural graphics. The book provides reference for the various arcchitectural plans such as the floor plan, elevation and perspective drawings. No other reference material can surpass the amount of information provided in this excellent book.

2 comments about Siteless: 1001 Building Forms.

1. The book filled with hundreds of small sketches, the title of each sketch is pretty mindless..
   It did not have the depth and sophistication one would like to explore when looking at this tiny sketches. All in black and white.
   I don't care who the author is, but to draw that many sketches, I think he owes more narrative to the readers how this 'manifestos' could define architecture.
   So, it is pretty much ideas without explanation.. that's it pretty much it.
   good thing is, the book is not expensive..But I'd not buy this book for more than 7 bucks.



2. This book makes a compelling opening written statement, laying out his process. Then what follows is a set of 3d 'parti' drawings, siteless, scaleless architectural 'units', drawn with a scrupulous knowledge of Jacob Chernikov's scrupulously minimal style. Each drawing is an intense, little HAND DRAWN architectural configuration, a pure expression of gestural thought, and the resulting wellspring of direct architectural applications they suggest will be a tempting crutch for a student. Any of these vivid diagrams can jar the architectural imagination, to scale these ideas, site them, and lay out the future of architecture. Not bad for a little book. Packs a great punch. A secret weapon if you're stuck, but maybe it could inspire you to your own path, and your own encylopedia of invention. So good you might want to avoid looking at it, if you want to feel original.

1 comments about Southern Rooms II: The Timeless Beauty of the American South.

1. I'm a big fan of Southern Accents magazine, so I was thrilled to get this book as a gift. Many of my favorite Southern designers (Phillip Sides, Suzanne Kasler, etc) are featured in it, with GORGEOUS photos of their projects and sometimes their homes. I usually don't read the text in decorating magazines, but this book is incredibly well-written. I loved the story of the woman who hired the mountain man to build her log cabin, and how he lived in a tent on her property for six months! The author did a great job of capturing the character of each designer, and really letting their Southern quirks shine through. If you're looking for inspiration and excellent design tips (along with a little Southern history), buy this book today!

1 comments about Models: 306090 11 (306090).

1. The latest 306090 is a good read and comprehensive review of the research that has been going on in leading architectural schools over the past few years. Though academic at the dawn of the 21st century, it will be most interesting to see the ideas portrayed in this volume develop into the built environments of later decades.