5 comments about Drawing Shortcuts: Developing Quick Drawing Skills Using Today's Technology.

1. Every once in awhile, a life changing book comes along. I've been creating Architectural Illustrations for over 40 years using airbrush, water color and pen and ink. I've never felt comfortable doing quick sketches. Jim's book clearly delineates the tools and techniques needed to produce drawings fast and on-site. Living in New Orleans, I'm involved in a lot of post Katrina planning and development. These new skills are an invaluable asset for my continued survival.
   
   Richard L. Gardner, New Orleans, LA



2. There are lots of good tips in this book. It is one I recommend to my architectural drawing students. It is very good on how to make quick presentations and it shows several midias and how to use them. As most of the students use 3d software for final presentations right now, I think this book is a very good motivation for using traditional midia techniques during process work. Making good and quick drawings for explaining ideas is a very useful skill and this book helps.



3. I got this book after participating in a Web Seminar with Mr. Leggitt. I think this is a very good source for anyone that would like to hone their quick drawing skills or look for different approaches for doing presentation drawings from all levels of detail. It might even give you a few ideas about using technology to your advantage to produce quick drawings. I would definately recommend this book to a beginner or students in architecture school. I know that students are always looking for ways to product great looking drawings in a minimal amount of time.



4. Very dissapointed in this book...especially since he is an advocate of Sketchup (which is why I anxiously wanted this book). I think some of his shortcuts are ok, but I found the book very, very repetitive (almost painfully) and the authors rendering style is just simply BRUTAL! I mean, it seems as if every one of his renderings include happy,smiley 1980's rocky mountain-type scale figures and all of the scale children hold teddy bears! His library of projects lack any pizzazz and there's just no sophistication to his rendering style. The most tedious read of the year for me.



5. I was left with the feeling from the other reviews that this book would be great for architects, which it is not. It is more for an art student. If you want a better book on architecture drawing get "Color Drawing: Design Drawing Skills and Techniques for Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers, 2nd Edition" by Michael E. Doyle

5 comments about Lake|Flato: Buildings & Landscapes.

1. Great book for every architect that likes contemporary architecture that is warm, inviting, and sensitive to the site



2. Although I appreciate the architecture, I am very inspired by the site work included in their projects. The tight connections between indoors and out, and the sustainable approach to the site interventions - whether planting, hardscape, structures - all inspire my work. Great book!



3. A remarkable volume on much more than architecture. The works of Lake Flato teach us that mankind can grace the environment when so many are bent on destroying it.



4. This book chronicles the work of the 2004 AIA Firm of the Year. It displays some the best work of a firm that has won numerous awards for a body of outstanding work that include some of the best examples of venecular architecture built in recent years. The forward by Pritzker Price Laureate Glenn Murcutt explains the reason this firm's work is so relevant. The introduction by Thomas Fisher provides insight into work that stands out for its clarity of meaning and use of sustainable materials. The photography and layout are equal to the high quality of the projects presented. Overall an outstanding book that is well written and photographed, capturing the work of an outstanding architectural fitm that has a lot to teach any practicing or even interested in architecture.



5. From Texas to Florida to Australia! What do they have in commo? Regional architecture based upon site and climate. Lake-Flato do beautiful, regional architecture and this book documents their work in a clear and deliberate manner with many photos. Two wishes. One, floor plans and site plans to help us see how the elements relate to both. Two, a second volume documenting their more recent work. If you like contemporary casual with metal roofs, concrete, stone and wood and a relation of indoor to outdoors buy this book. You will enjoy it!

5 comments about AutoCAD 2007 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)).

1. As a computer dummy I find it well written and to the point.
   There are adequate explanations, links with good instructions. The ability to use the software increases rapidly.



2. As a person with no previous experience with AutoCAD, I needed a book that would help me to understand how to use this program quickly and effectively. So far, after reading several chapters and working with it for a couple of weeks, I have come to enjoy this book due to its simple step-by-step format and its humorous way of explaining this huge program. I have to admit. Before ever working with AutoCAD, I was a big doubter of it. I did not have a good impression of it. All I knew was that AutoCAD was a huge program that mostly dealt with 2-D drawings and that it would be too much and too confusing to learn......NOT SO!!! Thanks to this book, my impression of AutoCAD has gone from one of doubt to one of enjoyment, fun, great versatility and good user-friendly control. My hat's off to "AutoCAD 2007 for Dummies"!!!



3. This book will be informative for the beginner and a great reference for the intermediate. Do not buy this book if you have ever been formally trained in AutoCAD or have read any real books - just more of the SOS.



4. While written with a nice amount of wit, this is a typical computer manual. As with other manuals, all it does is tell you what's in the menus and what the buttons do. Obviously that's important to know, but what everyone really wants from any computer program is for it to be useful to them in some way - they want to actually be able to do something with it. What all these manuals need are step-by-step exercises that serve as models for actual tasks that people routinely can use a particular program for. This book will be informative, but it won't give you any effectiveness in Autocad or make the program useful to you.



5. If you're just getting started with Autocad this is one of the two books I sincerely recommend. Use this one first. But at the same time get a copy of AutoCAD 2007 Bible, by Ellen Finkelstein.
   
   Both books tell you how to get started, but 'For Dummies' gives you a lot more background and a lot more information about what's going on. 'The Bible' then takes over and with three times as many pages goes into a great deal more detail on the wealth of features that are contained in the new version of AutoCAD.
   
   'For Dummies' is written more as a tutorial. It is of the do this and then do that variety. 'The Bible' is more of a reference book where you tend to look up what you want to do and get specific information.
   
   You might consider that 'For Dummies' is the first few pages of 'The Bible' but expanded into a full book format. The pair make an excellent companion for each other to take the beginner as far as he wants to go.

3 comments about SolidWorks 2008 Tutorial with MultiMedia CD.

1. This is the second SolidWorks book which I purchased from Amazon.com in the past month. As a new SolidWorks user, I'm looking for a book / books that provide insight and a general exposure to the User Interface and how to use, apply, edit and learn the software in context to an Engineering approach. This book does a great job in doing this.
   
   The book spends time in describing the functions, features, and tools which are available in SolidWorks whiling creating useful models. The book also provides a systematic approach in teaching the user how to use the software. Throughout the chapters, the authors reiterate what was stated in the previous chapter. This is very helpful to the new user.
   
   The book CD contains movie and model files to view and use. I highly recommend this book for any new SolidWorks user.



2. The disc is merely them running through the tutorials at a rather fast speed. I need to look again for hands-on usage, have seen none so far. The book seems detailed, may be a bit tedious, but good for reference.



3. I'm relatively new to SolidWorks. I've been using SolidWorks for approximately three months. I used AutoCAD and a little PRO/E for ten years. I worked in the Automotive industry; Educational department, and now teach technology / engineering classes for a living.
   
   From the sounds of most reviews, you either are a beginner or an expert using SolidWorks. I'm no expert with 3D CAD, but I do know text books, students, and the way they learn.
   
   I'm teaching a SolidWorks evening class at a Community College this Spring. I purchased this book to better understand SolidWorks and to learn additional features, commands, and design techniques. I was also looking for a text book which would be useful to my students.
   
   The book provides clear and concise procedures in a Project base approach with an incorporated CD to view the actual User Interfaces, and features which are used in the book. The CD also contains additional useful models.
   
   The illustrations are large, clear with bolded step by step procedures. This is essential in a classroom environment when you have 15 or more students at various skill levels.
   
   I look forward in using this book in my classroom. This is a great text book for learning SolidWorks at a beginner to intermediate level.

No comments about Sustainable Healthcare Architecture.

5 comments about SystemVerilog for Verification: A Guide to Learning the Testbench Language Features.

1. a few non-compliant code examples that do not follow the IEEE LRM. With that said, overall the book contains a number of good examples and covers the SV language. It doesn't spend much time discussing methodology (which can be good or bad depending on what you're looking for).
   
   In summary, decent reading and a good language reference. Definitely a lot better than the VMM book.



2. Book is a good introduction to system verilog for verification - though some typographical mistakes and some coding mistakes, make it bit flaky.
   
   I would definately recommend this book - as it is the fastest way to get going around system verilog. One thing I like is that it is tied to any vendor specific methodology like RVM or AVM or VMM.



3. Helpful for those migrating from verilog because
   it compares the new concepts in relation to known concepts of verilog.
   I liked the "bug" symbol that cautions against possible coding problems.
   All systemverilog concepts are covered in the book with examples.
   What is lacking is a practical usable example to build a complete simulation environment.



4. This book explains the basics of how to write advanced testbenches using SystemVerilog's Object Oriented programming capabilities. The book does a great job of helping to understand the basics of OO programming, and how OO can be applied to hardware verification. The book is full of tips on the right way to use SystemVerilog. This book should be required reading before picking up books on advanced verification methodologies, such as Janick Bergeron's book on SystemVerilog Verificaiton Methodology Manual.
   
   I am the principle author of the companion to this book, "SystemVerilog for Design: A Guide to Using SystemVerilog for Hardware Design and Modeling", ISBN: 0387333991. My book covers the synthesis aspects of SystemVerilog, and Chris Spear's book covers the testbench side. Our two books are designed to go hand-in-hand. I strongly recommend Chris Spear's SystemVerilog for Verification book be added to your library! -- Stu Sutherland



5. This book provides guidelines on how to use System Verilog verification features to create testbench through numerous examples in addition to very good explanation. This book is very easy to understand provided one has basic background.
   
   The author indicates common mistakes by placing "bug" icon next to the topic, so that readers become aware of the pitfall right a way. I found it extremely useful.
   
   This book helped me to write test bench using System Verilog in very short time. The author has met and exceeded the objective of the book.
   
   I highly recommend this book for students/engineers who have basic knowledge in Verilog and want to achieve or enhance their skills on verification area.
   
   I rate this book as 5 out of 5.

1 comments about Reading Architectural Working Drawings: Residential and Light Construction, Volume 1.

1. This is a very useful book if you are looking to draft something it is full of information on everything you will need to know.

5 comments about Architectural Acoustics (J. Ross Publishing Classics).

1. Over the years I have bought two text books on this difficult subject, and never could get past more than two chapters. In contrast, this book is both readable and extremely well organized with a summary of the main points at the end of each chapter. For any formulas used in the text, he defines the symbols along with the formula. No looking back to early chapters.
   
   Highly recommended.



2. Even after having collected and read quite a few of the modern textbooks on architectural acoustics, Egan's Architectural Acoustics (1988 hardback edition in my case) still stands as the most accessible first foray into the subject. I frequently use this book in my consulting practice when I need to illustrate a fundamental concept, such as sound isolation, auditorium shaping, or the basic acoustical conditions necessary to support various styles of music. Even though the binding has mechanically failed, I have not yet been able to bring myself to part with the book long enough to have it rebound. Perhaps the new softcover binding will actually hold up better to repeated reading, as this book will surely receive and deserve!



3. Since first encountering Egan's text a little more than 20 years ago, I've continued to return to it for solid information. Complex material is presented in a way that allows me to apply it to unique conditions at hand. Some of the world-class acoustics consultants with which we've had the privilege to work rely on Egan to help communicate complex ideas. Without compromising too much real technical nuance, the ideas are so clearly communicated that I was able to offer the book to members of a church in eastern Europe working to improve the condition of their worship space.



4. I am an acoustical consultant... I have read a lot of books onarchitectural acoustics. I found this book unique of its kind. The concepts are introduced by plenty of figures and illustrations with informative text that make the discussed subject easy to read and comprehend especially by the architects. Writing on the figures and using checklists added a lot of understandibility. Also the text itself is informative and directly address the subject. In other words, the book is excellent and comprehensive.



5. I'm a architecture student and I think this book is like a bible of acoustics in architecture. It brings detailed info for designing places with good acoustic performance whit various technics and for the most different type of places like a simple residential to auditoriums and concert rooms. I have other acoustics books (like William Cavanaugh's) and they always make mention to David Egan's book. If you're in search on books about architectural acoustics, I think that must be the first one to buy. It's a must have in any architect biblioteque.

5 comments about Richard Neutra: Complete Works (Architecture & Design).

1. I am a strong believer that any discussion of a good archtiect must contain excellect picures and drawings. This book is a good overview. It has some excellent pictures, but the selection, organization and orientation of those pictures are sometimes very poor.
   
   THE BOOK IS NOT COMPLETE. Richard Neutra designed the Gettysburg's Cyclorama Center in 1962. It has been visited by millions of people and is facing destruction (or already has been destroyed). But it is not shown or even mentioned in this book.



2. What a lovely book. I am so glad that this book was reissued. It is huge, with lots of beautiful photos of Neutra's work. A must for those interested in California modern architecture and the Case Study Houses.



3. It could better be called the incomplete works.
   It does not contain a description of Neutra's live.
   
   For many realized projects texts are incomplete (e.g. what is the history about realization of the projects?, what ever happened with the buildings?), or even missing, plans are incomplete, missing, or contain errors if compared with the pictures, or not all the floors are represented by plans.
   
   Basically, the book, in spite of its price and weight, looks attractive because of the very good photography and layout, everything else (the texts and plans) are disappointing and certainly not worth the money.



4. Barbara Lamprecht and Julius Shulman have created one the great architecture books about this leading figure of 20th century modernism. As a fan of Lamprecht's excellent writing, the text in this book is, of course, excellent---full of information, opinion and wit. The depth of information provided, including floor plans, is rare in an architectural photo book. Shulman's photos (and some by the new architectural photo star--John Ellis) are superb. The very large format of this book shows off the beautiful buildings to their best advantage. The real wood cover seems a bit odd for a book on Neutra, but it certainly is handsomely impressive. Though [the price] is a a lot for a book, this one's worth it. Buy it now. The second edition might not be so large and impressive, and certainly won't be made of wood!



5. This book is amazing though the photos of Neutra's projects are generally not as large as one would hope. It is amazing how much Neutra created during his career. A brilliant book filled with insightful information and general floor plans of building projects. Best of all, there is even a map as to the location of his buildings.

5 comments about AutoCAD 2007 and AutoCAD LT 2007 Bible.

1. I just started to go through this book and it is amazing how easy it is to use. I'm just getting into CAD 2007 in college and this book is helping me to get extra practice of the ins and outs of CAD 2007. I showed this book to my teacher and she is going to buy a copy she said it is a great learing tool and refference book.



2. Well written, thorough, well organized. Easy to learn from and easy to access for reference. Everything it said it would be.



3. This book will be informative for the beginner and a great reference for the intermediate. Do NOT buy this book if you have ever been formally trained in AutoCAD or have read any real books - just more of the SOS.



4. a good reference for experienced users. Of course Autocad is so diverse there is not such a thing as a complete reference. but this is one of two that I keep at hand all the time.



5. Thank you! It was shipped in a record time only three days. This book has everything inside which makes it one of the best in its profile.