1 comments about Shopping Environments: Evolution, Planning and Design.

1. The author has displayed a full knowledge of appropriate methodology and comprehensive approach to the subject.
   Although the content is limited to the UK case, the book is full of overwhelming information for an expert who wants to compare the cases with other developments elsewhere.
   It is an example of "country study" for the shopping centre industry that should be repeeated by other writers in other markets.
   It could have been useful to have a c0-author specializing onthe economics-marketing side of the subject.
   Dr Sukru Aslanyurek

No comments about New Scandinavian Design (Designpockets).

5 comments about Building Better Products with Finite Element Analysis w/ NEi Nastran Software.

1. This is an OK book on FEA that should be an excellent book! There is great information in here, but it is not presented in a logical or organised manner. If you want to get the information from this book you have to read it from cover to cover several times. Even if you are familiar with the book it is hard to find the information that you know is in there!
   It is definitely a book for beginners or perhaps managers who don't directly do FEA. For a practising analyst or engineer it is probably of limited use.



2. This book is a must have for every engineer who is doing, or wants to do, Finite Element Analysis. It is written clearly with great examples. The authors should be congratulated for writing such an extensive and useful book. Nice to see a book like this grounded in reality vs. only the theoretical.



3. If you are an engineer, skip it and do real work. It is general, basic, and lacks real knowledge. This is not a reference book, nor is it a teaching book. However, if you are an engineering manager overseeing a group conducing FEA analysis, this book will help you. It is full of wonderful insight, such as: "FEA can help build a better, more robust product". These blinding flashes of the obvious will keep most real engineers at arm's length. If I had a chance to do it again, I would not purchase this book.



4. The Title is very appealing, but a book on this subject still is to be written. For us Engineers, I understand the need to have a more practical FEA book other than mathematical "roll over". This may explain the "must have" comments from previous reviews. It's overpriced, "xerox" like printing and way vague. Sorry to not offer another Title on this subject, but this book not even for beginners.



5. If you are wanting to do any FEA work, then this is a book that you should have by your computer. Written by engineers for engineers, it takes a straight forward approach to FEA. It starts with a basic review of the theory behind FEA, but then goes into the knowledge necessary to do a good analysis. It discusses all aspects of FEA, from it's accuracy and what types of error there are, to advanced modeling techniques. Equally good for the beginning FE user to the expert analyst.

1 comments about Art Nouveau Designs (Agile Rabbit Editions).

1. This is a lovely book full of very cool patterns for all types of art and reproduction.
   I make glass beads and find these patterns very inspirational.

1 comments about AutoCAD 2006 for Architecture (Autocad for Architecture).

1. I had to buy this book for a college architecture class that I am taking and I saved about 40 bucks buying it from Amazon instead of my college bookstore. This book is great for any architecture student or anyone who is interested in drawing houses using AutoCad. It is also great for any beginner because it shows you how to begin a drawing and how to complete it. It is very easy to read and it is full of everything you need to know to draw like an architect.

2 comments about Mastering Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2006 (Mastering).

1. I bought this book and also bought the privelege of reading it on-line because I normally live in America but am now in Brazil and I had it shipped to My home in America but I found that I was going to be in Brazil for a long while. On the read on-line privelege, I didn't get the info on the DVD so I was kind of stuck but I emailed the Author and he was very nice and put the DVD info on his sight for me so that I could download it and he was very very helpful. This book is outstanding for learning ADT from the ground up. I am a cronic studier and so I have bought many books on learning many things but I think this book is the best of all those that I have studied, not only because of the book itself but for the pleasantness of the Author.



2. I recently purchased Mastering Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2006, by Scott Onstott, and have already found it to be an invaluable resource in my transition from AutoCAD LT 2002 to Autodesk's Architectural Desktop 2006.
   
   Admittedly; I still have not completely finished the book, yet it has already proven to be an essential tool to transition to Architectural Desktop 2006. Previously, the amount of information needed to reach drawing proficiency and remain productive at work has been the primary reason I have not upgraded my AutoCAD platform. It wasn't until I found this book and started the tutorials I gained the skills and confidence to upgrade to such a far superior program.
   
   Without a doubt, one of the book's greatest strengths is its dual functionality. For example, when time permits I can sit down and follow along with the tutorials for an in depth learning experience similar to a classroom type lecture. At the same time, the book is a great reference tool for the times when deadlines are pending and production is essential.
   
   I would give this book and excellent review and recommend it to others in my office.

2 comments about Architectural Working Drawings: Residential and Commercial Buildings.

1. My sixteen year old daughter is seriously interested in becoming an architect and this book is a great resource for her. William Spence has provided an excellent text for people to learn about architectural drawing in all its beginning aspects.
   
   The 24 chapters and 19 appendices fall into three broad sections. The first 9 chapters teach the student about the tools and materials used by architects to make their drawings, technical sketching, various drafting techniques, the basics of computer graphics workstations (this material is dated, but still good as an introduction), using the computer for architectural design and drafting (again, dated material but the process is still sound), architectural drafting standards, reproduction of drawings, the preliminary design process, and contract documents.
   
   The second section encompasses chapter 11-24 and teach the student about drawing foundations & footings, floor - wall & roof construction (separate chapters for light construction and commercial buildings), the title sheet and site plan, floor plans, foundation plans, architectural sections, architectural details, elevations, roof plans & framing plans, schedules, electrical plans, heating & air-conditioning systems, plumbing plans, and pictorial drawing.
   
   The third section are the 19 appendices that provide abbreviations, selected metric conversion factors, and many different kinds of symbols used in drawings as well as ratings, load information, and various tables as well as a glossary.
   
   The chapters present the material effectively and helpfully. They teach the student knew terms, sometimes provide a glossary, the questions act as a chapter review, and the laboratory projects present the student with drawing challenges that help build skills and confidence necessary to move to the next chapter.
   
   I can't draw a straight line with a ruler, and yet the material here makes me want to learn to draw this stuff. So, it must be motivating!



2. I want to review how to present the architectural works during presentation.

No comments about Time-Saver Standards for Building Materials & Systems: Design Criteria and Selection Data.

4 comments about Architecture: Residential Drawing and Design, Workbook.

1. The workbook is useless without the text book. It was unclear when ordering that I had ordered a workbook which had no information.



2. EXCELLENT. I'd have rate it 7 stars if it was also available in metric dimensions.



3. After I finished the book, I understood what residential architecture was truly about. A must read for a student of architecture. The book taught me the following: Architecture= The blending of Art, Engineering, and Construction with the responsibility of protecting the health, welfare and comfort of the public. With this premise, a residential architect designs a "work of architecture" by gracefully merging the Blend of ART/ENGINEERIN/CONSTRUCTION with public requirements to create a homogenious seamless solution that meets public need.



4. Covers all the basics of architecture in a logical manner. Great detail on specifying building materials. My only complaint is the chapter on drafting tools is aged and obsolete.

1 comments about The Professional Practice of Architectural Detailing.

1. This book has some valuable information in it regarding architectural drawings. It is somewhat lacking in the fact that it is a bit dated and does not include much information about computer aided design, but this can be overlooked.