2 comments about Digital Design and Manufacturing: CAD/CAM Applications in Architecture and Design.

1. I have been enjoying the breadth and depth of CAD/CAM Applications in Architecture and Design for the past few weeks. This book does an extraordinarily good job at covering not only the current state of the art in CAD/CAM work, but provides a captivating look at the development of various mechanical production solutions dating back from power looms and early machining tools.
   
   As an educator at Carnegie Mellon University, this book provides a remarkably useful overview of most aspects of this field - an area that is sure to define the future of architecture, since 3D imaging is only recently able to be directly fabricated with machines that permit tolerances of complex forms to within thousandths of an inch.
   
   We are surely entering a new era of production with tremendous implications for architecture. Those familiar with the techniques possible will be able to create forms that were hitherto only imagined. This thoughtful book is an excellent introduction to those curious about this phenomenon.



2. I've been waiting for a book like this to come along! Finally a comprehensive report on knowledge of building techniques that exploit digital tools. This textbook will be a required resource for both engineers and designer/architects. Excellent for anyone trying to grasp the creative implications of the new tools. Full of excellent case studies in product development, architectural design and structural engineering that show behind-the-scenes photos and sequential diagrams. In addition to the cutting-edge technologies, this book surveys the more tried and true manufacturing processes too.

3 comments about Autodesk Inventor 8 Essentials Plus.

1. Excelent material to start to learn Inventor, is easy to undestend.
   
   Luis Villa



2. An excellent book, yes it may have some info that can be accessed from the help, but it goes far beyond that, and the advanced section of the book does a great job in exploring the details of the features particular to Inventor, don't forget the tutorial CD that comes with the book, it is another complete training manual in itself. I read the whole book and I did all the tutorials, I am including it in the curriculum of my students, and I recommend it to anyone serious about learning Inventor.



3. The main material of this book is a rehash/dryrun and listing of what the Inventor user interface and menus do in each chapter. There is not much content on how to actually use the concepts and techniques of Inventor to do real stuff. The authors have decided to put all that stuff on the CD. They have some kind of a compiled html file that walks you thru the techniques of each chapter with busted exercises. The CD is very poorly made with lots of chapters entirely missing and incomplete exercises in many other chapters. The program constantly crashes. I am surprised that a respected name like Autodesk would put out a book like this. That is my two cents worth.

5 comments about Harnessing Autodesk Civil 3D 2007.

1. Great seller, I received book in perfect condition and shipping was fast. I would recommend this seller.



2. I have been using Autocad and Autodesk's civil suit products for a little over ten years. This is the third book I bought from the author since his release "Harnessing AutoCAD Land Development Desktop Release 2". The book is very structured and sequencial and it is worth trying it before spending money in expensive Land Desktop or Civil 3D seminars.
   
   I do warn all readers, that the book is not intended to educate in principles of land development civil engineering or surveying, but rather to provide you with guidance in the use of the tool and its applications. You need to have understanding of the use of points, specially those in the fields of survey and site design.
   
   Civil 3D is a powerful software, but requires a good understanding of the initial setting before you can really rip the full benenfits (Prospector). I believe Mr. Zimmerman's "Harnessing Autodesk Civil 3D 2007" provides all what you need to get going on your own and make your way up to mastering it.
   
   Civl 3D is a very structure software requiring lots of initial settings. However, The folks from Autodesk released Civil 3D 2007 with US National CAD Standars (USNCS) templates that easily get you started. This is also a big bonus for all those companies using USNCS as their office CAD standars. For others not familiar with the USNCS, you have some work in front you, but the paybacks are worth the effort.
   
   If you purchase the text, take the time to read it, be patient and work on the exercises. Do not dispair if you to not get the concepts in the first trial. Remember that a book is the most patient of the teachers. Go back ,read it again and try the exercises.
   
   The book is intended for Civil 3D 2007 and not Civil 3D 2006!
   
   Mr. Zimmerman thanks for your enlightment.
   
   PS: I am just a reader and I am not endorsing or supporting either the author, publisher, Autodesk, or any authorized Autodesk training Center.
   
   HR



3. This book is very detailed. If you have some basic AutoCAD and Civil engineering knowledge, you are able to use Autodesk Civil 3D after learning and praticing step by step with this book.



4. This is a well organized and well written text. Unlike the other book on this subject (that has been the only one available) this is a straight-forward technical book that includes all of the materials that it refferences.



5. I'm responsible for my Teams implementation of Civil 3D. All of us came away from the training provided by the retailer with only a base understanding. With this learning guide I am able to train my people with the information they need to know to begin our first Civil 3D project.
   Civil 3D is no joke. Its a far cry from the previous Land Development Desktop. And this learning guide is exactly what I needed!

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 Competing Globally in Architecture Competitions (Architecture in Practice).

1. There are few reference materials available to the architectural competitor and this release in Wiley's Architecture in Practice series by Stanley Collyer proves to be quite unique in the information presented. Rarely do we have access to the rather mysterious jury process, but here Collyer pulls back the veil to reveal the often controversial, behind-the-scenes deliberations. Serious competitors will find this insight useful in developing strategies for a specific jury type.
   
   Collyer presents twenty-four case studies ranging from 1995 to 2003, organized by building type. Each architect's entry and approach to the project is discussed in detail and is presented with renderings, line drawings and model photos as available. What is lacking in the presentation of the work are the actual competition boards. The arrangement of text, diagrams and drawings is often key to a successful interpretation and understanding of a proposed design.
   
   The introduction provides a cursory overview of the competition process, outlining the reasons to compete and what criteria is critical when making the decision to enter a competition (you will find that this is a bit thin on content in general). It doesn't answer all your questions but it definitely focuses you on the broader picture.



2. A great behind the scenes account. Tells you what you need to know on the competing and selection processes and the history of some of the most interesting architectural competitions in the past 2 decades. Very rich in illustrations.
   However; it does not tell you much about how to compete and what to present in order to beat the competition.

No comments about Customizing AutoCAD 2008.

No comments about Terraces and Balconies (Evergreen).

No comments about Lexicon of Garden and Landscape Architecture.

5 comments about Pro/engineer Solutions Advanced Techniques & Workarounds..

1. Don't make the mistake of buying this if you are a 2.0 or 3.0 Pro/E user. At the very least you'll have to do a lot of work to try to figure out many things in the advanced lessons and at worst you'll get frustrated and give up because it would be as good as trying to teach yourself.



2. This book is OK if you are a Pro/e user with moderate experience. It explains about start parts - which I've found to be lacking in all the proe users I've met for exaample. Also the assembly techniques are ok. I would take exception to the book being aimed at advanced users. Anyone who has used proe extensively will find this book unfulfilling. Also it contains little or no reference to sheetmetal.



3. I have bought about 4 books now on Pro/E. First two were introductory and that was fine because i was just starting to learn Pro/E. The other two were junk. However, this book is great. The book is definetly designed for a user who has already covered the basics. If your just learning, start with some basic tutorial books and then get this one. Shows some real good stuff and well laid out.



4. I felt this book was well written and easy to understand. We all know how boring technical literature can be and how difficult some examples are to follow. This book gives clear step-by-step direction that is straight to the point and delivers a message of not only advanced techniques, but also of proper modeling and design fundamentals.



5. And I thought I knew Pro/E! A must have!

3 comments about Buddhist Stupas in Asia: The Shape of Perfection (Lonely Planet Pictorial).

1. Buddhist Stupas in Asia: The Shape of Perfection by Bill Wassman (Photographer), et al, offers a sweeping and broad overview of the epitome of Asian Buddhist architecture. The photographs are good and the succinct commentary is informative enough. This is not a book for hardcore history buffs though, as the very short accompanying analysis would not suffice; nevertheless, in most cases the photographs more than compensate by offering quality glimpses of a divine form of architecture. One drawback: some of the photographs are too small for the subject to be really appreciated (some are as small as approx. 3cm x 3cm!). All in all: an enjoyable mind-trip through the very essence of Buddhist architecture.



2. This book covers Buddhist architecture across its known history, from its origins in Northern India through Southeast Asia to Indonesia, to Nepal and Tibet, into China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam. The emphasis is clearly on architecture, but it covers the relevant backgrounds in Buddhist art and philosophy as well. If you want a book about Buddhist cultures or thought, this is not it. But if you want a book about Buddhist architecture, this is a great beginning. It is well-written, well-designed, and the photography is excellent. I wish it were much longer and went into much greater depth... but then it would be much more expensive!

   I received this book as a surprise gift, and I think it makes a great gift: it's the kind of thing someone would want and enjoy, but would not buy for themselves.

   The author, Joe Cummings, also writes the Lonely Planet guidebooks for Laos, Thailand and Myanmar (Burma), and they are excellent. I've been to all three places, and so I've seen many of the stupas covered in this book, and his guides have helped me more than most do.




3. When I opened this book in the bookstore, I was knocked out by the photos, which cover stupas all the way from Taxila, Pakistan, to Tokyo, Japan. The stupa photography is particularly strong in the chapters on India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Tibet. An entire chapter is devoted to Borobudur and satellite stupas in central Java.

   Dipping into the text at home, I was pleasantly surprised by how authoritative and complete the coverage of this complex topic was. Not only does the author do an excellent job of explaining the symbolism of stupas in various Buddhist cultures, he also links it to the history of Buddhism throughout Asia, no small task. Although I'm a longtime amateur student of Buddhism and Asian art history myself, I found much new material to ponder.

   I was most impressed by the way Mr Cummings has carried out original research as well as reporting on the research of other scholars who came before him. This is something I didn't expect from a hardcover pictorial such as this. Kudos to Lonely Planet for publishing a seriously good book.