Reviews (3)

Another too much and too little guide book.
As is usual with books purporting to enlighten you on the use of software, this book covers a great many subjects. The problem is, there is not enough depth on any of the subjects to help much if you are already a user of the program. If you have a detailed question, the likelihood is you will not find the exact subject addressed or if it is, the coverage is perfunctory. For example, the material on Gantt charts is less detailed than you will find in the help menu, so why bother with the book? If you have advanced far enough on your own to ask this type of question, chances are you won't find the answer either place.
This book was written for a programmer.
I am a programmer myself who didn't paid too much attention to MS Visio previous to my encounter with this book. Like the previous poster, I can "wink" my way through Visio for a fairly decent drawings, part of the reason for this is because I have worked with programs like Corel, Photoshop, video editing programs, Dream Weaver, Flash, etc, where I had to worked with various drawing tools, layers, rulers, zoom etc. Then suddenly I was offered a nice job with a well known IT company, and the position requires me to use MS Visio extensively.
Boy, this sure opened my eyes!
I just had my eyes opened to all that Visio can do by reviewing the book Visio 2003 Bible by Bonnie Biafore (Wiley).
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Subjects:  1. Business Software - General    2. CAD-CAM - General    3. Cad/Cam    4. Computer Bks - Accounting Packages    5. Computer Books: General    6. Computer Graphics - General    7. Computer graphics    8. Computers    9. Computers - Accounting Packages    10. Engineering - General    11. Microcomputer Graphics    12. Microsoft Visio    13. Computer graphics software    14. Computers / Business Software / General   

Reviews (9)

Very tired of reading it
I have to work with DShow for my job. This book is the only one available (afaik)... But it is awfully written.
Not exactly "just the SDK" but still not great
I bought this book several months ago but I've held off writing a review as I have been trying to learn DirectShow. Too little on VMR
I wanted to read more about the new VMR9, but the book disappointed me with the thin coverage of VMR9 and videoplayback in general. I guess the book is all right on the topics filters, video editing and video caption. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Operating Systems    2. Computer animation    3. Computers    4. Computers - Languages / Programming    5. Digital video    6. Interactive & Multimedia    7. Microcomputer Application Software    8. Microsoft DirectShow    9. Multi-Media Hardware & Software    10. Programming - General    11. Television & Video    12. Video recording    13. Computers / General    14. Image processing    15. Multimedia   

Reviews (9)

A 'must' for any serious Javascript programmer.
James Edwards & Cameron Adams' THE JAVASCRIPT ANTHOLOGY: 101 ESSENTIAL TIPS, TRICKS & HACKS compiles a range of solutions to the most common JavaScript questions and problems, offering up tested solutions, standards-compliant tips, and keys to ensuring JavaScript code is clean, accessible and logical. From the basics of making a drop-down or fly-out menu to making attribute tooltips display on focus, THE JAVASCRIPT ANTHOLOGY is a 'must' for any serious Javascript programmer.
I like it, I like it, I like it....
OK...this book is going under lock and key at my work desk...The JavaScript Anthology : 101 Essential Tips, Tricks & Hacks by James Edwards and Cameron Adams.
VERY VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
Are you involved or interested in building web sites or web applications? If you are, then this book is for you! Authors Cameron Adams and James Edwards, have done an outstanding job of writing a practical book for webmasters who are looking for a copy-and-paste solutions to everyday needs. Adams and James Edwards, begin by providing an overview of JavaScript's capabilities and limitations, and introduce some core best practices that they'll be using through the rest of the book. Then, the authors look at techniques for using and processing numbers in JavaScript. They continue by looking at ways of manipulating strings to find information, storing data, and preparing test for output; as well as, including a thorough introduction to regular expressions in JavaScript. Next, the authors introduce you to one of the most powerful data-storage structures in JavaScript: the array. Then, the authors introduce and explore DOM, and look at how to create and read the data from elements, attributes, and text. Then, they look at reading and writing data from different kinds of form widget, address the tasks of validating and processing form data, and discuss techniques for improving the usability of form-based interfaces. They also take a cautious look at manipulating windows and scripting across frames. Next, the authors introduce cookies and show you how to use them effectively. Then, they show you how to get the date and time in JavaScript, how to compare and process dates and times, and how to output the final data in different formats and conventions. They continue by exploring the basic techniques involved in scripting for images. Next, the authors outline techniques for dealing with different browsers and rendering modes. Then, they look at how to read and write the styles from a single element or group of elements, how to read and write CSS rules to an existing or created style sheet, and how to build a style sheet switcher. The authors also cover event-handling in all its flavors, detecting the position and size of an object, tracking the mouse, and making elements appear and disappear. Next, they look at more complex forms of scripting that use motion and animation. Then, the authors include solutions for the problem of menus overlapping select elements in Windows IE 5 and IE 6. They also provide an overview of the current state of play regarding JavaScript and accessibility. The authors continue by showing you how to detect whether a user has the Flash plugin, and mastering communications between JavaScript and Flash. Next, they delve into the exciting area of online application design, including data retrieved using XMLHttpRequest, as well as the older technique of using iframes. Then, the authors introduce OOP, exploring its core concepts and benefits. Finally, the authors look at everyday techniques for writing faster, more efficient code that's shorter and uses less memory. In this most excellent book, you'll find scripts and discussions that sit on the bleeding edge of current practice. More importantly, you'll find this book a useful and inspirational resource for modern, best practice scripting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Computers - Languages / Programming    4. Internet - Web Site Design    5. Programming Languages - CGI, Javascript, Perl, VBScript    6. Computers / Languages / Programming    7. Computers / Programming Languages / CGI, JavaScript, Perl, VBScript    8. Computers/Internet - Web Site Design    9. Java & variants    10. JavaScript, java script, Jscript, AJAX, DHTML, DOM, Document Object Model, css, cascading style sheets, dynamic html   

Reviews (17)

Thank God Somone's Listening!!
Tired of the usual "Blah, Blah, Blah" in computer books? FINALLY - somone is listening to the needs of graphics professionals and students wanting to learn tips and tricks for doing these effects and animations! Foster not only shows you HOW to do these techniques, but more importantly, WHY! I have found this book indespensible in my advancement way beyond the basic tools and functional training of other After Effects books. If you want to learn animation or do any kind of special effects on your own, then get this book NOW!

extremely useful
have bought many books on after effect and photoshop.
Not for the complete beginner...
I have to say that you MUST need a solid undertanding or at least the basics of After Effects before getting this book.Also, there are not many figures to ilustrate the projects in an easy way.
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Subjects:  1. CD-DVD Technology    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    4. Computers    5. Computers - Desktop Publishing    6. Desktop Publishing - General    7. Computer graphics software    8. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design   

Reviews (37)

2nd Edition is outstanding as a tutorial and as a reference
I owned the first edition of this book, and although somewhat confusing, I was able to learn VBScript from it with some time and patience. Thus, I just expected the second edition to be an update of the first. I was very pleasantly surprised to see that the second edition had been greatly improved. There are clearer and more frequent examples, the text is an easier read, and there are frequent and illuminating illustrations.
Good book for starters
I bought this book, as I wanted to write some simple VBScripts to help automating some laborious manual process for my job. This book is so easy to browse through and as I already have some knowledge of VB Programming and so I can easily browse through the chapters. Even for a beginner this is a good book to start with. I could start writing the scripts I wanted for my job and I like this book so far.

Great book, be sure to buy the 2nd Edition
This is an outstanding book.At first I was confused by some of the older reviews, until I realized that Amazon is still selling the old 1st edition, and many folks are buying that one instead of the newer, much better Second Edition.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books And Software    2. Computers    3. Computers - Languages / Programming    4. HTML (Document markup language    5. HTML (Document markup language)    6. Programming Languages - CGI, Javascript, Perl, VBScript    7. VBScript (Computer program lan    8. VBScript (Computer program language)    9. World Wide Web    10. Computer Programming    11. Computers / Programming Languages / CGI, JavaScript, Perl, VBScript   

Reviews (29)

excellent book for game developers
I'm about 2/3 through this book now, and I've found it very helpful.The explanations are good, and what I particularly like is how he illustrates most of the topics with pictures and graphs, explaining the relevance to rendering graphics in games.Unlike most math books and courses I've taken, I'm not left wondering "what the heck relevance does THIS have?" every time I turn a page.He also does provide C++ code game graphics rendering at the end of most topics.The code is very useful, and well explained.I can definitely see myself using some of it in future projects.
Great Introduction to the Math and Algorithms Behind Rendering
The first time I tried to read this book, I took frequent breaks and only made it to about chapter 10, not really understanding a few of the proofs and algorithms. However, after going through the entire book all at once in about a week, I was able to understand everything. It was definately worth it.
Not for Novices or Intermediate
Not an easy read. I thought of myself as being an intermediate level mathematician - leaning slightly towards the novice, but this was beyond my expectations.After the first few chapters on Vectors, getting into Matrices he lost me.Even some of the vector math lost me.Sure, if I want to find the cross product of two 3d vectors I can do it, I'd just go look up his source code,but *why* it works exactly?Don't know.
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Subjects:  1. Advanced    2. Computer Graphics - General    3. Computer games    4. Computer graphics    5. Computer science    6. Computers - Games    7. Discrete Mathematics    8. Game Theory    9. Mathematics    10. Programming    11. Programming - Software Development    12. Science/Mathematics    13. Video & Electronic - General    14. Applied mathematics    15. Computers / General    16. Image processing: graphics (static images)   

Editorial Review

If you have been using After Effects for years, have just started using it, or are considering using it, get this book. Written by Trish and Chris Meyer, perhaps best known for their monthly motion-graphics column in Read more

Reviews (66)

Questions Answered
Excellent book.I can't put it down.It's giving the answers to my questions. The AE manual is dry with short descriptions.AE CIB is OK for teaching where to click etc.This book tells the whys, hows, etc.Detailed but easy to read.

Too Difficult For Beginner
Well, I bought this book after the glowing reviews. But in all frankness, I found the beginning chapters and tutorial to be very difficult to follow. The authors do write that in this book, you are immediately thrown into the AE process...they weren't kidding.
If your serious about making a living using Ae
I Have the videos ...I have the books, they are all collecting dust except for this one.Trish and Chris Meyer are the Ae guru's.I have been using Ae for about 2 yr.s and I have dramatically increased my income because of this book. Now all the :30 and 1:00 commercials I do are done in After Effects.I strongly recommend this book for an intermediate to experienced editor wanting to break into motion graphics and compositing.This book is guaranteed to raise your IQ (and could quite possibly help in raising your income). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animation    2. Cinematography    3. Computer Animation    4. Computer Books And Software    5. Computer Graphics - General    6. Computer graphics    7. Computers    8. Computers - Desktop Publishing    9. Data processing    10. General    11. Interactive & Multimedia    12. Multi-Media Hardware & Software    13. Special effects    14. Computer graphics software    15. Image processing: computer animation   

Reviews (7)

Adobe Photoshop CS2
Jack Davis not only delivers incredibly useful and creative ideas for us, but translates the moves into steps easy enough for a newbie to follow and acheive great results, but witty and interesting enough for us old pros out here to stay interested and intrigued. He delivers the most useful set of actions, styles and patterns I've seen to date on the CD. Buy the book. You'll be doing yourself a favor.

Add This One-Click-WOW! Book to Your Digital Art Library
If you haven't added one of Jack Davis' WOW! books to your digital art library, you should consider the latest One-Click-WOW! for Photoshop CS2. It's packed with preset styles and effects for every task you might have. What is a preset? Basically, it is a special effect or group of effects (style), such as a drop shadow, that already has the options set for you. After you install the presets from the CD, they will appear with the other presets in the Styles Palette. All you need to do is apply these ready-made presets to your image. In his WOW-Styles Tutorial which is included in the book, Davis gives you all the information you need to apply and customize the 900+ presets in Adobe Photoshop and ImageReady. He explains the mystery of using layers and clipping masks, changing the resolution, brush size and scale of the presets as well as how to customize the WOW! presets and save the changes as a new style to your own Styles Library.
For quick, pro results
Jack Davis' ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS2 ONE-CLICK WOW! is based on a cd-rom which packs in over 900 of the time-saving enhancement solutions contained in the workbook ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS2 ONE-CLICK WOW! From working with the shapes gallery and tinting photos to WOW custom overlays for framing and their differences, ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS2 users will find the WOW manual packed with important tools for quick, pro results. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adobe Photoshop    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics    4. Computer Graphics - General    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Desktop Publishing    8. Desktop Publishing - General    9. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    10. Photoshop   

Reviews (4)

A classic
This is a classic in the field, written by two highly-respected usability specialists. I was fortunate to read it as one of the textbooks in a class on usability testing taught by Dr. Dumas. It is a very practical book, covering planning, testing, and reporting the results. The strengths and weaknesses of usability testing are discussed, and there is some information about other usability evaluation methods and basic design principles. necessary reading
This is required reading for usability professionals. It's a detailed look at testing, covering everything from test plans and lab construction to data analysis and how to handle unqualified testers who slip through the screening process. It covers lower-budget tests in addition to full-scale ones. It's clear that Dumas and Redish have loads of experience, and they're not shy about sharing it. Insightful, Useful, and Usable - The Best Usability Book
This is a step-by-step quide with checklists, offering insight into everystage of usability testing.It should help any software developmentproject produce more usable software (assuming the developers are willingto make changes based on the results of testing).Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Science    3. Computers    4. Computers - General Information    5. General    6. Human-Computer Interaction    7. Virtual Reality    8. Applications of Computing    9. Computer Programming   

Editorial Review

Some people make their living with a camera, and for these people the maturation of digital photo technology means a significant shift in their trade. Read more

Reviews (85)

easy to follow examples (but the creativity is not included)
a serie of examples with easy and fast results, even if not all for "dummies". Do not ask why Photoshop works but just use it!
A Must-Have!
I have recently begun using Photoshop and at first just tried "feeling" my way through it.That didn't work.Then I tried using articles I found in magazines and off the internet.That was a little better but still didn't get me where I wanted to be.Then I decided to get a book to help me.On more than one photography forum this book was recommended.Now that I have it I see why.
Photoshop Tricks that you really use
I have several books on Photoshop, but none that I use daily.The easy to follow directions in this book offer tricks that you will use every day to improve your photos.It has helped me "save" many less than perfect shots. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adobe Photoshop    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computer Graphics - Photoshop    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Desktop Publishing - General    8. Digital photography    9. Digital techniques    10. Handbooks, manuals, etc    11. Image processing    12. Microcomputer Graphics    13. Photographic Techniques Using Specific Equipment    14. Photography    15. Techniques - Equipment    16. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    17. Photographic equipment & techniques    18. Photoshop   

Reviews (2)

Up To Date View of the State of the Art
This book is a collection of forty-seven articles around the common theme of shading images in real time. Many of these effects have been common in the movie world for many years, but in that application the shading can be done on very expensive machines and the time it takes to produce an image is not important because the resulting image is to be shown on screen rather than immediately on a display. Now, with the increasing power in the PC's in widespread use, these techniques are being brought down to the standard desktop.
A comprehensive collection of ready-to-use techniques
Shader X3: Advanced Rendering With DirectX And Open GL compiled, organized, and deftly edited by Wolfgang Engle (Senior Special FX Engineer at Wings Simulations) is packed from cover to cover with 630-pages of insightful new techniques, innovative approaches to common problems, as well as practical tools and tricks that will help in all areas of shader programming. All of the articles comprising Shader X3 evolved from the the working experiences of industry professionals, and all of the sections were expertly edited by shader programming experts. This comprehensive collection of ready-to-use techniques will enable even the most novice programmer to get up to speed quickly, and the more experienced programmers will find a wealth of insights and techniques to improve efficiency and avoid redundancies. Shader X3 is an essential, "user friendly", and highly recommended instructional reference for shader programmers.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - Design    3. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    4. Computers    5. Computers - Games    6. Video & Electronic - General    7. Art / Graphic Arts    8. Computer graphics software   

Reviews (4)

Powerful, Smart, Unparalleled
Deconstructing the Elements, 2nd edition is basically what you wish every reference book could be.The binding is strong even though it's a soft-cover and the pages are all color matte finish.Almost every step of every walk-through in this text contains an image of what you should be seeing in 3dsMax.
Brilliant tutorials for creative solutions to common problems
This book is fantastic. I've read at least 12 books on 3ds Max. This is easily one of the best. The author avoids overly technical jargon and is always clear, concise and to the point. This is for intermediate level users. Having used Max for 4 years now I was impressed with all the new things I learned.Take your time, don't get frustrated and you'll get the most out of this book. If nothing else you'll learn about Particle Flow which is an amazing tool.

Excellent intermediate to advanced tutorial
I'm 3 tutorials in and very impressed so far, especially with the methodology behind the use of materials to simulate phenomena.The included screenshots on the DVD Rom have been very useful when I miss something, and the reference material is outstanding.This is definitely for users with some experience, and is refreshingly lacking in redundant instructions, but should add a level of sophistication to any 3D artist's toolbox.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - 3D Studio    3. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    4. Computer Graphics - General    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Computers - Other Applications    8. Internet - General    9. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    10. Image processing: computer animation    11. Multimedia   

Editorial Review

It isn't easy finding a job these days and for those working in the creative fields like graphic design, illustration, photography, filmmaking, and music, a digital portfolio is just the shiny object you need to catch the attention of a prospective employer. But you can't just slap a few files on a CD and call it a night. As Cynthia Baron points out in Read more

Reviews (5)

comprehensive material.
Most artists can't do everything - usually they are somewhere in the middle of a chain of production responsiblities that don't include the skillsets involved with presenting a portfolio, digital or otherwise. Many points of insider knowledge are invaluable - I was on the cusp of using PowerPoint for my CD portfolio (my wife has strong skills with this) before being warned that this bussiness presentation software's would be viewed with derision by art directors, and that a high resolution version of a website format is the way to go here - this one parcel of knowledge was worth the price of the book alone, but it is far from the only lesson imparted. Highly recommended - it doesn't stray into realms of esoterica for the sake of pagecount.

Great beginners guide
This handbook is targeted at beginners in designing portfolios to submit their artwork or photos when job hunting.It is filled with information, however most is very basic and will only be a review for most readers.

Superb resource for a wide variety of portfolio formats
If you set can aside the near 100% focus on digital media (though it is excellent for that kind of format) and not hyperventilate in feeling like you need to come up with Flash or DVDs after reading this, it offers solid points on portfolio content, whatever format you choose.
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Subjects:  1. Acoustics & Sound    2. Art portfolios    3. Computer Animation    4. Computer Books: General    5. Computer Graphics - General    6. Computers    7. Computers - Desktop Publishing    8. Design    9. Design - General    10. Design services    11. Desktop Publishing - General    12. Graphic Arts - General    13. Graphic arts    14. Marketing    15. Multi-Media Hardware & Software    16. Computer graphics software    17. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    18. Image processing    19. Multimedia   

Reviews (1)

The definitive reference on the reproduction of color.
The author has an impressive array of initials after his name; he is, amongst other things, a Doctor of Science, a Member of the Imperial College, an Associate of the Royal College of Science, and a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society as well as a Visiting Professor of Physiological Optics and of Colour Science, and a former Assistant Director of Research at Kodak. He has also been Chairman of the Colorimetry Committee of the International Commision on Illumination, and Chairman of the International Colour Association. Read more

Subjects:  1. Color Computer Graphics    2. Color photography    3. Color printing    4. Color television    5. Computer Graphics - General    6. Digital Image Processing    7. Imaging Systems    8. Light    9. Photography    10. Reference    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Techniques - Color    13. Technology    14. Printing & reprographic technology    15. Special kinds of photography    16. Technology / Imaging Systems   

Reviews (15)

Worthy for those with some previous experience...
If you're looking for an in depth detailing on how to use Maya this book isn't for you, I'd suggest reading the Maya Saavy series instead.As hobbyist Maya user for the last two years I did find this very interesting though. Unlike many technically oriented books, it visually illustrates the different parameters of the tools and methods. The examples are vivid, large and well labeled. Such as the paint effects section, you can see the difference in choosing tube length and the possibilities you have by applying pressure sensitive strokes. The back is filled with case studies and the various ways Maya is integrated into daily CG work, such as the classic Bingo animation or the morph targets used in Vampire the Masquerade game. Just what I needed to start using Maya
Before I purchased "Art of Maya" I looked through it at a local bookstore. I was impressed with how clearly it laid out a series of quick tips and techniques. As others have noted, it is not a "manual" nor does it claim to be. But, it shows many important techniques that a new user to 3D and Maya can get going on creating with Maya in a relatively short period of time. In many instances, the techniques shown helped clarify areas of operation that I did not understand via the built-in tutorials that came with Maya. I still have much to read in this book. I highly recommend it.

the contents is not suitable for the title
the printing is very beatiful,the cover is attractive, butRead more

Subjects:  1. Animation    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computers - Desktop Publishing    5. Desktop Publishing - General    6. Film & Video - General    7. Interactive & Multimedia    8. Multi-Media Hardware & Software    9. Performing Arts    10. Computer graphics software    11. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    12. Image processing: computer animation   

Reviews (7)

Worth It Just for Interviews
When I first paged through this book, I was incredibly excited.It seemed to have so much information I had been looking for.
Best book on Flash animation, best book on working in Hollywood
Although this book is written for animators with intermediate Flash skills, anybody in animation and general Flash users would greatly benefit from reading this book. Even if someone just wants to use 3D wireframes to spice up a client's product in Flash on a webpage, they'll save time and frustration by first reading the numerous tips and workarounds that the pros use as detailed in interviews throughout the book.
Excellent Animation Book
Basically only buy the book if you have already been exposed to some flash before. It contains wonderful details about film production and animation techniques unique to flash MX 2004. I highly recommend it!!!
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Subjects:  1. Computer Animation    2. Computer Books And Software    3. Computer Graphics - General    4. Computers    5. Computers - Desktop Publishing    6. Desktop Publishing - General    7. Flash (Computer file)    8. Computers / Interactive Media    9. Image processing: computer animation   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (5)

Fantastic book for beginners
Ian Lloyd does a great job starting at the very basics of HTML and gradually builds up using CSS and clean web design. The text is easily readable and the many images demonstrate what you are creating.

Excellent beginning introduction to HTML and CSS
In the "old days" of the web, it was acceptable to lay out your web page with tables, font tags, and other HTML tags that directly applied formatting.Doing this type of thing today brings scorn upon you, your children, and your children's children.The acceptable way to lay out a web page today is through SPAN and DIV tags.Style is applied through a cascading style sheet (CSS).This book provides an excellent introduction to the world of creating web pages and CSS.
Great book for novice web site builders!!
Build your own website is a great book for someone who wants to build a web site and has little or no experience.This book is applicable to both Mac and Windows users.A novice web site builder will gain many skills and confidence as they work through this book.The reader is taken from the very basics of defining terms to creating a web site.