Landscape Modeling: Digital Techniques for Landscape Visualization Review

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(More customer reviews)Ive only had has this book a short time but I like it. There are lots of color images and text book like explanations.
However, the examples are somewhat dated as the book was published in 2001. Most of the sample images are showing some low poly objects, or discussing ways of representing trees which are frankly out of date. No mention that I saw so far of Vue D'esprit, which is far superior to some of the software discussed, such as VistaPro.
The authors need to update it with newer images and discuss some of the newer software, a lot of changes in 3d rendering have emerged in the last 4 years.
I doubt somebody who has been using WCS, Vue, Terragen, Maya, or any advanced 3D landscape artist would find a whole lot of use for this book, but it would be good to give an overview and explain some terminology for a beginner.

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Design, plan, and simulate landscapes with computer modeling tools
If you want to model how waterflows will be affected by an upstream dam, or how vegetation growth will respond to irrigation, state-of-the-art Landscape Modeling is for you! Developed by pre-eminent Harvard landscape architects Stephen Ervin and Hope Hasbrouck, it's the first-ever guide to integrating the two-dimensional capabilities of geographic information systems (GIS) and three-dimensional CAD systems in landscape planning. This resource brings together all the technical tools you need to analyze and manipulate landforms digitally, together with the contextual information needed to apply these tools for small- and large-scale land uses, from gardens to regional plans.
You get: Techniques for analyzing, evaluating, designing, planning, and simulating specific landscape types and elements such as water, terrain, and vegetation A CD loaded with interactive modeling formulas and algorithms, plus demo versions of key GIS and CAD softwares for land elements, together with how-to instructions Full color international case studies with site plans, photographs, simulations, sound and other landscape effects, and virtual environments

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Semantic Web for the Working Ontologist: Effective Modeling in RDFS and OWL Review

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(More customer reviews)There are maybe half a dozen or so books in my library that have defined the body of knowledge that has been the subject of my career. All the others are interesting (or not) but not the definitive description of the subject. It is very rare when a new one comes along. But when one does succinctly and clearly define and describe a subject area I have been struggling to master for several years, this is worth celebrating.

This is such a book. For the last several years, I have been studying OWL and the Semantic Web, recognizing that there is something there that is important. But it's been a struggle to get on top of it. For example, the books I've found so far (and indeed, the OWL specification itself) describes the language in terms of XML. That's ok, and I was able to understand bits and pieces of it. And I did get the fundamental difference between semantic modeling as done in OWL and semantic modeling as I have been doing with entity/relationship modeling. But I never really felt comfortable that I "got it".
This book, however, very clearly starts at the beginning and takes the reader through the steps required to understand not just the languages involved, but why they are important and why they are significant to the Semantic Web. Indeed this is the first time I can say that I really understand the semantic web.
One of the reviews complains that the book doesn't go far enough. Perhaps not. But if you are looking for a place not just to start your education and to get a through grounding in fundamental concepts, this is the book for you.
I strongly recommend this book.


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The promise of the Semantic Web to provide a universal medium to exchange data information and knowledge has been well publicized.There are many sources too for basic information on the extensions to the WWW that permit content to be expressed in natural language yet used by software agents to easily find, share and integrate information. Until now individuals engaged in creating ontologies-- formal descriptions of the concepts, terms, and relationships within a given knowledge domain-- have had no sources beyond the technical standards documents.Semantic Web for the Working Ontologist transforms this information into the practical knowledge that programmers and subject domain experts need.Authors Allemang and Hendler begin with solutions to the basic problems, but don't stop there:they demonstrate how to develop your own solutions to problems of increasing complexity and ensure that your skills will keep pace with the continued evolution of the Semantic Web. . Provides practical information for all programmers and subject matter experts engaged in modeling data to fit the requirements of the Semantic Web.. De-emphasizes algorithms and proofs, focusing instead on real-world problems, creative solutions, and highly illustrative examples. . Presents detailed, ready-to-apply "recipes" for use in many specific situations.. Shows how to create new recipes from RDF, RDFS, and OWL constructs.

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Google SketchUp for Site Design: A Guide to Modeling Site Plans, Terrain and Architecture (CourseSmart) Review

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(More customer reviews)As a new sketchup user (going on 3 months) and a purchaser of four books on how to use Google's Sketchup, this book is without a doubt, the most comprehensive introduction to utilizing an amazing tool to design (in 3D) to your hearts desires.
Being a newbie to sketchup can be a daunting experience, such a powerful, yet easy to use tool can get one into all sorts of trouble and lead to many a sleepless night. Aidan Chopra's `Google sketchup 7 For Dummies' was a godsend, as were the numerous online tutorials on Youtube and various online sketchup forums.
Tal's book however has made all the difference, by offering a concise and easy to understand process of how to model effectively. He delivers it with an engaging style that makes all the difference when one is trying to learn something new. The book doesn't suffer the dryness that `Google sketchup 7 Bible' sadly offered. He makes it fun because it really is fun.
Daniel Tal's book is an altogether different beast. A guide book that encourages one to simplify ones approaches by getting organized from the outset, it's all about the process to get the most out of sketchup and ease up on the headaches and sleepless nights that can often entail- no small feat to accomplish in the written word, I can assure you.
The book is set up in four parts the first of which covers the rudimentary tools. The second is where Daniel's expertise and knowledge really start to unfold. On every page, for me at least, there were numerous A-ha moments. So, that's how it's done!!, it's all so easy when one knows how.
The other benefits of the book are the tutorials. These provide numerous exercises' to hone ones skills and climb the ladder to "Sketchup awareness". Part 3 offers an all too rare glimpse into the powerful tools that the `Sandbox' can provide (a feature that I understand Tal was instrumental in fine tuning with the people at Google) to create terrain and organic forms that can really add to ones models and offer endless possibilities. If you can imagine it, Tal's methods enable you to build it. Part four is perhaps the most important one, dealing with Sketchup's unique abilities to import CAD files and also how to greatly increase productivity and turnaround time by using the numerous `Ruby' scripts available.
This is more than just a beginner's book and it is more than just a landscape architects approach to using sketchup in his work. Whether you are an interior designer, a home builder, carpenter, student, an aspiring 3D artist, or a garden designer like me, this book is indispensable.

If you love to model in 3D, you will find this book to be of immense value. Words cannot convey the gratitude I have for this book. It has made me a better, wiser, calmer and happier modeler than even I thought was possible.
Two thumbs up and five stars all the way.


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Google SketchUp for Site Design illustrates a holistic approach to SketchUp: how it works and more importantly, what to do with it.
Filled with tutorials from front to back, the book focuses on the start and completion of projects that include rich detail and expression. Each part and chapter of the book builds on the previous chapters and tutorial.
You will learn how to approach modeling site plans, buildings and site elements: from modeling each of these exterior environment elements to piecing them together to generate a singular and expressive model.
The book culminates with tutorials demonstrating effective and simple ways to include grades and terrain using the Sandbox tools and how best to integrate the entire approach with AutoCAD and SketchUp.
Also included are links to supplemental on-line resources such as YouTube tutorials and free tutorial and example models from 3D Warehouse.
The book is useful for all SketchUp proficiency levels including beginners, hobbyists, and professionals.

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