R Through Excel: A Spreadsheet Interface for Statistics, Data Analysis, and Graphics (Use R) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Skip this paragraph if you know about R and Excel.... R is a powerful programming language that is useful for generating scientific graphics (both simple and extremely complex) and for statistical work. Unfortunately it has a steep learning curve and many say the help files are not particularly helpful for novices. Excel has a user friendly system for entering data and doing basic graphics but has relatively very limited tools for statistics or complex scientific graphics. Combining the strengths of the two is the goal of this book and the free software that goes with it.
With the tools described in this book the user can point and click their way to common analyses and graphics inside of Excel without having to learn to write code in the R programming language. Both the software and book are good but not great because they do not add much to the existing tools for R.
Years ago, John Fox wrote a point-and-click code-generating add-on package for R called R Commander that revolutionized the usability of R. Inside of the R programming environment you can download the Rcmdr package and type library(Rcmdr) and get practically all the same functionality as the tools provided here. What the authors of this book do is bring the functionality of Rcmdr into a Excel as an add-on to the Excel 2003 menus or 2007 ribbon. The implementation is surprisingly smooth (including adding nice right-click menu items) and bug free.
The book itself is mostly nicely rendered color pictures. Think of it as a very well annotated PowerPoint presentation. You will be able to quickly page through it and it is well indexed. The less than 10 page appendix which explains how to install the R packages and required services (or how to install from scratch) is probably the most useful part of the book. The authors do not focus much on the "behind the scenes" strengths of their work which allow you to recalculate and pass information into and out of R "on the fly." However, they do include a few worksheets that demonstrate the ability to pass information into R and return graphics effortlessly. Think of this as the ability to add sliders and push buttons to Excel and have instantly updated high quality graphics. Unfortunately, they only give one example where they use there new RApply function to return a calculated value from R into Excel. There clearly is a lot of functionality but the book does not explain it.
If you are just starting with R this book will probably be a HUGE help to you because it saves you from memorizing a lot of code and it will help you learn how to write code by showing you the commands that were used to generate analyses and graphics. However, if you have experience with R and Rcmdr you probably want to save your money.

Click Here to see more reviews about: R Through Excel: A Spreadsheet Interface for Statistics, Data Analysis, and Graphics (Use R)

In this book, the authors build on RExcel, a free add-in for Excel that can be downloaded from the R distribution network. RExcel seamlessly integrates the entire set of R's statistical and graphical methods into Excel, allowing students to focus on statistical methods and concepts and minimizing the distraction of learning a new programming language.

Get 21% OFF

Click here for more information about R Through Excel: A Spreadsheet Interface for Statistics, Data Analysis, and Graphics (Use R)

Read More...

Introducing Maya 2011 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The book starts of in a very good manner it introduces the layout, the way things are done and the production process very well. As the book progresses it explains the various use of the tools and helps you build a lot of things. Dariush Derakhshani did a very good job explaining the steps to creating the projects but at certain complex points of the projects ex: modeling a cabin for the train project etc.. the book does not give enough information for a beginner to understand it. Although this happens rarely throughout the book it can get you frustrated enough to give up on it even if you think it is to encourage you to learn it yourself. Its also good to NOTE THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN A LOT THROUGHOUT THE BOOK. Overall if you are willing to learn Maya from the scratch this book is a must have as it will introduce you to most of the basic and advanced concepts.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Introducing Maya 2011

A practical, step-by-step guide to Maya 2011
Four previous editions can't be wrong: this book is the perfect introduction to 3D and Maya. Learn to build and animate your own digital models and scenes with step-by-step instruction and fun and practical examples, while you draw inspiration from the striking examples included from talented Maya users. You'll create a simple animation of the planets in the solar system, learn to model a human hand and a decorative box—among other projects—and master all essential tools.

Provides a thorough, step-by-step introduction to Maya 2011
Explains the core concepts of CG and working in 3D
Covers modeling, rigging, HDRI lighting, mental ray rendering, and more
Provides project files on CD and walks you through the creation of several projects; the CD also includes images, movies, and scene files
Includes a color insert with pages of striking examples from talented Maya beginners

Build your Maya and animation skills from the ground up with this practical, thorough guide.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

For Instructors: Teaching supplements are available for this title.

Get 40% OFF

Click here for more information about Introducing Maya 2011

Read More...

Dynamic Simulations of Multibody Systems Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book is very unique in that it successfully combines
Physically Based Modeling with Computational Geometry.
Everyone in developing realtime dynamic simulation systems
with 3-dimensional computer graphics should have one.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Dynamic Simulations of Multibody Systems

This book introduces the techniques needed to produce realistic simulations and animations of particle and rigid body systems. It focuses on both the theoretical and practical aspects of developing and implementing physically based dynamic simulation engines that can be used to generate convincing animations of physical events involving particles and rigid bodies. It can also be used to produce accurate simulations of mechanical systems, such as a robotic parts feeder. The book is intended for researchers in computer graphics, computer animation, computer-aided mechanical design and modeling software developers.

Click here for more information about Dynamic Simulations of Multibody Systems

Read More...

Interactive Data Visualization: Foundations, Techniques, and Applications Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Had to get this overpriced book for an Info Viz class. Be aware that this book is much more of a technical book than a design book. There's a ton of information contained in here, but I also found a surprising amount of quality issues.
First, the flow of the book seems completely off, diving into highly technical material in the second chapter, then pulling back into high level concepts in later chapters. Also, many of the images are not of the quality I would expect from a text book. Many are blurry or scaled inappropriately, given the amount of detail they contain. Finally, there are some glaring mistakes in the copy. For instance, at the end of one section of the book, placeholder notes from the authors of what should be written is included instead of the actual final copy! Where's the editor? Was it rushed to print?
Given the price, I expected a much higher level of quality. Despite the problems listed above, the text could be useful resource for anyone interested in the nuts and bolts of data visualization.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Interactive Data Visualization: Foundations, Techniques, and Applications

This book provides the theory, practical details, and tools necessary for building visualizations or systems involving the visualization of data. The authors cover the spectrum of data visualizations, including mathematical and statistical graphs, cartography for displaying geographic information, two- and three-dimensional scientific displays, integrated analysis and visualization tools, and general information visualization techniques. Practitioners, developers, teachers and students as well as those interested in gaining some exposure to the field will get an in-depth understanding of visualization techniques and are provided with sufficient information, often with full source code, to complete an implementation; those with more modest aspirations can focus on the concepts, theory and high-level algorithm details.

Get 10% OFF

Click here for more information about Interactive Data Visualization: Foundations, Techniques, and Applications

Read More...

More Autodesk Maya Hyper-Realistic Creature Creation (Autodesk Official Training Guide) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book is fairly expensive for it's size (154 pages), although it is packed with very useful rigging techniques. As other reviewers have mentioned, this is not a modeling book -- it's more about rigging and muscle deformations. This book is designed to work with Autodesk Maya 2009. It heavily relies on their plug-ins included on the DVD, which do NOT work in any other version of Maya. You can download a free trial of Maya 2009 from the Internet, although it would be nice if it were included on the DVD itself. There are some cool bonus videos on the DVD for modeling a realistic hand, using both Maya and Mudbox. The book is written by very impressive individuals in the industry, who really know their stuff. This is definitely a book for intermediate to advanced users. For beginners, they suggest that you begin with the "Learning Autodesk Maya 2009/Foundation" or the "Learning Autodesk Maya 2009/Modeling & Animation Handbook" as a prerequesite to this book.

Click Here to see more reviews about: More Autodesk Maya Hyper-Realistic Creature Creation (Autodesk Official Training Guide)

More Autodesk Maya Hyper-Realistic Creature Creation is a continuation of the tools and techniques presented in Maya Hyper-Realistic Creature Creation, Second Edition. This book is your solution for creating convincing characters in Autodesk Maya. Learn core industry knowledge by gaining hands-on experience with innovative tools and powerful industry-recognized techniques as you learn to model like a professional; set up your skeleton in a fast and easy way; and create realistic facial controls. Get the inside scoop on high end production techniques from industry pros Erick Miller, Paul Thuriot, Jeff Unay and Rudy Grossman. Through project-based lessons, follow Jeff and Rudy's process for modeling the beast and its facial blend shapes, Paul's workflow for rigging the beast's body, and Erick's tips and techniques on complex facial rigging for maximum flexibility. This book carefully delineates the entire production process for the beast's creation, so that you can both understand the individual techniques and how they relate to each other in a pipeline. By examining the entire process, you will learn strategies for creating characters with an emphasis on anatomy and realism. Lessons are designed to cover effective workflows for devising models that can be easily manipulated and animated. The methods discussed in this book can be applied to any setup needs that you may have because you will learn the rigging process from the concept stage through to pipeline integration.
Create a facial topology that will deform realistically

Use custom tools to control the morph timing of a blend shape

Learn valuable modeling workflows for creating facial blend shapes

Accommodate changes within a character pipeline

Use the Full Body IK solver to create a control rig

Create internal muscle structures for body deformations

Use tools and Python plug-ins for higher level deformations

Build and rig a face shape library with directional sliders and compensation shapes

Learn about controls for the eyes, ears, mouth and teeth

Attach models or rigs of different resolutions

Learn and use several custom written Hyper-Real facial rigging MEL tools

Get 36% OFF

Click here for more information about More Autodesk Maya Hyper-Realistic Creature Creation (Autodesk Official Training Guide)

Read More...

Mixed Effects Models and Extensions in Ecology with R Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Many applications in ecology clearly are not amenable to use of the general linear model due to violations of its assumptions. In fact, in most projects I work on, things like correlation among the errors, nonconstant error variance, etc., are the rule, rather than the exception. If you are looking for an applied text dealing with these types of situations with lots of examples, and demonstrations on analysis in R, then you should get this book. It does not delve into theory; there are plenty of other textbooks where you can fill in those details if you are interested. Rather, this book would be ideally suited for quantitative ecologists, biometricians, and statistical consultants who work in life sciences. Another nice thing is that the book does not assume you are an "R expert". Well done.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mixed Effects Models and Extensions in Ecology with R

This book discusses advanced statistical methods that can be used to analyse ecological data. Most environmental collected data are measured repeatedly over time, or space and this requires the use of GLMM or GAMM methods. The book starts by revising regression, additive modelling, GAM and GLM, and then discusses dealing with spatial or temporal dependencies and nested data.

Get 20% OFF

Click here for more information about Mixed Effects Models and Extensions in Ecology with R

Read More...

Mastering Autodesk Maya 2011 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you're purchasing the Kindle Edition of this book, keep in mind it doesn't have a companion DVD. I was, however, able to contact the publisher's TECHNICAL support at sybex.com and provide my purchase confirmation in order to have a copy of the DVD mailed to me.
(I haven't actually read the book yet so my star rating can be ignored).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mastering Autodesk Maya 2011

A beautifully-packaged, advanced reference on the very latest version of Maya
If you already know the basics of Maya, the latest version of this authoritative book takes you to the next level. From modeling, texturing, animation, and visual effects to high-level techniques for film, television, games, and more, this book provides professional-level Maya instruction. With pages of scenarios and examples from some of the leading professionals in the industry, this book will help you master the entire CG production pipeline.

Provides professional-level instruction on Maya, the industry-leading 3D animation and effects software
Covers the very latest Maya tools and features, including Dynamics, Maya Muscle, Stereo Cameras, rendering with mental ray, and more
Offers complete coverage of advanced topics such as cloth, fur, and fluids
Showcases the techniques of professionals through numerous examples and real-world scenarios, showing you how to set up and manage 3D animation and visual effects pipelines
Includes a CD with all support files from the book, along with movies to illustrate concepts

If you're looking for an in-depth, professional Maya resource to turn to again and again, Mastering Maya is the book you need.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

For Instructors: Teaching supplements are available for this title.

Get 43% OFF

Click here for more information about Mastering Autodesk Maya 2011

Read More...

Introduction to Solid Modeling Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I read the book " Introduction to solid modelling" & I liked it because it gives a first hand exposure to solid modelling to the engineering professionals who are on the brink of trying to understand solid modelling & its uses in their respective area of applications. It also helps the "C" savvy engineering application developers to understand the intricacies in developing a cad package using solid modelling techniques.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Introduction to Solid Modeling

Click here for more information about Introduction to Solid Modeling

Read More...

Virtual Vixens: 3D Character Modeling and Scene Placement Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Actually right after buying this, I thought to myself, "why bother?" well,to my surprise, the book actually has some pretty decent insights into the creativity of different artist, and some of their processes are brought to light, it gives a basic rundown of how to map and model an image, but all in all it's not a bad read, it's well written, not swamped with technical terms, and though it's not the best of learning tools, it does inspire...
so all I can say that it's a good read, quick, inspiring, and DOES give the basic concepts of how to meet your goals, but it's up to the reader to understand his/her program of choice to apply the techniques used in the book (i.e. understanding the individual tools in different programs whether it be Blender, Maya, XSI, Cinema 4d, Zbrush, etc etc)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Virtual Vixens: 3D Character Modeling and Scene Placement

Features software workshops for 3ds Max, Maya, CINEMA 4D, Lightwave, and Softimage XSI.Hot, hotter, hottest. See how today's leading modeling artists create 3D characters that sizzle and get the techniques you'll need to create your own virtual vixens.Steven Stahlberg, Liam Kemp, Marco Patrito, and Sze Jones from Blur Studio are just a few of the 3D artists who share their secrets for making the fantasy females you wish were real. You'll get their personal stories, insights into the profession, and new ways to conceive and construct your own 3D characters.Then, seven hands-on workshops demonstrate the complete work cycle of modeling 3D characters to bring your own fantasies to life-from making the first sketch and preparing the template to modeling and texturing characters and lighting and rendering. You can use the techniques with any of the major software tools including 3ds Max, Lightwave, Softimage XSI, Maya, or Cinema 4D. Since the workshops don't use any previously made objects, you'll get to start from scratch with your imagination as the only limit.Participants:Andrea BertacciniMax Edwin WahyudiSze JonesLiam KempArndt von KoenigsmarckK. C. LeeDaniel Moreno DiazMarco PatritoSteven StahlbergFrancois de Swardt * Tutorials suitable for 3ds Max, Lightwave, Softimage XSI, Maya, and CINEMA 4D* An artists' gallery of top-flight 3D artists* Interviews revealing artists' techniques and inspirations

Get 27% OFF

Click here for more information about Virtual Vixens: 3D Character Modeling and Scene Placement

Read More...

Geometric Modeling Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This book is a definitive introduction to geometric modeling. However, the sections on solid modeling and surface-surface intersection are lacking in depth. A serious reader may consider consulting books by Farin and Piegl for Geometric modeling and Hoffman/Mantyla for solid modeling.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Geometric Modeling

Describes and compares all the important mathematical methods for modeling curves, surfaces, and solids.Prepares the reader for more advanced topics, such as 3D modeling, CAD/CAM, animation, and scientific visualization.Incorporates references throughout the text to direct the reader to more specialized treatments of the subjects.Carefully designed illustrations and exercises support each mathematical concept presented.Offers hundreds of exercises to test the readers comprehension.

Get 22% OFF

Click here for more information about Geometric Modeling

Read More...

Google SketchUp Workshop: Modeling, Visualizing, and Illustrating Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Executive Summary: Have a project in mind, do the online SketchUp tutorials, then read this
book's "Overview" section and whatever other sections catch your eye.
First off, this book isn't an introduction to SketchUp. The online SketchUp tutorials handle that job. Instead, this book is more like a series of conference papers. Very well done conference papers though.
The "Overview" section is suprisingly long at over 70 pages. Those pages, however, are rather good. SketchUp has a lot of oddities. Some oddities are just because SketchUp has its own approach to some things. Other oddities are just sort of odd. The overview provides pointers on making some things easier to deal with and to make projects flow more easily. It also provides a few hints as to why, when SketchUp isn't doing what you expect, and how to get back to predictability. Eventually these things make sense.
The rest of the book is a series of overviews of various people's work, work flows and design techniques. I was immediately drawn to the woodworking project overview because that's pretty much what my initial SketchUp efforts are all about. There are lots of other projects though and they are truly shocking in their complexity and breadth.
A reader can easily read only the overview and maybe a project section or two. That's surely the fastest way to process what you need and then get to your own project. The reality is that you get drawn back in the text. There's that cool longship in the concept art section, the virtual house design, the .... so much neat stuff!


Click Here to see more reviews about: Google SketchUp Workshop: Modeling, Visualizing, and Illustrating


Discover the secrets of the Google SketchUp with the 16 real-world professional-level projects including parks, structures, concept art, and illustration. Google SketchUp Workshop includes all the wide variety of projects that SketchUp can be used for-architectural visualization, landscape design, video game and film conception, and more. SketchUp masters in every field will get you up to speed in this agile and intuitive software and then show you the real uses with through projects in architecture, engineering, and design.
* Packed with 16 real-world Google SketchUp projects from working professionals that traverse the entire spectrum of what SketchUp can accomplish * Covers both the free and Professional versions of the Google SketchUp program - it is not bound to any version* Teaches 2D illustration and pre-visualization through to the fully rendered 3D Model - from start to finish

Get 35% OFF

Click here for more information about Google SketchUp Workshop: Modeling, Visualizing, and Illustrating

Read More...