Rating: 
Summary: Latest Demo of formZ: Note from Author
Review: The latest demo version (3.5) of formZ can be downloaded directly from the formZ website. The changes from version 3.0 are very minor and do not affect the content of the book. The expired demo software was an unfortunate error. An updated CD-ROM can be obtained free of cost by calling the McGraw-Hill customer support number listed in the Preface of the book. The Preface also gives the address of a Website which has updates and other information about the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Not really a comprehensive guide to formZ
Review: The newest title covering formZ modeling comes up shockingly deficient when it comes to at your fingertips explanations of individual tools and commands. There just does not seem to be an simple to use reference of the basic options. I've found myself flipping back and forth through the pages and not getting an answer to the basic function I'm seeking.
Rating: 
Summary: It's thorough but...
Review: This is a fairly thorough work through of the modelling tools, but really doesn't make the grade. It is poorly written, no great surprise for a program manual, but it does not ever present the larger picture of modelling strategies or techniques using FormZ. The examples are hard to follow and underillustrated. I'm still looking for a decent book on the subject.
Rating:
Summary: A great book worth every penny!
Review: This is a great Formz book. It make learning Formz so easy and simple. I wish other authors can write a similiar book like this one. It took me only two days to complete most of the excrises in the book (I am a faster learner!). After finishing this book, I found the power of modeling in FormZ. I highly recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: Needs alot of work, but is better than nothing
Review: Unfortunately, the author (who writes terrific reviews for software on CADence by the way) is not too good at writing an instructional book for FormZ. Granted, if you have a question, you can probably find an answer to it within this book, but good luck finding it. The organization is mediocre at best. The flow is haphazard and the author never gets the perfect mix of going from a)"This is what this feature does" to b)"Try this as an example." My advice to all computer book authors is to read George Omura's books and emulate what he does. THAT is the perfect way to both teach complete functionality while "learning as you go."
Rating:
Summary: Needs alot of work, but is better than nothing
Review: Unfortunately, the author (who writes terrific reviews for software on CADence by the way) is not too good at writing an instructional book for FormZ. Granted, if you have a question, you can probably find an answer to it within this book, but good luck finding it. The organization is mediocre at best. The flow is haphazard and the author never gets the perfect mix of going from a)"This is what this feature does" to b)"Try this as an example." My advice to all computer book authors is to read George Omura's books and emulate what he does. THAT is the perfect way to both teach complete functionality while "learning as you go."
Rating:
Summary: not for beginners after all
Review: When I encoutered this book I thought it would be the key to unlock the simple task of rendering architectural spaces for school. I was wrong. Coming from a background Photoshop, I thought this application that runs on Mac would be more user friendly, but it isn't and this book definitely has not helped me unlock some of the elementary skills. I have tried many nights to figure it out but sadly I am going to have to wait until some lab course at school opens the doors for me. Very hard to follow "workshops." No wonder it's on sale!
Rating:
Summary: not for beginners after all
Review: When I encoutered this book I thought it would be the key to unlock the simple task of rendering architectural spaces for school. I was wrong. Coming from a background Photoshop, I thought this application that runs on Mac would be more user friendly, but it isn't and this book definitely has not helped me unlock some of the elementary skills. I have tried many nights to figure it out but sadly I am going to have to wait until some lab course at school opens the doors for me. Very hard to follow "workshops." No wonder it's on sale!
Rating:
Summary: Nice pictures, but incomplete
Review: When I saw the book in the store I was very impressed by the diagrams and illustrations. They are very clear and wonderfully descriptive. Also I was glad to read that the book was 'comprehensive' and covered form*Z 3.0 - I was hoping it would cover the new 3.0 features more in depth than the small addendum published by form*Z. While the book covered some subjects very well it was NOT comprehensive. It does not work well as a reference, and more importantly it does not cover the new features of form*Z animation well at all. The books gives only a few pages on animation - the manual is more useful. Also, in the case of a lot of other new renderering and modeling features, Into 3D with Form*Z seems to offer nothing in addition to the manuals. I recommed that if you are interested in getting a suplement to your form*Z manual or are looking for additional information on new 3.0 features, look elsewhere.
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