INSIDE PRO/ENGINEER SOLUTIONS

Rating:
Summary: should have been better
Review: As a beginner, this is what i expect in a book: different types of detailed examples covering the numerous commands the are frequently encountered in Part, Assembly, and Drawing modes - simple enough, right?. I've had difficulty just patterning a feature around a circular part, and this book didn't help much. Well, I cant be all that negative because I am a novice at this but, so far so average...or maybe my bias comes out of the fact that pro-e isn't as user friendly which is no fault of the author...

Rating:
Summary: should have been better
Review: This book has a small spot on the cover that states that it is 2000i compatatable but that is not necessary so. I can be used in some areas with 200i but is actually written for an earlier version. It comes with a CD that has a few small models. These models are just the ones that are used in the exercises from the book. The information probably could fit on a 3 1/2" disk. There one major problem with the book. It makes assumtions about the presentation, in trying to lead the reader / user. These assumptions are those of an inexperienced writer and editor. Specifically I found the instructions mixed between deascriptive text and bolded instructions. I believe all instructions should be listed seperately with a bold fond and descripting supporting text less long winded and presented in a plain and contrasting font. The methology used forces the reader to dwell on the verbage of the descriptive text to dig out the actual instructions. Later the the book the instructions are very generic and many intermediate steps are omitted, again forcing the reader to interprit the intent by supplying the missing material themselves. Is this some sort of new educational methology that forces the reader to work the exercises in a inductive reasoning mode rather than a linear procedural manner? If so I think it is a injustice to the reader. I would also suggest including twice as many graphics and eliminate much of the blank wasted sections on each page. It would also be helpful to eliminate the obvious bias of the writer in relation to Pro-E's user interface and functionality, which is a debateable topic. I have found out that Pro-E is certainly NOT superior to Solid Works, Solid Edge and possibly Auto Desk's Mechanical Desktop all of which have better entity creation ability. The author dismisses these competators buy not not pointing out any of the weaknesses in Pro-E and how to avoid the problematic areas that are inherent in the program. The ommissions and poor formatting may be the fault of the editor (OnWard Press).

Rating:
Summary: Version 2000i? Not necessarily so. VERY over priced.
Review: This book has a small spot on the cover that states that it is 2000i compatatable but that is not necessary so. I can be used in some areas with 200i but is actually written for an earlier version. It comes with a CD that has a few small models. These models are just the ones that are used in the exercises from the book. The information probably could fit on a 3 1/2" disk. There one major problem with the book. It makes assumtions about the presentation, in trying to lead the reader / user. These assumptions are those of an inexperienced writer and editor. Specifically I found the instructions mixed between deascriptive text and bolded instructions. I believe all instructions should be listed seperately with a bold fond and descripting supporting text less long winded and presented in a plain and contrasting font. The methology used forces the reader to dwell on the verbage of the descriptive text to dig out the actual instructions. Later the the book the instructions are very generic and many intermediate steps are omitted, again forcing the reader to interprit the intent by supplying the missing material themselves. Is this some sort of new educational methology that forces the reader to work the exercises in a inductive reasoning mode rather than a linear procedural manner? If so I think it is a injustice to the reader. I would also suggest including twice as many graphics and eliminate much of the blank wasted sections on each page. It would also be helpful to eliminate the obvious bias of the writer in relation to Pro-E's user interface and functionality, which is a debateable topic. I have found out that Pro-E is certainly NOT superior to Solid Works, Solid Edge and possibly Auto Desk's Mechanical Desktop all of which have better entity creation ability. The author dismisses these competators buy not not pointing out any of the weaknesses in Pro-E and how to avoid the problematic areas that are inherent in the program. The ommissions and poor formatting may be the fault of the editor (OnWard Press).

Rating:
Summary: Poor Poor Poor
Review: We were taught Pro E 2000i2 with this book, and I am sure it was not meant to for that purpose. It is hard to follow and it needs more in-depth explanations of commands. We taught ourselves more from trial and error than this book could hope to deliver. (The reason I am searching for a better book now) The author is very biased, Pro E is not user friendly, and I have a few more headaches. (not entirely the books/authors fault) I'm really glad the company wasted their money on it and not me. I am certain there are better books for 2000i2 out there. A complete novice will more than likely get some usefull info from it, but not 60 bucks worth. :-(

Rating:
Summary: Poor Poor Poor
Review: We were taught Pro E 2000i2 with this book. I learned more from trial and error than I did with this book. (The reason I am searching for a better book now) The author is very biased, Pro E is not user friendly, and I have a few more headaches. I'm really glad the company wasted their money and not me. I am certain there are better books out there. :-(