History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Average customer rating:

Book CD and supporting web page is first rate
Great Book
A horrible attempt.
Needs Improvement
Oops! These reviews are for another book

DSP First: A Multimedia Approach
James H. McClellan , Ronald W. Schafer , and Mark A. Yoder
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Applied | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Electrical & Electronics | Engineering | New & Used Textbooks | Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Computers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Professional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Science | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0132431718

Customer Reviews:

Book CD and supporting web page is first rate.......2005-10-30

My only complaint is that some of the algebra should be worked out with a few more intermediate steps. The worked out homework problems are fabulous and sooo plentiful.

I wish I had the time to really read the whole book. My ECE201 course will probably only cover around 6 chapters.

Great Book.......2005-09-26

I think this book is absolutely outstanding. I don't understand any of the negative comments. The cd that comes with the book is indispensble. It provides example after example. I actually bought schaum's outline of dsp as well, but because of all the examples on the cd (they are handwritten) I don't even have a need to refer to the outline.

In addition, I thought the content of the chapters to be very readable. The only downside is that because the book is dated 1998 the matlab code is out of date and some of the drills no longer work with the newer versions.

A horrible attempt........2005-01-23

This is probably the worst textbook that I have used in the past two years. The book makes a lot of basic concepts seem very difficult and a lacks the proper examples to even explain what the problems at the end of the chapter are asking. The wording is very boring and tends to put the reader to sleep- making the poor explanation of concepts even worse. The authors jump around and often fail to define terms or use them before they are explained. The index has proved to be worthless in many of these instances. There are a lot of problems that I do not believe could be solved by a new edition.

Needs Improvement.......2004-12-20

I'm not sure who wrote the positive reviews here, but I can tell you as a student using this book that it is among the worst I've ever been stuck with and most of my classmates seem to agree.

The concepts are made much more difficult than they should be by poor writing. The authors jump around constantly, use new terminology at times before introducing it, and provide examples that are inadequate in helping to solve the problems at the end of the chapter. Stylistically, the writing is very bland and sure to put you to sleep. The first sentence of the book is "This is a book about signals and systems."

Sure, this book may cover all of the core concepts involved in signal processing, but trying to make sense of it when you don't already have a background in the subject is quite a challenge. After reading the chapters, we were unable to solve most of the problems in the book until given the answers were given to us. I've dealt with bad textbooks before, but this one tops them all. Needless to say, it was very frustrating experience and I can't say I recommend this book.

Oops! These reviews are for another book.......2003-12-31

The reviews listed here, as of 12/30/03, are identical to the reviews for the 1997 book: "DSP First: A Multimedia Approach", by the same authors. Humm, I wonder how that happened!!!

Book Description

For every parent, a baby's early years are filled with memorable firsts-first smiles . . . first words . . . first steps . . . first Christmas. It's natural that an artist best known for her celebration of babies would create the perfect place to save these precious moments for posterity.

My First Five Years-Flower Edition is graced throughout with the remarkable images of acclaimed photographer Anne Geddes. She uses the gorgeous imagery from Miracle, her heartfelt collaboration with singer Celine Dion, to cast a magical feeling over the entire journal.

Each turn of the page reveals an enchanting image and yet another example of her deep and abiding love for babies-a slumbering baby rests gently atop a peony, the calla lily petals offer protection to a newborn in its loving caress, an orchid tenderly cradles a sleeping child. Through Geddes' eyes we are able to experience the innocence and preciousness of new life.

My First Five Years is filled with touches that make this a truly special journal-an envelope to hold a baby's first lock of hair, height and weight charts to track growth through the years, and plenty of room for announcements and your own child's photos and mementos.

My First Five Years-Flower Edition will become a treasured keepsake of a time that passes all too quickly.

Customer Reviews:

Details.......2007-08-23

The book had beatiful pictures, and good details to remember the baby. One thing that could be improved, would be to see more space for pictures. (ex: first bath - page for pictures).

It's Okay.......2007-05-25

Very pretty but as a Jewish mom, I always find it irritating that the page says "First Christmas" instead of "First Holiday" ruining the book for us.

Wonderful!.......2007-04-11

I loved this book, it has all of the cute things to remember about your baby's first year with holidays, birthdays, milestones, teeth, height and weight chart and even their shot records. I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to anyone having a baby!

Exactly what I wanted!.......2007-01-10

Beautiful pictures, well put together. This book is just what I was looking for. I love it!

it's okay..........2007-01-05

The book is really pretty, however the glossy pages are not exactly ideal for the hand and footprints. And ink pens smear a little too. Best to use a permanent fine tip marker. I also wish the pages were a little bigger, so you could tuck full size sheets of paper in between the pages-- momentos & etc.

3ds Max 8 MAXScript Essentials, First Edition

Average customer rating:

Ok as an additional reference to MaxScript
Very Good for the New or Rusty

3ds Max 8 MAXScript Essentials, First Edition
Autodesk
Manufacturer: Focal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Software | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Science Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0240808584

Book Description

Write your own MAXScript functions and utilities to create custom tools and UI elements, and automate repetitive tasks. Demonstrated techniques include the creation of objects, arrays, collections, control structures, parametric objects, and the construction of UI elements. The companion CD-ROM contains media files that allow you to practice the techniques with real-world examples demonstrating how you can use then in a production environment.

·The definitive introduction to MAXScript
·Includes media files that allow you to practice with real-world examples

Customer Reviews:

Ok as an additional reference to MaxScript.......2006-09-21

This book gives a good overview of some of the new changes to the MaxScript system with the release of Max 8.

However if you plan on doing anything remotely complicated or involved with the deeper inner workings of Max/MaxScript you WILL need to locate a copy of the "Mastering MaxScript and the SDK for 3D Studio Max". This may be difficult as you will likely have to purchase it used. But it is a better source for in depth info.

A useful book but not a MaxScript reference unto itself.

Very Good for the New or Rusty.......2006-09-20

As an artist whose programming skills have waned over the years, I found this a very good refresher on the basics while introducing maxscript specific functions. The tutorials and lessons are very easy to follow along with and they cover a very large amount of the possibilities that maxscript offers. Be prepared to refer to the excellent maxscript documentation included with 3ds max, as the book references topics to learn more in-depth usages.

Behind the Seen: How Walter Murch Edited Cold Mountain Using Apple's Final Cut Pro and What This Means for Cinema, First Edition

Average customer rating:

Apple Seeds Hollywood
Not required reading
Disappointed. Not what I expected
How Walter Murch Edited Cold Mountain Using Apple's Final Cut Pro and What This Means for Cinema, First Edition
A Must Have Book!

Behind the Seen: How Walter Murch Edited Cold Mountain Using Apple's Final Cut Pro and What This Means for Cinema, First Edition
Charles Koppelman
Manufacturer: New Riders Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Digital Photography | Digital Photography & Video | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Graphics, Animation & Illustration | Apple | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Final Cut | Apple | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Audio & Video Editing | Digital Music | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Direction & Production | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Arts & Photography | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Computers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Entertainment | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0735714266

Amazon.com

Cold Mountain, the recent film based on the Charles Frazier novel, is a love story set during the American Civil War. Behind the Seen, being the story of how accomplished film editor Walter Murch (of Apocalypse Now fame), is also a story of love in a time of internal conflict. The difference being that Behind the Seen has to do with how Murch used Final Cut Pro, a software package that runs on any modern Macintosh and costs less than $1000, to edit Cold Mountain and thereby incite debate among professional film editors. Can such a mass-market product, accessible to anyone with a camcorder and a FireWire cable, be a serious tool for professionals? Murch proved that it can.

Behind the Seen deals with the technical accomplishment of using Final Cut Pro to assemble a feature film, but more importantly explains to its readers how shooting and editing work--and how the personalities involved in Cold Mountain worked together. This is a book of nonfiction that you can read from beginning to end; it is a technical book but not in the click-and-drag sense. Rather, it's a story about a creative team and the tools they used to deliver a work of drama. --David Wall

Topics covered: How Cold Mountain was shot and edited, using Final Cut Pro as the principal editing suite.

Book Description

The first volume to reveal the post-production process of a major motion picture (Cold Mountain) edited entirely in Final Cut Pro!

Offers a rare inside glimpse at the creative process of one of cinema's giants: threetime Academy Award-winning editor Walter Murch.
Includes anecdotes from the director, edit staff, and producers; photos, emails, and journal entries from Murch; and behind-the-scenes insights.
Accounts from Apple's Final Cut Pro team about what they think about the future of it in feature films.

As the first software-only desktop nonlinear editing system, Final Cut Pro sat the film industry on its ear when it debuted back in 1999. Now it's shaking things up again as editor Walter Murch, director Anthony Minghella, and a long list of Hollywood heavy-hitters are proving that this under-$1,000 software can (and should) be used to edit a multi-million dollar motion picture! This book tells the story of that endeavor: the decision to use Final Cut Pro, the relationship between the technology and art (and craft) of movie-making, how Final Cut Pro was set up and configured for Cold Mountain, how the software's use affected the work flow, and its implications for the future of filmmaking. More than anything, however, this is Murch's own story of what seemed to many a crazy endeavor-- told through photos, journal entries, email musings, and anecdotes that give readers an inside view of what the film editor does and how this particular film progressed through post-production. The book includes, in his own words, Murch's vision, approach, and thoughts on storytelling as he shapes Cold Mountain under the intense pressures of completing a major studio film.

With Academy Awards for his work on Apocalypse Now and The English Patient, sound and film editor Walter Murch is one of the few universally acknowledged editing masters in cinema. Along with George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola, he is one of the founding members of the Northern California cinema community. Author Charles Koppelman has been writing screenplays and directing video and film since the early 1980s, including the independent feature film, Dumbarton Bridge, award-winning documentaries, and commercials.

"An exploration inside the editorial engine-room of a major feature film - the first book of its kind ever and sure to remain the best. Charles Koppelman chronicles Walter Murch's astonishing high-wire trapeze act as he works his way through the first large-scale implementation of Apple's Final Cut Pro editing software. Must be read by anyone interested in film, computers, or how the creative process unfolds."-- Francis Ford Coppola, director of The Conversation, The Godfather,Apocalypse Now

"This is probably the subtlest and most tender account of what a craftsman brings to a motion picture ever written. It is fascinating in its detailand awesome in its gradual uncovering of the ear, the eye and the soul ofWalter Murch. The book may seem technical, or 'professional,' but anyreader will be thrilled by the description of a struggle and the necessarycommitment to it. To be read by anyone who has ever thought it might be funto make a movie."-- David Thomson, film critic and author of The Biographical Dictionary

"BEHIND THE SEEN is not only revelatory in terms of technicalinnovation, but it reads like a thrilling suspense novel. Superblywritten and paced, the book captures the brilliant and daringfilm/sound editor-scientist Walter Murch in all his passionate andcreative glory. Charles Koppelman has crafted a truly unique additionto the canon of film history, delivering a must-read for anyoneinterested in how movies are made."--Barry Gifford, author of Wild at Heart, Lost Highway and City of Ghosts

"... excellent, original and tremendously informative book...Koppelman's account reads like a thriller... Behind the Seen achievessomething remarkable: a chronicle about technology and data, machinesand methodologies which also manages to record a story of friendshipsand dreams-not least the dreams I have been lucky enough to sharewith my friend and editor over three films and for almost a decade."--from the book's foreword by Anthony Minghella, writer and director ofCold Mountain, The English Patient, and The Talented Mr. Ripley

Customer Reviews:

Apple Seeds Hollywood.......2007-01-06

This book offers a fascinating record of the interaction between art and technology, artist and corporation. It describes in thorough detail the logistsics of shooting and editing a feature film from start to finish using a totally untried and discouraged software and hardware tool chain formerly for amatuer efforts only.
The meeting of Silicon Valley and Hollywood industries creates a riveting plot that is hard to put down. The gorgeous graphic layout and attention to detail also help.
Only grumble was the detachment of one page from the binding, but if you don't sleep next to your copy, it probably won't be a concern.
Anyone interested in cutting edge (hah!) technology and/or legendary Bay area genius Walter Murch must read this book.

Not required reading.......2006-08-01

Get this is book if you want to read all about...

1. Walter Murch.
2. Cold Mountain.
3. What it was like to edit a feature film on consumer software that was not ready for prime time.
4. The practical problems facing an editor.

Do not get this book if you want to improve your editing technique. While Murch drops some nuggets of useful information here and here, I think that you have to go through too much irrelevant material to make it worthwhile. The lessons that Walter learned from FCP 3.0 are outdated, for the most part.

Disappointed. Not what I expected.......2006-04-05

I picked up this book expecting to get a blow-by-blow account of the editing of Cold Mountain and how Walter Murch translated his film cutting techiniques (that are well explained in either "In the Blink of an Eye" or "The Conversations...") into Final Cut Pro.

Instead the bulk of the book was spent in excruciating detail about the selection of Final Cut Pro as an editing platform. There was much talk of the concerns around using FCP3 to edit a feature-length film project. Likewise there was too much detail about the worries they had about shipping these systems to Romania for the edit. Would they have tech support?!? Would they have enough hard drive space?!? Would it survive customs?!?

There are even copies of e-mails of the order of the system and how grand a moment it was... Sorry, I found the inclusion of this material to be boring. I lost interest well before the edit actually started.

To me it was more a story of how Digital Film Tree (God Bless 'em. They ARE good people.) took a big chance on championing this effort and how they supported Murch and his Assistant Editor to provide the technical knowledge of FCP than it was about the actual Edit of Cold Mountain.

The information IS dated now that FCP is in version 5.1 (as of 4/2006) and that may have tainted my read of the book.

How Walter Murch Edited Cold Mountain Using Apple's Final Cut Pro and What This Means for Cinema, First Edition.......2006-03-24

Interesting, well written and easy to get your head around.

A Must Have Book!.......2005-08-10

I have been using Final Cut Pro since version one, and when I heard about Walter Murch using it to edit Cold Mountain, I was so excited. The book is well written and it gives you first hand knowledge of the pain and excitement of editing.

I'm not a big book reader, but I couldn't put this book down.

Walter Murch is a true pioneer.

A must have for your book collection!

Maya Character Creation: Modeling and Animation Controls, First Edition

Average customer rating:

It's okay.
Things are not at first what they seem.....
Waste of money
Great book for intermediate modelers
Excellent for Rigging, but not for modeling.

Maya Character Creation: Modeling and Animation Controls, First Edition
Chris Maraffi
Manufacturer: New Riders Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Software | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Computers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0735713448

Book Description

A unique, in-depth approach to creating realistic characters in Maya. Maya Character Creation: Modeling and Animation Controls' author, Chris Maraffi, has expertise in the field and in the classroom that translates to the knowledge and solid teaching skills needed to make this book a "must-have"!

The current trend in computer graphics is greater organic realism. Many of thetop-grossing movies today, such as Spiderman, Lord of the Rings, Jurassic Park 3 ,and Star Wars Episode 2, all feature realistic 3D characters. There is a majorneed in the 3D community for educational material that demonstrates detailedtechniques for achieving this organic reality. Maya is one of the main packagesused on such cutting-edge films, and has an established toolset for creatingbelievable 3D characters. Maya Character Creation: Modeling and Animation Controls is designed to take you through the process of designing, modeling, and setting up animation controls for complex 3D characters. The concepts, techniques, and Maya tools used foreach step in the process are presented in each chapter, followed by manyhands-on exercises. NURBS, polygon, and subdivision surface modelingtechniques are shown for creating the character's skin, and skeleton-basedanimation controls are covered in detail. You will learn how a character'sskin should deform when the skeletal joints and muscles move. AdvancedMEL scripted animation controls are also covered extensively.

Customer Reviews:

It's okay........2005-10-10

We're using this book for my advanced rigging class at the Savannah College of Art and Design. That said, I think it is most certainly not a book for someone who has no experience in 3d.

I skimmed the modeling section, and the instructions are for a character modeled in NURBS. NURBS are certainly not what I would suggest modeling in if you're a beginner. If you've never modeled anything before, I would suggest finding a book that teaches you how to model with polygons first, which I consider much easier to begin with.

As for the rigging section, I will reiterate that you should probably have some idea of how to rig before attempting this. It has some really good MEL expressions for controlling the rig. The drawback is that there are some errors in the book that my professor has pointed out and given us solutions for. This could be a problem if you are trying to teach yourself, as your rig may function strangely or not at all if you don't already understand the basics of rigging. I know some examples of where there are severe problems with the rig presented and that was with the stretchy spine and the breathing expression (which you annoyingly can't turn off).

I probably wouldn't have bought the book if it hadn't been a requirement for the class. The instructions and notes that our professor gives us are more helpful than any book and no book can replace actual instruction from another human being.

Things are not at first what they seem............2005-09-26

Being new to Maya and having difficulty getting my characters to act properly, I purchased this book. When it arrived, I thumbed through it and thought that it was a little beyond my comprehension. I would read it from time to time before I went to sleep.

I continued trying to make my characters work properly (failed miserably) so I took out the book to give it the ol' college try. What a great book!

Coming from a background in Poser, I have invested a lot of resources in content; that said, I'm not creating my own characters at the moment. I began creating a rig for my character using the exhaustive chapter on creating character controls. I got about 1/3 of the way and bound the skin and skeleton just for kicks. I gotta tell ya that I felt that I had really accomplished something. The controls did exactly what they were supposed to, had more flexibility than I would have thought to create and looked really cool. I am very excited to complete the chapter and see what happens.

There are a couple of mistakes in the text that were frustrating at first, but applying logic after re-reading solved them. The author's style is as exciting as a saltine cracker, but it's clear that he knows how to create a great rig (that looks somewhat chaotic in the hypergraph, keeping in mind that I still have not completed it yet).

I would recommend this book to someone who is pretty familiar with Maya. Some parts are a little beyond me but I keep plugging away to become more than the novice that I am now.

Waste of money.......2005-08-16

I bought this book because of a recommendation and I wish I hadn't wasted my money.
The modelling section of the book explains one of the worst ways to model a character I've EVER seen. All the screenshots right up to the final render look like mushy cg without any definition.
The rigging part of the book is slightly better (but not by much). The author explains the rigging process quite well but the final model bends in the wrong places (eg the neck bend in a very strange manner which doesn't look natural at all).
Frankly you could easily find a better book out there like the new one from (...), The Art of Rigging Vol. 1(I'm not associated with them in any way).

Great book for intermediate modelers.......2005-03-04

Going into Chris Maraffi's Character Animation course at Full Sail, I was apprehensive about organic modeling and rigging. This book made a great companion during the experience of learning how to model bipedal characters and create their rigs. It provides a great spectrum of information on the subject, and makes a great addition to anyone's tech library. A must have for your tool kit!

Excellent for Rigging, but not for modeling........2004-09-17

Yes, this book is an excellent one if you would like to create an advanced rig, but the earlier modeling chapters don't teach good modeling skills (just look at the student models he put in, only a few are good. I'd be embarrassed to put put the other ones in a book.) That said, the book is excellent for learning how to create a rig and intuitive controls for the animation. The cover price of $45 is probably worth the detailed rigging section, but since the rest is a waste, it's really not a fabulous deal.

Adobe Photoshop Cs3 Beta First Look with Adobe Bridge and Camera Raw

Average customer rating:

Good overview of new Photoshop
Well, it came in well below my expectations
In the Interim

Adobe Photoshop Cs3 Beta First Look with Adobe Bridge and Camera Raw
Ben Long
Manufacturer: Peachpit Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Adobe Photoshop | Digital Photography & Video | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Software | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0321508130

Book Description

This book, covering the public beta of Photoshop CS3 will get you up to speed with the new interface changes, and will help you learn all of the new features in the CS3 beta such as next generation Camera Raw, new and improved Bridge, Photoshop Lightroom Integration, improved printing, Nondestructive smart filters, black and white conversion controls, improved curves, automatic Layer Alignment and Blending, and more. The Photoshop CS3 Beta is available free for download on Adobe labs for registered users of of either Photoshop CS2, Adobe Creative Suite 2 Standard or Premium, Adobe Production Studio Standard and Premium, Adobe Video Bundle or Adobe Web Bundle.

Customer Reviews:

Good overview of new Photoshop.......2007-04-12

This was really the only book I could buy now to get somewhat up to speed with the newest version of Photoshop. This is good for those already familiar with previous versions who want to get a better idea what to expect. Even when CS3 and other instructional manuals come out, this is very straightforward and quick to read covering the most important info. This is not for someone new to Photoshop.

Well, it came in well below my expectations.......2007-03-30

Ben Long used to be dedicated. Back in 2000 - 2002 his books were a joy to read. But his latest installment on "Adobe Photoshop Cs3 Beta First Look with Adobe Bridge and Camera Raw" was just hastily rushed to print. Apparently nobody even bothered with reading it. But even worse, the book lacks any structure and concept. So all in all, very dissapointing I must say. It's so sad I spend the money on such a useless book. Hmmm. Next time I'll be smarter!

In the Interim.......2007-03-03

Here's a book that will prove useful for a limited time. That's because Adobe Systems Incorporated seems to have adopted a policy of making a free, public beta release of its new software before coming out with a final version. It did that with Lightroom, and now, with Photoshop CS3. Unfortunately the help facility that comes with the Beta version is practically non-existent, although one can learn a little about PS CS3 by searching around the internet for various spots discussing the new software.

Ben Long's very brief volume is aimed at filling the need for some kind of guidance for users until a final version of PS CS3 comes out, and then several weeks later, lots of books come out. (Lightroom came out in late February, and at least a half-dozen Lightroom books are scheduled for publication before summer.)

Long's book only deals with the new features of PS CS3, and then only tells how they work. There is no advice on the application of the software. Don't buy this volume if you don't know how to use PS CS2, because there is no discussion of tools and practices that haven't changed. Yet I commend the publisher for producing this volume so quickly, because there was a real need for it.

You may well ask yourself why you even need to try the Beta version of PS CS3. Well for some people, there are tools available that will make it worthwhile making the Beta their main image processing software. For example, many PS users objected to using the old Bridge facility for the initial culling of pictures because although you could see an image almost full screen, you couldn't bring it up to 100% of the pixels, which is often necessary to make an accurate judgment about the quality of an image. The new Bridge allows 100% viewing. Long covers this feature, although, probably because there was an earlier iteration of Bridge when he wrote this, there are a few aspects of its use that he misses. Others who have despaired over the fact that application of filters was often destructive of the basic image, or not subsequently adjustable, or required the use of difficult keyboard commands to preserve the image, will appreciate the introduction of smart filters.

Some of the better features of Lightroom have also been introduced into the Beta like an improved Adobe Camera Raw interface, and Long describes these features nicely.

There are some things that PS CS3 Beta won't do, like embed EXIF data in a JPEG, that Long doesn't mention. That's why any serious user of PS CS3 will want to keep in touch with the CS3 discussion group on the Adobe web site. On the other hand, if you are getting started with the Beta version, this book will be of great help, at least for a while.

As a side note, there is no comparison between PS CS3 and Lightroom here. Although some of the interfaces are similar, they do handle files differently, and each user will have to decide which software to use, especially since use of the one software may actually lose you some features of the other. But that's a different story.

Richthofen's Flying Circus (Archive Photographs: Images of Aviation)

Average customer rating:

Richthofen's Flying Circus (Archive Photographs: Images of Aviation)
Treadwell , and Wood
Manufacturer: Tempus Publishing, Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Aviation | Military | History | Subjects | Books

World War I | Military | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Look Inside History Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 0752416286

Average customer rating:

A brilliant book by an original and compelling author
In the Image: A Novel
Stunning first novel
Lovely and Precise
A must-read book for Jewish audiences

In the Image: A Novel
Dara Horn
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Family Saga | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0393325261

Book Description

A young woman's coming of age, a romantic love story, and a spiritual journey—each infused with the lessons of history.

In the Image is an extraordinary first novel illuminated by spiritual exploration, one that remembers "a language, a literature, a held hand, an entire world lived and breathed in the image of God."

Bill Landsmann, an elderly Jewish refugee in a New Jersey suburb with a passion for travel, is obsessed with building his slide collection of images from the Bible that he finds scattered throughout the world. The novel begins when he crosses paths with his granddaughter's friend, Leora, and continues by moving forward through her life and backward through his, revealing the unexpected links between his family's past and her family's future.

Not just a first novel but a cultural event—a wedding of secular and religious forms of literature—In the Image neither lives in the past nor seeks to escape it, but rather assimilates it, in the best sense of the word, honoring what is lost and finding, among the lost things, the treasures that can renew the present. Reading group guide included.

Customer Reviews:

A brilliant book by an original and compelling author.......2007-01-22

Dara Horn is a gifted writer with great imagination. Her ideas cry out to be read over and over again. In her first novel, we already see a glimpse of Bernard Malamud, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Chaim Potok, Chaim Grade. One would think these legendary authors would welcome Dara Horn into their elite club - and take pride in her talent and creativity. It was truly a privilege to read her book. (Jerry Marcus is the author of three novels: "The Last Pope," "The Salvation Peddler" and "Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Zev.")

In the Image: A Novel.......2006-03-12

We read this book for our "Jewish" book club. And while we all found it interesting, we also found it to be a little too neat and quite frankly bizarre at the end. We all learned something about ourselves and loved the stories of the old country the most. It was worth the read, but defintely not a page turner!

Stunning first novel.......2005-12-19

Between her use of language, interweaving of fresh ideas and characters, and genuine talent, this book convinced me (and my entire book club) that this author is one to watch. I will be eagerly awaiting her next effort.

Lovely and Precise.......2004-02-14

This is a lovely and precise novel about the ways in which memory and the past and things that almost could have been permeate our lives, color our decisions. Reading it is like looking at slides, one on top of the other so that you can see two things at once. Hmm. That sounds confusing. But trust me -- the book isn't. This is a beautiful story.

A must-read book for Jewish audiences.......2003-11-22

I was stunned by this book, which has so many layers that it will surely appeal to everyone. I saw it just won the National Jewish Book Award. I am not surprised. Here is a new and fresh voice that speaks with authority and compassion. This is a great addition to anyone's collection.

Grand Prix! Rare Images of the First 100 Years

Average customer rating:

Grand Prix! Rare Images of the First 100 Years
Quentin Spurring
Manufacturer: David Bull Publishing,U.S.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Racing | Automotive | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Motor Sports | Miscellaneous | Sports | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1893618676
Release Date: 2006-06-22

Product Description

This richly illustrated photographic essay captures the human drama and technical ingenuity that have characterized Grand Prix racing ever since the first event in 1906. Many of these photographs have never been published before, including wonderful images from early glass-plate negatives. The book graphically tells the story of the iconic cars that changed the sport over the past 100 years and the men who raced them- the greatest drivers including Felice Nazzaro, Tazio Nuvolari, Rudi Caracciola, Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, Jim Clark, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and many more. Dramatic and beautiful photographs of the key drivers, entrants, cars, and venues combine with highly informative captions to present a vivid and often intimate picture of the first century of Grand Prix racing.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books