Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004: A Comprehensive Tutorial [Paperback]

H. Edward Goldberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 6, 2003

For courses in Computer-Aided Architectural Design, and for sophomore-level courses in Architectural Drafting, Interior Design, and Environmental Design, using Architectural Desktop. This versatile text can be used to teach Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004 in both lecture and self-paced classes. Application chapters make the book suitable for advanced classes. Unlike other texts--which teach isolated commands--this text enables students to relate commands to producing drawings, presenting topics in the order in which they are actually used. Numerous conceptual, modeling, drawing, dimensioning, and documentation exercises are provided throughout. For those who find the program puzzling, this book takes a common sense approach. It provides clear, concise CAD information because it is written by an architect and educator who uses the program in professional practice and who teaches the program to students.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Autodesk^® Architectural Desktop 2004: A Comprehensive Tutorial provides a hands-on, guided tutorial through Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004. Tool Palettes are presented in the order in which they are commonly used, which provides a logical organization to the text. Numerous walk-throughs and hands-on activities are used throughout the text to teach commands and routines in relation to the production of architectural drawings.

The organization of topics and the presentation of commands in context of applications make this text appropriate for both the traditional classroom and self-paced instruction. The following features support the use of the text in multiple settings:

• Numerous exercises are provided throughout the text.
• Step-by-step illustrations are used to highlight concepts, menus, and program screens.
• Useful tips and tricks to enhance the productivity of the users are included.

About the Author

H. Edward Goldberg, AIA, is a practicing licensed architect with over 25 years cumulative experience as a designer, project architect, construction project manager, technical writer, author, and educator. As Contributing Editor for Cadalyst magazine, and Technology Editor for Architecture Business & Economics magazine, Ed writes extensively on the subject of technology for architects and designers. His teaching resume includes positions as Coordinator of CAD and Multimedia at Carroll Community College, from 1994-1999, and Coordinator of the Industrial Design Program at Towson University, from 2000-2003. He is currently principal of his own firm, H. Edward Goldberg, AIA & Associates.

Ed is also the author of The Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3 Book: A Comprehensive Guide, published by Prentice Hall.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall (November 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131134973
• ISBN-13: 978-0131134973
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,499,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars 6 hours and no results, July 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004: A Comprehensive Tutorial (Paperback)

I am a Microsoft Systems Engineer, and MCDBA, I've read a lot of technical manuals and 'hands-on' are always my favorite. The concept is good 'from the ground up' following standardized procedures for project creation. I looked up Mr. Goldberg on Google and he seems to have credibility as an architect, but not, in my opinion, as an author.

Typical technical manual mistakes; tools and procedures that don't operate as described in text, what may seem perfectly clear to the author are muddy water to the reader. There is no CD backup, so if you can't get something to work, you're dead in your tracks. And, can not proceed to the following excercises.

A book of this price should have had an accompanying CD. Many times using the provided second and third steps, the first becomes clear as you gain application knowledge. If you remember Illustrator in the late 80's, buckleup, this is even more obtuse. I had an AD agency for over 20 years, I know graphics, and I read techno, this book did not perform. After 2 separate attemts to get past the 3rd page of the 1st hands-on, 6 hrs. I'm returning the book. I really wanted it to work desparately.

For those who want to get the building in their head on paper, like a pro the application is great. This tutorial is not.

Do not buy any AutoCad book that does not include a CD of the steps and finished project.

Just another technical book that doesn't deliver

1.0 out of 5 stars BUYER BEWARE, October 18, 2005

By 

Charles S. Keaton Jr. - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004: A Comprehensive Tutorial (Paperback)

EVER TRY TO DRIVE A TRICYCLE THROUGH DEEP MUD? WELL, YOU WILL KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE ONCE YOU SETTLE IN WITH THIS BOOK. I AM A DRAFTING AND DESIGN STUDENT AT A TECHNICAL COLLEGE SPECIALIZING IN ARCHITECTURE AND I HAVE SPENT HOURS ON THE FIRST CHAPTER IN THIS BOOK. MY INSTRUCTOR IS HAVING ME ORDER ANOTHER BOOK AND START ALL OVER. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME AS A STUDENT TO FOLLOW THIS TUTORIAL WHICH SKIPS STEPS AND IS NOT USER FRIENDLY. I HAVE LEARNED MORE FROM THE AUTODESK HELP MENU BUILT IN TO THE SOFTWARE THAN FROM THIS BOOK SO FAR. MY INSTRUCTOR EVEN HAS DIFFICULTY WITH IT WHEN I ASK FOR HELP. UNLESS YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF ALREADY A DESKTOP MASTER, FIND ANOTHER BOOK AND SPARE YOURSELF THE FRUSTRATION.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ...NO CD, NO EMAIL, NO ONLINE SUPPORT... NO HAY PROBLEMA, April 29, 2005

By 

Jeffrey J. Smith "cad works" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2004: A Comprehensive Tutorial (Paperback)

I AM A SECOND SEMESTER ARCHITECTURAL STUDENT AT PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND I FIND THE TUTORIALS TO BE VERY HELPFUL. EVEN THOUGH THE BOOK IS WRITTEN FOR ADT 2004, I AM USING IT WITH ADT 2005 WITHOUT ANY REAL MAJOR PROBLEMS... THERE WERE A FEW INSTANCES WHERE STEPS WERE OMITTED, BUT, LIKE ANY OTHER TUTORIAL, THE AUTHOR OBVIOUSLY WANTS THE STUDENT TO PUT THE THINKING CAP ON AND WORK OUT THE DETAILS. I RECCOMEND THIS BOOK, AND I OWN PAUL AUBIN'S BOOK TOO.