Customer Reviews

Computer Graphics, C Version (2nd Edition)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book really shouldn't be a "C version" for it contains very few C example codes, concentrating mostly on the maths side of CG. It also isn't a book for someone who doesn't have a strong mathematical background, it does not explan why something is that way or anything, it just puts the formulas there and a brief explanation of everything. It's not a book to be used as your only reference, and the Appendix on maths background is not very explaining unless you already know all that(making it useless).

Let's face it, learning 3D graphics takes effort. I have read most of Hill(falls short of the mark) and all of both of Angel's books (excellent for OpenGL). Hearn and Baker do an excellent job of explaining difficult 3D concepts. The examples are clear, the C code is very useful, and the diagrams are most helpful. The book is well-written, concise, and thorough. Compared to other books, this one does not gloss over details... yes, effort is required, but the explanations are as straightforward in this book as you will find anywhere. I get lost in Foley, there's just too much detail. I get lost in Hill, as he touches on scores of "thoughts" and ends up losing sight of the basic concepts. Hearn and Baker just get right down to the business of teaching and explaining a conceptually tough subject, thoroughly, succinctly, and completely. No, they are not going to make you a graphics programmer without effort on your part, but no one will.This book is the best I've seen for achieving an understanding of the basics. If you're doing OpenGL, combine Hearn and Baker with Angel's books and you'll be off and running.
I wish I could give this one 8 stars!

The book is very accurate but tries to explain everything mathematically. First you need to make clear what you need to do and then things can be formalized to equations. But in this book you give the equations a run with your own imaginary numbers and than you understand the concept. If you are willing to work out things on paper with your imagination and the details given in the book you will understand the book but that is very time consuming and of course after all that you will not give the book its due credit.
Otherwise a good book. Accurate and to the point.

I bought this book long ago and I have used it more than any other book I own. This book covers the basics of graphics theory. The book assumes some mathematical knowledge (linear algebra), but provides a solid review in the appendix. Beginning graphics student often worry about the technical details of their particular platform (how to put a pixel), and this book doesn't cover those issues; you'll need an OpenGL guide and a C book for that. Hearn and Baker write far more lucid prose than most academics.

The 3-D concepts aren't explained well. And yes, C code's sure lacking. I will give it 4 stars, because of the good explanations that accompany the 2-D chapters.
I would have given it 5 stars had it featured more sample code (and yes, well documented too), and had the 3-D sections been more lucidly explained.

This book is in sore need of an update! Much of the pictures and info is from the early 90's and has changed quite a bit. However, the parts describing the non-changing algorithms seem fairly well written.