Mastering Autodesk VIZ 4 (With CD-ROM) [Paperback]

George Omura (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0782141323 | ISBN-13: 978-0782141320 | Publication Date: August 2, 2002 | Edition: 2nd

Autodesk VIZ 4 is a powerful real-time 3D design, modeling, and animation tool from Autodesk, makers of AutoCAD. The follow-up to 3D Studio VIZ 3.0, VIZ 4 now incorporates a previously separate program called Lightscape. Key new features include powerful lighting functions such as radiosity and global illumination, as well as a dramatically upgraded interface. This comprehensive guide describes the full range of VIZ 4's new capabilities and shows architects, mechanical and civil engineers, planners, interior designers, and other design professionals how to create 3D models quickly and intuitively.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

VIZ 4 Is More Powerful Than Ever—So Take Advantage of It!

In Mastering Autodesk VIZ 4, world-renowned AutoCAD expert George Omura teaches you how to get the most out of Autodesk's powerful 3D design, modeling, and animation tool. Whether you’re entirely new to VIZ or just want to get up to speed on its newest features, including radiosity rendering and the improved interface, this book offers the explanations and the clear, step-by-step instruction you need to put VIZ to work in the most demanding design projects.

Coverage Includes:

• Finding your way around in VIZ
• Creating realistic and dramatic lighting effects
• Importing and exporting AutoCAD files
• Creating walls and doors
• Creating complex shapes
• Matching designs to background photographs
• Creating materials and applying them to objects
• Creating 3D geometry from bitmap images
• Using scanned images as backgrounds
• Setting up animated walk-throughs
• Using radiosity to create lifelike views of a scene
• Adding props to VIZ models
• Producing design presentation views
• Placing the sun in a scene for accurate sun-shadow studies
• Using Photoshop with VIZ to create 3D effects

About the Author

George Omura is the all-time best-selling AutoCAD author, having written the enormously succesful series of Mastering AutoCAD books. When he's not writing, he helps architects produce 2D and 3D computer models and renderings of their real-world creations. Omura is an architect, illustrator, and animator who has worked on design projects ranging from resort hotels to transit systems to the prestigious San Francisco library.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1056 pages
• Publisher: Sybex; 2nd edition (August 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0782141323
• ISBN-13: 978-0782141320
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.6 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,259,306 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

George Omura is a licensed architect and Autodesk Authorized Author who has more than 30 years of experience in architecture and has been using AutoCAD for more than 20 years. As a CAD specialist, he has worked on design projects ranging from resort hotels to metropolitan transit systems to the San Francisco Library project. He is the all-time bestselling AutoCAD author and was cited as favorite CAD author by members of the Autodesk User Group International (AUGI) in AUGIWorld magazine's "Best of Everything CAD" issue.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dosen't know left from right, April 3, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Mastering Autodesk VIZ 4 (With CD-ROM) (Paperback)

I just bought the book and I am on chapter 3. I have already encountered numerous times when the author says,"the object to the left" when it is actually to the right, or visa versa. He also doesn't know how to count. He will say,"select the two objects" when there is actually three that he instructed you to draw. The book does teach you a lot about VIZ, but his mistakes will make it frustrating at times.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Left From Right..., December 22, 2002

By 

John J. Bailey "Jake" (Biloxi, MS United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mastering Autodesk VIZ 4 (With CD-ROM) (Paperback)

I'm about 1/2 way through the book, and it's an effective learning tool so far, BUT the author often doesn't know his left from his right. Over and over again he makes this glaring mistake, and leaves out steps that he clearly doesn't mean to leave out. The first few times I was willing to overlook it, but some of these omissions are costing me 20-30 minutes at a time, because I have to back up several pages and start from the point of his mistake. I can give specific examples, if anyone wants.

5.0 out of 5 stars Geat Book, January 6, 2003

By 

I.M. Pei Architect - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mastering Autodesk VIZ 4 (With CD-ROM) (Paperback)

This is an awesome book for those who would like to learn how to use viz! It covers just about every area of viz. This is the only book that I recommend for those trying to learn Viz 4. For those who know the author he is an architect and illustrator so who knows exactly how to write a book that is easy to read and follow. I have used other books in the past by other authors and they are nothing compared to this one.