Java 2D API Graphics (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In his beautifully written and designed Java 2D API Graphics, Vincent Hardy introduces Java programmers to the contents and capabilities of this exciting addition to the set of standard Java classes.

The Java 2-D API counts among the most significant recent additions to the Java platform. The API makes it relatively easy for the programmer to treat hardware devices (including video displays and printers) as abstractions, and simplifies the process of conceiving, manipulating, and displaying geometric figures. It also incorporates a sophisticated color model (with support for transparency) and allows programmers to manipulate styled characters with a far greater degree of precision (and with greater ease) than before.

The book coverage is thorough, and is sure to save developers time that would have been spent in figuring out details through experimentation. Hardy has earned special praise by including sequences of steps that illustrate how jobs get done in the Java 2-D API. For example, he summarizes the process of rendering to a printer with eight steps, compactly stating which classes need to be used, which interfaces you need to implement, and which methods you need to call.

There's plenty of example code here (and on the companion CD-ROM), but Hardy doesn't make you decode an example in situations in which a quick statement of procedure will work. He also makes great use of illustrations (to show how such phenomena as joins and end caps are calculated, for example) and mathematical formulas (to show how AffineTransforms work). Many of the illustrations are in color, a valuable feature. --David Wall

Topics covered: The Java 2-D API for programmers with experience elsewhere in the Java language. The author pays attention to the basics--such as manipulating and rendering shapes--but also goes into detail on the Graphics Layer Framework (GLF) and the advanced rendering capabilities of the Java 2-D API (including text layout, fancy light effects, photo manipulation, and the simulation of 3-D objects with light and shadow).

Product Description

Features hundreds of full-color graphics that demonstrate the power of the Java 2D API. Covers 2D geometry rendering, text effects, image manipulation, color management, and compositing. Clearly explains how to use, combine and extend the rich features of Java 2D API. Softcover. CD-ROM included.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 554 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR (November 3, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130142662
• ISBN-13: 978-0130142665
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #872,184 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for overview and serious OO developer, February 10, 2000

By	Benny Cheung (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

I have read both Java 2D grpahics books from front to back. I am working intensively with Java2D recently. The "Java 2D API Graphics" by V. Hardy is the best. It covers all the basic rendering API for Java 2D. The most amazing part is the GLF (Graphics Layer Framework) that was clearly described in this book. You can also see the full source code of how to extend Java 2D. The GLF is very valuable and the code is well written. Considering the content, it goes way beyond just Java 2D.

If you also are student of OO design patterns, you will find the framework is filled with design patterns, such as composite, factory, mementos, etc.. Although the book is more expensive, the book is beautifully done and the demo softwares are carefully crafted. You won't regret to buy and read it.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making the Java 2D API work., December 10, 1999

By A Customer

With one caveat, this book provides a thorough introduction to combining the features available in the Java 2D API. Following an introduction to many of the nuances the API itself (chapters 1-5), Mr. Hardy shows one way, but not the only way, to use the API in developing classes designed to solve real-world problems. I found this second section alone worth the price of the book. The book presupposes a firm grounding in Java and Object Oriented design; remembering, of course, that Mr. Hardy's point is not OO-design, but the underlying graphics capability of Java. Working through the code will repay you handsomely.

The third section takes you through some tool-building for creating, maintaining, storing, and retrieving images. Ignore Mr. Hardy's claims of computational intensiveness at your peril.

My only caveat is the paucity of information about printing, and developing sophisitcated printing classes. While it is true that printing entails knowing something about java.awt.print, nonetheless, learning how to build classes that provide for effective printing rather than just effective video display would have made this book near perfect. But I cavil! Buy this book if you want to learn to use the API.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW, What a fantastic book!..., August 10, 2000

By	"thekm" (Australia) - See all my reviews

There are two books that I feel empowered just to have them around. JavaScript Bible, and the Java 2D API Graphics. So fantastic. Shows you how and whys of the underlying graphics, colour models, the graphics... and damn... the graphics you can make with the GLF.

If you want to cut and past code donkey style... "templates" I think someone wrote... don't get this book, as you're missing the point.

Printed in full colour, it shows the technology at its best.

All great book are written by evangelists, and Mr hardy is one of them.

I have a graphic design background before becomming a programmer, and it completed a hole in my knowledge of graphics programming, about convolutions etc. Empower the graphical ability of your applications by reading this book. I was shopping for a 2D api book for months upon months before finding this. Really, this book can take your programming graphics ability to new levels, and is just too cool for words.