3D User Interfaces with Java 3D (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Jon Barrilleaux should be given a standing ovation for producing such an excellent piece of work for a topic...that desperately needs more documentation." -- John Wright, j3d.org

"a high level discussion of user interface design considerations and concepts" -- Adrian Hibbert, British Computer Society member and Senior Systems Developer

Product Description

3D user interfaces provide a way for businesses to enhance existing applications. This book explains ways to incorporate these interfaces for next-generation business needs such as mass customization and on-line sales—ways that are also applicable to pursuits such as scientific visualization and gaming. Assuming a basic computer system, it provides a conceptual framework for 3D user techniques and a Java 3D framework that demonstrates many of the 3D techniques. Project managers and programmers interested in improving existing 3D applications as well as those interested in incorporating 3D into Web applications for e-commerce and project visualization will find helpful techniques and troubleshooting tips included for 3D user interfaces and Java 3D.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Manning Publications; illustrated edition edition (August 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884777902
• ISBN-13: 978-1884777905
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,190,902 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful concepts, July 2, 2001

By A Customer

Many people seem to think this is a book for learning Java 3D but this book was NOT intended as an introduction to Java 3D. Instead, it describes what the author calls "Swing 3D".

In many ways, this book is a little beyond it's time. It discusses 3D user interfaces for the most part of the book and how they can be useful in computer-human interactions. Java 3D is merely a specific platform in which the concepts were implemented and many of the ideas could easily apply to other 3D API. Only about a third of the book discusses the Java 3D API specifically and how various features can be used to solve problems when designing a 3D UI. It covers things from basic UI components to complex UI interactions.

This book delivers exactly what it set out to do, so don't expect more from it. If you want a Java 3D tutorial, you are better off looking elsewhere. I'm writing data visualization software but have little experience with user interfaces showing 3D data and I found this book suited me well. The updated code examples from the website also provide a good basis for my own code.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful also for beginners, January 14, 2004

By	Lars Lindqvist (Sweden) - See all my reviews

I found this book suit my needs as a 3d GUI beginner perfectly. The book covers basic 3d GUI techiques but more importantly presents a the design of a basic 3d GUI tool set. The many acronyms are annoying I have to say.

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not to learn 3D, November 30, 2000

By	"kid01" (CA USA) - See all my reviews

I am more then half way threw this book and have found very little to help learn Java3D. Instead it looks at strategies and goes threw a long-winded discussions about basic issues. So I believe if you are new to Java3D it will be no use to you or if you have experience it will be a boor.