Google SketchUp 7 For Dummies
by Aidan Chopra
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Book Reviews of Google SketchUp 7 For Dummies
Book Review: Good basics but missing some info
Summary: 4 Stars
This SketchUP 7 for Dummies book is a good basic intro to SketchUP, but does not cover any intermediate or advanced topics or skills (except it does cover "Photo Match" modeling from photos OK). If you bought his previous book, (not a "Dummies" book) on SketchUP 6 you probably need not buy this book... this is virtually that book, word for word, and picture by picture (It was pretty good too), with just a little bit of new info on things like Dynamic Components. I wish the book went just a little deeper into the topics covered...its a bit too surface in coverage. It also does not cover some entire aspects of both the FREE as well as the PRO versions. The biggest weakness of this book (and his previous book) is the quality of the illustrations. These COULD be very good and helpful. They are primarily screen shots of the program in use. However they are so small, low contrast, and fuzzy that the important info supposedly being conveyed is hard to glean. SketchUP works so easy because of clever, simple use of COLOR, THICKNESS and DASHES etc of lines... these are crucial to use (and see). The illustrations fail to capture these well. As screen shots it would have been very easy to spend a few seconds with each image in a simple image editor enhancing contrast, etc. The writing style is friendly, easy to understand, and clear. IF the images were handled better, and larger, this would be an EXCELLENT beginning intro book; as it is, it is GOOD book.Book Review: Lifesaver for beginning user!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm learning Sketchup so I can use it for a project in a foundation art-design class. I want my students and myself to have a solid grounding in the basics so we can use the program in more expressive ways.
This book provides a clearly written, step by step guide for beginning users or for more experienced users who want to improve their skills. There are plenty of simple examples and enough more complex constructions to whet your appetite if you're interested in going further.
It's like having a very helpful person right at your side who can give you a solid grounding in the basics. I found Sketchup really frustrating when I was just exploring it by myself, because I was bringing too many assumptions from my past drawing experience. This book helped me understand how and why Sketchup works the way it does. It's helping me to "think" in Sketchup more easily.
And for me, I really appreciate having a written text so that I can try things on the screen and then be able to easily check the text for tips or further instructions. It's just less stressful than having to constantly pause a video. Plus, having page references is an easier way to refresh my memory than searching for an online tutorial and then finding the right section.
I'm going to recommend it to my students.
Book Review: Great Teacher
Summary: 5 Stars
Google Shetchup 7 for Dummies by Aidan Chopra is a good choice for all Sketchup users. I have been using Sketchup for several years. I am an Industrial Arts teacher and have been using various CAD programs for over 20 years. Sketchup is one of my favorite programs, but there were always things I could not figure out from the help screens or you tube videos. Chopra to the rescue!
His writing is clear and concise, examples and illustrations are easy to follow. Every night I tackle another section, and I am finally feeling like I can use Sketchup to do what I want. I find myself coming home with an idea in my head, and I can draw it and see it in Sketchup faster than if I drew it with pencil and paper.
Book Review: Buy the Paperback, Not the Kindle Version
Summary: 4 Stars
An excellent introduction to SketchUp. I learned a great deal from this book and it was easy and enjoyable to read. The author has a pleasing, informative style.
However, DON'T buy the Kindle edition. The figures and graphics are worthless in the Kindle display. I have no idea what he was trying to communicate in the figures ... I can't see them at all. This book will make you hate your Kindle, and usually I like mine.
Anyway, for the 2 extra bucks, buy the paperback version.
This problem is neither the author's nor the publisher's fault. Amazon should know better than to publish a book like this in Kindle format!
Book Review: Aidan's a great teacher
Summary: 5 Stars
I've bought several books from the "Dummies" series, and occasionally they leave a bit to be desired. This one really delivers.
In just one weekend, with the help of this book and author Aidan Chopra's excellent companion videos on YouTube, I went from complete Sketchup beginner to actually producing usable construction plans for a small shed.
Some teachers can take up a lot of your time without managing to get any practical information into your head. Aidan's got a knack for knowing and giving you what you need to know to get actually up and running with Google Sketchup.
Five stars!