| |
Hey everyone!
Writing to let you know that the book Virtual LEGO (by yours truly, Steve Bliss,
and Ahui Herrera) has finally hit the shelves! It is now shipping from
Amazon.com and showing up in your local bookstore soon (if its not there
already).
Its also available immediately from the publisher, No
Starch Press, at http://www.nostarch.com/vlego.htm.
This book is a lenghty tutorial on how to use the LDraw suite of tools to create
your own virtual LEGO models on your computer, render photo-realistic scenes,
and output your own custom building instructions! We’ve packed it with reference
material and practical insight to help you as you learn. The CD-ROM comes with
an installer that will configure the software automatically for you - you don’t
have to jump through hoops a la LDraw.org installation pages to get started :-)
So far, its gotten great reviews from people who have commented to us on it
(Orion, Jake, Eric S...), so that makes us happy. :-) I hope the book is
informative and educational.
Enjoy!
-Tim
|
|
| |
In lugnet.announce, Tim Courtney wrote:
> Hey everyone!
> Writing to let you know that the book Virtual LEGO (by yours truly, Steve
> Bliss, and Ahui Herrera) has finally hit the shelves! It is now shipping from
> Amazon.com and showing up in your local bookstore soon (if its not there
> already).
Yes, I got my copy yesterday and spent a while going through it last night. I
love the color and coord. references inside the front and back cover! Very nice
work Tim, Steve, and Ahui!
BEGIN BIP PLUG
Once you get your feet under you for building virtual models, make sure to post
the instructions and/or .dat file links on the Building Instructions Portal so
you can show off to the world.
And of course, to win free stuff!
/END BIP PLUG
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Webmaster - BIP
http://www.bricksonthebrain.com/instructions
|
|
| |
In lugnet.announce, Tim Courtney wrote:
> Hey everyone!
Hi Tim!
> Writing to let you know that the book Virtual LEGO (by yours truly, Steve
> Bliss, and Ahui Herrera) has finally hit the shelves! It is now shipping from
> Amazon.com and showing up in your local bookstore soon (if its not there
> already).
Congratulations!
> Its also available immediately from the publisher, <http://www.nostarch.com
> No Starch Press>, at <http://www.nostarch.com/vlego.htm>.
>
> <http://www.nostarch.com/vlego.htm
> <http://www.nostarch.com/images/vlego_cov.jpg>>
It's also availible in Sweden via Bokus:
http://www.bokus.com/cgi-bin/more_book_info.cgi?ISBN=1886411948
434 SEK = $57 US.
> This book is a lenghty tutorial on how to use the LDraw suite of tools to
> create your own virtual LEGO models on your computer, render photo-realistic
> scenes, and output your own custom building instructions! We've packed it
> with reference material and practical insight to help you as you learn. The
> CD-ROM comes with an installer that will configure the software automatically
> for you - you don't have to jump through hoops a la LDraw.org installation
> pages to get started :-)
Sounds like a book I will get, not just yet since the price is a little high
here in Sweden. Perhaps I can get it via Amazon UK (cheaper shipping) for less.
Nope, that would be $48 plus shipping so it's about the same :(
Aha! I can get it for $37 from amazon.com including shipping! That's 281 SEK for
the Swedish readers.
Är det någon som blir med på ett samköp till SweLUG#5?
> So far, its gotten great reviews from people who have commented to us on it
> (Orion, Jake, Eric S...), so that makes us happy. :-) I hope the book is
> informative and educational.
I'm sure it is!
Once again, congratulations!
Best regards,
/Tobbe
http://www.lotek.nu
(remove SPAM when e-mailing)
|
|
| |
Cool!
Tim, how much of the proceeds goes to support Ldraw.org? Not that it matters,
really, I’ll buy one anyway. Just curious.
James Wilson
Dallas, TX
|
|
| |
In lugnet.cad, James Wilson wrote:
| |
Cool!
Tim, how much of the proceeds goes to support Ldraw.org? Not that it
matters, really, I’ll buy one anyway. Just curious.
James Wilson
Dallas, TX
|
Yes, Tim. I’m curious about the answer to this question also since the book
seems so intametly tied with the web site and visa versa. As the person who
co-authored *the first* LDraw Compatible Software book, I’d love to have equal
time on the LDraw.org website.
Kevin
|
|
| |
In lugnet.cad, Kevin L. Clague wrote:
| |
In lugnet.cad, James Wilson wrote:
| |
Cool!
Tim, how much of the proceeds goes to support Ldraw.org? Not that it
matters, really, I’ll buy one anyway. Just curious.
James Wilson
Dallas, TX
|
Yes, Tim. I’m curious about the answer to this question also since the book
seems so intametly tied with the web site and visa versa. As the person who
co-authored *the first* LDraw Compatible Software book, I’d love to have
equal time on the LDraw.org website.
Kevin
|
Acually, the only real mention of Tim, Steve, and Ahui’s book is in the books
section. Your book is also listed there and given the same prominance.
I do see your point though.
-Orion
|
|
| |
In lugnet.cad, James Wilson wrote:
| |
Cool!
Tim, how much of the proceeds goes to support Ldraw.org? Not that it
matters, really, I’ll buy one anyway. Just curious.
James Wilson
Dallas, TX
|
Hi James -
Good question. Right now we’re working on the bylaws drafts for LDraw.org
(they’re coming along quite nicely) and within them will include the proper
accounting mechanism for this. Its definitely a part of the plan to earmark some
book proceeds for LDraw.org. Also, the book just came out, so there is a bit of
time before the book makes any money - I believe the system will be in place by
that time to handle proceeds. We’ll post an update when this is worked out.
-Tim
|
|
| |
> > Aha! I can get it for $37 from amazon.com including shipping! That's
> > 281 SEK for the Swedish readers.
> >
> > Är det någon som blir med på ett samköp till SweLUG#5?
>
> Ja, till det priset tvekar jag inte. Skriv upp mig! Frågan är väl hur lång
> leveranstid det blir...
Enligt Amazon för två (2) ex.;
Standard International Shipping (averages 11-18 days) $13.47
Expedited International Shipping (averages 5-10 business days) $18.47
Priority International Courier averages 2-4 days $41.97
Med tanke på att det bara är 10 arbetsdagardagar kvar till SweLUG så lär bli
alternativ nummer två.
Beställer i eftermiddag om fler vill hänga på!
/Tobbe
|
|
| |
In lugnet.cad, Orion Pobursky wrote:
| |
In lugnet.cad, Kevin L. Clague wrote:
| |
In lugnet.cad, James Wilson wrote:
| |
Cool!
Tim, how much of the proceeds goes to support Ldraw.org? Not that it
matters, really, I’ll buy one anyway. Just curious.
James Wilson
Dallas, TX
|
Yes, Tim. I’m curious about the answer to this question also since the book
seems so intametly tied with the web site and visa versa. As the person who
co-authored *the first* LDraw Compatible Software book, I’d love to have
equal time on the LDraw.org website.
Kevin
|
Acually, the only real mention of Tim, Steve, and Ahui’s book is in the books
section. Your book is also listed there and given the same prominance.
|
Now that the title bar says “LDraw.org :: The Central Site for LDraw Family of
LEGO CAD Software” you are correct. I’m grateful that got changed.
| |
I do see your point though.
-Orion
|
Kevin
|
|
| |
In lugnet.announce, Tim Courtney wrote:
| |
Hey everyone!
Writing to let you know that the book Virtual LEGO (by yours truly, Steve
Bliss, and Ahui Herrera) has finally hit the shelves! It is now shipping from
Amazon.com and showing up in your local bookstore soon (if its not there
already).
Its also available immediately from the publisher, No Starch Press, at http://www.nostarch.com/vlego.htm.
This book is a lenghty tutorial on how to use the LDraw suite of tools to
create your own virtual LEGO models on your computer, render photo-realistic
scenes, and output your own custom building instructions! We’ve packed it
with reference material and practical insight to help you as you learn. The
CD-ROM comes with an installer that will configure the software automatically
for you - you don’t have to jump through hoops a la LDraw.org installation
pages to get started :-)
So far, its gotten great reviews from people who have commented to us on it
(Orion, Jake, Eric S...), so that makes us happy. :-) I hope the book is
informative and educational.
Enjoy!
|
Tim, Steve and Ahui,
Congratulations on your new book! I scanned through the signed copy Tim gave
me, thanks Tim. I am quite impressed. I did a quick scan of the LPub and
LSynth sections and you represent them very well. I’ve been studying the part
creation chapter as I want to get into creating parts. It is quite helpful.
Now I have to find a good millemeter caliper.
The book is impressive in the broad scope, and clear explanations of complex
issues. I know how hard this can be. When it reads as easily as yours does,
sometimes people don’t understand how much work it is to make things that
simple.
I’ve got designs that use new technic parts and I can’t document them until I
create the new parts. This is a new adventure to me.
Book sales are supressed right now, but I know that your book will be an
excellent Christmas gift LDraw fans. I wish you the best of luck with sales. I
recommend the book highly.
Kevin
|
|
| |
> Beställer i eftermiddag om fler vill hänga på!
Beställt, typ 282,-/bok inkl. frakt.
/Tobbe
|
|
| |
In lugnet.cad, Kevin L. Clague wrote:
| |
Tim, Steve and Ahui,
Congratulations on your new book! I scanned through the signed copy Tim
gave me, thanks Tim. I am quite impressed. I did a quick scan of the LPub
and LSynth sections and you represent them very well. I’ve been studying the
part creation chapter as I want to get into creating parts. It is quite
helpful. Now I have to find a good millemeter caliper.
The book is impressive in the broad scope, and clear explanations of
complex issues. I know how hard this can be. When it reads as easily as
yours does, sometimes people don’t understand how much work it is to make
things that simple.
I’ve got designs that use new technic parts and I can’t document them until
I create the new parts. This is a new adventure to me.
Book sales are supressed right now, but I know that your book will be an
excellent Christmas gift LDraw fans. I wish you the best of luck with sales.
I recommend the book highly.
|
Wow. Thanks, Kevin. This praise means a tremendous amount to me coming from you,
friend and co-author of the first book devoted exclusively to LDraw tools. I’m
delighted to be hearing so many good reports on the book, but this one is
especially meaningful.
As much as I’ve had the opportunity to go through your book, LEGO Software
Powertools, it strikes me as a very well thought-out approach to teaching this
(these) complex subject(s). I know I spent many agonizing hours dealing with
simply organizing the information, and you have done this beautifully in your
text. So at that, I also highly recommend your book to individuals who want to
learn more about the LDraw system - new and experienced users alike.
Thanks, Kevin.
-Tim
|
|
| |
In lugnet.cad, Jake McKee wrote:
> In lugnet.announce, Tim Courtney wrote:
> > Hey everyone!
> > Writing to let you know that the book Virtual LEGO (by yours truly, Steve
> > Bliss, and Ahui Herrera) has finally hit the shelves! It is now shipping from
> > Amazon.com and showing up in your local bookstore soon (if its not there
> > already).
>
> Yes, I got my copy yesterday and spent a while going through it last night. I
> love the color and coord. references inside the front and back cover! Very nice
> work Tim, Steve, and Ahui!
Thanks, Jake! Everyone here should know Jake spent hours going over rough edits
of some of the chapters in this book with me. I have to partially credit him
with helping me form the ideas and structure in it. You da man!
> BEGIN BIP PLUG
>
> Once you get your feet under you for building virtual models, make sure to post
> the instructions and/or .dat file links on the Building Instructions Portal so
> you can show off to the world.
>
> And of course, to win free stuff!
>
> /END BIP PLUG
Go to BIP. There is no try [1]. Go.
-Tim
[1] but it might help to have the URL:
http://www.bricksonthebrain.com/instructions/
|
|
| |
In lugnet.cad, Tobbe Arnesson wrote:
> In lugnet.announce, Tim Courtney wrote:
> > Hey everyone!
>
> Hi Tim!
>
> > Writing to let you know that the book Virtual LEGO (by yours truly, Steve
> > Bliss, and Ahui Herrera) has finally hit the shelves! It is now shipping from
> > Amazon.com and showing up in your local bookstore soon (if its not there
> > already).
>
> Congratulations!
Thanks Tobbe! Also thanks for digging up the info for Swedish readers to
purchase it.
-Tim
|
|
| |
In lugnet.cad, Tobbe Arnesson wrote:
> Är det någon som blir med på ett samköp till SweLUG#5?
Ajdå! Läste detta för sent. Jag har precis beställt från Amazon.com:
"Virtual Lego: The Official LDraw.org Guide To LDraw Tools for Windows"
Tim Courtney;Paperback; $27.97
"LEGO Software Power Tools, With LDraw, MLCad, and LPub"
Kevin Clague;Paperback; $27.97
Subtotal of Items: $55.94
Shipping & Handling: $13.47
------
Total for this Order: $69.41
OM den hinner fram innan SweLUG#5 och OM jag kommer, så tar jag den med mig! :)
/Tore
|
|
| |
Hi Tim,
Congrats to all the co-authors on the long-awaited completion. As you can
imagine, I have a highly intense “professional” desire to read this book 8?) It
sure sounds intriguing. I’ll definitely let you know my impressions.
Keep up the good work!
|
|
| |
> Thanks Tobbe! Also thanks for digging up the info for Swedish readers to
> purchase it.
Hey, you're welcome!
AFAIK we Swedes have now ordered three copies, not bad considering we're but a
handful of AFOL's!
/Tobbe
|
|
| |
Mine, pre-ordered ages ago, arrived from amazon.co.uk today!
I now have both Ldraw books, but it's too early for me to draw comparisons.
I left it on the table today when my father-in-law visited, and after
browsing through it for 1/2 hour or so he wanted to come and give MLCad a
try on my PC, which can't be a bad thing...
Huw
"Tim Courtney" <tim.courtney@SPAMCAKE.zacktron.com> wrote in message
news:HMI54G.vyM@lugnet.com...
> Hey everyone!
> Writing to let you know that the book Virtual LEGO (by yours truly, Steve • Bliss,
> and Ahui Herrera) has finally hit the shelves! It is now shipping from
> Amazon.com and showing up in your local bookstore soon (if its not there
> already).
>
> Its also available immediately from the publisher, • <http://www.nostarch.com No
> Starch Press>, at <http://www.nostarch.com/vlego.htm>.
>
> <http://www.nostarch.com/vlego.htm
> <http://www.nostarch.com/images/vlego_cov.jpg>>
>
> This book is a lenghty tutorial on how to use the LDraw suite of tools to • create
> your own virtual LEGO models on your computer, render photo-realistic • scenes,
> and output your own custom building instructions! We've packed it with • reference
> material and practical insight to help you as you learn. The CD-ROM comes • with
> an installer that will configure the software automatically for you - you • don't
> have to jump through hoops a la LDraw.org installation pages to get • started :-)
>
> So far, its gotten great reviews from people who have commented to us on • it
> (Orion, Jake, Eric S...), so that makes us happy. :-) I hope the book is
> informative and educational.
>
> Enjoy!
>
> -Tim
|
|
| |
I am currently reading Virtual LEGO amd it is excelent!! I highly recommend it.
Lester Witter
|
|
| |
Got mine in the mail today, and I am going throught it slowly. All looks pretty
cool, and I keep finding things that I didn’t know existed. I also can’t weait
to try rendering things with POVray, et al. I wanted to do that for a long
time, but it all seemed so confusing.
Anyway, I had one question for ya Tim: What version of the parts library is on
the disk? I guess I assumed it has the same parts as the December 2002 release,
as that is the most recent. I also assumed that the software versions are
pretty close to the verisons given in the Jan 2003 LDRAW tools installer.
Anyway, if you can confirm that, it woyuld be great. Thanks!
-Alfred
In lugnet.announce, Tim Courtney wrote:
| |
Hey everyone!
Writing to let you know that the book Virtual LEGO (by yours truly, Steve
Bliss, and Ahui Herrera) has finally hit the shelves! It is now shipping from
Amazon.com and showing up in your local bookstore soon (if its not there
already).
Its also available immediately from the publisher, No Starch Press, at http://www.nostarch.com/vlego.htm.
This book is a lenghty tutorial on how to use the LDraw suite of tools to
create your own virtual LEGO models on your computer, render photo-realistic
scenes, and output your own custom building instructions! We’ve packed it
with reference material and practical insight to help you as you learn. The
CD-ROM comes with an installer that will configure the software automatically
for you - you don’t have to jump through hoops a la LDraw.org installation
pages to get started :-)
So far, its gotten great reviews from people who have commented to us on it
(Orion, Jake, Eric S...), so that makes us happy. :-) I hope the book is
informative and educational.
Enjoy!
-Tim
|
|
|
| |
Hi Alfred -
In lugnet.cad, Alfred Speredelozzi wrote:
| |
Got mine in the mail today, and I am going throught it slowly. All looks
pretty cool, and I keep finding things that I didn’t know existed. I also
can’t weait to try rendering things with POVray, et al. I wanted to do that
for a long time, but it all seemed so confusing.
|
Great! I hope the book helps you learn the POV techniques. Ahui penned those
chapters, and I edited them. I learned most of what I know about POV from going
through his work! He did a great job with it.
| |
Anyway, I had one question for ya Tim: What version of the parts library is
on the disk? I guess I assumed it has the same parts as the December 2002
release, as that is the most recent. I also assumed that the software
versions are pretty close to the verisons given in the Jan 2003 LDRAW tools
installer. Anyway, if you can confirm that, it woyuld be great. Thanks!
|
Ahui also handled the installer for the book’s CD. So, he would be the best
person to ask. The final installer was compiled around May, so we might have
squeaked another update in there (I’m not looking at the site right now to see
when the latest update was released, though)
-Tim
|
|
| |
snip
| |
| |
Anyway, I had one question for ya Tim: What version of the parts library is
on the disk? I guess I assumed it has the same parts as the December 2002
release, as that is the most recent. I also assumed that the software
versions are pretty close to the verisons given in the Jan 2003 LDRAW tools
installer. Anyway, if you can confirm that, it woyuld be great. Thanks!
|
Ahui also handled the installer for the book’s CD. So, he would be the best
person to ask. The final installer was compiled around May, so we might have
squeaked another update in there (I’m not looking at the site right now to
see when the latest update was released, though)
-Tim
|
Here is a rundown of what versions are on the CD-ROM in the Virtual LEGO book.
LDraw Parts 2003-03 (latest version as of right now 12 Oct 03)
MLCad 3.00
LDView (note 1)
L3P latest version
L3PAO 1.3.8
POV-Ray 3.1 (note 2)
MegaPov 0.7 (note 2)
LGEO Parts 15.0
LPub 2.1.0.6 (note 2)
L3Lab latest version
Lsynth Version 1.?? (latestet version is 2.00)
BMP2LDraw latest version
LDDesignPad latest version
LDGLite latest version
LDraw Add-On latest version
Note 1: Not sure what version but for SURE NOT the latest version that came
out this month.
Note 2: This is NOT the latest version but the version used in the book.
For those of you who are new to LDraw and are using the book to get started with
rendering DO NOT UPGRADE THESE APPLICATIONS unitl after you have use the
versions on the CD-ROM to learn the software.
Once you are comfortable with the software, then upgrade. In some case, you
might NOT want the upgraded version becuase the difference.
But I, Ahui Herrera, as an Author of the book and the LDraw Help Desk POC
recommend that you use the version in the CD-ROM first.
-AHui
LDraw Help Desk
|
|
| |
In lugnet.announce, Tim Courtney wrote:
| |
Hey everyone!
Writing to let you know that the book Virtual LEGO (by yours truly, Steve
Bliss, and Ahui Herrera) has finally hit the shelves! It is now shipping from
Amazon.com and showing up in your local bookstore soon (if its not there
already).
|
I just ordered it through the Amazon.com link on the lugnet.books page - only
$27.97, and free shipping, too!
I’m really looking forward to getting this book, I know I’ve only scratched the
surface of what the LDraw family of tools can do...
JohnG, GMLTC
|
|
| |
In lugnet.cad, Ahui Herrera wrote:
| |
LDraw Parts 2003-03 (latest version as of right now 12 Oct 03)
|
Where can this be found? The latest I can see on ldraw.org is 2003-02 (from
August 1). Or was that a typo?
Thanks.
--Travis
|
|
| |
In lugnet.cad, Travis Cobbs wrote:
| |
In lugnet.cad, Ahui Herrera wrote:
| |
LDraw Parts 2003-03 (latest version as of right now 12 Oct 03)
|
Where can this be found? The latest I can see on ldraw.org is 2003-02 (from
August 1). Or was that a typo?
Thanks.
--Travis
|
a) On the Virtual LEGO CD-ROM book and
b) On the LDraw.org webiste (BUT NOT JUST YET) as when they did the transfer
from the old LDraw server to the new and redsiegned the site we forgot to update
the parts updat page.
So I’m not sure how much longer before they post the 2003-03 version? Orion???
-AHui
LDraw Help Desk
|
|
| |
In lugnet.cad, Ahui Herrera wrote:
| |
In lugnet.cad, Travis Cobbs wrote:
| |
In lugnet.cad, Ahui Herrera wrote:
| |
LDraw Parts 2003-03 (latest version as of right now 12 Oct 03)
|
Where can this be found? The latest I can see on ldraw.org is 2003-02 (from
August 1). Or was that a typo?
Thanks.
--Travis
|
a) On the Virtual LEGO CD-ROM book and
b) On the LDraw.org webiste (BUT NOT JUST YET) as when they did the
transfer from the old LDraw server to the new and redsiegned the site we
forgot to update the parts updat page.
So I’m not sure how much longer before they post the 2003-03 version?
Orion???
|
I believe Orion is working out getting this posted. Alternatively, you can
visit:
http://www.ldraw.org/OLD/library/updates/
All of the old site files are under /OLD/
-Tim
|
|
| |
In lugnet.cad, Ahui Herrera wrote:
| |
In lugnet.cad, Travis Cobbs wrote:
| |
In lugnet.cad, Ahui Herrera wrote:
| |
LDraw Parts 2003-03 (latest version as of right now 12 Oct 03)
|
Where can this be found? The latest I can see on ldraw.org is 2003-02 (from
August 1). Or was that a typo?
Thanks.
--Travis
|
a) On the Virtual LEGO CD-ROM book and
b) On the LDraw.org webiste (BUT NOT JUST YET) as when they did the
transfer from the old LDraw server to the new and redsiegned the site we
forgot to update the parts updat page.
So I’m not sure how much longer before they post the 2003-03 version?
Orion???
|
Umm...
There is no 2003-03, the most current is 2003-02
-Orion
|
|
| |
In lugnet.announce, Tim Courtney wrote:
| |
Hey everyone!
Writing to let you know that the book Virtual LEGO (by yours truly, Steve
Bliss, and Ahui Herrera) has finally hit the shelves! It is now shipping from
Amazon.com and showing up in your local bookstore soon (if its not there
already).
|
I’m just curious - what are the significant differences, if any, between this
book and the Power Tools book? Everyone has differnt requirements and I just
want to know which one best suits my needs. I’m interested in getting one of
these books, but it will only be one of them (amazon’s postage charges to Aus
are, not to put too fine a point on it, extortionate). Has anyone posted a
comprehensive review of each of the books anywhere - the one’s on amazon are too
vague.
Thanks,
Allister
|
|
| |
In lugnet.cad, Orion Pobursky wrote:
| |
In lugnet.cad, Ahui Herrera wrote:
| |
In lugnet.cad, Travis Cobbs wrote:
| |
In lugnet.cad, Ahui Herrera wrote:
| |
LDraw Parts 2003-03 (latest version as of right now 12 Oct 03)
|
Where can this be found? The latest I can see on ldraw.org is 2003-02
(from August 1). Or was that a typo?
Thanks.
--Travis
|
a) On the Virtual LEGO CD-ROM book and
b) On the LDraw.org webiste (BUT NOT JUST YET) as when they did the
transfer from the old LDraw server to the new and redsiegned the site we
forgot to update the parts updat page.
So I’m not sure how much longer before they post the 2003-03 version?
Orion???
|
Umm...
There is no 2003-03, the most current is 2003-02
-Orion
|
Orion you are correct. After looking at my notes and reviewing my files, I did
make a type-o! The latest update IS 2003-02. My notes had 2003-03 becuase at
the time that is what we have estimated would be ready for the book release. =)
That update version carried on through out all my notes until the very very end
when I made the CD-ROM. =)
Sorry about the confusion all.
-AHui
LDraw Help Desk
|
|
| |
In lugnet.cad, Allister McLaren wrote:
| |
In lugnet.announce, Tim Courtney wrote:
| |
Hey everyone!
Writing to let you know that the book Virtual LEGO (by yours truly, Steve
Bliss, and Ahui Herrera) has finally hit the shelves! It is now shipping
from Amazon.com and showing up in your local bookstore soon (if its not
there already).
|
I’m just curious - what are the significant differences, if any, between this
book and the Power Tools book? Everyone has differnt requirements and I just
want to know which one best suits my needs. I’m interested in getting one of
these books, but it will only be one of them (amazon’s postage charges to Aus
are, not to put too fine a point on it, extortionate). Has anyone posted a
comprehensive review of each of the books anywhere - the one’s on amazon are
too vague.
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Allister -
I’ve gone through about 1/3 of Powertools, and I’d say the material is organized
a bit differently. Virtual LEGO devotes an entire chapter to parts authoring,
and from what I’ve heard, it goes into greater depth with building instruction
theory/creation (but I could be wrong, I’m using secondhand info here since I
haven’t gotten to Powertools’ coverage of BI’s yet).
I’d love to see a comparison/contrast review of the two books! Can anyone who’s
read both give Allister a quick comparison for his shopping needs?
-Tim
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In lugnet.cad, Tim Courtney wrote:
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In lugnet.cad, Allister McLaren wrote:
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In lugnet.announce, Tim Courtney wrote:
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Hey everyone!
Writing to let you know that the book Virtual LEGO (by yours truly, Steve
Bliss, and Ahui Herrera) has finally hit the shelves! It is now shipping
from Amazon.com and showing up in your local bookstore soon (if its not
there already).
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I’m just curious - what are the significant differences, if any, between
this book and the Power Tools book? Everyone has differnt requirements and I
just want to know which one best suits my needs. I’m interested in getting
one of these books, but it will only be one of them (amazon’s postage
charges to Aus are, not to put too fine a point on it, extortionate). Has
anyone posted a comprehensive review of each of the books anywhere - the
one’s on amazon are too vague.
|
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I’d love to see a comparison/contrast review of the two books! Can anyone
who’s read both give Allister a quick comparison for his shopping needs?
|
I almost forgot, on the (US) Amazon page for Virtual LEGO, you can buy the two
books together for a discount:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1886411948/qid=1066232517/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-7284602-4697519?v=glance&s=books.
Not sure if this offer is good for Australia.
-Tim
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Thanks for the info! I do appreciate it. :)
-Alfred
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In lugnet.cad, Tim Courtney wrote:
Actually, this isn’t true, and is a very good example of deceptive advertising
on Amazon’s part. Add up Amazon’s price for the two books individually, and you
get the same price they list there. The “discount” is off the standard list
price, and you get it whether you buy both books or just one. This seems to be
standard practice at Amazon, so please don’t be fooled.
--Travis
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In lugnet.cad, Travis Cobbs wrote:
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Actually, this isn’t true, and is a very good example of deceptive
advertising on Amazon’s part. Add up Amazon’s price for the two books
individually, and you get the same price they list there. The “discount” is
off the standard list price, and you get it whether you buy both books or
just one. This seems to be standard practice at Amazon, so please don’t be
fooled.
--Travis
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Heh, I was fooled. :
Well, at least I saved one shipping & handling fee...
/Tore
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> Heh, I was fooled. :|
> Well, at least I saved one shipping & handling fee...
Not that I want to rub salt in it or anything, but that's not entierly true
either.
Bying just one book has a s&h fee of $8.98 while bying a combo is $13.49 (to
Sweden).
You did save $4.47 though :) Not to mention how much cheaper it got *not* bying
from a Swedish retailer...
It looks like they have changed the combo with the Powertools book now from
Virtual LEGO to a Mindstorms book (sorry, don't remember the title).
/Tobbe
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I bought a copy yesterday at LegoWorld Zwolle. The price was only 31 Euro’s
instead of 40 USD + shipping costs. Actually they were all sold out and
a new delivery was a bit delayed, but Jaco was kind enough to give me his
copy ;-)
On my way home by train, I’ve read the first 5 chapters (I took a longer
route, to have more time to read ;-) ), which mostly covered things I
already knew, but I still learned something new :-)
Learning how to use LPub is on my to-do list for quite a while, but I
never gave it a try. This book will probably make me do it :-)
Read and play well,
Niels
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In lugnet.cad, Niels Karsdorp wrote:
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I bought a copy yesterday at LegoWorld Zwolle. The price was only 31 Euro’s
instead of 40 USD + shipping costs. Actually they were all sold out and
a new delivery was a bit delayed, but Jaco was kind enough to give me his
copy ;-)
On my way home by train, I’ve read the first 5 chapters (I took a longer
route, to have more time to read ;-) ), which mostly covered things I
already knew, but I still learned something new :-)
Learning how to use LPub is on my to-do list for quite a while, but I
never gave it a try. This book will probably make me do it :-)
Read and play well,
Niels
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Thanks, Neils! Glad you enjoy the book so far! I wish I could have been in
Zwolle with you all. :-\ But, there’s always next year!
-Tim
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In lugnet.cad, Tim Courtney wrote:
| |
Allister -
I’ve gone through about 1/3 of Powertools, and I’d say the material is
organized a bit differently. Virtual LEGO devotes an entire chapter to parts
authoring, and from what I’ve heard, it goes into greater depth with building
instruction theory/creation (but I could be wrong, I’m using secondhand info
here since I haven’t gotten to Powertools’ coverage of BI’s yet).
|
Well, based on that, I think Virtual Lego is the one for me.
I checked availability here in Australia at the local book shop today. There is
one copy in the whole of Australia, and it’s SEVENTY NINE DOLLARS!! (about
US$55). I ended up ordering it direct from No Starch Press for considerably less
than that.
It wasn’t clear on the site - do they use surface or air mail?
| |
I’d love to see a comparison/contrast review of the two books! Can anyone
who’s read both give Allister a quick comparison for his shopping needs?
|
Even now I’ve made my decision, this would still be beneficial I think.
Cheers,
Allister
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In lugnet.cad, Allister McLaren wrote:
| |
In lugnet.cad, Tim Courtney wrote:
| |
Allister -
I’ve gone through about 1/3 of Powertools, and I’d say the material is
organized a bit differently. Virtual LEGO devotes an entire chapter to parts
authoring, and from what I’ve heard, it goes into greater depth with
building instruction theory/creation (but I could be wrong, I’m using
secondhand info here since I haven’t gotten to Powertools’ coverage of BI’s
yet).
|
Well, based on that, I think Virtual Lego is the one for me.
I checked availability here in Australia at the local book shop today. There
is one copy in the whole of Australia, and it’s SEVENTY NINE DOLLARS!! (about
US$55). I ended up ordering it direct from No Starch Press for considerably
less than that.
|
I need to get off my butt and pass along some info so the Australian clubs can
bulk order them. Though as I recall, I’m waiting for something to be finalized
from the publisher - I’ll check up on that. The Australian distributor ordered
very few copies, I imagine the rest of the copies (minus the one) have already
sold out. If you are from a club in Australia and are interested, email me.
| |
It wasn’t clear on the site - do they use surface or air mail?
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For order fulfillment, I’m not sure.
-Tim
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In lugnet.cad, Tim Courtney wrote:
| |
I need to get off my butt and pass along some info so the Australian clubs
can bulk order them. Though as I recall, I’m waiting for something to be
finalized from the publisher - I’ll check up on that.
|
Ordering direct from No Starch was fairly painless (so far ;) and it should be
here in a week or so according to the email I recieved late last week. I’ll be
taking it along to the next BUGs meeting if it arrives in time, so there may be
an increase in interest about then. If there’s an advantage in bulk ordering,
I’ll be sure to pass that info along.
Cheers,
Allister
|
|
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In lugnet.cad, Allister McLaren wrote:
| |
In lugnet.cad, Tim Courtney wrote:
| |
I need to get off my butt and pass along some info so the Australian clubs
can bulk order them. Though as I recall, I’m waiting for something to be
finalized from the publisher - I’ll check up on that.
|
Ordering direct from No Starch was fairly painless (so far ;) and it should
be here in a week or so according to the email I recieved late last week.
I’ll be taking it along to the next BUGs meeting if it arrives in time, so
there may be an increase in interest about then. If there’s an advantage in
bulk ordering, I’ll be sure to pass that info along.
Cheers,
Allister
|
I ordered mine from No Starch and it arrived within 7 days and cost around $50
Aus. My opinion of the book? Excellent. I originally downloaded the all in one
installer and could not get some parts of it to work, with the chapter on
software installation in the book it was very straightforward, I look forward to
reading through the rest.
Don
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