Mar 02, 2011 |
6,124 views |

Book Description
Go 3D with Google’s exciting architectural design software for Mac and Windows
Whether you need to learn 3D modeling for business or you’re just eager to see what you can create, Google SketchUp and Google SketchUp 8 For Dummies are for you. Available in both a free hobbyist version and a full-featured professional version, SketchUp explodes the myth that 3D modeling software must be complicated to learn and use. This book will take you step by step through downloading and using both versions on both Mac and Windows. There are even video walkthroughs on the companion Web site.
- Google’s exciting 3D modeling software offers hobbyists as well as architects, engineers, and industrial designers a less complicated tool for architectural rendering, urban planning, set design, game design, and other uses
- This guide explains both the free and professional versions for both Windows and Mac
- Covers the basic concepts of 3D modeling and how to build a 3D model, print or share your work online, export your drawing to another design package or Google Earth, and create a detailed set of plans
- Companion Web site features video walkthroughs
Google SketchUp 8 For Dummies gets you up and running with 3D modeling quickly and easily. Download Now »
Feb 21, 2011 |
14,656 views |

Book Description
Sams Teach Yourself Google SketchUp 8 in 10 Minutes gives you straightforward, practical answers when you need fast results. By working through its 10-minute lessons you’ll learn all you need to use Google’s free SketchUp 8 to create pro-quality 3D models of practically anything!
Tips point out shortcuts and solutions
Cautions help you avoid common pitfalls
Notes provide additional information
10 minutes is all you need to learn how to…
- Quickly get up and running with SketchUp 8
- Draw basic figures with the Rectangle, Circle, Polygon, and Arc tools
- Create freehand drawings of any shape
- Incorporate text into your models–even 3D text
- Convert 2D models to 3D using Push/Pull, Move, Rotate, and other tools
- Control your view of 3D objects with Orbit, Pan, and Zoom
- Accurately measure lengths and angles
- Create construction guides with Tape Measure, Dimensioning, and the Protractor
- Organize your models into components and groups Download Now »
Feb 09, 2011 |
5,772 views |

Book Description
Virtual reality has quite a lot of demand in computer science today and OpenSceneGraph, being one of the best 3D graphics toolkits, is being used widely. Although you can use the powerful OpenSceneGraph, based on the low-level OpenGL API, to implement virtual-reality applications that simulate different environments in the 3D world, developing picture-perfect applications is easier said than done.
This book has been written with the goal of helping readers become familiar with the structure and main functionalities of OpenSceneGraph (OSG), and guide them to develop virtual-reality applications using this powerful 3D graphics engine. This book covers the essence of OpenSceneGraph (OSG), providing programmers with detailed explanations and examples of scene graph APIs.
This book helps you take full advantages of the key features and functionalities of OpenSceneGraph (OSG). You will learn almost all of the core elements required in a virtual reality application, including memory management, geometry creation, the structure of the scene graph, realistic rendering effects, scene navigation, animation, interaction with input devices and external user interfaces, file reading and writing, and so on.
With the essential knowledge contained in this book, you will be able to start using OSG in your own projects and research fields, and extend its functionalities by referring to OSG’s source code, official examples and API documentation.
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Feb 08, 2011 |
8,807 views |

Book Description
XNA is a very powerful API using which it’s easy to make great games, especially when you have dazzling 3D effects. This book will put you on course to implement the same 3D graphics used in professional games to make your games shine, and get those gamers addicted! If you think 3D graphics is something that limits your games, then this book is for you.
3D Graphics with XNA Game Studio 4.0 is a step by step companion to implement the effects used in professional 3D games in your XNA games. By the time you’re done with this book your games would have eye-catching visuals and 3D effects.
The one thing that can make or break a game is its appearance; players will mostly be attracted to a game if it looks good. With this book you will create your 3D objects and models and make them look more interesting by using shadowing and lighting techniques, and make them move in nasty ways using animation. Want to create realistic terrians for your games? Need some place for your 3D models to engage in battle? This book will enable you to do all that and more, by walking you through the implementation of numerous effects and graphics techniques used in professional games so that you can make them look great.
What you will learn from this book
- Understand the fundamentals of 3D graphics and math.
- Create a flexible framework for building games Download Now »
Jan 26, 2011 |
9,796 views |

Book Description
Get Started Fast with XNA Game Studio 4.0–and Build Great Games for Both Windows® Phone 7 and Xbox 360®
This is the industry’s best reference and tutorial for all aspects of XNA Game Studio 4.0 programming on all supported platforms, from Xbox 360 to Windows Phone 7 and Windows PCs. The only game development book authored by Microsoft XNA development team members, it offers deep insider insights you won’t get anywhere else–including thorough coverage of new Windows Phone APIs for mobile game development.
You’ll quickly build simple games and get comfortable with Microsoft’s powerful XNA Game Studio 4.0 toolset. Next, you’ll drill down into every area of XNA, including graphics, input, audio, video, storage, GamerServices, and networking. Miller and Johnson present especially thorough coverage of 3D graphics, from Reach and HiDef to textures, effects, and avatars. Throughout, they introduce new concepts with downloadable code examples designed to help you jumpstart your own projects. Coverage includes
- Downloading, installing, and getting started with XNA Game Studio 4
- Building on capabilities provided in the default game template
- Using 2D sprites, textures, sprite operations, blending, and SpriteFonts Download Now »
Jan 25, 2011 |
10,719 views |

Book Description
Want to develop games for Xbox 360 and Windows Phone 7? This hands-on book will get you started with Microsoft’s XNA 4.0 development framework right away — even if you have no experience developing games. Although XNA includes several key concepts that can be difficult for beginning web developers to grasp, Learning XNA 4.0 shortens the learning curve by walking you through the framework in a clear and understandable step-by-step format.
Each chapter offers a self-contained lesson with illustrations and annotated examples, along with exercises and review questions to help you test your understanding and practice new skills as you go. Once you’ve finished this book, you’ll know how to develop your own sophisticated games from start to finish.
- Learn game development from 2D animation to 3D cameras and effects
- Delve into high-level shader language (HLSL) and introductory artificial intelligence concepts
- Build three complete, exciting games using 2D, 3D, and multiplayer techniques
- Develop for and deploy your games to the Xbox 360 and Windows Phone 7
About the Author
Aaron Reed has extensive software development experience and more importantly, experience in software development education. Download Now »