First of all, this "one particular book" is currently the only book on the
market and I have been through it a few times. Second, it was your response
to the original post that necessitated my response. You gave a negative
review of a product I find useful. It's important for other users to get
another point of view. Even when you provided "details" of why you didn't
like the book, your arguments were weak at best. I would "defend the
quality" of AutoCAD, Civil 3D or any other product I use.
Do I work for KTEK? Nope, just a happy customer that knows their
capabilities and what they have done for other companies. Just because I
chose to enlighten you about the product and correct your misinformation
does not mean any more than just that. Maybe you work for company that has a
competing product? Perhaps you write the AOTC stuff?
Jeff
"Landman" wrote in message
news:41acc992_2@newsprd01...
> My course was taken and we used 2004 civil 3d during the course. I am not
> going to defend the quality of the book as you are. I found the book to be
> ok but I personally cannot recommend it and would not over the tutuorials
> themselves. If you are getting alot out of it that is great. I did not get
> gain one bit of knowledge out of the book when it was givin to me or my
> co-workers by our resellers. I do not place much value in books vs hands
> on
> learning. As for the KTEK guys knowing this software BEST. That is a bold
> statement to make...... do you work there.
>
> This whole thread is becomming me stating my opinion on books comming out
> and you defending this one particular book. These are the only responses
> in
> this group that you have answered or posted.
>
> This book may help alot of people starting out but I believe that the AOTC
> will be a better book that will be COMPLETE until KTEK bring out a
> complete
> book and that is what my orignal response was about.
>
>
>
> "Jeff" wrote in message news:41acc22f$1_1@newsprd01...
>> When working with the datasets included with this book, keep in mind you
> are
>> using Civil 3D 2005 (I'm assuming) to work with data created in a
> previous,
>> "preview release". You may have problems with the styles and objects. I
>> believe some of the objects and styles have changed between the preview
>> release and 2005 due to additional object and/or labeling functionality
>> in
>> the later release. If you are experiencing problems with the datasets,
>> try
>> using the 2004 version of the product.
>>
>> Yes, production of the book *WAS* halted but "stuff happens" like nobody
> has
>> ever experienced a product recall due to a manufacturing glitch?. As it
> was
>> explained to me, the printing presses were uploaded with the a wrong or
>> corrupt version of a file and some incorrect information was printed.
>> This
>> issue, however, was quickly resolved and customers that purchased the
>> original book were sent replacements. Maybe someone can explain to you
>> why
>> you didn't get a replacement? The origianl CD contained all the correct
>> datasets and was not sent with the replacement books. I.e., if you
> recieved
>> a replacement book, you didn't get a replacement CD too. BTW, the number
> of
>> books shipped before the production halt was minimal... I think I heard
> less
>> than 30.
>>
>> I think the book will have value for quite some time because styles and
>> settings are such an major part of Civil 3D and people need to learn the
>> basics first. Creating a horizontal alignment is simple... getting
>> labeled
>> and appearing like you want requires knowledge of styles. If companies
>> decide to use this product (Civil 3D) out-of-the-box without knowing
>> anything about styles, they will probably think this is a horrible
>> product
>> and abandon all efforts to try implementing it. I'm not sure what you
>> mean
>> by not having value for design but I'm guessing you'r referring to the
>> missing and/or changed features? Products evolve, features get
> discontinued,
>> and new objects get added when a new version ships. What can you do?
>>
>> "...the greatest asset to learning is those that are using the software
> and
>> able to share there knowledge with others". I couldn't agree more! The
>> authors know Civil 3D inside and out and, except for the Autodesk
>> develoment team, these KTEK guys know the product best.
>>
>> For the price, I think this book packs a lot of value. Is your reseller
>> going to give you all the information in the book for $100? Sit down,
>> read
>> the book for an hour... you just recieved the same amount of knowledge
>> (probably more) a typical reseller will give you for $100.
>>
>> Jeff
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "Landman" wrote in message
>> news:41acaec3$1_1@newsprd01...
>> > Just got off the phone with my reseller and they told me the book was
>> > pulled
>> > from production to correct all the errors and missing data in the data
>> > sets
>> > and has since been republished. You probably have a newer book than me.
>> >
>> > If that is the case then the book would have some value for those
> wishing
>> > to
>> > understand setting and styles but not design. My suggestion is to go
>> > through
>> > the tutorials and use these newsgroups when you have questions. I have
>> > alwasy found that the greatest asset to learning is those that are
>> > using
>> > the
>> > software and able to share there knowledge with others.
>> >
>> >
>> > "Landman" wrote in message
>> > news:41acaa8f_3@newsprd01...
>> >> I can try to find the information in the data sets that I am refering
> to
>> > and
>> >> get back to you if you wish. That book was provided to a class of
>> >> students
>> >> during a hands on training seminar. The class contained 10 students
>> >> and
>> > all
>> >> of the students had trouble with the book. There is a chance that you
>> >> have
>> > a
>> >> new release. I was vaque because I did not wish to name the book on
> this
>> >> group. That is why I said I would provide a private email. If the book
>> > works
>> >> for you great. It did not for myself or the other 9 students it the
>> >> class.
>> >> The instructor who also put the cours on was also so frustrated with
> the
>> >> book. Oh and just to let you know....as for being adopted as a means
>> >> of
>> >> learning the softare. The book has been pulled from prodution. At
>> >> least
>> > that
>> >> is what my software provider has told me. I will post the missing data
>> > sets
>> >> as per the book either today or tomorrow and you can let me know if
> your
>> > cd
>> >> has them.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "Jeff" wrote in message
> news:41aca626$1_1@newsprd01...
>> >> > Landman,
>> >> >
>> >> > Your comments seem rather vaque... "Information missing in the
> project
>> >> data
>> >> > set and not done very well". Perhaps you could be a bit more
> specific?
>> > I'm
>> >> > assuming you're refering to "Introducing Autodesk Civil 3D" (KTEK)
>> >> > since
>> >> > that is the only Civil 3D book available.
>> >> >
>> >> > We have several copies of the book and are very happy with it and
>> >> > the
>> > data
>> >> > sets provided! The book states it is based on the 2004 "Preview
>> >> > version"
>> >> of
>> >> > the product. If you're using the book with 2005, the version that
>> > shipped
>> >> in
>> >> > October '04, you are using an older book with a newer product which
> is
>> >> akin
>> >> > to using using a AutoCAD 2000 book with AutoCAD 2002 Some of the
>> > material
>> >> is
>> >> > still useful but some has probably changed. I know corridor modeling
> is
>> >> not
>> >> > included in the book... I can live with that. IMO, we as adopters of
>> > this
>> >> > new technology, need to walk before we can run. Use the book to
>> >> > learn
>> > the
>> >> > basics such as point management, surface creation, labeling, etc.
>> >> > and
>> > wait
>> >> > for a book covering corridor modeling to ship at a later date.
>> >> >
>> >> > Since the authors are not Autodesk, how can they reasonably predict
> the
>> >> > future of this software? They took a chance writing a book on a
> preview
>> >> > release of the software. Based on what I have heard, excluding your
>> > post,
>> >> > the book is well written and is being adopted as a means to learning
>> > this
>> >> > software.
>> >> >
>> >> > Jeff
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > "Landman" wrote in message
>> >> > news:41ab5ca7_3@newsprd01...
>> >> > >I beleive the answer to your questions as to why no books have come
>> >> > >out
>> >> > > since 2i is becuase up to this point the software has been going
>> > through
>> >> > > an
>> >> > > minor evolution with each release and no new books have really
>> >> > > been
>> >> > > necessary. With civil 3d however it is kind of a revolution in
>> > software
>> >> > > (sounds kind of lame but I beleive it to be true). I do beleive we
>> > will
>> >> > > see
>> >> > > books about civil 3d soon. There has already been one released but
> I
>> >> would
>> >> > > advise you to stay away from it as it was written prior to the
>> >> > > full
>> >> > > product
>> >> > > release and was not done very well at all. Information missing in
> the
>> >> > > project data set and oversights in the book itself. I will not
>> >> > > post
>> > the
>> >> > > name
>> >> > > of the book on the newsgroup but if you wish I will provide the
> name
>> > to
>> >> > > you
>> >> > > personally. There is a AOTC (Authorized Official Training
> Courseware)
>> >> book
>> >> > > in the works (at least that is what my re-seller tells me) and it
>> > should
>> >> > > be
>> >> > > out soon.
>> >> > >
>> >> > > "Rick Graham" wrote in message
>> >> > > news:41ab5575$1_3@newsprd01...
>> >> > >> Why are there so few 'how-to' books available for the Civil
>> >> > >> arena?
>> >> > >> Is
>> >> it
>> >> > >> because:
>> >> > >>
>> >> > >> 1. Nobody really has time to write one.
>> >> > >> 2. They want to keep it a secret (job security)?
>> >> > >> 3. They really don't know the program well enough to write one?
>> >> > >>
>> >> > >> The last 'authoratative' book was written for Land 2i (which is
>> >> > >> being
>> >> > >> discontinued). I would think that with the emergence of Civil3D,
>> >> > >> that
>> >> > >> this
>> >> > >> kind of book would generate lots of $$$. If people can write
>> >> > >> books
>> > for
>> >> > > evey
>> >> > >> change of Architectural Desktop version, WHY can't we??
>> >> > >>
>> >> > >> Ok, I feel better now! :)
>> >> > >>
>> >> > >> Rick
>> >> > >>
>> >> > >>
>> >> > >> ---
>> >> > >> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
>> >> > >> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
>> >> > >> Version: 6.0.799 / Virus Database: 543 - Release Date: 11/19/2004
>> >> > >>
>> >> > >>
>> >> > >
>> >> > >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>