When I decided to write a review on this book I was a little skeptical – I am in no way a Vectorworks power user. I am a high school theatre teacher. Up to this point I have used Vectorworks for very basic functions like simple light plots, drafting set plans, etc. I really never thought that I would use the program for its more advanced features. However, when I sat down with 3D Modeling in Vectorworks 2009 by Jonathan Pickup I was pleasantly surprised to experience a user friendly, effective experience – if you follow Jonathan’s instructions in the first few pages.
At first, I thought I was going to be way over my head; but from the first exercise (a very nice introduction to 3D extrusion) I found myself able to accomplish each of the tasks quite easily. This set up a nice precedence for the rest of the book. By the time I reached the middle and end of the book I noticed that each of the things that I had learned in the activities before, I was using without hesitation in the more complex projects. This scaffolding of basic concepts to achieve a proficiency in the end was very useful and it gave me a sense of accomplishing things that, in the beginning, I was skeptical about finishing. By the end of the text I was able to finish what I felt were some very advanced 3D models.
The only way that I was able to understand each of the activities, however, was to read AND watch the videos that Jonathan provides in the manual and the CD that accompanies it. I found that the times that I thought to myself “Oh, I can do THAT…” were the times that I found myself scratching my head in the end and having to restart the exercise from the beginning. Once I read the instructions and then watched the videos (done step-by-step to follow the instructions in the manual by Jonathan, who rewords and, in some cases shows some useful shortcuts) I went from scratching my head to having an “Ah hah!” moment when the images and objects turned out the way they were meant to.
As I now look at all the things that I will be doing with Vectorworks I find that the things that I have learned in 3D Modeling in Vectorworks 2009 will change my basic workflow and everyday use of the program. I look forward to giving the skills I have acquired a try to create my next set design elevations. I would recommend this manual to anyone who has an acute need/interest in the power of the Vectorworks 2009 rendering platform. It is an excellent way to delve into the program that otherwise has a rather steep learning curve. I would also recommend it to those basic users, like myself, for an excellent way to expand your skill set, proficiency and speed in using the program for your creative needs. Either way, 3D Modeling in Vectorworks 2009 by Jonathan Pickup is an excellent tool for anyone who uses this power and effective modeling and drafting program.
3D Modeling in Vectorworks 2009 by Jonathan Pickup is available for purchase from Nemetschek North America, the makers of Vecotrworks 2009 at http://www.nemetschek.net/training/guides.php
More information on Jonathan Pickup and his other Vectorworks related materials can be found at his website: http://www.archoncad.co.nz/ . You can also follow Jonathan on Twitter – his handle is @archoncad or you can find him at www.twitter.com/archoncad
Nick Hutchinson is the theatre and film teacher at Skyline High School in Salt Lake City, UT. You can follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nthutch , his handle is @nthutch.
