Mathematical Principles for Scientific Computing and Visualization Review

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(More customer reviews)Many areas of scientific research, from biology to psychology, involve gathering data and computing results. While this book could have been easily considered in our Science, Nature and Technology section, it's reviewed here for its excellent insights for computer collections strong in both science and computational skills. It's a non-traditional introduction to the math of scientific computation and comes packed with many examples to provide readers with the right tools for using the software packages behind the computations. College-level collections strong in software engineering, science, math or computers will find it an excellent technical pick.


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This non-traditional introduction to the mathematics of scientific computation describes the principles behind the major methods, from statistics, applied mathematics, scientific visualization, and elsewhere, in a way that is accessible to a large part of the scientific community. Introductory material includes computational basics, a review of coordinate systems, an introduction to facets (planes and triangle meshes) and an introduction to computer graphics. The scientific computing part of the book covers topics in numerical linear algebra (basics, solving linear system, eigen-problems, SVD, and PCA) and numerical calculus (basics, data fitting, dynamic processes, root finding, and multivariate functions). The visualization component of the book is separated into three parts: empirical data, scalar values over 2D data, and volumes.

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Atlas of Science: Visualizing What We Know Review

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(More customer reviews)Katy Borner's Atlas of Science is a large format, richly illustrated book introducing satellite views of science from above. With the importance of data visualization as a reflection and new visual language for contemporary culture, having a better sense of this similar but entirely new genre of Science Maps based on 'big data' is critical. Borner's book goes far beyond beauty by being the first Atlas of its kind. A highlight of the book is the "Milestones in Mapping Science" timeline covering 1930 to 2007 in 20 pages. The process, techniques and reference systems used in creating these highly refined maps are also described in great detail. So the book acts as a superb, highly visual introduction to the field for students, professionals and the general public. Another highlight: readers can access much of the material online in a companion site. High resolution images, all references, the history of the atlas, and events are all linked from [...] - Enjoy!

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Cartographic maps have guided our explorations for centuries, allowing usto navigate the world. Science maps have the potential to guide our search forknowledge in the same way, allowing us to visualize scientific results. Science mapshelp us navigate, understand, and communicate the dynamic and changing structure ofscience and technology--help us make sense of the avalanche of data generated byscientific research today. Atlas of Science, featuring more than thirty full-pagescience maps, fifty data charts, a timeline of science-mapping milestones, and 500color images, serves as a sumptuous visual index to the evolution of modern scienceand as an introduction to "the science of science"--charting thetrajectory from scientific concept to published results. Atlas of Science, based onthe popular exhibit, "Places & Spaces: Mapping Science," describes anddisplays successful mapping techniques. The heart of the book is a visual feast:Claudius Ptolemy's Cosmographia World Map from 1482; a guide to a PhD thesis thatresembles a subway map; "the structure of science" as revealed in a map ofcitation relationships in papers published in 2002; a visual periodic table; ahistory flow visualization of the Wikipedia article on abortion; a globe showing theworldwide distribution of patents; a forecast of earthquake risk; hands-on sciencemaps for kids; and many more. Each entry includes the story behind the map andbiographies of its makers. Not even the most brilliant minds can keep up withtoday's deluge of scientific results. Science maps show us the landscape of what weknow.

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Google SketchUp Workshop: Modeling, Visualizing, and Illustrating Review

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(More customer reviews)This is not an intro to Sketchup, and doesn't really cover the actual program in depth so if you are a beginner or even novice user -- this probably is not the best book to get. But if you are already familiar with the application then this workshop in a book can be an invaluable resource as a "behind-the-scenes" look at how real professionals actually use the program, why they chose it, and how they integrate it into real-world projects.
I can't remember another book of this type that reveals so many pro tips and tricks as this book (especially those that involve things other than SketchUp.) The worldwide professional interviewed reveal their workflow, their favorite programs to use in their work, how they use them, plugins, and more. You can tell that this is not just a Google book or "missing manual" type of publication -- this is a different animal.
The actual book itself is beautiful with full color throughout, nice heavy paper and quality printing. Tons of diagrams, screenshots and in-progress project designs really let you see how things were done (even if there is not a true step-by-step handholding.)
The topics and industries covered are quite varied, and this may be a downside for some who would get the book -- if 80% of the industries are not something you work in, you may feel some of it is a waste. However, I think getting perspectives from things like architects, engineers, urban developers, graphic designers and even theatre set designers is fascinating in how many ways this program can be used. I think everyone will take something away from each part of this book.
So, all in all - highly recommended as long as SketchUp is something you work in and are very comfortable already. A rare book that doesn't talk down to experienced users and waste time with basics for those who don't need it.

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Discover the secrets of the Google SketchUp with the 16 real-world professional-level projects including parks, structures, concept art, and illustration. Google SketchUp Workshop includes all the wide variety of projects that SketchUp can be used for-architectural visualization, landscape design, video game and film conception, and more. SketchUp masters in every field will get you up to speed in this agile and intuitive software and then show you the real uses with through projects in architecture, engineering, and design.
* Packed with 16 real-world Google SketchUp projects from working professionals that traverse the entire spectrum of what SketchUp can accomplish * Covers both the free and Professional versions of the Google SketchUp program - it is not bound to any version* Teaches 2D illustration and pre-visualization through to the fully rendered 3D Model - from start to finish

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Introduction to Information Visualization Review

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(More customer reviews)Mazza's book is a valuable addition to the literature on information visualization. It is suited to a wide range of readers; the content is evenly and carefully spread to introduce the main concepts including cognitive and perceptual issues; and the presentation style is clear and easy to read - the approach of a teacher rather than the author of a scientific paper. A competent and enthusiastic teacher can, on the basis of this book, fashion their own course to the needs of their audience.
The book is also refreshing in its length: a delightful contrast to the current prevalence of texts (on all subjects) that are thick, heavy and expensive. The production standard is good, and the price reasonable.

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Information Visualization is a relatively young field that is acquiring more and more concensus in both academic and industrial environments. 'Information Visualization' explores the use of computer-supported interactive graphical representations to explain data and amplify cognition. It provides a means to comunicate ideas or facts about the data, to validate hypotheses, and facilitates the discovery of new facts via exploration.This book introduces the concepts and methods of Information Visualization in an easy-to-understand way, illustrating how to pictorially represent structured and unstructured data, making it easier to comprehend and interpret. Riccardo Mazza focuses on the human aspects of the process of visualization rather than the algorithmic or graphic design aspects.

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