Game Programming Books - Page 2

Beginning C ++ Through Game Programming, Second Edition

Michael Dawson

Amazon Price: $19.79 List Price: $29.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Course Technology PTR Amazon Marketplace: 35 new & used starting at $17.74

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Graphic Design -> General
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Graphic Design -> General AAS
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Programming -> Game Programming

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 55 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Good Introduction to C++ Using Games 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

(In reference to 1st Edition) As my title suggests this book is a pretty good introduction to C++ using basic games as the subject of the examples and exercises. Its main focus is on teaching the fundamental aspects of C++ for beginners and how to use the Standard Template Library (STL). Creating games is not really the focus as much as the the chosen subject of the examples and lessons. That said, what this book does, and does fairly well in my experience, is give a good overview and introduction to C++ and how it can be used to create the basic flow structure of a game program. Console text output is the focus, not windows programming. Those with more programming experience and looking for material on 2D or 3D graphics, or event scripting and control using C++, would be better served by another text as it does not address these subjects at all.

I have used this book successfully to help teach teens fundamental C++ and the basics of game programming (within the limits described). It is an easy step from here to go to basic text adventures and RPGs, and a then onto adding graphics, etc. as a more advanced topic (using other texts). This is really a natural progression for someone who wants to learn programming and games, but perhaps not for someone who wants to design games from an art or interaction perspective. More advanced topics such as AI, graphics, and scripting can really only be learned after one understands basic programming (in C++ or another language) and the basic of how game programs are structured.

I have found many students do not necessarily understand what it means to "program games" or how programming relates to game design and implementation. Beginning C++ Game Programming is a good text but if you are already a programmer and/or not interested in the basic code structure of games then perhaps you should find another book.

Bottom Line: Good choice for a real beginner, who is really interested in learning programming because of games, but not a good choice if you are an experienced programmer or want to make your own 2D or 3D video game "right now".

Editorial Review:

What is it that sets games apart from other forms of entertainment, keeping players coming back for more? Interactivity. The ability to control the outcome. Programming is an integral part of that interactivity, and C++ is a vital skill in programming for games. Beginning C++ through Game Programming, Second Edition will provide you with the core skills you need to begin programming with C++ specifically as it relates to games. You'll reinforce each new skill by creating small games along the way, and you'll put these skills to the test with one ambitious game project at the end. By the time you finish, you'll have a solid foundation in the programming language of the professionals!

The Official Nik Software Image Enhancement Guide: The Photographer's Resource for Professional Workflow Techniques

Joshua D. Bradley

Amazon Price: $26.39 List Price: $39.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Wiley Amazon Marketplace: 37 new & used starting at $21.37

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Photography -> Digital Photography
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Photography -> General
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Photography -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Designed to save time in the digital workflow, Nik Software's entire suite of products (Dfine 2.0, Color Efex Pro 3.0 and Sharpener Pro 2.0) were conceived with the single goal of helping photographers use products such as Adobe Photoshop easier while offering numerous editing capabilities not found within Photoshop. These powerful and highly successful digital imaging products have been written about extensively in trade magazines and publication's, however, to date no one has taken on the task of compiling techniques into a book on how best to utilize these highly popular products. The Official Nik Software Image Enhancement Guide: The Photographer's Resource of Professional Workflow Techniques is a product designed to resemble the way photographers think. The idea is to make sure the readers can apply techniques discussed in the book such as retouching, understanding the importance of light, and exposure, while learning all of the features and functionality of this family of products. The CD included with the book will have a trial version of Nik's most popular program, Color Efex Pro Standard Edition.The book will appeal to any and all owners of Nik Software products who have been asking for a book on this topic almost since the company's inception.

Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects: Essential and Advanced Techniques, 4th Edition

Chris & Trish Meyer

Amazon Price: $40.92 List Price: $64.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Focal Press Amazon Marketplace: 46 new & used starting at $28.99

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Design & Decorative Arts -> Graphic Design -> General AAS
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Graphic Design -> General
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Graphic Design -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Trish and Chris Meyer share fifteen years of real-world film and video production experience inside the critically acclaimed Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects. More than a step-by-step review of the features in After Effects, you will learn how the program thinks so that you can realize your own visions more quickly and efficiently. This full-color book is jammed full of tips, gotchas, and sage advice that will help you survive whatever your next project throws at you.

Creating Motion Graphics 4th Edition has been heavily revised, reuniting the previous two volumes plus adding detailed coverage of new features introduced in After Effects 7 and CS3 Professional to form one massive, essential reference. The enclosed DVD-ROM contains source footage and project files for the numerous exercises which help reinforce each concept. The DVD also includes over 180 pages of additional information, including lengthy Bonus Chapters on
Expressions and Effects.

* Mastering animation through the use of keyframes, motion paths, and the Graph Editor

* Blending imagery using alpha channels, masks, mattes, modes, and stencils

* Building groups and hierarchies through parenting and nested comps

* Extended coverage of type animation, paint tools and 3D space

* Advanced subjects such as keying, motion tracking, expressions, and video issues

* Includes over 180 PDF pages of bonus content on the DVD

* Extensive coverage of the new CS3 features including the Shape and Puppet tools, Brainstorm, per-character 3D text, color management, and more!

Adobe Photoshop CS2 Classroom in a Book

Adobe Creative Team

Amazon Price: $34.64 List Price: $54.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Adobe Press Amazon Marketplace: 118 new & used starting at $14.72

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Graphic Design -> General
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Graphic Design -> General AAS
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Programming -> Game Programming

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 97 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Photoshop is one of those programs that's so cool you just want to dive right in and start creating–but by plunging in head-first, without any guidance, you're likely to miss a lot. There's a solution: With this book, you learn by doing, getting your feet wet immediately as you progress through a series of hands-on projects that build on your growing Photoshop knowledge. Simple step-by-step instructions, review questions at the end of each chapter, and a companion CD with all of the book's project files make learning a breeze as the Adobe Creative Team takes you on a self-paced tour of the image-editing powerhouse. This bestselling guide has been completely revised to cover all of Photoshop CS2's new features, which include advanced tools for digital photographers, such as a new Spot Healing Brush for correcting scratches or blemishes, and Smart Sharpen for fixing photo blurring. Photoshop CS2 also includes loads of new creative tools, such as Vanishing Point and Image Warp. This comprehensive guide starts with an introductory tour of the software and then progresses on through lessons on everything from Photoshop's interface to more complex topics like color management, Web graphics, and photo retouching.

Command and Conquer Red Alert 3: Prima Official Game Guide (Command & Conquer)

Stephen Stratton

Amazon Price: $13.59 List Price: $19.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Prima Games Amazon Marketplace: 29 new & used starting at $12.01

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Games & Strategy Guides -> Strategy Guides -> Command & Conquer
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Games & Strategy Guides -> General AAS
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Graphic Design -> General

Editorial Review:

•In-depth faction stats and descriptions reveal health, attacks, damage, and defensive values for all units and structures, with data on unit special abilities

•Comprehensive control scheme analysis teaches the fundamentals of commanding forces with speed and mastery on both PC and Xbox 360

•Step-by-step walkthroughs for all 27 Campaign missions, complete with labeled battlefield maps for each stage

•Dedicated multiplayer section provides introductory strategies for C&C beginners and advanced faction-specific tactics for veterans

•Quick-reference appendix tables for swift cross-faction unit and structure comparisons

•Covers both PC and Xbox 360 versions of Red Alert 3

Photoshop Elements 4: The Missing Manual

Barbara Brundage

Amazon Price: $26.37 List Price: $39.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Pogue Press Amazon Marketplace: 40 new & used starting at $2.18

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Photography -> Digital Photography
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Photography -> General
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Photography -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 89 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The popularity of digital cameras continues to grow exponentially. They are now more powerful, feature rich, and affordable--turning digital photography into a mainstream interest. And with Photoshop Elements, Adobe has created the most popular photo-editing program on the planet. Learning how to work Photoshop Elements and manage digital photos can be a challenge for anyone just getting started--from the hobbyist to the pro photographer. With the latest Photoshop Elements 4 update, Adobe delivers a powerful new program that provides photo editing and organizing functionality with improved performance. The updated version also includes new, more intuitive features that are streamlined and easier to use--when the photographer has the right learning tool in hand.

With Photoshop Elements 4: The Missing Manual, author Barbara Brundage has written the perfect digital photography guide. In a clear, easy-to-read format, the author provides step-by-step instruction so readers can learn what they need to do to edit their photos successfully and manage their collection. This new edition also includes more than a dozen downloadable images so readers can practice using the editing tools. Readers will master useful editing techniques--from the most common to the advanced:

• Automatically correct red eye and skin tones
• Select and extract complex objects with the Magic Selection Brush and The Magic Extractor
• Create photomontages
• Restore old photographs
• Post photos on the web
• Manage and archive an entire collection
• Design a custom slide show with panning and zooming capabilities

Once photographers learn how to edit their photos successfully, they'll also learn how to post them online or upload them to the Kodak EasyShare Gallery for use in creating personal mailing lists, post cards, calendars, and much more. Photoshop Elements 4: The Missing Manual, is for any photographer interested in learning the right editing techniques for producing and sharing beautiful digital photography.

Photoshop Elements 4: The Missing Manual covers the Windows version of the software only. When we published the book, there was no Mac version of the software (as there is now), and for various reasons, we've been unable to update this edition to include the Mac version. Nonetheless, if you're on a Mac, you can use this book. Just substitute Command for Ctrl, and Option for Alt whenever you see keystroke shortcuts, and about 98 percent of the Editor functions will work the same. The sections on the Organizer only apply to Windows because the Mac version has no Organizer.

Stop Staring: Facial Modeling and Animation Done Right

Jason Osipa

Amazon Price: $31.49 List Price: $49.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Sybex Amazon Marketplace: 44 new & used starting at $26.45

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Fashion -> Models
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Fashion -> General
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Fashion -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 39 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Breathe life into your creations

With detailed examples, high-quality professional images, and a touch of humor, this is the fully revised and updated second edition of Jason Osipa's best-selling book on facial animation. You'll learn the basics of design, modeling, rigging, and animation-while mastering exciting new techniques for stretch-and-squash deformation, advanced blend extraction, and the latest software tools. Walk through the author's detailed analysis of sample animations and discover how to add nuance and sophistication to your designs.

Full of insights drawn from years of professional experience, this book provides the focused and practical information you need to create believable facial animations.

• Learn visimes and lip sync techniques
• Construct a mouth and mouth keys
• Explore the process of facial landmarking
• Master the cartoon techniques of squash and stretch
• Harness the latest advanced blend extraction tools
• Create interfaces for your faces
• Understand skeletal setup, weighting, and rigging

Control faces with the book's powerful rig and learn how skin moves to make various shapes and expressions

Master powerful stretch-and-squash (and squoosh!) techniques

Featured on the CD
Fine-tune your facial animations with the techniques demonstrated on the companion CD. Content includes tutorial files, lip sync samples, models, textures, and more.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Game Design Workshop, Second Edition: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games (Gama Network Series)

Tracy Fullerton

Amazon Price: $29.67 List Price: $44.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Morgan Kaufmann Amazon Marketplace: 49 new & used starting at $27.00

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Games & Strategy Guides -> Video Games
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Games & Strategy Guides -> General AAS
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Graphic Design -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

My Search Has Ended! 5 out of 5 stars.
11 of 13 people found this review helpful.

This book is honestly an answer to my prayers! I'm using the first half of this superb book to remodel my introductory game design class & after school game design club. The included exercises are definitely geared toward capturing the attention of the type of kids I want to attract to my program. I think I'm going to have to buy a 2nd book as my son is using the last half of the book to develop and market his senior game project and plan for his Indie game company :)

Editorial Review:

Master the craft of game design so you can create that elusive combination of challenge, competition, and interaction that players seek. This design workshop begins with an examination of the fundamental elements of game design; then puts you to work in prototyping, playtesting and redesigning your own games with exercises that teach essential design skills.

Workshop exercises require no background in programming or artwork, releasing you from the intricacies of electronic game production, so you can develop a working understanding of the essentials of game design.

Features:
* A design methodology used in the USC Interactive Media program, a cutting edge program funded in part of Electronic Arts.
* Hands-on exercises demonstrate key concepts, and the design methodology
* Insights from top industry game designers, including Noah Falstein, American McGee, Peter Molyneux

FrontPage 2003 (The Missing Manual)

Jessica Mantaro

Amazon Price: $19.77 List Price: $29.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Pogue Press Amazon Marketplace: 39 new & used starting at $17.38

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Computer Science -> General AAS
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Graphic Design -> General
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Graphic Design -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 32 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

In today's highly connected world, almost everybody has a web site, from local sewing circles to the world's largest corporations. If you're ready for one of your own, Microsoft's FrontPage 2003 has everything you need to create Web pages. It's true. Your geek friends may howl in contempt if you use FrontPage, but that's because the program has a reputation for spitting out cookie-cutter Web pages with messy, overloaded HTML code that takes forever to load. Not any more.

After listening to complaints, Microsoft has given FrontPage 2003 some pretty advanced features, including an HTML cleanup tool that helps alleviate bloated code, and new support for Macromedia Flash and XML. Now, savvy Web veterans can control as much of the process as they want, and even collaborate on a site with developers who use Dreamweaver, GoLive or other Web authoring tools. Yet, unlike those other tools, FrontPage 2003 still has automated features for beginners who don't know where to start.

There's still one flaw, though. Microsoft's idea of a user manual is a flimsy pamphlet. But that's easily solved. "FrontPage 2003: The Missing Manual" offers you everything from the basics to meaty sections on advanced tasks. Our book puts the program's features in context, with clear and thorough chapters that provide valuable shortcuts, workarounds, and just plain common sense, no matter where you weigh in on the technical scale. With it, you can learn to build simple Web pages, or sophisticated ones with tables and Cascading Style Sheets, and find out how to manage and publish a Web site. You'll also learn to create forms, work with databases, and integrate FrontPage with Microsoft Office.

If you haven'tworked with Web pages before, each chapter provides "Up to Speed" sidebars with useful background information. If you do have experience, the "Power Users' Clinic" sidebars offer advanced tips and insights. You won't find tips like those in the pamphlet, or even in the Help file. "FrontPage: The Missing Manual" gives you the complete lowdown on the program above and beyond any book on the market.

Adobe Illustrator CS2 Classroom in a Book

Adobe Creative Team

Amazon Price: $34.65 List Price: $55.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Adobe Press Amazon Marketplace: 88 new & used starting at $12.00

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Graphic Design -> Adobe Illustrator
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Graphic Design -> General
Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Graphic Design -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 28 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

How often have you wished you had access to the team behind your favorite software--in this case, Adobe Illustrator--so that you could really pick their brains about all of its coolest features? With this book, you do. In these pages, the Adobe Creative Team gives you a guided tour of the graphics powerhouse, Adobe Illustrator CS2. Best of all, it does so at your pace. Whether your beautifully designed graphics end up in print, the Web, broadcast video, or even cell phone displays, this book shows you how to get them there--easily, elegantly, and efficiently. You'll find step-by-step, project-based lessons in all of Illustrator's key features, including those that are new to CS2: Live Trace, Illustrator’s powerful bitmap-to-vector tracing tool; Live Paint, a revolutionary paint tool that lets you apply color to vector graphics intuitively and easily; the new Control Palette, which makes tools easier to locate and select, the Adobe Bridge file browser, tighter integration with Photoshop CS2, and more. Each chapter contains a project that builds on your growing knowledge of the program, while the companion CD includes all the files you need to complete the book's lessons.