Mastering AutoCAD Architecture 2008

Paul Aubin has done it again. He has finally put out his book for Architecture 2008. The one thing that is not very good about this book is that it comes out so much later than the program does. I would like to see it come out within a month or so of the release of the program. But, other than that this is a book to have to get going with Architeture 2008. It covers any level that you are at. Beginners would start earlier in the book & those with a decent level with the previous program can start in the later chapters. One of the best features this book (and all his books that deal with ADT or ACAD Architecture) is that it brings you thru the book in the same way that you would go thru your project, be it a residential or commercial project. He also shows you how the features work in a residential project as well as a commercial project. It doesn't deal with just one type of project.It is also a plus that he includes the project files on the CD. This helps if you are starting the book in later chapters. You don't have to start at the beginning to get the project up to the point of the book that you are using or starting at. This also gives you a good check on how you are doing with the program. You are able to compare your project to Mr. Aubin's on the CD. This is very helpful if you are having a hard time with a certain part of the program. I know that I have come to a part I am having trouble with, opened up the corresponding file from the CD & understood from seeing the completed section how the procedure worked.No matter what level you are at, from beginner to expert, you should have this book near your monitor. It is next to mine. It is a good reference for the program, even if you don't go thru the exercises. I would also recommend getting the book,  Autodesk Architectural Desktop: An Advanced Implementation Guide  by Paul Aubin.

Excellent book. You have to have a full understanding of the names for the areas of the editing screen. There is a photo of the layout given at the beginning of the book that you will have to refer back to (page 43). For example, the author will say, "look for the button at the status bar". Unless you know exactly where the status bar is, you will have to review the photo at the begining of the book. Most examples are accompanied by a photo example, but some do not. Also, the author will sometimes tell you how to change the look or menu options, but does not tell you how to change it back to how it was before you altered the look. I had to spend some time with the ACA help center to figure out how to get it back. Some proceedure steps may be in reverse order. In one example (page 26), the author says to create a Space, and set the ASSOCIATIVE to YES and set CREATE TYPE to GENERATE. You cannot set the associative to yes UNLESS you have already set the create type to generate. But the author steps this out in the reverse order. So if you cannot get something to work in a step-by-step process, try and switch two or so items. Overall, a great book for a very in-depth and complex software program.

It was hard to find an instruction manual for the newest version of Architecture that wasn't really more of an AutoCAD book. This book jumps into the specifics of using the unique features of AutoCAD Architecture and as the description and reviews say, It is good for beginners and more advanced users such as myself. It is especially helpful for figuring out where tools you have used in older versions of Architectural Desk Top have moved to or morphed into becoming in the new version.

This 1150 page textbook made me realize once again why I hated school. This might be what is needed for AutoCad, but not what I need.

I had already completed the Mastering Autodesk Architectural Desktop 2006. I updated to 2008 and I use it professionally on a daily basis. This book excels at teaching Autodesk Architecture 2008 to a user who has already mastered AutoCAD and wishes to transfer to Autodesk Architecture. Everything is explained step by step from the start of a project to the finish. commercial and residential. For that, the book is fantastic. My only complaints are that the book is sometimes a little scattered and I wish this book would go in to the real underlying workings of the program. There are some Advanced program options that this book does not cover. otherwise, the tutorials are correct and provide the correct information. Furthermore, the author can be found posting in the Autodesk discussion groups which is a big plus. This book gets a solid four stars.

This is a very informative book after trying to get a grip on the other books I've tried to study along with. This book is an excllent read and study book for all areas of Cad users interested in the Architecture aspect of it.

The book is excellent. It is everything that I expected, except that the product arrived with the cover damaged. The shipping package has an inner cardboard "flap" that damaged the front cover of the book.