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By Jack Bransfield (ricard23)
I'm considering signing up for a Form Z course given by Architect's Toolbox. It sounds like a great course that teaches an efficient, methodical way of using the program, rather than just describing commands, etc. The site includes a long list of rave reviews from past students of the course, but it is expensive, and I was hoping to get some feedback from others on this forum before I sign up. Has anyone taken these courses? What was your level of experience when you took the course? How did it help you? Any feedback would be appreciated.
I recently took the Architect's Toolbox classes in Chicago, and wrote this for someone who asked about my experience: For me, it was worth the hefty $980 (even though I didn't have a "boss" paying for it) to learn it in four days, as opposed to spending months reading boring manuals. That said, there are certainly cheaper alternatives. The formZ forum has been great to me so far, and the "Desktop Companion" book is great too, at least for reference. Admittedly, I never actually tried the auto*des*sys tutorial, which ADS strongly recommends. But if you prefer fast, intensive, brain-cramming methods of learning, this class is for you.
E. Lectrau, By kevin murphy (kevinmurphy) on Monday, December 17, 2001 - 03:09 pm
By Jack Bransfield (ricard23) on Tuesday, January 22, 2002 - 01:34 am: I bought FormZ a year and a half ago, and had been trying to teach myself to use it in my spare time. I was able to learn a few of the tools, but I hadn't really mastered any of them, and there were dozens more that I hadn't touched. And although the FormZ manuals are very comprehensive, they can be overwhelming when you're looking for a basic understanding of the program. David's course has been incredibly valuable because it presents nearly all of FormZ's powerful tools in an exceptionally clear, logical manner. His customized interface and key shortcuts make the program's features MUCH more accessible than the stock configuration. In the past I had been a bit skeptical of using any computer program (even FormZ) for design because it forces the user to adapt to the program's logic (compare the knowledge required to sketch with a pencil vs. building a 3d computer model) . But David's approach makes this technology much more transparent. In the same way that we don't think twice about using a telephone to speak to someone far away, his intuitive verbal approach allows you to start taking FormZ for granted and concentrate on the design tasks you want to accomplish. I have just returned from the January course, and I'm excited (not intimidated) to start using FormZ for some new architectural projects. I only wish I had known about his course when I bought the program. David's teaching style is fundamental to the course's success. He tailored the class to fit the skill level of our group, and always accommodated our questions and requests whenever possible. His creativity and sense of humor kept our attention all the way through the course. I think it's quite an accomplishment to keep an entire class engaged and learning for six hours a day! I would recommend the course highly to anyone interested in developing a strong foundation of skills in FormZ.
Follow this link to see the above discussion on the form•Z Forum! "I like your teaching method, which is similar to the method you recommend for using Photoshop: make many passes at the material, working fast and loose until you are ready to focus in and tighten up in a methodical way. In your class, you go over the material quickly without getting bogged down in detailed explanation, and then you revisit the information over and over from different angles until it starts to jell. I also appreciate your focus on keyboard shortcuts, with the goal of getting the machine out of the way to allow free communication between the mind's eye and the screen. If I took away from the class only those two principles -- your overall working method for Photoshop -- it would have been worth the tuition. All the rest, and there was plenty, was gravy. Thanks!" "After taking many expensive computer classes (particularly one $500 weekend at UC Extension), I am impressed by the amount of information and the personal attention that was demonstrated by you and your course. I am able to practice at home by following the meticulously prepared CD and notes enabling a much more thorough learning experience. I feel excited and empowered after taking your course and look forward to many more such experiences. Many thanks again for offering such great classes." "A great jump start to learning a very complex program with large possibilities. The customized menus and thought put into the presentation of the program helped to organize and simplify the number of options available in form•Z. Highly recommended.” “As a professional photographer, I found the Photoshop Workshops invaluable. The hands-on approach gave me an understanding no books could, with the Toolbox Approach being key to the process. As my understanding increased, it has translated into better images, improved workflow and more satisfied clients. And the coffee is pretty good too!” “It’s been weeks since I completed your form•Z course, and I’ve been meaning to send an e-mail to tell you how much I enjoyed it. I have taken many computer classes and rarely make it to the end as I don’t find them to be beneficial or helpful. I generally leave thinking I’d be better off teaching the class. I thoroughly enjoyed your teaching and approach, however, feeling that I really got a lot out of it (BTW, I sent the folks at auto•des•sys a note about your excellent course). Truly an excellent introduction to understanding the basics of form•Z, and the ‘process’ of how to think within the program.” I'm a full time dentist from Orange County and I also develop and design dental instruments and tools. After researching many CAD and design programs, I felt formZ was the best tool for converting my hand drawings and ideas into virtual 3D models. David's course gave me the ability to directly model my ideas very quickly. David knows the program very well and has a unique talent for teaching a formidable program with thousands of operations by making and categorizing it into logical systems. His customized toolbars are far superior to the standard one from the company. I also liked the hands-on approach that was possible with such a small class. Dr. Charles E. Slone, DDS “Thank you once again for the extraordinarily productive form•Z classes. After having taken all four, I am able to fulfill my goal designing surgical instruments for eye surgery. I had been looking for such a powerful yet intuitive 3-D solution for many years without success… I had also tried and rejected form•Z…; I found the stock program and learning tutorials to be fairly non-intuitive. I would have never purchased the program if I had not taken your first class and been introduced to your logical and effective reorganization of form•Z’s tool set along with your reassigned keyboard shortcuts. These features along with the logical structure of your classes made form•Z the perfect program for me. Thanks again, and please consider publishing your many contributions in both book and video tutorial formats.” “Our entire department came for training in form•Z. I enjoyed the teaching philosophy, style and leadership. Through the introductory explanations and demonstrations, I was able to expand my perspective of both design and analysis. This experience is thrilling! These workshops are an excellent and effective way of getting into form•Z. I highly recommend them!” “I found the workshops very helpful in reevaluating how I use form•Z I found your iterative strategy for developing models that gradually increase in accuracy, detail and complexity very efficient and effective. Your insights into the underlying theory of the program and tools were greatly appreciated. Thanks for a great workshop.” "I found the form•Z workshops to be very helpful. The demonstrations and hands-on working sessions helped me gain significant insights into the extensive array of tools and options available. Additionally, the reorganization of the tools palette and keyboard shortcuts were valuable in speeding up modeling activities." “I was impressed with how much more the class entailed than I expected. I came to the studio from Southern California having never touched the program. In the 3 sessions, I feel comfortable and have confidence. I will be using form•Z at Arizona State University studying Architecture next year. I enjoyed the methods of teaching David used and appreciate the fact that he has limited the class size to provide personal attention. Thank you for all the hard work, extra time and effort! Well worth my time and money.” I really enjoyed the class and got a lot out of it. I plan to come back and I'll recommend it to friends. After getting nowhere with the demo and manuals I now feel confident I can create... I got it! This has been the best computer class I have taken. Thank you. Nicole Chiala, |
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"Thanks again for the comprehensive training on form•Z. I received the 3.9 update in the mail from auto•des•sys and will install this right away. (I also received my upgrade to AutoCAD 2002 from AutoDesk, but have no plans to install this anytime soon.
"Excellent class! Learning form-z on my own was unrealistic. I was intimidated and postponed it repeatedly. When I finally got to it, the process was slow and discouraging. This class gave me the tools very quickly to see the software as a design tool rather than a series of tedious exercises. The 5-step modeling toolbar and the organization of the class made it much easier to learn and make sense of the program. I now feel much more motivated to continue in form-Z."
"David not only knows and loves the software he teaches, but he has a great way to pass on that enthusiasm. He made the four days of intense workshops quite enjoyable. I liked the pace of the lessons and the opportunities to both watch how to do something and then the challenge of having to do it myself. I can't wait to get back to work and start using and developing my new skills."
"I'm an architect of five years working in a small residential firm. I'd taken form-z seminars in college, but this course finally made it all click. It's given me new confidence to model after having previously given up."
"At Caltrans: Bridge Architecture and Aesthetics, form-Z is the program we use for design and 3D visualization. The training I received at this workshop gave me the tools to really do anything I want ... The 5-Step customized interface opened up form•Z to me in a whole new way! It made the program much more logical (the default interface was too confusing), and the order in which the tools were taught allowed me to grasp the skills easily. I now feel I can save alot of time and quickly get to the end result I. I can't wait to get back to designing. The possibilities are endless! Thank you!"
"The workbook is excellent, alot of time and hard work obviously went into it! I was glad we decided to purchase the workbook, it is going to be a bible and a necessity until I get the hang of this program. The customized keyboard shortcuts were also terrific. The information I learned will definately improve my renderings, and expand my knowledge."
"I'm a Permanent P.O.P Designer and form-z is taking my presentations to a level that the previous software (Strata Studio Pro) can't match. The entire course exceeded my expectations! 
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