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Books published by publisher No Starch Press

  • LEGO Space: Building the Future

    Peter Reid, Tim Goddard

    eBook (No Starch Press, Nov. 1, 2013)
    Come explore an incredible LEGO® universe in LEGO Space: Building the Future. Spaceships, orbital outposts, and new worlds come to life in this unique vision of the future, built completely from LEGO bricks.A selection of step-by-step building instructions will have you constructing your own cosmic creations to play with at home. Marvel at interstellar battlecruisers, space pirates, charming robots, and other stunning builds from an amazing future!
  • The Art of LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Programming

    Terry Griffin

    eBook (No Starch Press, Oct. 1, 2014)
    With its colorful, block-based interface, The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 programming language is designed to allow anyone to program intelligent robots, but its powerful features can be intimidating at first. The Art of LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Programming is a full-color, beginner-friendly guide designed to bridge that gap.Inside, you’ll discover how to combine core EV3 elements like blocks, data wires, files, and variables to create sophisticated programs. You’ll also learn good programming practices, memory management, and helpful debugging strategies—general skills that will be relevant to programming in any language.All of the book’s programs work with one general-purpose test robot that you’ll build early on. As you follow along, you’ll program your robot to:–React to different environments and respond to commands–Follow a wall to navigate a maze–Display drawings that you input with dials, sensors, and data wires on the EV3 screen–Play a Simon Says–style game that uses arrays to save your high score–Follow a line using a PID-type controller like the ones in real industrial systemsThe Art of LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Programming covers both the Home and Education Editions of the EV3 set, making it perfect for kids, parents, and teachers alike. Whether your robotics lab is the living room or the classroom, this is the complete guide to EV3 programming that you’ve been waiting for.Requirements: One LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Home OR Education set (#31313 OR #45544).
  • Super Scratch Programming Adventure!

    The LEAD Project

    Paperback (No Starch Press, Oct. 13, 2013)
    Scratch is the wildly popular educational programming language used by millions of first-time learners in classrooms and homes worldwide. By dragging together colorful blocks of code, kids can learn computer programming concepts and make cool games and animations. The latest version, Scratch 2, brings the language right into your web browser, with no need to download software.In Super Scratch Programming Adventure!, kids learn programming fundamentals as they make their very own playable video games. They’ll create projects inspired by classic arcade games that can be programmed (and played!) in an afternoon. Patient, step-by-step explanations of the code and fun programming challenges will have kids creating their own games in no time.This full-color comic book makes programming concepts like variables, flow control, and subroutines effortless to absorb. Packed with ideas for games that kids will be proud to show off, Super Scratch Programming Adventure! is the perfect first step for the budding programmer.Now Updated for Scratch 2The free Super Scratch Educator's Guide provides commentary and advice on the book's games suitable for teachers and parents.For Ages 8 and Up
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  • A Beginner's Guide to 3D Modeling: A Guide to Autodesk Fusion 360

    Cameron Coward

    eBook (No Starch Press, June 11, 2019)
    A Beginner’s Guide to 3D Modeling is a project-based, straightforward introduction to computer-aided design (CAD). You’ll learn how to use Autodesk Fusion 360, the world’s most powerful free CAD software, to model gadgets, 3D print your designs, and create realistic images just like an engineering professional—with no experience required! Hands-on modeling projects and step-by-step instructions throughout the book introduce fundamental 3D modeling concepts. As you work through the projects, you’ll master the basics of parametric modeling and learn how to create your own models, from simple shapes to multipart assemblies. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll learn more advanced modeling concepts like sweeps, lofts, surfaces, and rendering, before pulling it all together to create a robotic arm. You’ll learn how to:• Design a moving robotic arm, a door hinge, a teapot, and a 20-sided die• Create professional technical drawings for manufacturing and patent applications • Model springs and other complex curves to create realistic designs • Use basic Fusion 360 tools like Extrude, Revolve, and Hole• Master advanced tools like Coil and ThreadWhether you’re a maker, hobbyist, or artist, A Beginner’s Guide to 3D Modeling is certain to show you how to turn your ideas into professional models. Go ahead—dust off that 3D printer and feed it your amazing designs.
  • The LEGO Christmas Ornaments Book, Volume 2: 16 Designs to Spread Holiday Cheer!

    Chris Mcveigh

    eBook (No Starch Press, Oct. 23, 2018)
    Building instructions for 16 clever Christmas ornaments that can be built from standard LEGO parts that fans are likely to have in their collection. These small and uncomplicated ornaments are quick to build and a joy to display.Readers can build 16 classic Christmas designs including a gingerbread house, Santa, reindeer, a snowman, a wreath, a poinsettia, and traditional shapes like baubles and modern geometric swirls. With easy-to-follow instructions and stunning full color photography, The LEGO Christmas Ornaments Book, Volume 2 will help you spread some holiday cheer with LEGO in no time!
  • Coding iPhone Apps for Kids: A Playful Introduction to Swift

    Gloria Winquist, Matt McCarthy

    eBook (No Starch Press, May 15, 2017)
    Apple’s Swift is a powerful, beginner-friendly programming language that anyone can use to make cool apps for the iPhone or iPad. In Coding iPhone Apps for Kids, you’ll learn how to use Swift to write programs, even if you’ve never programmed before.You’ll work in the Xcode playground, an interactive environment where you can play with your code and see the results of your work immediately! You’ll learn the fundamentals of programming too, like how to store data in arrays, use conditional statements to make decisions, and create functions to organize your code—all with the help of clear and patient explanations.Once you master the basics, you’ll build a birthday tracker app so that you won’t forget anyone’s birthday and a platform game called Schoolhouse Skateboarder with animation, jumps, and more!As you begin your programming adventure, you’ll learn how to:–Build programs to save you time, like one that invites all of your friends to a party with just the click of a button!–Program a number-guessing game with loops to make the computer keep guessing until it gets the right answer–Make a real, playable game with graphics and sound effects using SpriteKit–Challenge players by speeding up your game and adding a high-score systemWhy should serious adults have all the fun? Coding iPhone Apps for Kids is your ticket to the exciting world of computer programming.Covers Swift 3.x and Xcode 8.x. Requires OS X 10.11 or higher.
  • The North Star: Fast-paced Space Opera

    Killian Carter

    eBook (Starcane Press, Sept. 9, 2019)
    An ancient alien race. A sentient monkey. An epic adventure.Jason Grimshaw has one job. Get the cadets to Colony 115. Just another day. Just another milk run. Or so he thought.When scanners pick up an unidentified alien vessel, it's already too late. With his ship blown out from under him, and his crew scattered across a war-torn planet, his day just keeps getting better. The good news? One of the pilots survived. The bad news? She's the biggest pain in his ass, and she's stranded miles away.When Clio Evans said she wanted to fly for Fleet, crash-landing a starship in hostile territory wasn't what she had in mind. She may not be the most experienced pilot, but she sure as hell has a few tricks up her sleeve. With an army standing between her and the rest of her crew, she'll have to pull out all the stops, even if it means exposing a secret that'll see her hanged for treason.Buy your copy today, and lose yourself in this epic adventure.
  • The Manga Guide to Calculus

    Hiroyuki Kojima, Shin Togami, Becom Co. Ltd.

    eBook (No Starch Press, Aug. 1, 2009)
    Noriko is just getting started as a junior reporter for the Asagake Times. She wants to cover the hard-hitting issues, like world affairs and politics, but does she have the smarts for it? Thankfully, her overbearing and math-minded boss, Mr. Seki, is here to teach her how to analyze her stories with a mathematical eye.In The Manga Guide to Calculus, you'll follow along with Noriko as she learns that calculus is more than just a class designed to weed out would-be science majors. You'll see that calculus is a useful way to understand the patterns in physics, economics, and the world around us, with help from real-world examples like probability, supply and demand curves, the economics of pollution, and the density of Shochu (a Japanese liquor).Mr. Seki teaches Noriko how to:–Use differentiation to understand a function's rate of change–Apply the fundamental theorem of calculus, and grasp the relationship between a function's derivative and its integral–Integrate and differentiate trigonometric and other complicated functions–Use multivariate calculus and partial differentiation to deal with tricky functions–Use Taylor Expansions to accurately imitate difficult functions with polynomialsWhether you're struggling through a calculus course for the first time or you just need a painless refresher, you'll find what you're looking for in The Manga Guide to Calculus.This EduManga book is a translation from a bestselling series in Japan, co-published with Ohmsha, Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan.
  • The LEGO Power Functions Idea Book, Volume 1: Machines and Mechanisms

    Yoshihito Isogawa

    eBook (No Starch Press, Oct. 1, 2015)
    This first volume of The LEGO Power Functions Idea Book, Machines and Mechanisms, showcases small projects to build with LEGO Technic gears, motors, gadgets, and other moving elements. You’ll find hundreds of clever, buildable mechanisms, each one demonstrating a key building technique or mechanical principle.You’ll learn to build sliding doors, grasping claws, rack-and-pinion mechanisms, and ball-shooting devices of every sort!Each model includes a list of required parts and colorful photographs that guide you through the build without the need for step-by-step instructions. As you build, you’ll explore the principles of simple machines, gear systems, power translation, and more.
  • The LEGO Adventure Book, Vol. 2: Spaceships, Pirates, Dragons & More!

    Megan H. Rothrock

    eBook (No Starch Press, Nov. 1, 2013)
    Join Megs and Brickbot on another exciting tour of LEGO building in this second volume of The LEGO Adventure Book series. As they track the Destructor and rebuild the models he destroys, you’ll follow along and meet some of the world’s best builders. Learn to create sleek spaceships, exotic pirate hideaways, fi re-breathing dragons, fast cars, and much more. With nearly 40 step-by-step breakdowns and 100 example models, The LEGO Adventure Book is sure to spark your imagination and keep you building!
  • The LEGO Animation Book: Make Your Own LEGO Movies!

    David Pagano, David Pickett

    eBook (No Starch Press, Oct. 16, 2016)
    Have you ever wondered what your LEGO creations would look like on the big screen? The LEGO Animation Book will show you how to bring your models to life with stop-motion animation—no experience required! Follow step-by-step instructions to make your first animation, and then explore the entire filmmaking process, from storyboards to post-production.Along the way, you’ll learn how to:–Create special effects like explosions and flying minifigures–Convey action and emotion with your minifigure actors–Design sets for animation—make three buildings look like an entire city!–Light, frame, and capture consistent photos–Add detail and scope to your films by building in different scales–Build camera dollies and rigs out of LEGO bricks–Choose cameras, software, and other essential animation toolsDive into the world of animation and discover a whole new way to play!For ages 10+
  • The CS Detective: An Algorithmic Tale of Crime, Conspiracy, and Computation

    Jeremy Kubica

    Paperback (No Starch Press, Aug. 16, 2016)
    Meet Frank Runtime. Disgraced ex-detective. Hard-boiled private eye. Search expert.When a robbery hits police headquarters, it’s up to Frank Runtime and his extensive search skills to catch the culprits. In this detective story, you’ll learn how to use algorithmic tools to solve the case. Runtime scours smugglers’ boats with binary search, tails spies with a search tree, escapes a prison with depth-first search, and picks locks with priority queues. Joined by know-it-all rookie Officer Notation and inept tag-along Socks, he follows a series of leads in a best-first search that unravels a deep conspiracy. Each chapter introduces a thrilling twist matched with a new algorithmic concept, ending with a technical recap.Perfect for computer science students and amateur sleuths alike, The CS Detective adds an entertaining twist to learning algorithms.Follow Frank’s mission and learn:–The algorithms behind best-first and depth-first search, iterative deepening, parallelizing, binary search, and more–Basic computational concepts like strings, arrays, stacks, and queues–How to adapt search algorithms to unusual data structures–The most efficient algorithms to use in a given situation, and when to apply common-sense heuristic methods